MA in Applied Spirituality - Spirituality Institute for Research and Education

For information on the schedule and modules for the MA in 2025-26, click the button

For additional information about the MA, email Noelia at Noelia.Molina@setu.ie

Application link: https://lnkd.in/eT_MqC3M (the link is safe)

MA in Applied Spirituality

This MA is unique in its blend of theory, skills, personal process, and research modules, and has been described as “life-transforming”, “life-enhancing”, and “world-leading”. It is also presented in the context of its participants being a community of co-learners.

As well as the class-contact time for the delivery of modules, there are also several meetings in triads (groups of 3) for the purpose of personal and theoretical integration regarding the programme.

Time also needs to be set aside for a series of meetings with your research supervisor once you start work on your research dissertation in January and for the likelihood of interviewing a small sample of people to gather data from lived experience for the dissertation. While the classes finish in May, assignments continue until the beginning of August.

MA in Applied Spirituality 2025-26 Schedule at a Glance

Month	Dates 2025 – 26 9am – 5pm
September 2025	8-12
October	2-4 & 23-25
November	6-8
December	4-6
January 2026	8-10 (ONLINE)
February	5-7
March	12-14
April	9-11
May	7-9
Aug 1	Assignments completed and all library books returned

Unique Aspects of the Programme

The teaching and learning associated with the programme have four unique aspects:

Participants learn about spirituality as a new higher education discipline, which is also playing an increasingly important role in diverse professions, and every field of study.
Personal Skills and Personal Practice are integrated with theoretical foundations
Programme Participants are guided and supported in the critical self-appropriation of their own spiritual journey
Research is integrated into the programme methodology and is informed by the methods of contemplative inquiry

Titles of Dissertations

Titles of some research dissertations by graduates as part of their MA studies are available under the Research tab on the website. We have also assembled publications by graduates since the programme began in Milltown Institute in 2001. We would ask graduates who have published to check if we are aware of your publications.

Noelia Molina, Programme Leader

In September 2021 Dr Noelia Molina succeeded Dr Michael O’Sullivan as the Programme Leader of what is now the South East Technological University MA in Applied Spirituality, The MA (as well as PhD studies in spirituality) is hosted and supported by SpIRE in Dublin. Noelia is a psychotherapist, lecturer and researcher. Her primary background was in Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Pathology. She worked for 17 years as a Medical Scientist (accredited by The Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine in Dublin) in various laboratory disciplines in Dublin. Having worked in private practice as an accredited psychotherapist (NAPCP) for 13 years, she has specialised in maternal mental health and had run therapeutic maternal groups.

She has been engaged in spirituality studies for more than a decade now. Having studied for an Adult Diploma and a Higher Diploma in Spirituality at the Milltown Institute, she went on to complete a PhD in Spirituality at All Hallows College, Dublin City University, where she investigated the transition to motherhood as spiritual process. Her book based on her dissertation has been published by Routledge. At All Hallows College (Dublin City University) she delivered MA modules in Contemplative Psychology and Spiritual Autobiography. In the SETU MA in Applied Spirituality, which is hosted and supported by SpIRE in Dublin, she teaches Spiritual autobiography, Spiritual accompaniment literature, Research modules and also supervises MA dissertations. She has wide experience giving workshops in spirituality and researching spiritual and religious issues in Ireland.

Email: Noelia.Molina@setu.ie

History of the MA

Thanks to the graciousness of the Irish Jesuits, The South East Technological University (SETU) MA in Applied Spirituality takes place in Milltown Park, Milltown Road, Dublin D06 W9Y7, where it is hosted and supported by SpIRE. It began as a Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT ) programme in 2016. This was the first time in Ireland for an Institute of Technology to run and accredit a postgraduate programme in applied spirituality. On May 1st, 2022 WIT and the Institute of Technology Carlow officially became the South East Technological University (SETU) and the programme is now a programme of that university. It is the only such university programme in Ireland and it has an international reputation. See, also, further down, testimonies of graduates of the programme.

