Pope Benedict’s letters, blessing the School, the students, the members and the Founder (see here).
Advisory Board of the School (see here).
Jean Khoury is a French Catholic theologian specialising in Spiritual Theology and Spiritual Formation, and the founder of the School of Mary, established in 2003. With over thirty years of experience in the field, he has dedicated his work to the study, teaching and practice of Spiritual Theology, particularly the formation of priests, deacons, consecrated persons and lay faithful, guiding them towards spiritual maturity and the fullness of union with God. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, a Canonical Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) from the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum in Rome, and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) from the Institut Catholique de Toulouse, France. During his studies at the Teresianum, he also attended courses within its Master’s programme in Spiritual Theology, which considerably enriched his theological and spiritual formation.
Between 1998 and 2026, Jean pursued extensive doctoral research in Spiritual Theology under the auspices of the Institut Catholique de Toulouse, the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, and the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum. His research focused on Fr. Louis Guillet’s contribution to the understanding of the spiritual journey, with particular attention to its final phase and the soul’s progression towards the fullness Love. Although the thesis was not brought to completion, nearly three decades of sustained research profoundly enriched his theological understanding, deepened his knowledge of the stages and dynamics of spiritual growth, and contributed significantly to the development of his theological vision and methodology of spiritual formation, the fruits of which have been progressively articulated and disseminated through numerous articles, theological studies and books.
His theological and spiritual formation was greatly enriched by the Discalced Carmelite tradition, particularly through the teaching of Fr François-Marie Léthel, O.C.D.. He has lectured in Spiritual Theology at various universities, consistently emphasising the practical application of theology to spiritual life and growth towards union with God. Many of his articles, theological studies and books have been published internationally. In 2003, Jean felt called by Our Lady to found the School of Mary, a Catholic school dedicated to providing adults with a profound and systematic formation in the spiritual life. At the heart of its teaching are Lectio Divina, the Prayer of the Heart (Contemplative Prayer), and an understanding of the stages and laws of spiritual growth. The School seeks to help Christians respond fully to the universal call to holiness, guiding them towards an ever-deepening union with Christ and the fullness of Christian life.
His principal areas of work include ensuring steady growth in the spiritual life through comprehensive spiritual formation, promoting an integral vision of theology in which theological knowledge is inseparable from the journey towards union with God, and training Spiritual Formators and Spiritual Directors capable of accompanying and guiding others along this journey. His work places particular emphasis on the renewal of theological and spiritual formation within the Church, especially in the formation of priests, deacons, consecrated persons and lay faithful. Jean also provides regular Spiritual Direction, teaches courses and leads spiritual retreats. He is married, has a daughter, and is based in London. JeanKhoury@schoolofmary.org
Mgr Keith Barltrop Mgr Keith Barltrop was born in Bromley in 1947 and educated at Eltham College, Magdalen College, Oxford, where he read Chinese, and the English College, Rome, where he was ordained in 1976. He has worked as a director of theological studies at the English College, a curate and parish priest in Harrow, the rector of Allen Hall seminary, an Episcopal Vicar in East London, director of the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE), and is currently parish priest of St. Mary of the Angels, Bayswater in London. Mgr Keith is Chaplain to the School of Mary.
Rev. Fr. Michael Doyle Father Michael Doyle is a priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster. He has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology as well as an STL in Spirituality. For most of his priestly life and ministry he has been working in seminary formation. He was instrumental in setting up the present formation programmes at Allen Hall London and St Mary’s College Oscott in Birmingham. He has also given workshops in formation at the Venerable English College Rome. He remains pastorally active in the parish of Sacred Heart, Henley on Thames, and continues to be deeply engaged in seminary formation, with a particular focus on the urgent need for in-depth training in the art of Spiritual Direction for both seminarians and priests. He is currently developing through the School of Mary a formation programme in Spiritual Direction specifically aimed at priests. FrMichaelDoyle@schoolofmary.org
Deacon Stephen Arnold Deacon Stephen Arnold is incardinated in the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida and ministers full-time as a hospital chaplain. Before this, Deacon Stephen served as a parish pastoral associate and pastoral administrator at parishes in Minnesota. His higher education degrees come from institutions deeply influenced by the Benedictine tradition: Conception Seminary College, Conception, Missouri (BA: Philosophy) and St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota (Master of Divinity). Deacon Steve is a gifted preacher and pastoral minister; he is the director of spiritual formation for the current diaconal cohort of the Diocese of St. Augustine and is now focusing especially on the ministry of spiritual direction (offering direction and training others for this ministry). He is especially drawn to the Carmelite doctors and hopes to use all his talents for the fostering of holiness among the people of God. He sees the School of Mary as the ideal venue to pursue this passion with brothers and sisters on the same journey: “What you have received as a gift, give as a gift!” (Mt. 10:8). DcnStephenArnold@schoolofmary.org
