Why are we here? How do we make sense of and cope with suffering and injustice? How do we reconnect with purpose in our work and our life? These questions transcend history and point to our perennial quest for meaning and purpose in life. We live in a rapidly changing society subject to the stresses of modern life. The impersonal nature of technology and industry have left us lacking in true social connection, creating a growing sense of isolation and futility. Confronting these contemporary forces, we enter a crucial stage and experience essentially universal emptiness and hunger.
In recent years, people have turned to other philosophies, traditions and the self-help industry to try to nourish this hunger. Where does society turn for nourishment when other means have left us lacking? In the contemporary search for immaterial sources of happiness, well-being, and purpose, drawing wisdom from the deep wells of Christian Spirituality has never been more relevant.
Watch our mini series “What is Spirituality” on Youtube to hear from our faculty and leaders in the field on how they define Spirituality.
Our Mission
We draw on the deep wells of the Christian tradition to address the needs of our contemporary world.
Advanced Degrees in Spirituality
The Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality (ISCS) at Oblate School of Theology is the only concentrated, integrative program of its kind in the United States offering ATS accredited PhD, DMin, and MA degrees in Contemporary Spirituality.
For scholars and people within academia, the ISCS offers three distinct degrees in the field of Contemporary Spirituality, all taught by an internationally renowned faculty. The goal of our degree programs is to convene the academic resources emerging within the growing field of Contemporary Spirituality and make them available to the community of scholars.
ISCS inspires an ongoing and renewed interest in the rigorous study of and publication on Spirituality to benefit the world’s understanding of how the deep wells of Christian mysticism can enrich broader global theological and religious scholarship.
Degrees
Master of Arts in Spirituality
Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality
The Masters of Arts in Spirituality equips students to draw on the deep wells of the Christian spiritual tradition in order to respond faithfully and creatively to the spiritual needs and concerns of contemporary communities. Through coursework and peer-to-peer learning, students develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of diverse historic and contemporary expressions of Christian ...
Doctor of Philosophy in Spirituality
Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality
The Doctor of Philosophy degree was established in response to an expressed interest for academically rigorous graduate formation and scholarship in Spirituality. This is a full-time residential program designed to give each student the tools to assess religious experience, critically evaluate contemporary movements within spirituality, help mentors others in spirituality, and do scholarly ...
Programs
Graduate Certificate in Spirituality Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Spirituality Studies prepares students to draw on the deep wells of the Christian spiritual tradition in order to respond faithfully and creatively to the spiritual needs and concerns of contemporary communities.Through study of various Christian spiritual and mystical traditions, students consider how Christian spirituality has been practiced and expressed in diverse ...
Forest Dwelling Program
Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality
The Forest Dwelling Program: Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years was brought to life in 2019 by Fr Ron Rolheiser, OMI and his dedicated team in response to the need for a container in which to cultivate maturing spirituality. This program grew out of their vision. Forest Dwelling is a 2-year transformational certificate program which provides the opportunity to journey into the heart of the aging ...
