Crafted for ministers in the Church, the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program is a curriculum-centered, community-based, holistic sabbatical that fosters both personal and professional renewal and provides continuing formation. Men and women from around the world come to beautiful Chicago for four months in the fall semester to rest, to study, to enjoy, and to share their experiences and learn from others who are in ministry today.
With more than 2,500 alumni, the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program has provided renewal for clergy, religious, and lay ministers for more than 30 years. Read below for a description of the program components.
Contact: Christine Henderson
- Office Hours: Mondays through Thursdays in the morning (Chicago time) or by appointment
- Class Location: 5416 S. Cornell Ave
- Contact info: E-mail: continuinged@ctu.edu
Required Materials:
- Working computer with both audio and video functionality (if online or hybrid)
- Access to Zoom platform. Instructions will be available for using this technology (if online or hybrid)
- Bible for classes in both Old and New Testaments.
- Reading materials will be made available for each class and posted on D2L
Program can be completed in-person, online, or hybrid.
This program will be offered the Fall 2023 Semester, consisting of up to 16 weeks of classes for 3 hours, four days a week, Mondays through Thursdays. Online participation is flexible, with options for 6 to 12 week programs.
Presentations will be conducted live for in-person and online participants, recorded for review, and made available to asynchronous participants or those who miss a session. Presenters are members of CTU faculty and visiting experts.
Courses include lectures, discussions, small group dialogue and theological reflection groups. Spiritual Direction and Theological Reflection will be encouraged for those who desire further integration of the material.
THE HESBURGH SABBATICAL PROGRAM EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. There were so many components that made it a fabulous experience for me: the quality of our sessions, the international community, and the extra lectures and events that CTU has to offer. All of that in addition to everything that is at your disposal in Chicago – theaters, museums, parks, restaurants, and so much more. — Debbie Hintz, Past participant
Spiritual
The Eucharist is celebrated weekly at CTU. Enhance your experience by engaging in the opportunities available for spiritual direction and theological reflection.
Sabbatical participants can also audit one course at CTU for free and will also receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for their participation in the program.
Intellectual
Learning modules, presented by members of CTU’s exceptional faculty, as well as visiting experts, provide rich avenues for exploration. Regular presenters include Barbara Reid, OP, Laurie Brink, OP, and Maria Cimperman, RSCJ.
Pastoral
All modules are presented from a pastoral perspective to help participants reflect upon their past ministry experience, while preparing for their next ministry.
CTU events sponsored by numerous programs are available to Hesburgh participants.
Human
The Hyde Park neighborhood, a culturally, religiously, and racially diverse section of Chicago in a tranquil lakefront setting, is home to five post-graduate schools of theology and the University of Chicago, which offers additional opportunities for enrichment.
The neighborhood is an ideal place for a sabbatical that is both a respite and a time of exploration.
Costs and Application
The tuition for the Fall 2023 semester for 16 weeks will be $6,975, which includes all learning modules tuition. Tuition amount will vary based on the number of weeks attending. Please contact admissions@ctu.edu for more information.
Room and board is the responsibility of the applicant.
If you require an F-1 US student visa, please note that there are costs associated with this process, including a $200 SEVIS fee paid directly to the US government.
Applications are due by July 15. We look forward to you joining us for the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program soon!
*costs subject to change without notice
Register online below.
Asterisks indicate which fields must be filled out before submitting.
If you do not hear from us within one week of submission, please contact admissions@ctu.edu.
