In 1981, Oblate School of Theology began the Ministry to Ministers program. The program is a four month intensive spiritual and theological sabbatical experience for priests and religious men and women who have been in ministry for a number of years. The Lay Ministry Institute opened its doors in 1982, and the Instituto de Formación Pastoral in 1985. These two programs prepare candidates theologically and spiritually in certificate programs for pastoral lay ministry. In 1992, the Oblate School of Theology assumed the responsibility for the Oblate Renewal Center (formerly Casa San José). Through its facilities, the Center offers a variety of programs to respond to the needs of the local church.
The School recognizes the many ethnic groups present in the Southwest and the United States as a whole, reflecting the reality of the world church. In the Southwest, understanding ministry within its proper cultural context is particularly relevant to the Mexican-American community and heritage. There are distinct challenges, for example, of the Mexican-American in predominantly Anglo-American institutions as well as those of the Anglo-American preparing for ministry to predominantly Mexican-Americans. The School’s programs utilize the Hispanic cultural environment of San Antonio to learn from and to prepare students to minister effectively among peoples of diverse cultural backgrounds.
In addition to a commitment to the Hispanic/Latino population, Oblate School of Theology has opened its doors to a diverse student population from all over the world. The school also is a center where students from a number of religious denominations complete a degree in theology and ministry.
Taken from: http://www.ost.edu/OblateSite/OST/about-ost.htm
A Masters and Doctoral degree in Spirituality is now being offered. It is our hope that some members of our Mazenodian Family will come to join this program and focus their study on Oblate spirituality, charism and mission.
So much offered. In the past couple of days, reading and learning of what is being offered at OST and remembering the beauty of the location, the warmth of the people there, the richness of the spirituality. I could pitch my tent there! I am reminded a little of my stay at Madonna House thirty years ago. It was also a place of deep spirituality and grace, love and learning. I came away from there with so much. I went there much a like a baby to discover life and love, to be taught and to learn. I find myself actually likening that to Paul’s time after his conversion, although my time was more like a couple of years versus a couple of days. I had so much to learn, to take in. In truth that never stopped for it has been 30 years of learning and being, allowing God to mold me and for the scales to fall from the eyes of my heart and wounds. And my time with the Oblates – that too has been a time of conversion and transformation. Ongoing for it continues.
I have so much to be grateful for – the absolute and utter tenderness in which God has carried me all this time allowing me to stumble and be picked up, allowing me to see anew every day the glory of all of creation and to “find” in that creation God himself. Today is day two of our Community Days and I look forward to being a part of the richness that each of us brings in ourselves. There is such an abundance of joy in being with and part of community.
Isn’t it amazing what God offers to us right where we are, in and through each other. Again, not a reflection on what Frank has written, but this was where I was led this morning. I awoke this morning, again singing “we are Oblates”, I get to start this day, filled with gratitude and awe. I look forward to the wonder of the day.