Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program

Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)

The Ministry to Ministers (MtM) Sabbatical Program provides a sabbatical experience for Roman Catholic priests, religious women and men, and lay ministers who have been engaged in pastoral ministry for a number of years and who will be returning to an active ministerial mission or assignment, whether in a full-time or reduced time capacity.

Four key aspects of the Biblical Sabbath – ceasing, resting, embracing and feasting – constitute the framework to facilitate the personal, spiritual, theological, and pastoral renewal of each participant.

Holistic in its design, MtM focuses on personal growth and spiritual renewal, addressing the needs of body, mind and spirit. A key objective of the program is integration: the assimilation and application of this experience into everyday life and ministry.

To create a healthy and hospitable community atmosphere, the international program accepts a maximum of 24 participants, with an equitable balance between women and men. MtM is designed for people who are physically and emotionally healthy and who have the capacity to participate in and benefit from the fullness of the program. The program is not intended for persons suffering significant physical limitations or psychological dysfunctions or addictions.

Two sessions are offered each year: fall (August – December) and spring (January – May).

Core Components

– Spiritual Direction and Faith-Sharing: All MtM participants choose a spiritual director who seeks to be a personal, spiritual companion, facilitating the integration of new insights, personal spiritual growth and development. Weekly faith-sharing in small groups enables participants to glean new self-knowledge by sharing personal experiences, faith challenges and opportunities.

– Mini-courses and conferences focus both on general theological updating and specific topics of contemporary spirituality and psychology related to personal well-being. This is accomplished via the talents and skills of the Oblate School of Theology faculty and the expertise of outstanding lecturers, theologians, and spiritual directors from the region and the nation.

– Academic and enrichment courses offered by the Oblate School of Theology are open at no additional cost to MtM participants. Reading and reflection are encouraged, but there is no written homework.

– *Physical well-being: All have the opportunity to participate in an individualized wellness program. A wellness consultant suggests an individual program to meet personal needs. At St. Mary’s University Athletic Center MtM participants are offered a wide array of exercises such as water aerobics, yoga, rock climbing and the use of specialized exercise machines.

– Personal Counseling: Although personal counseling is not included in the cost of the MtM program, some sabbatical participants discover the need for the services of a licensed counselor during the program. MtM provides the names of competent and respected counselors to respond to this need.

– Sharing of community life, faith and life experiences is essential to the MtM program. Free time is built into the program, including most afternoons and evenings, and Saturdays and Sundays. All participants are expected to disengage from active ministry commitments to devote their time and energies to the sabbatical process.

Tuition & Housing

The Pat Guidon Center is home of the MtM program and features spacious, recently renovated bedrooms with private bath, internet access, glass-walled chapel, and garden areas. A large outdoor swimming pool is also available for MtM participants. MtM Tuition: MtM tuition covers all presentations, workshops, classes, spiritual direction, eight-day directed retreat, *gym membership, and *wellness consultant. Also included are normal room and board living expenses such as meals, snacks and socials, along with bed linens, towels and laundry supplies. *Due to COVID restrictions, these services may not always be available.

Fall 2023 & Spring 2024

Application fee: $55.00 (non-refundable)
Program fee: $6,080.00
Room and Board: $8,445.00
Total cost: $14,580.00

All MtM participants must have medical insurance that meets the standards of the U.S. Affordable Care Act.

COVID-19 Information

– MtM is open at this time, with a few adjustments due to the COVID pandemic.
– Most MtM sessions and activities are in-person. Some OST events may be on-line only.
– Documentation of fully vaccinated status is required for acceptance into the program.
– OST and MtM follow the guidelines of the CDC (U.S. Center for Disease Control) for COVID-safety.
– COVID-safety measures are subject to revision according to the status of the pandemic in the San Antonio area.