Summer Intensive: Encountering the Word of God
A week-long experience of Scripture to enhance participants' capacity to pray with, interpret, teach, and preach the Word of God.
This 2-credit course invites ministers to read, meditate, pray, and contemplate Scripture. It offers dynamic ways of encountering the Word of God to inspire spiritual growth and strengthen ministerial skills. Through lecture, discussion, prayer, and practice, this course creates space for ministers to listen and reflect on Scripture and bring it more fully into their life and work. Particular attention will be given to the prophets, psalms, and gospels, texts that are especially rich and ripe for theological reflection.
“ The 'deposit' of the Word of God is still in the hands of the Church. All of us, in our various ecclesial ministries, must continue to preserve it in its integrity, as a lodestar for our journey through the complexity of history and existence. ”
Program Features:
- One-week, in-person intensive lectures, group discussions, and practicum sessions听
- Completed with a small cohort in the context of a vibrant faith community
- Critical and creative engagement with Scripture听
- Opportunities to study, pray, teach, and preach听
Pre-work for the course: Students complete preparatory work before the course begins. This involves reading biblical passages, reflecting on their content, and expressing their interests and goals. Students will outline a short Scripture-focused activity that can inform their work over the course of the week. Example activities include writing a retreat reflection or homily, developing a Bible study, and creating a lectio divina听service. The pre-work assignment will be sent to students in June.听
9am-12pm: Morning sessions include lecture, discussion, and reflection on Scripture.听
12-1:30pm: Break. This free time can be used to attend mass in Simboli chapel, take a walk, rest, pray, and lunch.听
1:30-4pm: Afternoons are semi-structured sessions that draw on the texts and themes highlighted in the morning sessions. Afternoons include time for reflection, reading, planning, and writing. Students will work on their Scripture-focused activity and practice and share with one another.听
The program is designed with campus ministers, spiritual directors, and clergy in mind.听It is open to lay and ordained ministers who want to develop a practice of reading and praying with Scripture and integrating it more fully into their ministry.听Candidates must have a bachelor's degree.
Cost
The cost for this intensive is two academic credits.听Our 2025 credit rate is $1,370/credit, bringing the total cost of the intensive to $2,740. The 2026 credit rate will be set in March 2026. Financial aid is available.听
Certificate Dates
July 13鈥�17, 2026
9:00补尘鈥�4:00辫尘
Affordable on-campus housing is available during the duration of the program.
This summer intensive is an exciting development emerging from one of CSTM's post-master's certificate programs, Courage to Preach. Through Courage to Preach, we helped ministers hone, practice, and amplify their voices. Our graduates have implemented activities to enrich their institutions and train others to preach.
In our journey, we realized the ongoing need for focused engagement with Scripture. Through our new program, we build on the foundations of Courage to Preach and expand to engage Scripture in more ways. In addition to honing preaching skills, participants can spend time critically, creatively, and prayerfully reading Scripture.听
“ Encountering the Word of God highlights the importance of Scripture for theological reflection and ministerial work. My hope is that this summer intensive will inspire ministers to read Scripture in thoughtful and prayerful ways to build confidence in biblical study and preaching. I am very excited to lead this innovative and timely program! ”
Apply
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Deadline: Application review will begin in March 2026 and continue on a rolling basis until the program capacity is reached.
Application Form
The application to CSTM must be completed online.
Application Fee
A non-refundable fee of $35 is required for every degree and non-degree application submitted.
Payment Options
- Pay by credit or debit card via the web; You can pay the application fee at the same time your submit your application form.听
Please note: The application fee cannot be refunded for any reason. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you should not pay the fee when you submit the application form. Fee waivers are granted to the following applicants: Jesuits, veterans, applicants currently completing a year of service or who are Pell Grant-eligible, and current STM students. We do not waive the application fee for other reasons.
Personal Statement
The personal statement must be uploaded as part of the application. The personal statement should be two pages in length, double-spaced.
Your statement should address the following:
- What is your experience in studying the Bible? What leads you to apply to Encountering the Word of God?
- How might this program contribute to your personal and/or professional growth and development?
Transcripts
We require transcripts from all colleges, universities, seminaries, or theological schools that you have attended. Each transcript should contain a list of all coursework taken, grades/marks received, and, if applicable, degree granted and date of degree confirmation. If your college or university will send official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to stmadm@bc.edu.听 Otherwise, transcripts must be mailed and be contained in a sealed, signed envelope. If the official transcript is not English, a translation should be provided with the official document. Please alert us if your transcript will be arriving with a different name than the one you are using on your application (e.g. your maiden name).听Please note that a transcript is only considered official if received directly from the institution issuing it.
Please note that your application may be reviewed with unofficial copies of your transcripts. If you send unofficial copies, know that if admitted, you must sent official copies before you begin coursework. If you are currently finishing your theological master's, you must send a final, official version of your transcript upon graduating, and before beginning the Post-Master's Certificate. If you have questions, please reach out to us.
Mailing Addresses
For applicants using the U.S. Postal Service:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
For applicants using FedEx or UPS:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
9 Lake Street
Brighton, MA 02135-3841
Recommendations
A recommendation is not required for this program.听
搁茅蝉耻尘茅
The resume must be uploaded as part of the application.听 It is helpful if you highlight relevant ministry, service, and leadership positions you have held.
Religious & International Applicants
Religious Applicants
Applicants who are Catholic diocesan priests or deacons or members of religious orders must submit a letter of approval and financial support from their bishop, major superior, or Provincial. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.