The Camino Program of the School of Theology at the University of Navarra is designed as an ideal extension to existing initiatives for the ongoing formation of diocesan priests. Specially tailored for younger priests, the program integrates three elements of special interest for their priestly life and ministry:
1. The spiritual experience of participating in the 1200-year history of the pilgrimage to Santiago.
2. A deepening in the theology and teachings of the great Spanish saints.
3. The opportunity to have a first contact with the Spanish language or to advance to the next level through an intensive language course tailored to the participants’ level.
St. Mary’s Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the Bishops’ Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.
https://stmarys.edu/the-center-for-continuing-formation/clergy-programs/
The Notre Dame de Sion Centre for Biblical Formation in Jerusalem offers programs of study centered on the Word of God: drawing on Jewish sources and tradition; visiting sites related to the biblical text; reflecting on relevant Church Documents; and engaging with peoples of the land.
Participants at the Centre have the unique opportunity to study, contemplate and pray with the biblical text in the Land so central to its composition. Participants are part of an international, ecumenical community exposed to the best of contemporary scholarship. Living in this bustling and cosmopolitan city, central to Jews, Christians and Muslims you will begin to appreciate the religious, cultural and political complexity that is Jerusalem.
https://www.biblicalformationcentre.com/
We invite you to come to Rome and walk in the footsteps of some 3,000 priests from all over the English-speaking world who have attended the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College since its beginning in 1971. The Institute is an extraordinary opportunity for priests to study, pray and become zealous disciples of the Lord in a newer and deeper way.
Come join us August 9-10, 2025 in honoring the life and holiness of St. Junipero Serra by walking in his footsteps along El Camino Real (The Royal Road) for this annual event. This 35-mile stretch of the California Camino is considered one of the most beautiful and pleasant mission-to-mission treks.
The Ministry for Priestly Support helps priests anchor themselves in Christ so that they learn to do all things with Christ. This is a ministry founded to support priests in their spiritual life priestly identity, and contemplative leadership.
Our Experience of working with priests has taught us three things;
- Every priest is doing the best he can with the gifts he has and the training he received. However, the impact of secularization and the landscape of evangelization is moving at an unprecedented speed.
- Many priests find themselves isolated and/or in need of personal renewal. Furthermore, many find themselves living a priesthood that is different than what “they signed up for”.
- There is no sustainable renewal of the Church without the renewal of the priesthood.
Our Response:
Relationship: priests need a personal, intimate, and spousal relationship with God.
- We offer silent, directed retreats within the context of the Spiritual Exercises, both in the 30-day and 8-day format.
- We offer on-going spiritual direction.
Identity: priests must know whose they are and they whothey are. It is imperative to help priests rediscover in persona Christi capitis.
- We offer a 6-month sabbatical program, with a focus on renewal of priestly identity, as well as contemplative leadership.
- We offer resources and consultation to any diocese regarding their ministry to priests.
Mission: when priests know whose they are in Christ, their ministry is animated by the One who does all things with him.
- We offer coaching and/or consultation on an on-going one on one basis.
- We host and facilitate peer to peer growth groups so as to support pastors in contemplative leadership.
For more information go to https://www.priestlysupport.com/
Contact Kristin.niedbala@gmail.com
Lingua Ecclesiae is the first intensive summer course, specifically dedicated to ecclesiastics. In order to guarantee a sound learning, the course will be completely held in Latin: Latin will be the only communication language in the class.
https://www.saintmeinrad.edu/priests-ongoing-formation/sabbaticals/
DESIGN YOUR OWN SABBATICAL
Flexible scheduling between August 1 and May 31.
Participate in Liturgy of the Hours and Mass with the monastic community in the Archabbey Church or with seminarians in St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. The chapel in St. Bede Hall is also available for private prayer and/or celebration of Mass. Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration are regularly offered.
Spiritual direction and/or counseling are available.
Full-semester sabbaticals have the possibility of either auditing or taking classes for credit in the Seminary and School of Theology (additional fees applicable). The Guest House and Retreat Center has regular offerings of midweek and weekend retreats.
Resources and support available for independent study and/or research project
They are a community of Catholic Benedictine monks living in the only medieval British monastery still being used for its original purpose.
Situated in north-east Scotland, six miles south-west of Elgin in Moray, the monastery enjoys the peace and stillness of a secluded glen, but is easily reached by road from the town. The atmosphere of quiet reflection and of work dedicated to the glory of God is the same now as it was in the thirteenth century, when a community of monks first came to this part of Moray.
If you visit the Abbey today, you can enjoy not only the beauty of its architecture and its setting but also something of the restful atmosphere of devotion that has so deeply permeated this little corner of Scotland. The Mass and full Divine Office are sung by the monks each day in the Abbey church, using Gregorian Chant.
“Stoking the Fire” is an integrated four-week sabbatical program providing time for rest, prayer, reflection, and renewal for priests who may not be able to access a more extended sabbatical program.
https://www.saintmeinrad.edu/priests-ongoing-formation/mini-sabbatical/
Tantur has developed several different Programs and Special Courses to serve those seeking to deepen their understanding of this land, its history, its culture, its people and their own faith. The Continuing Education Programs are designed for those who are members of a Christian community, whether as priests, pastors, educators or lay people. These programs range in length from three weeks (the Easter Encounter) to three months. The Scholar’s Program is designed for junior and senior scholars, without regard to religious affiliation, who are either writing their dissertations, or who are on sabbatical and desire to research and/or write on a topic integrally connected to this land, whether religious, historical, political or cultural.
Volunteer to cover the sacraments in a more remote setting for your sabbatical. This frees up one of their priests to get some R & R as well.
If interested, please contact Fr. William Hahn for more details.
Funding Opportunities for Sabbatical Programs
Lilly Grant Program:
May cover all the expenses of a priest’s sabbatical, including the salary of the priest’s replacement at the parish as well as provision for continuing education of parish staff and parish leadership. Obtaining a Lilly Grant saves the parish and the diocese a great deal of expense in order to allow our priests to go on sabbatical. Lilly’s deadline for grant applications is in April – at least a year in advance of the planned sabbatical, and their decisions are made in August.