The Director of SpIRE, Dr Michael O’Sullivan, SJ, was also the Programme Leader for the WIT MA from 2016-2021, and was the Programme Director for the MA from 2005 when it ran at other third level institutions. He and the Chair of SpIRE, Prof. Bernadette Flanagan, did a great deal of the work to write and develop the original programme when it ran at Milltown Institute from 2001-10. Bernadette was the Head of the Dept of Spirituality and the first Director of the programme at Milltown Institute. She, and Michael, who became Director of the MA in 2005, wrote the adapted programme when it moved to All Hallows College as a DCU award in 2010 following the decision to close the Milltown Institute. The programme then went through the customary process of institutional approval before it could proceed as a WIT programme and award in 2016, following the decision to close All Hallows College. Michael did a great deal of the writing for the WIT approved programme drawing on the version of the programme that ran at All Hallows College/DCU. He worked closely with Dr Richard Hayes, then Head of the School of Humanities at WIT, and latterly the Vice-President for Strategy and Innovation at the new SETU university.

The programme has the benefit of an internationally leading library in the field of applied spirituality studies, namely the SpIRE Library, which is supported by the Irish Jesuits. It is also served by a very experienced and distinguished team of lecturers, research supervisors, and spiritual accompaniers.

Annual Class Photos and Testimonies 2016-24

The photos below show the classes from 2023-24 back to the inaugural, and therefore historic, class of 2016-17 on the day of their graduation, 1 November 2017 (3 of the 20 graduates were unable to attend). The class included a Romanian, a Chinese, and a student from the United States.

The photo of the class of 18 in 2017-18 shows only those who able to attend graduation on 1 Nov 2018, with Michael, the Programme Leader, and his colleagues on the programme leadership team, Bernadette and Noelia. The class included natives of Croatia, Myanmar, and the UK.

Similarly, the photo of the class of 18 in 2018-19 shows only those able to attend graduation. They came from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Canada, the UK, Malta but working in South Sudan, South-Africa (but an Irish citizen working in Ireland), and the UK (but an Irish citizen resident in the UK). The Irish students in that class working in Ireland came from Dingle to Donegal.

The photo of the 2019-20 Class (18) with the programme leadership team (Bernadette, Michael – Programme Leader, and Noelia) was taken at the start of classes that year. It included an epidemiologist and prof. of oncology from Boston, an immigration lawyer from Nigeria based in Ireland, and a lecturer in education from WIT. There was no class graduation ceremony in 2020 for that class, who were the fourth cohort of graduates, because of the Covid-19 virus. However, most of the classes that year were in-person.

The MA class in 2020-21 also took place against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme ran in-person up to Christmas and again in May. In between, because of the surge in infections over the Christmas period, the programme went online. The class was also a little smaller than usual (14 instead of the cap number each year of 18) because of the ongoing impact of COVID-19. The class included a surgeon, a medical doctor, and a nurse, and so was well placed to deal with health threats from the pandemic. The photo below shows the class of 2020-21 on the last day of classes along with the programme leadership team of Noelia, Michael (Programme Leader), and Bernadette.

The class of 18 in 2021-22 included a medical doctor from Turkey, a woman from Boston whose professional practice was in architecture, a digital geographer from UK/Nigeria, and a therapist from England. The January classes took place online because COVID was still around. That year also saw a change of Programme Leader when Noelia took over the role from Michael who had been Programme Director (Milltown Institute, NUI and All Hallows College, DCU) and founding Programme Leader at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). On May 1st, 2022, WIT and IT Carlow became the South East Technological University. As a result, the graduates of 2021-22 were the first MA graduates in Applied Spirituality of the new university.

The class of 17 in 2022-23 included a Tanzanian, a Ugandan, an Irish missionary from South Africa, and a Croatian.

The class of 2023-24 included a South Korean (immediate past world leader of the Columban sisters), a participant from Myanmar (immediate past Regional Superior of the RNDM sisters), and two from the UK.

The class of 2024-25 was unique because for the first time in the programme we had more men than women. The class included a Muslim man, a religious sister who was a returned missionary from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a Maltese priest.

The 2024-25 class with the programme leadership team – Noelia, Bernadette, and Michael – and the SpIRE Library coordinator, Kathleen

Some testimonies about the 2024-25 MA in Applied Spirituality.

