New Program: Graduate Certificate in Benedictine Spirituality

Collegeville, MN 6/28/2023 The faculty at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary announce a new Graduate Certificate in Benedictine Spirituality.

Admission is rolling and now open for the fall of 2023.

This 15-credit certificate is available fully online, in-person, and in a hybrid modality. The SOT/Sem will offer a 1-credit Benedictine Spirituality course every semester (fall, spring, summer) taught by experts in Benedictine spirituality and monasticism, including practitioners in the field to support the certificate.. The Benedictine Spirituality Certificate requires 9 credits in Benedictine Spirituality/Monasticism, 3 credits in Liturgy or Scripture, and 3 credits of unrestricted electives. This certificate is an ideal complement to oblate formation, monastic formation, and for all those who are drawn to the Rule of Benedict.

Dean of the School of Theology and Seminary, Shawn Colberg, said, “the School of Theology and Seminary is excited to launch this program. Our Benedictine mission and living relationships with Saint John's Abbey and Saint Benedict's Monastery shape our approach to theological studies and Christian discipleship. We have long offered one of the few -- if not the only -- Monastic Studies programs in the country.

The SOT/Sem also offers an 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Monastic Studies, and a concentration in Monastic Studies within the Master of Theological Studies degree.

“The Graduate Certificate in Benedictine Spirituality leverages our location, identity, and curriculum to offer a program of intellectual and spiritual formation in the best of Benedictine traditions. We wish to raise up and support vowed Benedictines, oblates, and anyone who seeks wisdom in the Benedictine way. The certificate combination of one-credit and three-credit options exposes students to a diversity of topics in the Benedictine tradition and allows Saint John's to partner with Benedictine practitioners and wisdom figures from around the world to provide the most comprehensive and engaging formation in Benedictine spirituality available in a graduate program,” said Colberg.

 A special discount rate will be applicable to all Oblates and members of Monastic Communities who follow the Rule of Benedict and are accepted into the Benedictine Spirituality Certificate.

Please direct any inquiries about the certificate including questions about the application process and questions of discount eligibility to Director of Admission, Alex Blechle at [email protected].