Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination
The Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination at Loyola Marymount University is a community of scholars who work in dialogue with the Catholic intellectual tradition by developing, critically examining, communicating, or otherwise engaging the rich resources of Catholic thought and imagination, especially as it is informed by Jesuit and Ignatian vision. The Academy serves as a hub for scholarship, interdisciplinary research, innovative pedagogy, and creative outreach across LMU’s campus in the southwest United States and beyond.
FIAT LUX / Where Hope Meets the Sublime
The Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination (ACTI) presents Fiat Lux, a transformative multimedia immersive experience projected onto the historic walls of Sacred Heart Chapel. This ambitious production turns the chapel into a living architectural canvas, blending large-scale projection mapping with the visceral power of live musical choirs to explore themes of healing, memory, and transformation. Deeply personal and culturally resonant, the film serves as a communal vessel for processing shared trauma—from environmental wildfires to personal stories—offering a visually stunning path toward collective renewal.
Join us in Loyola Marymount University Sunken Garden for five nights, October 11–15, 2026.
Written and Directed by José García Moreno
A Story by Pavel Cantú and José García Moreno
Animated by Andy Cepollina, Shane Acker, Sheldon Williams, Christian Trujillo and José García Moreno
Performance by Neno Pervand and Quinn DeVries
Music by Timothy Law Snyder
Produced by John Sebastian, Alexander Thurnher and José García Moreno
ACTI in the LMU Community
Anima Mundi
Anima Mundi: The Soul of the World was a live performance over three nights in early December 2023. The show included a recorded soundtrack, a live choir, and an animated film. This collaborative artistic experience utilized 2D animation, 3D printing, and high-definition video mapping projection. José García Moreno wrote, designed, and directed the film. Timothy Law Snyder composed music for the project, and John Flaherty arranged and directed the music.
Advocate Podcast
Advocate is a podcast series telling stories with sound about prominent faculty, staff, and students at LMU. This show opens doors to understanding diverse faiths, races, and ideologies. We seek those who are overlooked or considered less traditional. The aim of our show is to cherish our history and simultaneously share vibrant experiences within our campus-wide community and beyond.
Friends of ACTI Events
LMU students 145-mile journey to Tijuana, Mexico through the De Colores program since 1985.
Visit the Film Website
Wildwood is an upcoming stop-motion animated dark fantasy and sixth feature film produced by American animators Laika.
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ACTI's Environmental Alliance
Loyola Marymount University has signed on to the Laudato Si' Action Platform, a global initiative inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical On Care of Our Common Home (Laudato Si') that will guide our journey to ecological renewal by 2030.