Studying for the South East Technological University (SETU) MA in Applied Spirituality at the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education (SpIRE) in Dublin has been one of the most enriching and transformative experiences of my life. The program offered not only academic depth and intellectual stimulation, but also a sacred space to explore the soul’s questions, the heart’s longings, and the deeper callings of life. All the faculty are compassionate, and deeply rooted in their own spiritual practices. They held space with great integrity and warmth. My classmates became companions of the soul, walking their own unique paths while sharing in the mystery together. I’ll carry the gifts of this experience with me always.

If you want to do a Master's course with a difference than I cannot recommend highly enough this truly unique Masters course in Applied Spirituality. As well as developing your brain and mind, it develops your emotional, social and spiritual side, your outlook on life and toward others, and the skills to critically look inward at yourself. The staff team are second to none and class discussions are encouraged due to the small, intimate class sizes. The Librarian is a quiet hidden gem, and will guide you towards any references, books or journals you may need.

This MA in Applied Spirituality has facilitated a journeying Home to Self, where healing of Mind, Body, Spirit, illuminated a transcendent unfolding. To anybody considering partaking in this MA, I would highly recommend them to do so. Thank you for the life-changing experience.

The 2023-24 class with the programme leadership team – Noelia, Bernadette, and Michael – and the SpIRE Library coordinator, Kathleen

Some testimonies about the 2023-24 MA in Applied Spirituality

This programme is informational as well as transformational. The holistic approach means that academic learning is accompanied by personal integration and application. This all takes place in an atmosphere that is warm and encouraging where each person is supported in exploring their own path.

The MA in Applied Spirituality was a soulful, introspective, liminal and magnificent year-long experience, which I am still processing, knowing it has transformed me, and my life. I deeply appreciated the safe, encouraging and validating space, generously provided by the leadership team and my fellow students. I was mesmerized by the captivating dissemination of mystical and grounded content, the depth of my inner journey, and the unique opportunity to explore awareness of my True Self and the golden thread of my path – all while being gently challenged to maintain a meaningful academic rigor. I am deeply grateful to Noelia, Bernadette and Michael.

This course has genuinely transformed my connection to God and all that is sacred in life. It illuminated the nature of my own Spirit and allowed me to see the parts - that were originally rejected - as sacred also. The course is rich in wisdom, teachings, and structured in a way that truly takes your soul on journey into the wonderment of yourself. The lecturers are a fantastic team who are passionate and supportive. You will not regret this decision; it’s powerful and brings out what is best in all of us.

The MA in Applied Spirituality Programme, expanded my vision beyond all my expectations, challenging me to become more consciously aware by looking at my own life and the world through a broader and deeper spiritual lens. It was a journey of deeper awakening, discovering in the process that human pain, suffering and sometimes even the most traumatic experiences were, in fact, sacred and graced moments. It was a time of meeting and embracing the most tender and compassionate God. My sincere gratitude and appreciation go to the Course leaders and lecturers for the quality of their academic programme which both challenged and inspired me to integrate and deepen my spiritual life and experiences. It was a truly transformative journey and an invaluable year.

This MA Programme has helped me to deepen a life lived with loving kindness for myself and for all beings. The academic course work was nourishing, informative, stimulating, sometimes challenging, and always restorative. The accompanying experiential spiritual practices on the MA Programme, helped me to strengthen my capacity to move towards a deeper contemplative life. I am grateful to all for this precious time to look inwards and listen deeply and move towards a shared horizon of beauty, intelligibility, truth, goodness and love.

The 2022-23 class with the programme leadership team – Noelia, Bernadette, and Michael – and the library coordinator, Kathleen

Some testimonies about the 2022-23 MA in Applied Spirituality

The MA facilitated my waking up to the awareness of my true potential and the blindness of my conditioning, fears, desires, attachments, beliefs, and images of God. The renewed understanding of spirituality helped me find my voice and sense of authentic self-authoring as a missionary priest of African origin. It expanded my experience of daily life to include a global communion with everything that exists and to embrace all activity with conscious presence through being present to self, to Holy Mystery, to others and the world.

