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Monastic Students
Saint John’s Seminary, together with Saint John’s School of Theology, provides monastic students with education and formation that are distinctively Benedictine. Saint John’s specializes in Benedictines and others in monastic orders for the diaconate and priesthood.
Cistercian Cohort is the name given to the group of students from Trappist monasteries who follow the curriculum for an MA with a Monastic Studies concentration. Begun in Fall 2010, the Cohort along with a professor from Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary gathers at Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky at the beginning of each semester for class. Everyone then returns home, and the rest of the course is conducted on the Web. During the Fall and Spring semesters courses are restricted to Benedictines, Cistercians, and those in other monastic orders; for the summer session, Cohort students can come to Saint John’s and select any number of three week courses either to complete degree requirements or simply as self-enrichment. These summer courses are open to all.
Taking a course as audit means that one works at the papers, discussions, and readings with the idea of taking advantage of a good opportunity to learn; there is no attention paid to grades and academic transcripts. Anyone in the community can enroll in courses of interest as they arise. It is a source of ongoing enrichment for all involved. Those doing a course as audit might find that on any given week, only half a chapter is read, or that their contribution to the discussion is limited, even though they are learning a great deal from listening to or reading what others are doing. This method is perfectly acceptable, for there are no required tests or grades.
Taking a course for credit means that one completes all papers, discussions, and readings with the added objective of obtaining a grade that can be applied toward the Masters’ degree. Some might enjoy the challenge of studying in this manner. Others might find it important for future work within the community, such as being formator, director of novices and studies, and the like. Still others wish to pursue diaconal or priestly ordination, for which having a degree would be preferred.
Students can register for the class while their application for the degree program is pending. The admissions committee will inform them of their status during the school session. Please make all checks payable to Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary. To start the registration and application process review the Requirements for Degree Program Applicants (M.A., M.Div.) section.
Schedule of Classes
Spring 2012
Monastic Spiritual Theology - Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB. The class for the spring semester will begin at Gethsemani Abbey with Fr. Luke Dysinger , OSB, with ongoing work on the Web.
For further information on the Cistercian Cohort, please contact the seminary rector or Fr. Michael Patella: mpatella@csbsju.edu
Study Abroad Programs
The Incarnation has sacralized both space and time, and the study of Sacred Scripture in the land where it was written, monasticism in the lands on which it arose, and Christianity in the places which shaped its theology is a vital component to both monastic studies and seminarian formation.
Currently, Saint John’s offers two study abroad opportunities, the Holy Land Program and the Glenstal Program.
To request more information, contact our director of admission by filling out our online information request form, by e-mailing sotadmission@csbsju.edu, or by calling 800-361-8318 | 320-363-2896.