The Óscar Romero Scholars Program at Catholic Theological Union(CTU) prepares lay, Hispanic/Latin@ women and men for professional ministry. Romero Scholars earn a graduate degree with the benefit of a creative formation program inspired by the life and ministry of Blessed Óscar Romero.
Romero Scholars participate in formation activities designed to nurture their identity as Hispanic/Latin@ lay ministers. The formation program encourages them to integrate their spiritual life, intellectual development, and their growing pastoral skills with their lived experience as Hispanic/Latin@ Catholics. The formation consists of monthly theological reflections or gatherings with other scholars, as well as bi-annual retreats and participation in special events at CTU.
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• Proficiency in English. Most classes are taught in English; however, theological reflection, retreats, and other formation components are offered bilingually.
• Must be Hispanic/Latin@ and Catholic
• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
• Previous experience in ministry in the Catholic Church among Hispanics/Latin@s
• Sincere commitment to accomplish his/her studies and to serve the Catholic Church as a lay minister
Generous scholarship funds are offered to support Romero scholars in their studies and formation at CTU. Scholarships up to 100% tuition are available for both full and part time students.
Full-tuition scholarships are available applicants living in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Applicants from the Archdiocese commit to minister in, or on behalf of, the Archdiocese of Chicago for three years following graduation.
Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (15 August 1917 – 24 March 1980) was a prelate of the Catholic Church in El Salvador who served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador. He spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations, and torture amid a growing war between leftist rebels and government and right-wing forces. In 1980, Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence. Though no one was ever convicted for the crime, investigations by the UN-created Truth Commission for El Salvador concluded that the extreme right-wing politician, founder of ARENA and death squad leader Roberto D’Aubuisson had given the order.