What a wonderful course and we are so blessed to have it available here in Ireland. As a practitioner of indigenous Irish Spirituality and an interfaith minister I was welcomed with openness and interest and all aspects of the course; staff, resources, lectures, curriculum, support, duty of care etc. far exceeded any expectations that I had. The course leaders embody an essence of Interspirituality that is so welcome and I would recommend the course to all who have that deep calling to explore their own spirituality and the ways in which we can bring spirituality in to our communities and the world to support others on their journey.

When I enrolled in the MA in Applied Spirituality programme, I had very little idea about what to expect. Very quickly, however, I realized I found what my soul was searching for. It became clear I am among spiritual seekers who came very far on their journeys and who can show me the way. Seekers with whom I can share my thirst for deep discussions, longing to open and explore my heart, and willingness to expand my consciousness. The programme was transformative beyond all my expectations as well as a profound academic outing thanks to extraordinary lecturers who are an authentic embodiment of their teachings, classmates who provided nothing but beautiful nurturing and compassionate energy, and incredible support of the staff throughout the entire programme and beyond.

I deeply enjoyed every moment of this powerful and amazing course with the thought- provoking subjects presented with warmth, stirring deep curiosity by Bernadette, Noelia and Michael and other tutors. The sacred listening spaces and often challenging assignments led me on an inspiring and enriching soul journey reconnecting me with my own spirit and that of the universe.

I have rested in the presence of God while attending the MA in Applied Spirituality. The unfolding story of grace in action; in the lectures, in the library, in the coffee room, outside on benches and steps has been beautiful to witness and participate in. The human beings who inhabited the space with me are gracious, loving and merciful. I thank God that his liminal year for me was spent with such characters.

The MA journey has been thought-provoking and intriguing. It challenged my comfort zone and conformism to the institutional Church. It has been life integrating and transforming and arduous at the same time. It gave me opportunities for life introspection, rousing consciousness, and enhancing the authentic self and developed many skills and ways as a reflective practitioner, opening to the world and Creation.

The 2021-22 class with the programme leadership team, Noelia – Programme Leader, Michael, and Bernadette.

Some testimonies about the 2021-22 MA in Applied Spirituality as a Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) award. The MA is hosted and supported by SpIRE at Milltown Park, Dublin, Ireland.

The MA in Applied Spirituality programme proved to be a source of abundant blessings. It offered rich insights, fresh perspectives and deeper understanding and acceptance of self and others. It breathed energy and joy into my spirituality. The enthusiasm and warmth of lecturers and fellow students fostered trust and openness which I personally found to be very liberating. The experience will both support and challenge me in times to come. It is a demanding course that requires commitment, but the fruits it offers are pearls of great price.

The M.A in Applied Spirituality has been both the most challenging and the most transforming year of my life. The entire experience let something emerge from within me that has changed my experience of myself, others and life itself. The nature of the programme, the personal and professional nature of all staff and what I found to be incredibly valuable - was the embodied nature of all the staff in what they were teaching. This made the learning environment so much more natural, more open, and a freedom for curiosity and group learning. This year has grounded me and given me a direction with a purpose for myself in my own life, going forward. Thank you to everyone involved.

The learning and skills I acquired in this course will sustain me for a lifetime. The course exceeded my expectations and I will be always grateful to the directors and staff for their passion, guidance and support. It was wonderful to appreciate the subject of spirituality from so many perspectives. As the course proceeded there was a clear realization of how the various modules weaved together to bring about an insightful and expanded way of perceiving, not only my true self, but how everything interconnects and belongs.

The MA was one amazing journey! It was eye opening and an outstanding self- discovery process. Very inspiring course, it helped me not only to understand the subject deeper, but also helped me to bring my creativity and spiritual values back to everyday experience, daily practice. Wonderful, inspiring, lectures, given by very high quality authentic lecturers, led by the superb Leadership team: Michael, Bernadette, and Noelia. With Blessings and Gratitude.

