We are Oblate
Our Mission
Inspired by the charism of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Oblate School of Theology (OST) educates, forms, and renews men and women to “preach the Gospel to the most abandoned.”
OST is a community of scholars and students who respect and celebrate global cultural diversity through various languages, traditions, and backgrounds firmly rooted in Christ.
Our History
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1903
San Antonio Philosophical and Theological Seminary (SAPTS) [3200 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212]
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Sept. 5, 1905
St. Anthony’s College and Apostolic School founded at same location (juniorate, present St. Anthony’s Catholic High School)
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June 1, 1911
Diocese of San Antonio stops sending seminarians to the school
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Sept. 9, 1920
Juniorate and Scholasticate are separated.
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1926-1927
De Mazenod Scholasticate (DMS) construction “4 miles north of the city of San Antonio”
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Dec. 1, 1947
Catholic University in Washington, DC becomes affiliated with DMS for an initial 2 years
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Apr. 18, 1950
De Mazenod Scholasticate incorporated, Constitution and By-Laws adopted
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Sept. 1, 1962
Merger with Our Lady of Snows in Pass Christian, MS
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Nov. 8, 1962
Name changed to Oblate College of the Southwest (OCSW)
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May 14, 1968
New Board of Trustees for OCSW was established, including lay people, 4 men and 1 woman
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July 26, 1968
New Articles of Incorporation of OCSW
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Dec. 4, 1969
Received accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
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June 1, 1969
Associate membership in American Association of Theological Schools
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Spring 1970
Diocesan seminarians from Assumption Seminary attend classes at OCSW
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June 13, 1970
Very Rev. Patrick Guidon, O.M.I. president
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Nov 1975
Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) program inaugurated
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June 23-27, 1980
First Lay Ministry Institute
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Summer 1981
Name changed to Oblate School of Theology
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Jan 1982
OST receives accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (Informe Jul 1982)
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Spring 1985
OST selected to serve as a pilot institution for the Vatican Study of Programs of Priestly Formation in the US (OST newsletter, Spring 1985)
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June 1, 1995
Very Rev. John William Morell, O.M.I. president
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Dec 1997
40,000 books come from closed Oblate College for the library (OST News Fal 1997)
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Mar. 24, 2001
Pat Guidon Center completed
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Sept. 22, 2001
OST Special Collections and the Southwestern Oblate Historical Archives dedicated in the basement of Immaculate Conception Chapel
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Oct. 18, 2003
Donald E. O’Shaughnessy Library dedicated
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June 1, 2004
Very Rev. Warren A. Brown, O.M.I. president
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Aug. 1, 2005
Very Rev. Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I. president
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Feb. 17, 2012
Whitley Theological Center (WTC) and Kusenberger Guest Residence dedicated
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May 24, 2013
OST’s main building renamed The Gayle and Tom Benson Theological Center
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Sept. 8, 2020
Dr. Robert Scott Woodward, D.Min. president
Oblate School of Theology facilitates and enhances access to theological education at all levels for people of Hispanic/Latine origins.
Highlights
The Interior Castle of Teresa of Jesus for Spiritual Directors
SoulCard Collage Art Series | Forest Dwelling
10th Anniversary Sankofa Institute | Empowering Black Families in Community
Statement of Purpose
The institution prepares persons for pastoral ministry through academic study and supervised practice. Through degree and certificate programs, OST strives to educate and form candidates for priestly ministry as well as lay ministries. Beyond its Master’s level degrees, OST offers both academic and professional doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for professional continuing education and personal spiritual renewal to those serving in the church, society, and the academy.
Oblate graduates reported an effective or very effective formation in skill areas including:
- Ability to preach well
- Ability to use and interpret Scripture
- Knowledge of Church policy/Canon Law
- Ability to conduct worship/liturgy
- Ability to relate social issues to faith
- Ability to interact effectively with those from cultural and racial/ethnic contexts other than my own
- Awareness and appreciation of the globalized context in which ministry is practiced
- Ability to work effectively with both women and men
- Ability to think theologically