Rufaro Butau Rufaro attended the first course run by the School of Mary in the UK in 2007. Together with his wife Leonora, he has since helped organise several courses in London and led the School in the UK. He spent over a decade working in the financial sector in London and has recently moved to the US. He has a keen interest in how the Fathers of the Church interpreted the Bible and the teaching of Lectio Divina. He teaches Solid Foundation Course. RufaroButau@schoolofmary.org
Leonora Butau Dr. Leonora Butau is a theologian, writer and speaker who resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her wonderful husband, Rufaro, and their two sons. Leonora joined the School of Mary’s leadership team in 2013, after being deeply impacted by the School’s teachings. Prior to moving to the USA in 2018, Leonora worked at St. Mary’s University in London, England, where she spent eight years teaching courses in Catholic Ethics and Spirituality and where she organised national and international theological formation events. She also worked for CSAN, the charitable agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. While in the USA, she has worked as a Program Director for the St. John Paul II Foundation and has presented local and national talks in the areas of spiritual life, marriage and family, and the Theology of the Body. She earned a BA in Theology and Religious Studies and an MA in Bioethics from St. Mary’s University, London, and has a PhD in Theology from the University of Surrey, England. Leonora and her husband, Rufaro, share a passion for spiritual life and a desire to share the life-changing teachings of the School of Mary with many others. Leonora teaches the Solid Foundations Course. Leonora@schoolofmary.org
Maartje Skare-Hessels Maartje is married and a mother of three. Initially she was trained as a lawyer and after studying Theology and Philosophy part-time with the Brothers of St. Jean Maartje found she wanted to deepen her knowledge of Spiritual Theology and how to grow in her spiritual life in a practical way. She has followed all of the School’s available courses over the last few years, where she has become the Director in the UK. She has helped organise courses, both for the School and for some groups outside the School. She is active in her parish, helps organise and serves in the retreats of Emmaus and has organised children’s adoration for a number of years. She started teaching Lectio Divina in 2019 and has taught on various topics for the School since, including the Solid Foundations Course. MaartjeSkare@schoolofmary.org
Lisa McGowan Lisa has served in numerous capacities in her home parish, including that of being a catechist, as well as speaking and facilitating workshops in her diocese of St. Augustine Florida. In 2019, she retired from her career in banking leadership to pursue God’s call to become Fully His. Through her years of prayer, study and retreats, Lisa experienced a deep longing ‘for more’ and knew something was missing in her pursuit to grow closer to God. In 2020, Lisa’s arduous search was over when she found the School of Mary’s offering of a course on Lectio Divina. Lisa is both a student and volunteer supporting administrative duties and coordination of courses for the School. She is particularly drawn to the teachings of St. John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and the Desert Fathers, and feels ‘blessed beyond measure’ at how quickly her spiritual life has been deepened in the short time she has been associated with the School. Lisa is a member of the National Catholic Writers Guild, is a certified Life and Leadership Coach, and is blessed with a wonderfully supportive husband Mac and beautiful daughter Ashley. She is an enthusiastic advocate for the School, sharing its rich treasures with others who are seeking a deeper union with Christ. LisaMcGowan@schoolofmary.org
Francesca Crocker Francesca is a retired teacher and has been involved with the School of Mary since 2013. She is one of the School’s management team and has helped organise courses. Francesca runs two parish prayer groups where she is trying to implement the School’s teachings in keeping with the evangelical spirit of both the Church and the School of Mary. She finds great joy in meeting like-minded people seeking to deepen their spiritual life and to be supported by the team and these new friends, all with the same goal in mind of being united in the Lord. FrancescaCrocker@schoolofmary.org
Lourdes Da Cruz Lourdes attended the first course run by the School of Mary in the UK in 2007. She has since helped organise several courses in London. She has been a loyal and indefatigable promoter of the School. In fact Lourdes is very interested in the teachings on St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross provided by the School, teachings which have transformed her spiritual life. Her favourite book is “I want to see God” by Bl. Marie Eugene OCD. For several years, Lourdes facilitated the Catholic Alpha course in her parish. She was also involved for a couple of years in the “Cenacolo” Community, Our Lady of Knock House, Knock, Co Mayo. Lourdes has worked in the financial sector over the past 21 years in London and is now retired.
Manfredi Marzano Born in Turin in 1949, Manfredi is now living in Legnano, Lombardy, Italy. Being married with three children, in 2004 he came across the School of Mary which played a decisive role in his conversion. After having followed many courses given by Jean Khoury, together with other friends and acquaintances, he formed the Association of the School of Mary in Italy and became its President. Thanks to the teachings he had already received and subsequently put into practice, he ran two courses in Spirituality, with the encouragement and support of the Episcopal Vicar and his own Parish Priest. At present he is mentoring a group of faithful from his own parish, thereby spreading the teaching he had received into a wider area.
Hilda Teng Hilda has a music degree specialising in piano teaching. In 2016 she attended the ‘Solid Foundation 000’ course in 2016, which she felt finally answered the seeking of her heart and opened a whole new world of spiritual life for her. Since then she has attended many courses here and recently completed the first Spiritual Formator course. Hilda greatly believes that the School of Mary’s teachings can benefit many Christians just as it has enhanced her spiritual life and continues to do so. She loves very much St. Therese of Lisieux in her Little Way and her favourite spiritual author is St John of the Cross; though needless to say, like everyone, her most beloved of all is Jesus Himself. HildaTeng@schoolofmary.org