Oblate School of Theology

Oblate School of Theology (OST) is a Catholic graduate school for theological studies in San Antonio, Texas, USA run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

• Oblate School of Theology Official Site

OST offers the following degrees:

• Master of Arts (Theology)
• Master of Arts (Spirituality)
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
• Master of Divinity
• Certificate of Pastoral Studies
• M.A. (Theology) and M.Div. Dual Program
• Master of Divinity for Clergy
• Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology
• Doctor of Ministry

(http://www.ost.edu/XDegrees/2008DegProg.htm)

OST includes the Oblate Renewal Center (ORC) which has facilities available for:

• Sabbatical
• Retreat
• Spiritual Direction
• Engaged Encounter for Couples Preparing for Marriage
• Days of Prayer
• Seminar

(http://www.ost.edu/2008ORC.htm)

Campus

The Administration building houses the business offices, classrooms, and a large lecture hall. The Donald E. O’Shaughnessy Library is a large three-story facility used by OST and other institutions including Wayland Baptist Seminary and Perkins School of Theology.

The Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel seats 400 persons. There is a Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Pat Guidon Center for Continuing Education houses the Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program and additional housing. The large Oblate Renewal Center is a conference, workshop and retreat center that accommodates individuals or groups of up to 120.

The St. Joseph’s Chapel is the Renewal Center’s main worship space. The adjoining Lourdes Grotto and Tepeyac Shrine has a chapel, and the Immaculate Conception Chapel at Oblate School of Theology is available for larger groups.

History

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate came to Texas in 1849 at the request of Texas’ first Roman Catholic bishop. OST was founded in 1903 as the San Antonio Philosophical and Theological Seminary. The School’s initial purpose was to educate young men to serve as Oblate missionaries in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mexico and the Philippines.

Today Oblate School of Theology prepares men for priesthood from many dioceses across the United States and a number of religious communities. Roman Catholic men and women and those from other Christian traditions are present on campus as the school also prepares men and women from Catholic and other Christian traditions for a variety of ministries.

In 1981 Oblate School of Theology began the Ministry to Ministers program, a four-month intensive spiritual and theological sabbatical for priests and religious men and women who have been in ministry for a number of years. The Lay Ministry Institute opened its doors in 1982, and the Instituto de Formación Pastoral in 1985. These two programs prepare candidates theologically and spiritually in certificate programs for pastoral lay ministry. In 1992 the Oblate School of Theology assumed the responsibility for the Oblate Renewal Center (formerly Casa San José) to respond to the needs of the local church and the Mexican-American community and heritage. The School’s programs utilize the Hispanic cultural environment of San Antonio to learn from and to prepare students to minister effectively among peoples of diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly Mexican-American. Oblate School of Theology has many students from all over the world. Students from a number of religious denominations complete a degree in theology and ministry.

Accreditation

Oblate School of Theology was incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas, April 18, 1950. The School is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as an accredited institution of higher education. It is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission (formerly part of the Texas Education Agency) for the training of persons receiving Veterans Administration benefits under the provisions of Section 1775, Chapter 36, Title 38, United States Code, and by the Department of Homeland Security, for non-quota foreign students. The School is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant foreign students.

Oblate School of Theology is accredited by:

• The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097; telephone [phone]), and by
• The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada (10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275; telephone [phone]) to award masters degrees and the Doctor of Ministry degree.

Oblate School of Theology is a member of the following professional associations:

• Council of Southwestern Theological Schools
• United Colleges of San Antonio
• National Catholic Educational Association
• Higher Education Council of San Antonio
• Association for Theological Field Education
• Midwest Association of Theological Schools
• National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers
• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
• National Association of Foreign Student Advisors

Source: http://www.ost.edu/XAbout/2008AboutOST.htm