In addition to lectures, the Center for the Study of Spirituality offers a wide variety of programming to engage the life of the mind and spirit for our campus audiences, the local community, and broader society geared at serving the academy and the church. Conferences, retreats, and other special projects give you the opportunity to explore the many dimensions of spirituality on a deeper level.

Women Shaping Theology Workshop

Named after Sr. Mary Ann Hinsdale’s Madeleva Lecture on the history of women in Catholic theology, this  program gathers women theologians to workshop research in progress, including but not limited to book chapters, articles for peer review, conference presentations, and essays for general audiences. Workshop participants will read submitted writings that are circulated ahead of the workshop and dedicate the workshop meeting to offering constructive feedback to their peers. This program is by invitation only and is open to all women theologians who have earned a terminal degree in theology or an allied field. If you would like to be considered for an invitation, please contact Dr. Julia Feder, Assistant Director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality, who is the current coordinator for the workshop (jfeder@saintmarys.edu).

Collaboration with the Karl Rahner Society

The Karl Rahner Society was founded in 1991 to promote research related to the late German Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner (1904-1984). One of the foremost and influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century, Rahner was one of the most important theological experts at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and a prolific author who made groundbreaking contributions in the areas of theology, philosophy, and spirituality. Beginning in 2024, the Center for the Study of Spirituality began hosting virtual workshops in collaboration with the Karl Rahner Society to offer scholars the opportunity to continue collaborative research in between the annual meetings of the society.

The Madeleva Fellowship Program

About the Madeleva Fellowship Program

The Madeleva Fellowship program was established at the Center for the Study of Spirituality in 2024 and supports women doctoral candidates in theology, spirituality, and other specializations in the field of religious studies. Madeleva Fellows receive travel and housing funding to come to Saint Mary’s College to participate in events and workshops connected with the annual Madeleva Lecture in April, including the opportunity to engage with the lecturer in a small seminar. Additionally, Madeleva Fellows receive mentoring in teaching and writing in cohort meetings facilitated over Zoom before and after the Madeleva Lecture. 

Annual Timeline for Madeleva Fellowship Program

December 15 — Deadline for application
Early January — Notification of acceptance
February — First Zoom meeting (introductions and a professional development workshop)
Mid-April — Attend the Madeleva Lecture in person and related events.
May — Second Zoom meeting (a professional development workshop and program evaluation)

Application Process

The Madeleva Fellowship is an annual, competitive program housed at the Center for the Study of Spirituality at Saint Mary’s College. Women who are advanced doctoral students (candidates for the PhD or equivalent who have completed their comprehensive or qualifying exams and are writing their dissertation at the time of application) are invited to apply for this program. To apply, please complete the following:

  • Complete the online application form, including the statement of intent and other open-ended questions: [Click Here to Apply]

  • Have a recommender submit a letter of recommendation. This should be someone who can speak to your scholarly interests, academic aptitude, collegiality, etc., such as your advisor, dissertation director, or another faculty member (recommenders should send these directly to the Director of the Center by email: dhoran@saintmarys.edu with the subject line “Madeleva Fellowship Recommendation”)

  • All materials must be received, including the letter of recommendation, by December 15 (applicants will be notified of acceptance status in early January).