5 Day Academy

Ronald Rolheiser, is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is President Emeritus of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and a Professor of Spirituality there. He is a community-builder, lecturer, and writer. His books are popular throughout the English-speaking world and have now been translated into many languages. His weekly column is carried by more than 80 newspapers worldwide. Prior to this present position, he taught theology and philosophy at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Alberta, for 16 years, served as Provincial Superior of his Oblate Province for six years, and served on the General Council for the Oblates in Rome for six years. He has been at Oblate School of theology since 2005.

He is in demand and well known as speaker. Keeping an active speaking schedule, his retreats and workshops have inspired many. Along with his academic knowledge in systematic theology and philosophy, he has become a popular speaker in the areas of contemporary spirituality and religion and the secularity. Oblate Communications and Franciscan Media have produced 15 DVDs of his retreats that are well loved for both individual and group use.

Prior to this present position, he taught theology and philosophy at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Alberta, for 16 years, served as Provincial Superior of his Oblate Province for six years, and served on the General Council for the Oblates in Rome for six years. He has been President at Oblate School of theology since 2005.

An Author, speaker, retreat leader, consultant, and Abbess.

I have had an amazing life journey, growing up in poverty with many hard experiences, including having to leave home and find my way when I was a junior in high school. After my children were born I went to college, then seminary, then earned a PhD in theology. I’m ordained in the United Methodist Church, served as a professor for eleven years at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and as Dean and Professor of Missional and Pastoral Theology at Duke Divinity School, Duke University. I retired from Duke to lead Neighborhood Seminary, which I co-founded with several friends.

I live with my spouse at Spring Forest, a new monastic community in rural North Carolina, where along with friends we tend a forest and small farm. Spring Forest supports refugee resettlement through sponsorships and an ESL program. We also donate fresh produce to area food banks, host a range of spiritual formation ministries, children’s programs, and much more. I serve as Abbess for our our gathered and dispersed community. www.springforest.org