School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization
The mission of the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization (SPLE) is to provide in English and in Spanish a thorough formation in pastoral leadership for men and women preparing for service in the life of the church.
The School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization offers integral degree, parish, deacon formation, and ongoing education programs to ensure that students are deeply immersed in a formation program within a supportive faith community of peers. SPLE assists candidates in developing a Catholic ministerial identity as women and men who are called, supported and commissioned to serve in the name of the Church.
At the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, you’ll find:
Tradition
Established in 1844, USML is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the United States committed to the intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral formation of our students, preparing them for service in the Church.
Spiritual Growth
We provide a holistic approach to spiritual growth, ensuring that students are not only academically prepared but also spiritually enriched and ready to serve the Church and His people with a deep, vibrant faith.
Community
Being part of our community means joining a vibrant, faith-filled environment dedicated to the holistic formation of our university. As a student, you become part of a long tradition of excellence in Catholic theological education
Broad Horizons
Your intellectual curiosity, spirituality, and pastoral readiness will be cultivated while you prepare to make a lasting impact on the Church and its people, guided by the knowledge, faith, and experiences you gain.
Expert Faculty
Many of the same professors who teach seminarians also teach our students. You can be assured that what you learn at USML is in conformity with authentic Catholic doctrine from the heart of the Church.
Pathway to Service
At USML we honor the tradition of pastoral formation, equipping future priests and lay leaders with the practical skills and pastoral sensitivity needed to serve effectively in their ministries.
We envision a future invested in:
- A growing impact on the life of the Church locally
- An influence on the life of the Church in Chicago and beyond.
- In synchronicity with the University of Saint Mary of the Lake’s mission statement, we will shepherd the lay students in their service to God the Father through the heart of the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
As Pope Saint John Paul II stated in his November 1978 address to the Catholic Laity of Rome, Jesus Christ “wishes to continue his witness and His service through the laity…. He vivifies them with His spirit and ceaselessly impels them to accomplish every good and perfect work.”
About our programs:
We lead the way in offering outstanding foundational education to nurture the servant’s heart
We partner with your diocese, parish, or school to equip your laity with the knowledge and skills needed to be leaders.
Programs are offered in person, online, and in hybrid formats to accommodate diverse student needs and preferences
Benefit from our beautiful campus and historic grounds with a rich sense of history, tradition, and legacy
“In serving Christ in the brethren…all the baptized will be able to discover the meaning of their own life, joyfully experiencing mission on this earth; that is, being called, in different ways and forms, to ‘bring light, bless, enliven, raise up, heal and free”.
Pope Francis, April 2023, Vatican News
Our Programs
Graduate Programs
These degree programs provide the opportunity to study Catholic theology, liturgy, and ministry in depth. Whether you are looking to advance your career or simply want to grow in your faith journey, our programs are flexible, in-depth, and created for working adults.
Escuela de Liderazgo para la Evangelización (ELE)
The School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization is committed to serving the needs of the Church, including responding to the need for Spanish language programs.
Nuestro sueño es que todos los programas en la Escuela de Liderazgo para la Evangelización estén disponible en el idioma propio de sus participantes.
Parish Ministry Programs
Our parish formation programs provide access to the formation and theological study without the rigors or expenses of a graduate degree program. Designed in close collaboration with partners at the parish and diocesan levels, these programs expand access to the development of parish leadership knowledge and skills for nearly everyone.
Deacon Program
Are you feeling called to serve the Church as a permanent deacon? In collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago, we accompany those considering this important role and provide initial formation for the permanent diaconate. Click here for more information.
Online Short Courses
We have encountered many people looking for ways to learn more about the Church but can’t commit the time to a full program. These online short courses are ideal for digging deeper into the tradition beyond typical adult faith formation courses. These videos also serve as a great resource for forming parishioners to support existing ministries.
Student Services
Are you an existing student with questions about your program and how to interact with the university? We have answers for you; if we don’t, we will find them for you. Click here to learn more about support and requirements for our formation.
University of Saint Mary of the Lake Announces Graduate Scholarship for Sending Dioceses
November 7, 2023
The University of Saint Mary of the Lake (USML) is proud to announce another compelling reason for dioceses to send their seminarians to be formed at Mundelein Seminary. In addition to our beautiful historic campus, tradition of stellar priestly formation, and world class faculty, sending dioceses can now benefit from a special scholarship for graduate students enrolling in the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization (SPLE).