If you are a Catholic woman who is interested in becoming an active leader and mentor in the world, the Women of Grace® Benedicta Leadership Institute for Women® is offering several new courses for graduate credit at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan from June 19 – 30.

The Women of Grace® Benedicta Leadership Institute for Women® was founded by Johnnette Benkovic of Living His Life Abundantly, Inc.®/Women of Grace® to help identify, educate, develop, and train Catholic women to become leaders in society in accord with their state in life. As St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865) once said” "How rare it is to find a valiant woman! It is perhaps necessarily so, since Scripture says that they are more precious than pearls and diamonds. Let us however work to train a few."

Raising up and training these valiant women is precisely the work of the Institute through a partnership with SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary. The first of its kind, this program provides women with the opportunity to acquire certification and graduate credit hours that can then be applied toward a Master of Arts in Theology degree with a concentration in Catholic Women's Leadership.

Last summer the Institute launched its first course offering, Toward a Catholic Understanding of Woman. Taught by Monica M. Miller, Ph.D. the course explores the anthropology of the female person in light of her innate authority as portrayed in Sacred Scripture, Church teaching, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the dynamic of covenant. It will be offered again this year from June 19 – 23.

New this summer will be two additional two-credit courses. Learning from the Past: Words and Wisdom of Holy Women through the Ages will be taught by Father Deacon Joshua Genig, Ph.D. and will explore the words and wisdom of some of the holy women down through the ages, both before the time of Christ and after, with the goal of seeing the way they lived as leaders in their own time. This course will be offered from June 19-23 and is also available online.

Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J., will teach Catholic Social Doctrine and Today’s Catholic Woman Leader which will investigate the underlying principles of Catholic Social Teaching and their basis in Scripture and Tradition in concert with the Natural Law. This course will be offered from June 26-30.

“Perhaps you have had a moment in your life where you knew that your life would never be the same. That was my experience when I completed the first course in Catholic Women’s Leadership,” said Carmen Schattner, who completed a course last summer. “I truly felt the presence of God everywhere on campus. It was inspiring and nurturing to be surrounded by all these amazing men and women who were so filled with God’s love. Though I do not know where I am being led, I do know that now is the time, and I just can’t wait to be back on campus again!”

Is this your time?

For more information, feel free to contact Adora Ibrahim, Mission Advancement Coordinator for the Women of Grace® Benedicta Leadership Institute® who is also enrolled as a student in the M.A. in Theology program at the Seminary. She is a married mother of three, a real estate entrepreneur and a woman who is deeply involved in the life of the local Church in the Metro Detroit area. Women interested in learning more about what the Institute can do for them will find a rich source of knowledge, experience, and understanding in Adora. Contact her at aibrahim@womenofgrace.com or call 1-800558-5452 ext. 2121.

For more information about admission requirements, visit the website at benedicta.womenofgrace.com.