About Us

Rev. Luke Buckles OP – Spiritual Adviser & Senior Lecturer

Rev. Luke Buckles OP has been teaching theology and offering Spiritual Direction and retreats for over 40 years. Fr Luke was ordained to the priesthood in 1978. He taught at Holy Rosary College in San Jose, he was a professor of theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology from 1985-2005, and he was a professor of dogmatic and spiritual theology at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome from 2006 until 2020. Fr Luke was also rector of the International Convitto of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Returning to the Dominican School of Philosophy in 2020, Fr Luke is currently teaching at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in California every fall semester, and every spring semester he teaches at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He continues to guide souls and offers retreats to priests, married couples, and members of Christ’s Faithful Laity.

Education

Doctor of Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome
Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome
MA Theology Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California
MDIV Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, California
BA Philosophy, St Albert’s College, Oakland, California
BA Anthropology and Psychology, University of California, San Diego

Dr Denise Clare Oliver – Founding Director, Director of Spiritual Theology & Senior Lecturer

Prior to founding Claritas Spiritual Theology, Dr Denise Clare Oliver was Professor of Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, invited lecturer for the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, Adjunct Professor of Theology for the Institute for Continuing Theological Education and Priestly Formation at the Pontifical North American College, Rome, Director of Theology at the School of the Annunciation, and Senior Lecturer for the Academy of the Annunciation. Dr Oliver is Founding Director of Claritas Spiritual Theology, Director of Spiritual Theology & Senior Lecturer for Lux in Tenebris, and an adjunct lecturer for Oscott College (Seminary). She also offers ongoing clergy formation and retreats.

Education

Doctorate in Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Specialisation: Spiritual Theology), Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Master of Arts in Sacred Theology (Specialisation: Thomistic Studies) Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Sacred Theology Baccalaureate, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Philosophy, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.

**Dr Christina Pal- Founding Director of Lux in Tenebris and Senior Lecturer for Claritas Spiritual Theology**

Dr Pal is a senior lecturer for Lux in Tenebris and Claritas Spiritual Theology, a senior lecturer & module convener for the Mater Ecclesiae Pontifical College and St Mary’s University Twickenham, an adjunct lecturer for Oscott College (Seminary), and an adjunct lecturer for Maryvale Institute.

Prior to founding Lux in Tenibris, Dr Pal was an adjunct professor for the Augustine Institute and for Christendom College’s Rome programme, as well as Adjunct Professor of Theology for the Institute for Continuing Theological Education and Priestly Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. She was also Senior Academic Tutor for the School of the Annunciation at Buckfast Abbey and the Academy of the Annunciation in Bournemouth.

Dr Pal specialises in Systematic Theology & Biblical Theology – keeping Scripture & Dogma together. She encourages a Canonical approach to the reading of Sacred Scripture, and a Catholic understanding of Divine revelation and the organic development of dogma.

Education

Doctorate in Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Specialisation: Dogmatic Theology), Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Master of Arts in Sacred Theology (Specialisation: Thomistic Studies) Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Sacred Theology Baccalaureate, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Philosophy, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum) Rome.
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Southern California.

Contact

About Us

Rev. Luke Buckles OP – Spiritual Adviser & Senior Lecturer

Education

Dr Denise Clare Oliver – Founding Director, Director of Spiritual Theology & Senior Lecturer

Education

**Dr Christina Pal- Founding Director of Lux in Tenebris and Senior Lecturer for Claritas Spiritual Theology**

Address:

Telephone:

Business Hours:

About Us

Rev. Luke Buckles OP – Spiritual Adviser & Senior Lecturer

Education

Dr Denise Clare Oliver – Founding Director, Director of Spiritual Theology & Senior Lecturer

Education

Dr Christina Pal- Founding Director of Lux in Tenebris and Senior Lecturer for Claritas Spiritual Theology

Address:

Telephone:

Business Hours:

Donation

**Dr Christina Pal- Founding Director of Lux in Tenebris and Senior Lecturer for Claritas Spiritual Theology**