Mission of Saint Meinrad School of Theology

The mission of Saint Meinrad School of Theology is the initial and ongoing formation of priests, permanent deacons, and lay ministers to minister together effectively in the service of the Roman Catholic Church.

The long tradition and rich Benedictine heritage of Saint Meinrad School of Theology instill:

• a love of learning integrated with a lifelong seeking of God,
• a strong grounding in tradition and an ability "to attend to the signs of the times" (Gaudium et spes 4),
• a love of the Church's liturgy and a personal commitment to a life of prayer,
• a sense of hospitality that welcomes Christ in each person and in the community of disciples gathered in Christ's name.

 
Realizing the Mission
The realization of this mission requires both attention to the distinctive identity and formation needs of priests, permanent deacons, and lay ministers as well as formation and development of professional skills to assist them in working together for effective ministry in the Church and for the world.

The mission is carried out through programs in four areas:

1. Priestly Formation, the School's traditional and central work, offers human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation of candidates for priestly ministry in a multicultural Church consistent with the spirit and teachings of the Second Vatican Council and in keeping with the Program of Priestly Formation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
2. Lay Ministry Formation offers accessible and affordable theological education that integrates human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation directed toward Church ministry.
3. Lifelong/Ongoing Formation offers non-degree continuing formation of priests and the initial and continuing formation of permanent deacons and lay ministers.
4. Vocational Development nurtures both a call to ministry and vocational discernment through programs that enhance the ministry of diocesan vocation directors and programs that encourage high school and college students to deeper involvement in the life of the Church through active participation in the Church's liturgy.