The new international Catholic-inspired institute Incarnatus Est, promoted by French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj, has been presented in Madrid and will begin its activities in September 2026 in Boadilla del Monte, within the territory of the Diocese of Getafe. The initiative proposes a nine-month academic course aimed at young people between 18 and 28 years old, combining study, community life, and spiritual formation.
According to ABC, the first class will consist of forty students who will live together throughout the course in a format that its promoters describe as an almost «monastic» retreat, adapted for lay young people who wish to deepen their faith while continuing their academic journey.
A formation “incarnated” in community
Incarnatus Est defines itself as a Hispanic institute of humanistic formation inspired by Catholicism. The project integrates inseparably the intellectual dimension, spiritual life, and fraternal coexistence. The academic plan is based on philosophical and theological anthropology, with thematic modules and seminars taught by professors from Spanish universities.
In addition to classes, students will participate in manual work and artistic activities such as gardening, carpentry, crafts, or theater, as well as pilgrimages and cultural encounters throughout the course. The calendar will include the Camino de Santiago at the beginning of the academic year and will conclude with a pilgrimage to Covadonga.
The project also has an academic alliance with the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, which will allow recognition of up to 60 ECTS credits for the studies completed. Students will also participate in certain activities on the university campus.
During the presentation, Hadjadj explained that the initiative seeks to overcome what he calls a «besieged fortress mentality» and to form «gardeners of culture,» capable of showing the value of the Catholic faith in the current intellectual and social sphere.
The support of the Diocese of Getafe
The Diocese of Getafe, in whose territory the institute’s headquarters will be located, has expressed its institutional support for the project. The bishop, Ginés García Beltrán, intervened through a video message during the official presentation.
«It is a joy that such an interesting and pioneering project is located in our land,» affirmed the prelate, thanking Hadjadj and the promoting team for their initiative. On behalf of the diocese, he expressed his desire for the project to bear fruit and offered an explicit welcome: «Know that you are at home».
The mission of Incarnatus Est, as explained by its managers, is to offer during an academic course a space for study, community life, and spiritual life that helps young people understand their faith, their vocation, and their place in the world, addressing contemporary challenges with clarity.
The institute will open its admission process for the first class, which will begin in September, thus consolidating the implementation in Spain of a formative proposal that Hadjadj previously developed in Switzerland with the Instituto Philanthropos.