Two-Year Renewal Process

Cohort Residential Experience

Participants are formed into groups of twelve members called a ‘cohort’. Cohort members have a minimum of five years’ experience and come from varied ministries and ministerial settings. Each cohort meets for three days four times a year for two years at The Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul, MN

Diverse Ministries

Who are illuminare participants? Experienced full-time ministers including pastoral associates and parish life
coordinators, liturgists and musicians, pastoral ministers and catechetical leaders, campus ministers, chaplains and youth ministers, business administrators, teachers and social justice ministers. Participants complete an application and submit a letter of interest and a recommendation from a supervisor or ministerial colleague.

Theological Reflection

Individual and shared reflection on the experiences of discipleship and ministry in light of Scripture and Tradition as
well as reflection on sound principles of pastoral practice is a key component of illuminare. Questions are considered from both individual and ecclesial perspectives with a focus on the minister’s call to authentic discipleship and pastoral leadership.

Prayer and Worship

Personal, communal and liturgical prayer and worship are at the heart of the illuminare experience.

Study and Conversation

Each illuminare session addresses and considers significant theological questions and pastoral issues facing
ministers and the Church, for the purpose of cultivating pastoral excellence among participants. While illuminare is primarily directed toward spiritual renewal and ongoing formation for life in Christ rather than practical skill-building, participants’ pastoral practice is enriched through their experience. Participants develop their leadership skills, engage in foundational spiritual disciplines including lectio divina and the Liturgy of the Hours, are introduced and re-introduced to new and classic resources, and grow in their ability to engage in and facilitate theological reflection.

Diverse Methodologies

illuminare incorporates expert presentations, film, conversation, study, literature, reflection, theater, music and
applied experiences that appeal to a wide variety of personalities and learning styles and engage, challenge, and affirm participants.

Quarterly Ministry Renewal Days

iLLUMINARE Ministry Renewal Days are individual days of reflection for full-time and volunteer ministers. Ministers can participate individually, or bring their staff colleagues for a staff day together. It is not necessary to be in an iLLUMINARE Cohort in order to participate in a Ministry Renewal Day.

We provide the time and space for rest and renewal in the welcoming and prayerful environment of The Benedictine Center at St. Paul’s Monastery. The day includes time for quiet personal prayer and reflection, a thematic presentation or two, theological reflection and conversation with other ministers. We draw on Scripture and the wisdom of our Christian spiritual heritage to reflect on themes related to ministry.