Damascus Spiritual Leaders Program

The Damascus Spiritual Leaders Program is a one-year, part-time program for people in various positions of leadership, spiritual formation and outreach ministries.  Formators, priests, ministers, members of religious Orders, spiritual health workers, pastoral associates/lay ecclesial ministers, community and spiritual leaders, chaplains, pastoral care practitioners, school principals, teachers, school mission leaders and those working in health will especially find the program of benefit.

The Damascus learning process supports the participant’s personal integration of the theory and practice of a contemplative and discerning approach to the spiritual and pastoral elements of leadership. The program is contemplative and experiential in its approach and enables participants to focus on growth in self-awareness and sensitivity to the movement of God’s Spirit in oneself, as well as in the person to whom one is ministering.

Participants will engage with areas of spirituality including:  understanding your emotional inner life; stages of faith formation; discernment; contemplative practices; leadership influence; and meditation and prayer.  The units studied are:

  • DD8703Y Personal Awareness & Human Development
  • DP8002S Leadership Formation & Praxis
  • DP9611C Teaching Meditation & Prayer

Attendance in 2023 is available either in-person or online via Zoom.  Sessions will be held as follows:

  • 28 x Mondays, 11am-12.45pm during Victorian school terms (DD8703Y)
  • 7 x Saturdays, 10am-4pm including a reflection prayer gathering (DD8002S)
  • 4 x Saturdays, 10am-4pm (DP9611C)

We are receiving applications for studies in 2024.

Click to download the 2023 Damascus brochure – the 2024 update will be available in April

Click to download the Damascus application form

Places in the program are limited – we encourage applications as early as possible. Late applications will be considered on their merits.

Census Dates in 2023
The Census Dates below is the final date on which a student may withdraw from the Damascus Spiritual Leaders Program without financial penalty.  Withdrawal after the date below will result in a ‘Fail’ being marked on the student’s transcript and no refund will be possible unless special circumstances apply as per the Refund Policy.

Census date – 25/3/23

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study the program for the Graduate Certificate in Divinity?

Participants who meet the ‘previous Degree’ and other criteria, may undertake the Damascus Program as a fully-accredited Graduate Certificate in Divinity.  Enrolment is made through Yarra Theological Union & Catholic Theological College (colleges of the University of Divinity) after an Offer of a Place is provided by Heart of Life. Fee-Help for tuition fees is available to qualifying students when studying for this award.

Can I study as an Audit student?

This formation program may be undertaken as an Audit student, resulting in a Heart of Life award in Spiritual Leadership being provided on successful completion.  See the Damascus brochure for more information.

Is this program recognised by CECV?

Heart of Life is currently seeking permission to have the Damascus Spiritual Leaders Program recognised by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) as acceptable professional learning hours towards:

  1. gaining or maintaining CECV accreditation to teach in a Catholic school in Victoria;
  2. gaining or maintaining CECV accreditation to teach religious education or lead in a Catholic school in Victoria
What is the process for gaining a place in the program?

Generally, we recommend the following:

1/ You have had experience of being in leadership or are an aspiring leader.

2/ You sense a call to become a better leader.

3/ Attend a Taster session if possible – these are generally held in June and August each year and are publicised on our website.

4/ Have a conversation with us before you submit your application.

5/ Complete application documents, pay application fee, and submit no later than 15 October.

6/ Attend interview.

7/ Undertake psychological test as directed.

8/ Based on steps 5-7, receive an Offer of a Place.

9/ For those studying for the Graduate Certificate, enrol with Yarra Theological Union.  Overseas students must enrol with YTU by 15 November.

Testimonials

As I embarked on the journey of learning about spiritual leadership, the year brought new opportunities, rewarding challenges and personal growth. The course was like finding a treasure in a field, whilst discovering treasures within me. It has been a journey of getting to know myself and the deepest parts of who I truly am. This has led me to desire a freedom to become more of who God has called and created me to be. I experienced a richness of God’s compassion for me and for those I care for and support in my ministry as a spiritual leader. I am now left with my heart seeking to find more hidden treasures within and a longing to help others discover the treasure they are in God. It was a great blessing for me to have had the opportunity to learn and grow through the Spiritual Leaders Program. I am truly grateful for all that I learnt from those gifted in teaching the course and from my fellow spiritual leaders.
Nicky

VIC

The Spiritual Leaders program was one of the best things I have ever done. The depth with which we explored the course content, especially the verbatims and discernment processes, helped to deepen & affirm my own spiritual practices and hone my ability as a group facilitator of holistic meditation programs. The supervisors were quite awesome in their “soul mining” skills & abilities, and while at times very challenging, hauled up many treasures. This led, quite unexpectedly, to a deep personal healing along the way, which gave me a greater level of trust and confidence in myself, in God, and in the unfolding of life & love. It was a great honour to share this journey with spiritual companions who have been inspiring, courageous, accepting, compassionate and encouraging. A truly life changing experience for which I am deeply grateful.
Marilyn

VIC

The experience that I acquired from the Spiritual Leaders course has had much more effect in my life and much more value than I can express in a sentence or two, or a full page. It is however to me a lifelong experience, which starts at the beginning of the course and never comes to an end, as it becomes part of my life. God bless you and keep up the good work.
Gabby

VIC