Saint Meinrad’s spiritual formation program offers a structured, for-credit program for spiritual growth. The program can help you:

• grow in knowledge of the Church’s spiritual tradition, particularly the Benedictine charisms;
• deepen your baptismal call to holiness, justice, and your ability to articulate your own vocation;
• practice the process of theological reflection, working individually and in groups to put personal experience into dialogue with Church tradition;
• understand the varieties of spiritual practices, and discern a personal spirituality that fits your unique gifts and temperament;
• develop and strengthen a commitment to personal prayer and public worship.

You can complete all of the program requirements in two to four years alongside your other coursework, earning three pass-fail credits toward your degree. The required components are:

Required Components

• Submit a spiritual autobiography and statement of goals to the spirituality portfolio.
• Participate in four weekend workshops. Spirituality workshops are offered twice a year and focus on a variety of spiritual subjects. You should begin with the regularly offered workshop on theological reflection.
• Participate in four theological reflection group meetings, leading one.
• Complete the experiential/retreat component. Make at least two retreats or days of recollection and write a two- to three-page reflection on each retreat. Or, you may make one retreat and engage in at least one year of regular spiritual direction or regular participation in a faith-sharing or Bible study group.
• Complete the final integrating project and exit interview. The project is a five-page statement about your spirituality, including an honest evaluation of personal strengths, weaknesses and growing edges, and your future goals for growth and development. An exit interview provides an opportunity to reflect on your growth with the Saint Meinrad spiritual formation staff.

You must email all written assignments and reflections to the Director of Lay Degree Programs, who gathers them in your confidential spirituality portfolio and tracks your completion of the required components.

Optional Components

• Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Companioning: Meeting regularly with a spiritual director (at least six times in 12 months) can comprise half of the required experiential component. A Saint Meinrad monk may provide you with spiritual direction if one is available, or we can assist you in seeking out a spiritual director in your home region.
• Faith-Sharing and Bible Study Groups: If you are involved in your own group, independent of Saint Meinrad theological reflection groups, these regular meetings (at least six times in 12 months) can substitute for one of the two required retreats in the experiential component. You will need to submit half-page reflections on at least six meetings.
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Testing: We offer you opportunities to take the Myers-Briggs personality profile, which is administered by the counseling staff at Saint Meinrad. There is no extra charge.

For more details on specific components or requirements, please contact the Office of Lay Degree Programs.

Payment Policy and Financial Aid

Tuition is based on the tuition rate at the time of enrollment and may be paid over a two-year or four-year period. You are responsible for arranging a payment schedule with the Business Office. If you complete the program earlier than expected, we will award you academic credit after the full tuition amount is paid.

You may receive applicable financial aid for the spiritual formation program, as for any other course. You must complete the necessary financial aid forms.

Please see Financial Information for more details.