The MA in Applied Spirituality Course was a life changing and enriching experience. I feel extremely blessed to have had this opportunity. The modules opened my mind, challenged my thinking and deepened my awareness. I am forever grateful to the management team Michael, Bernadette and Noelia. Thanks also to Kathleen in the library and all the lecturers for their encouragement, support and ongoing kindness.

I seemed to arrive in Milltown just when I needed it most. I might describe it as propitious or even providential in that regard. I very much enjoyed the excellent teaching delivered by the tutors and the camaraderie, collaboration, and support of my classmates which all combined to create a wonderful learning environment and experience. I found that the programme provided the right mix of academic rigour and creative freedom to allow me explore the nature of spirituality in a highly personal way. It is a very demanding course but at the same time a very expansive space in which to undertake this life-enhancing journey.

The photo below shows the class of 2020-21 on the last day of classes along with the programme leadership team of Noelia, Michael (Programme Leader), and Bernadette.

Some testimonies about the 2020-21 MA in Applied Spirituality as a Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) award. The MA is hosted and supported by SpIRE at Milltown Park, Dublin, Ireland.

“The year engaged in the MA was transformative in every way. It opened my heart, my eyes, and my mind, and has created a wealth of exciting opportunities for me. It has empowered me to find my voice and evoked a desire to find my purpose and my place in this world. This program meets you wherever you are and assists you in tailoring it to your own unique journey. I could not recommend it enough”.

“Great memories. The MA in Applied Spirituality embraces both cognitive and experiential components. You will engage deeply in the academic study of the field of spirituality. The degree also embraces a powerful transformative component. Overall, the degree is a remarkable experience of spiritual growth. Regardless of one's faith background, the pursuit of beauty, intelligibility, truth, goodness and love internalizes a foundation for purpose and meaning-making."

“Deep appreciation and gratitude to Michael, Bernadette, Noelia, Kathleen, all our lecturers, my class colleagues, and everybody else, past and present, that made possible and enhanced this great learning and transformative experience! This MA programme has been a wonderful experience, that I will always remember with pleasure and gratitude. I highly recommend it to anybody interested in the field of spirituality”.

“There has been so much new learning, cognitive and experiential. That been said my current feeling is that I am deeply grateful for a rich and challenging experience of new learning which I am certain will be life enhancing”.

“I admire the work Michael and colleagues have invested in creating this inclusive opportunity for a diverse group of people to explore spirituality. I feel extremely grateful to have had a life enhancing year of academic and experiential learning. I feel very blessed to have encountered so many people who shared their gifts and expertise with the class in a warm and caring environment”.

“In signing for the course in Applied Spirituality, I supposed it would involve the study of people, their hopes, fears and higher values. It was all that and much more. I hoped to get fresh stimulus for my work as a pastoral caregiver. In that, too, I wasn’t disappointed. Wholly unexpected, however, was a new depth to my existing spiritual routine. New friends were yet another bonus”.

“After reflecting on the experience of pursuing a masters in applied spirituality over the last 12 months I would say that it has been a significant grace filled time and experience in my life. My hope going forward as a result of a formal exposure to spirituality study and teachings and the new learning that occurred is that further personal transformation and expansion of consciousness can occur more gently by me being more aware of and less resistant to the wisdom and guidance of the spirit in me and honouring my authentic self-more. I have begun the second stage of life and I feel that the masters’ programme was an ideal launch pad and foundation”.

“It was a gift to be present on the program. Thank you, Michael, for all your communication, guidance and effort. I am deeply thankful”.

Thanks to all of the Programme team for a transformative year. Access to my spiritual interiority is much easier now, a cloud has been cleared. Every blessing to all involved”.

“A Master's in Applied Spirituality is a rare phenomenon in contemporary Ireland”.

There was no class graduation ceremony in 2020 because of the Covid-19 virus. The photo below shows the 2019-20 Class with the programme leadership team (Bernadette, Michael – Programme Leader, and Noelia) at the start of classes that year.

Some testimonies about the 2019-20 MA in Applied Spirituality as a Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) award. The MA is hosted and supported by SpIRE at the Jesuit Centre, Milltown Park, Dublin, Ireland.

