Future ministers need to be prepared to help people in the formation and growth of their relationships with God, self, others, and the world. The best of Catholic formative, theological education appreciates the importance of translating theological truths into living practices of faith—in short, into spirituality. Christian spirituality, properly understood, is rooted in the tradition of the Church and the community of faith.
STM offers a variety of programs and courses focused on spirituality. As an interdisciplinary academic field, Spirituality Studies explores the richness of the Christian spiritual tradition—its historical and contemporary texts, practices, figures, and movements.
Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation, Summer 2019
Connect with STM to learn more about our spirituality studies offerings.
In the Th.M., S.T.L., and S.T.D. degrees, Christian Spirituality Studies can be chosen as a concentration. Students participate in critical study of the Christian spiritual tradition with an eye toward creative and constructive theological appropriation of these materials in ways that contribute to the church, the academy, and the world.
Take the next step in your career and strengthen your ability to transform the spiritual lives of individuals and faith communities. Three themes—prayer and discernment, the art of spiritual direction, and working within faith communities—highlight the program. 2021 Dates: July 19-30.
Explore spirituality through one of our flexible 18-credit certificate programs. Certificates are offered for enrichment or enhancing your ministerial skills in the areas of Christian Spirituality, Ignatian Spirituality and Jesuit Studies, and Spiritual and Pastoral Care. You may also apply to STM as a non-degree student to further your education and professional development through spirituality offerings.
Review our certificate offerings and current courses »
A one-week intensive on facilitating the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life, also known as the 19th Annotation retreat. This program consists of morning classes that explore central dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises, with the afternoon focused on the practice of facilitating the retreat for others. The program is open to trained spiritual directors who have experienced the 19th Annotation themselves. 2021 Dates: June 28 - July 2.
Engaging in the ministry of spiritual direction has a way of deepening the mysteries of the spiritual life along with all the questions and challenges that arise. Our new program, The Journey Continues, offers the opportunity to explore some of those questions and to further refine the skills to help others mine the riches of God's grace. Each two hour session will provide opportunities for supervision and continuing education.
The annual Underhill Lecture is held each summer at Boston College in Robsham Theater. The lecture is named after the early twentieth century mystic Evelyn Underhill, author of the classic text Mysticism and numerous influential texts on the Christian spiritual life. Past Underhill lecturers have included Wilkie Au, Sandra Schneiders, Timothy Radcliffe, Elizabeth Johnson, Ilia Delio, and Rowan Williams. Andrew Prevot will give the 2021 lecture; Date TBD.
“I am excited that STM is developing programs in Spirituality Studies. Not only do we have the faculty resources to do so, but also Christian spirituality—focusing on ways of being disciples of Jesus—is at the core of what we try to inculcate in many, if not all, of our classes.”
STM students benefit from opportunities for retreats, spiritual direction, and additional courses and events offered by partner offices like the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies, the Church in the 21st Century Center, and the Center for Ignatian Spirituality.
