Program Highlights
- A year-long journey through three key areas of leadership development: the interior life of the leader, collaboration skills with community members and partners, and preparing for adaptive leadership challenges
- Certificate in leadership development earned through St. Joseph’s College of Maine
- Cohort based (learn in community, from one another)
- Co-facilitation, from an expert in leadership and a religious
- Monthly, online sessions: 2 hours to include prayer, presentation of content, small group discussion and peer support
- Classwork, including reading texts and articles, watching video content, and writing and responding to prompts, all which takes place in between monthly sessions
- Year-long, starting with an in-person opening gathering (September 16-18, 2025 in Detroit, MI), 10 monthly sessions, closing with an in-person meeting at the CMSM assembly (July 21-23, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ)
Who is this Program For?
- This program is designed for religious who have been fully incorporated into their community (i.e., solemn profession, ordination, or any other milestone a community uses to indicate life commitment) for 10 years or less.
- It is not intended for those in postulancy, novitiate, or simple vows. Instead, it is geared towards religious who have already made a life commitment to their community and are preparing to take on greater responsibilities and roles.
- The program is expected to run annually, so there will be future opportunities for younger members to participate.
- This program focuses on leadership, not management – those who are interested in developing management skills, such as budgeting, facilities management, and personnel would be better served by pursuing programs that focus on these areas, such as Villanova’s Certificates in Church or School Management.
Cost and Logistics
- The program cost is $1,950, which covers everything except travel costs, lodging at the closing session, and books.
- The opening session is in-person, from September 16-18, 2025 at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat House in Detroit, MI. Although it may be possible for participants to join remotely, all are encouraged to attend in person to get to know other members of the cohort.
- The closing session is also in-person at the CMSM 2025 National Assembly, from July 21-23, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ.
Program Framework: Interior, Collaborative, & Adaptive
Learn More About Each Module
The program may be revised based on feedback from the current cohort!