“I thank God for leading me onto what has been a truly enriching year with such valuable teaching from all the staff. Very many thanks to each of you for guiding me through this thought-provoking and nourishing year. Every blessing”.

“The MA program is a rich and meaningful and complex program which led to a thought-provoking and life-enhancing year. Huge thanks and gratitude to everyone on the staff – Michael, Bernadette, Noelia, David, Anne-Marie, Amanda, Brian, Padraig, and Kathleen. It has been a rich, intense and rewarding year. Much respect and Love”.

“Thanks to everyone who made my MA year so special, I have enjoyed every moment and the year has changed my life forever”.

“With thanks to Michael and Bernadette for facilitating the MA program; to Kathleen (in the library) for all her assistance; and the faculty team for their generous teachings. A special thanks to Noelia for her heartfelt supervision. Blessings to all”. “To Michael, Bernadette, Noelia, Kathleen and all the wonderful lecturers who shared their wisdom this year. I am eternally grateful. Thank you so much for such a wonderful year. My soul feels grounded and my life expanded after it”.

“Thank you so much for an amazing experience”.

“Dear Michael, Bernadette, and Noelia (the leadership team), I write in deep gratitude for all your efforts over my MA in Applied Spirituality experience. Each of you, in your unique and lovely ways, have made such important contributions to my time in the programme. You set great examples, been a continued resource and shared so much knowledge and wisdom.”

“It was a great experience and I feel a better sense of myself and of my purpose in life. I feel stronger and happier in myself”.

“I have expanded both mind and spirit and know this experience will forever give deeper meaning to my life. I will continue to think of you all in prayer and with great gratitude”.

“To the Director, Dr. Michael O’Sullivan, whose attention to detail made for a smooth running of the programme. His lectures and his embodying of what he taught were a wonderful example of authenticity of life”.

Below are 9 of the 18 2018-19 MA in Applied Spirituality class who were able to take part in their conferring ceremony on Oct 30th pictured with the programme leadership team, Bernadette, Michael (Programme Leader), and Noelia.

The class included students from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Canada, the UK, a Maltese working in South Sudan, a South African-Irish citizen working in Ireland, and an Irish citizen resident in the UK. The Irish students working in Ireland came from Dingle to Donegal

Some testimonies about the 2018-19 MA in Applied Spirituality in its form as a Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) award. The MA is hosted and supported by SpIRE at the Jesuit Centre, Milltown Park, Dublin, Ireland.

“I knew from the outset that the course content would be engaging, inspiring and incredibly informative, but I underestimated the cumulative effect of the layers and layers of learning that go on not just in lectures, but also in peer learning groups, in the corridor over a cup of coffee and while reflecting on teaching and conversations in my own time. This is a life-enhancing programme.”

“A wonderful year of study, reflection, discourse, wisdom and fun!”

“The M.A program has been a transformative experience for me. I not only deepened my understanding of spirituality, but also discovered an academic field full of challenges and opportunities.”

“Excellent programme and process. An amazing experience of learning and reflection. “I have a new perspective on life and spirituality.”

“Buiochas for an amazing experience in spirituality!”

“It has been a wonderful and profound year. A program that enables personal growth and the search for meaning in life.”

“The course has been, remains, and will continue to be rich nourishment.”

“Life changing lectures with life-giving fellow students”.

“It has been a real privilege and joy to be part of the MA.”

“2018/19 has opened a wonderful landscape in my spiritual trajectory incorporating new dimensions, expanding knowledge, breaking the boundaries of my own perceptions, welcoming a multitude of new approaches to life, and many other experiences.”

“So many things to say. Thanks doesn’t begin to cover it!”

“Don’t do this course….unless you are open to it changing your life and want to meet some amazing, inspirational people”.

“The MA course was brilliant from start to finish”.

“Thank you to Dr Michael O’ Sullivan, Dr Bernadette Flanagan and all the lecturers and staff on the MA programme in Applied Spirituality at Milltown Institute for your challenging, inspiring and rewarding classes that has helped to make the year truly transformative. This is a course that I would highly recommend for those wishing to deepen and grow in their understanding of Spirituality and how it can be applied in our context”.

