Studying Spirituality at Oblate has been special because the program here is the "lineage holder" of the academic discipline of spirituality, a mature and growing field that is able to meet the contemporary moment. Because of the spirituality program's emphasis on interdisciplinarity, or "spirituality and...", I have been able to grow as a scholar-practitioner of Classical Chinese Medicine by practically, intellectually, and intuitively weaving the models of interconnectedness and relationality inherent in Christian spirituality with the Daoist concept of Oneness, yin and yang, and the ten thousand things.

The Master's in Spirituality at OST has helped me recognize my own spiritual journey; it has made me more aware of how to walk intentionally in finding God in the present moment.Furthermore, this program has enhanced my ability to serve as a spiritual director, allowing me to better support anyone who wishes to grow in their relationship with God and embrace the fruits of that friendship.

As a student at Oblate School of Theology, I am blessed to be a part of a community of people; scholars, students, religious, laity, men and women who take their commitment to the Christian mission as a force for good in the world, as well as their own personal, spiritual, and professional growth. I can say with confidence that OST made many of my most significant spiritual and professional milestones possible.

I chose Oblate School of Theology (OST) for a number of reasons. First, it is the only school in the United States that offers a PhD in Spirituality which I envision as a critical framework to integrate, teach, mentor, research, and publish in the Roman Catholic spiritual tradition in tandem with my lifelong experience in healthcare and leadership. Secondly, my undergraduate degree was obtained at Niagara University, a Vincentian school whose mission embraces serving the worlds poor. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate share this mission making study at OST a natural integration of charisms while providing a spiritual home.  Thirdly, OST offers the unique opportunity to study with some of the most accomplished and respected scholars in the academic discipline of spirituality testifying to the quality of the school’s  educational offerings.

OST is a great hub for intellectual and personal encounter, I was very pleased to find a small and yet diverse and rich community open to the exploration of new avenues for theology, spirituality, philosophy and Christian life, and at the same time well rooted in the continuous dialogue with the riches inherited from Christian tradition.

The choice to study at OST has been a Spirit-influenced endeavor. The PhD in Spirituality program is unique, and frankly, the Spirituality discipline suits me, particularly at this stage of its development, because the frontier is still relatively open. As an inherently interdisciplinary field of study, bridges are still being built between different elements of theology and the social sciences (and others). I enjoy having the liberty to "range around" and find connections among the different fields.

I find that I am drawn to more times of silence and the graces of the Forest Dweller journey continue to emerge when I least expect them. My awareness of the presence of God in people and nature is richer and deeper and often I just gaze on what surrounds me with eyes or intentional love and gratitude. I am learning to hold all things lightly. I have grown in my capacity to let go.

I am noticing that, since being in the Forest Dweller Program, I really have gotten more motivation to make peace with my diminishments. That has been a very difficult thing for me to do. It is a major part of what I did as a Forest Dweller and what I continue to do now. I can see that I’m moving towards surrender. There is much more peace in my life and I think as I go through this process I notice that coming out of the Forest Dwelling Program - I am getting more [spiritual] directees. The reason for that is that I have been so engaged with making peace with my own diminishments.

God continues to bless us with beauty all around us as we are called to take a deep dive into diminishment, so we both take turns caring for each other, grateful to have each other and looking forward to the next 10 years, God willing. I certainly feel like I am better equipped for the last leg of our journey home because of the Forest Dwellers program.

This is my fifth year in the Forest and maybe I am a slow learner because I keep learning more and more. I think that the mere fact that we do this in community, with people who are also questioning, and soaking in what we can receive from the Forest, really makes a difference. Being part of a community like this helps the natural process of evolving, deepening, and letting go.

I am constantly amazed at the dedication of the Program instructors to the personal spiritual and human development of each participant.  We are a very diverse group, but the leaders seem to know each of us individually and feed each of us exactly where we are, as the Spirit provides the sustenance we need through them.

I am so inspired, encouraged, lifted up and amazingly proud to be among such good company as my fellow Forest Dwellers from Cohort #1 and the others who have followed. I cannot fully express how my experience in the very first cohort changed my life, both spiritually, intellectually and physically.  And the bounty keeps on giving.

Is it possible to blossom at age 80? In our culture, meaningful connection with other elders is a challenge and yet we sense we are not alone. The Forest Dwelling program invites you to proceed at your own pace and choose a life-changing, life-giving path to greater wisdom and faith. In a noise-filled world, we learn to listen to our souls.

Pursuing a Ph.D. program in Spirituality is a dream come true for me. As a nun living in a developing country and under a strongly patriarchal culture, this dream was at one time unreachable and unimaginable for me, or so I thought. But now, at OST, my dream is becoming a reality. I hope to bring back what I learn here at OST to my homeland to serve my people.