Santa Clara University

New Directions is the sabbatical program of the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1973 as the Institute for Spirituality and Worship, the program celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2013. Building on this strong tradition, New Directions is of one or two semester's duration, according to individual preference, and offers priests, religious and laity the flexibility to design their sabbatical in a variety of ways. Your fellow participants are persons with many years of ministerial experience, and like you desire to integrate that rich background so as to be refreshed for the challenges of the 21st century global world and church. At JST they find a vital balance of relaxation in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area; renewal in human formation, theology and spirituality; a diverse school community from over 35 countries; and a vibrant worship community.

New Directions is limited to 17 participants. This number is small enough to allow for interpersonal sharing yet large enough to include ample diversity. Members become a support for one another. You also have the opportunity to share some of your sabbatical experience with the larger community at the Jesuit School. Often, mutually enriching relationships develop between younger students and experienced ministers. Over recent years, approximately one half of New Directions participants have come from countries outside the United States, providing a fascinating and informative window onto the church universal.

New Directions aims for a holistic sabbatical experience: spiritual, social, affective, physical, and intellectual. See the links to the right for more details. For another sabbatical option, see Special Student Status under Continuing Education.