Below: 12 of the 18 graduates of the MA in Applied Spirituality 2017-18 on 1 Nov 2018 with the Programme Leadership Team, Noelia, Michael (Programme Leader), and Bernadette

A few testimonies about the MA in Applied Spirituality in its form as a Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) award, hosted and supported by SpIRE, at the Jesuit Conference Centre, Milltown Park, Dublin in 2017-18

“The MA was a wonderful life-enriching process that will reverberate through the rest of my life”.

“Learning from experience, academic rigour, inspirational teachers and companionship on the spiritual journey have made my year of study on the MA Applied Spirituality programme one of transformation and great joy”.

“It has been (and is) a truly amazing time of learning, growth and experiences!”

“The level of input was excellent, the opportunities to share and grow were amazing. The friendships I have made are very precious. It has been a truly life-changing year for which I am profoundly grateful”. “I particularly enjoyed chatting over tea with other students and adapting to the academic study of spirituality. I now feel more confident in developing my own interest in the field of spirituality and mental health”.

“Being supported throughout underpins the ethos of this unique course, and is fully implemented by lecturers, programme leaders, spiritual directors, and library staff alike. I am transformed utterly: now having a new voice with which to greet my world”.

“The MA in Applied Spirituality has had a life-changing effect on me”.

“My learning and personal transformation from the M.A. continues to influence my life”.

Historic Conferring of inaugural class on 1 Nov 2017 / MA in Applied Spirituality 2016-17

A few testimonies regarding the MA in Applied Spirituality in its form as a Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) award at the Jesuit Conference Centre, Milltown Park, Dublin in 2016-17

“I had already taken my first steps in a renewed spiritual life when I discovered the MA in Applied Spirituality. It presented itself just when I needed support for my personal journey of renewal and transformation. It was a challenge but I found the balance of academic and experiential learning uplifting, especially the support of tutors, spiritual advisors and classmates”.

“I can honestly say it is hard to put into words the positive experience this past year on the MA programme has been for me. It has been a wonderful opportunity for growth and awareness, an opening to explore the meaning of my relational worlds and those around me, family, friends, community. It has expanded my thinking, opening up my listening, widening my view to be more inclusive of all that there may be, with compassion”.

“I learnt so much during the year and I enjoyed the course immensely”.

“I did the MA in Applied Spirituality during my sabbatical year and it was a very inspiring and fulfilling experience. The academic input was excellent, enlightening, thought-provoking and challenging. Great support and guidance were given at all times. The course called for personal reflection on lived experience and I have developed new skills and received many new insights for both my personal spiritual life and in my ministry. I have no hesitation in recommending this course to others to help them on the spiritual journey”.

“There were many graces on this MA and unexpected gifts”.

“It is an amazing journey”.

“I want to acknowledge the inspirational presence of Dr Michael O’Sullivan who made my study of spirituality a transformative gift through the Holy Spirit. I will treasure our time together in Milltown for the rest of my life”.

Testimonies about the inaugural graduation day on 1 Nov 2017

“Today was a wonderful success. It was truly a lovely ceremony. It was simple and appropriately celebratory, honouring what people have done. In that sense it was better than TCD (where I received two degrees, one of which was handed to me by Mary Robinson, then the Chancellor of the university!). During the ceremony, I was able to look up at the fifth station of the cross, Simon helps carry the cross, and it prompted me to think, pray really, how much the help of countless people on the course (and in wider life) has been so important in getting me to this point. To be graduating like that was particularly wonderful, when you consider that a few years back the medics were recommending nursing homes, thinking that I’d never be fit enough for independent living. And here I am!”

“It was a very graced day all round and a real privilege to meet up with peers and staff again – we certainly shared a very special journey. Here’s to the next leg of the journey – wherever that may lead!! Thanks again, Michael, for all you have done for us and for the whole programme”.

“Dear Michael and Bernadette, many thanks for making yesterday such a wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable day. I found it a wonderful thing that you were there on the feast of “All Hallows”, leading us in for our Conferring ceremony, acknowledged publicly as Leaders of this Course. In a way it was your “Conferring” also!”