The Preaching for Encounter Program is at the heart of our programming at the Institute for Homiletics. This program is 20 months because it brings you into the deep, helping you to learn, practice, gain feedback, and elevate the way you approach and deliver homilies. It includes 2 summer and 2 winter learning retreats with the entire group, individual coaching sessions, peer groups, and interaction with your Saint Joseph Preacher group.

Homilist who loves the Lord

+ Robust homiletic training

= Effective preaching that brings people into an encounter with God.

Our Institute exists to help you flourish in your vocation. We invite you to join our next cohort of Catholic preachers to start Spring 2026.

We have coached more than 100 Catholic preachers and understand that homilists cannot do it alone. It is imperative that listeners must engage in communication to be effective. We need each other. We can help you to build a vibrant relationship between those who preach and those who listen.

Our St. Joseph’s Preachers program forms lay people into a priest or deacon’s partner in preparing homilies. This is a unique program that has trained nearly 800 listeners so far. They learn how to provide homilists with affirmation and constructive feedback to support how they can become more connected with the community.