Mission Statement

The Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries, rooted in the Jesuit tradition, provides theological and pastoral formation for a variety of ministries. The program offers a Master of Arts degree, graduate certificates, diaconal formation and pastoral enrichment workshops all of which are characterized by an integration of theological reflection and ministerial proficiency. Witnessing to the missionary spirit of the Gospel, the program collaborates with various dioceses to enrich and deepen the pastoral experience of aspiring ministers. Students are inspired to serve effectively in their diverse ministry settings as they deepen their call of service to Church and the wider world.

Engaging the church’s mission of lifelong ministerial formation, the program seeks to instill commitments to justice and to human flourishing in friendship with God and companionship with one another in service of all creation. The program cultivates this charism through a critical and sympathetic engagement with the Catholic theological tradition in dialogue with a constantly changing world. Responding to contemporary pastoral opportunities and challenges, the program aspires to be fully ecumenical, serving ministers from a variety of traditions, cultures, and theological perspectives, and using a variety of methods in theology and religious studies, so that they may serve their communities more faithfully.