We’ve had a grace-filled and exciting week here at the Institute for Ministry Formation! From June 23-27, we were blessed to welcome 31 students for our Summer Intensive courses.

In this episode of the Transforming Hearts podcast, Kristin Molitor interviews Donna Ottaviano-Britt, Secretary of the Secretariat for Pastoral Outreach and Director of the Office of Discipleship and Leadership for the Diocese of Camden. Donna shares about the Gifted Leadership Journey, a coaching initiative for clergy in her diocese, and highlights the impact it has had on the lives of the priests in her diocese.

The Institute for Ministry Formation at Saint Vincent College & Seminary thanks Pope Leo XIV for the appointment of Bishop Mark Eckman as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh! Bishop Eckman is an alumnus of Saint Vincent Seminary, class of 1985, and has been an auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh since January 11th, 2022.

Bishop Emeritus Lawrence E. Brandt, J.C.D., who served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg from 2004 to 2015, died on June 8, 2025, at the age of 86. Bishop Brandt was the bishop who ordained me to the priesthood and had a significant impact on my life. In addition to placing me in the line of Pope Saint John Paul II (Bishop Brandt was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Justin Rigali, who was ordained a bishop by Pope Saint John Paul II), Bishop Brandt encouraged me in three significant ways.

I had the privilege of making my first trip to South America for a double mission—to minister to my own Benedictine brothers at our dependent Priory in Vinhedo (Archdiocese of Campinas) and to speak at a major charismatic conference a bit farther south in Cascavel, the state of Paraná. I also had the chance for one sightseeing expedition to the Falls at Iguassu, on the border of Paraguay and Argentina (where the movie, The Mission, took place).

In this episode of the Transforming Hearts Podcast, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation interviews Greg Sherwood, a recent IMF graduate who earned his Master of Arts in Ministry with a specialization in Spiritual Direction.

This week, the IMF was excited to welcome forty students to Saint Vincent for the SD1: Art of Accompaniment course! Priests, religious, and lay leaders spent the week learning from Fr. Tom Acklin and Fr. Boniface Hicks. The course provided students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the interior life and dynamics of spiritual growth, as well as to learn the art of listening to others with an open and vulnerable heart.

The Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF) at Saint Vincent Seminary is proud to celebrate the achievements of our graduates who were honored at the 179th Commencement of Saint Vincent College and Seminary, held Friday, May 9, in the beautiful Archabbey Basilica in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

In this Transforming Hearts podcast interview, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation interviews Fr. Derek Sakowski, a priest from the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, who has done extensive work in healing ministry.

In this Transforming Hearts episode, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation sits down with Dr. Michael P. Krom, PhD—Professor and Chair of Philosophy at St. Vincent College and Director of both the Benedictine Leadership Studies and Faith and Reason Summer Program.

On Saturday, April 5th, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Apostolate Center in Verona, PA, welcomed 80 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) catechists from the Dioceses of Cleveland, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Steubenville, Wheeling-Charleston and Youngstown for a special evening of connection and formation. This gathering served three key purposes: to introduce catechists to CGSUSA national leadership, to strengthen community among those serving in the ministry, and to offer meaningful spiritual formation.

In this podcast, Kristin Molitor from the Institute for Ministry Formation interviews Kim Fleming from St. Joseph Catholic Community in Eldersburg, Maryland.

In this podcast episode, Kristin interviews Robin Schiefelbein, a current student in the IMF’s Spiritual Direction program. Robin shares how the program has transformed her spiritual life and relationships, as well as how she applies her formation in daily life.

This month, the IMF had the privilege of working with a variety of groups, providing talks, accompaniment formation, and parish missions. We are grateful to be part of this mission—touching hearts, forming disciples, and bringing people into a deeper relationship with Jesus and each other. Check out the video below to see highlights from our time on mission!

In this episode of Transforming Hearts, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation interviews Celine Mitchell, a CGS catechist, formation leader, and IMF instructor, to discuss the beautiful parallels between spiritual direction and the atrium.

In this podcast episode, Kristin interviews Br. Francisco Whittaker, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk from St. Vincent Monastery in Latrobe, PA, who serves in campus ministry at St. Vincent College. Br. Francisco shares his experience accompanying college students through CliftonStrengths as part of Formed and Fashioned, a small group program he developed.

In this podcast episode, Kristin from the Institute for Ministry Formation speaks with Alex Rodriguez, an IMF student and the founder of Avila Coaching and Consulting. Through one-on-one coaching and consulting, Alex helps priests step into greater freedom as spiritual fathers. Together, Alex and Kristin discuss the essential role of supporting priests through one-on-one accompaniment, exploring how this approach fosters deeper self-awareness, healing, and transformation—not only in their priesthood but also in the parishes they serve.

The IMF was honored to join nearly 17,000 Catholics from across the nation at SEEK25, held January 1–5 in Salt Lake City. Fr. Boniface led a standing-room-only breakout session on how accompaniment is essential for holiness. Meanwhile, the IMF team staffed our booth, connecting with alumni, prospective students, Catholic apostolates, and SEEK participants. We created meaningful connections, shared our faith, and worked to build a culture of accompaniment.

Father Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., on Accompaniment & the Catechist At the Institute for Ministry Formation Catechetics Conference 2022, Father Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., addressed the 2020 Directory for Catechesis on Accompaniment & the Catechist.

​Nick Wagner on Catechesis, Community, and Culture At the Institute for Ministry Formation Catechetics Conference 2022, Nick Wagner addressed the 2020 Directory for Catechesis and Catechesis, Community, and Culture.