Mini-Sabbatical

Stoking the Fire

For priests at midlife, Saint Meinrad offers an integrated four-week sabbatical program to help you rest, reflect and reinvigorate your spiritual life, update and expand your theological intellect, and renew your fire for pastoral ministry.

The Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests (1994) notes: 

"[Priests] need encouragement, genuine appreciation, a new deepening in all aspects of formation with the purpose of examining their actions, and a re-awakening of the motivation underlying the sacred ministry.

They also need to reflect on: pastoral methods in light of essentials, the communion among priests of the presbyterate, friendship with the Bishop, surmounting any sense of exhaustion, frustration and solitude and, finally, rediscovering the font of priestly spirituality" (no. 94).

Sabbatical Design

"Stoking the Fire" Mini-Sabbatical is the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates' program of ongoing formation for priests at midlife, providing participants a time to rest and be renewed.

• Reflect on experiences of transitions in this stage of life and ministry

• Short daily readings and prayer meditations on aspects of midlife 

• Availability of counselor and spiritual director

• Health professional consultation; diet and exercise choices

• Reflections on scripture and pastoral leadership

• Theological updates

• Creation of a personal growth plan moving forward from the mini-sabbatical

• Optional weekend outing

The Setting

Located among the peaceful rolling hills of southern Indiana, Saint Meinrad Archabbey is a community of Benedictine monks that has remained faithful to its commitment to daily Mass and prayer since its founding in 1854. The seminary has been educating men for priesthood nearly as long.

Amenities and activities

• Private room and bath facilities with full-size bed

• WiFi Internet access

• Fully equipped weight room and cardio exercise facility

• Library and video borrowing privileges

• Satellite TV and DVD player 

• Nearby sports and leisure activities 

• Opportunities for communal prayer with monastic community 

• Daily Mass, reflection and prayer with fellow priests

• Counselors, confessors, spiritual directors

• Options for nearby outings and dining

Sabbatical Dates

• July 10 – August 5, 2023 

Costs

• Program fees are $4,000.

• A $250 application fee is due with the application. If the applicant is accepted, the $250 fee is nonrefundable and is applied to the balance. The fee is fully refunded to any applicant not accepted into the program.

• Limited need-based financial aid is available.

• A blood panel review with a health professional is offered within the sabbatical. The blood draw can be performed at Saint Meinrad's Health Service.

• Optional round-trip airport shuttle to and from the Louisville, KY, airport (SDF) is available for $50.

• Overnight accommodations and meals before and after the dates of the sabbatical, if available, are in addition to the cost of the sabbatical. Call to check for availability and pricing.

The Institute for Priests and Presbyterates is able to offer workshops and programs at a lower cost due to the generosity of many benefactors. The actual cost per participant for the Stoking the Fire mini-sabbatical is considerably higher than the amount charged. Limited financial aid is available for those needing assistance.

Click for Downloadable Registration Form

Click for Downloadable Registration Form & Financial Aid Application