Resident Scholars Program
Program Overview
The Resident Scholars Program is at the heart of the Institute's life and at the core of Father Kilian McDonnell's original vision. The Institute gathers well-trained, creative, articulate men and women for careful thought in a place of inquiry and prayer. Each resident scholar engages in an independent rhythm of reflection and writing, discernment and conversation. Bringing together diverse traditions, cultures, disciplines, and projects, the participants form a scholarly and prayerful community.
During the scholars' one or two semesters of residency the goal is to balance research and dialogue; to apply the skills of active listening, careful speaking, and clear communicating; and to sustain the writing process so that individual work can bring forth fresh and sometimes surprising insights.
Program expectations include:
- Weekly Seminar: Each week two hours are reserved for scholars to present and discuss their work with each other. Scholars rotate the leadership of these seminars.
- Worship Leader: Every seminar begins with a time of worship/prayer. Each scholar is responsible for leading worship once during the semester, and this usually flows from the scholar's own tradition.
- Monday Lunch: Each Monday the scholars gather together for a brown-bag lunch and informal conversation.
- Public Lecture: Each resident scholar delivers a public lecture at Saint John's University, the College of Saint Benedict, or in the local/regional community on a topic related to his or her area of expertise. This lecture can take on a variety of formats and will be coordinated by the Institute staff.
- In addition, resident scholars are expected to be available, if invited by faculty members, to give up to, but no more than, three classroom presentations per semester at Saint John's University and/or the College of Saint Benedict. There is no remuneration for these presentations or lectures.
Among the privileges of Saint John's and Saint Benedict's available to resident scholars are reduced price admittance to events, concerts, plays, lectures, and other cultural programs, and use of physical education facilities.
A steady current of monastic hospitality and opportunities for prayer nourish the Institute, and lend it a quiet rhythm of life, measured by the Saint Johns' Abbey bells across the lake. The balance of prayer and work practiced by the Benedictines for 1500 years establishes a model that invites, refreshes, and invigorates.