Hesburgh Sabbatical Program - Components

 

The Hesburgh Center offers two sabbatical options to meet your needs: The Hesburgh Sabbatical -  a semester long residential program that takes place in a learning community of experienced women and men who seek spiritual, academic, and physical renewal. The other is the Independent Sabbatical -  an individually designed educational and cultural experience.


Participants
Women and men gather from all continents of the global community to create an intentional learning cohort richly diverse in culture and experience.  These learners are priests, sisters, brothers, deacons and lay ministers.  Individuals should have ministerial experience in full time ministry. 

 

Courses
The Sabbatical Program includes a wide array of courses, usually about 30 each semester, taught by the world renowned faculty of Catholic Theological Union.  Participants gather weekly to do Theological Reflection on the course content and their own experiences. The Hesburgh Sabbatical Program is 15-16 weeks in length.  Participants earn CEU's (Continuing Education Units) for the sessions that they attend.

 
Days of Recollection
Several Days of Recollection are offered throughout the sabbatical time.  Through these "Desert Days," reflection group, and integration days, participants will have the opportunity to articulate the pastoral and social dimension of their learning.
 
 
Optimize Your Sabbatical
Enrich your Hesburgh Sabbatical experience by extending your stay here at Catholic Theological Union.  Take a year long sabbatical, join the Hesburgh Sabbatical for one semester, then design your own independent sabbatical for another semester and include some time with the Institute for Sexuality Studies . The Institute offers a flexible program of studies for example begin your sabbatical in January or June with studies in sexuality, CTU’s Summer Institute or work with the Hesburgh Sabbatical staff to design your own time of rest, relaxation and renewal.  You might consider how CTU’s foremost Biblical Study Travel Programs might fit your plan. 


At the conclusion of your sabbatical program you will have had opportunities to:

  • Update theologically
  • Deepen your relationship with the Lord through prayer, liturgy, spiritual direction and counseling
  • Become rested and physically renewed
  • Experience intercultural relationships
  • Have fun in Chicago
  • Reflect on where you have been, where you are at and be ready to move on in ministry
  • Earn CEU's (Continuing Education Units) for the modules you have attended