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The goal is not simply to speak Spanish. The goal is to serve in Spanish
The Saint Juan Diego Institute offers an immersive four-week formation experience in Querétaro, Mexico, designed for Catholic clergy and pastoral leaders serving Hispanic communities in the United States.
Through intensive Spanish instruction, pastoral formation, cultural immersion, and spiritual experiences, participants develop the language skills and cultural understanding needed to serve Hispanic Catholics with greater confidence, competence, and compassion.
A Transformative Four-Week Experience
The program brings together four essential dimensions of formation:
Pastoral Spanish
Pastoral Spanish
Develop practical Spanish skills for real pastoral situations, including conversation, prayer, liturgy, homilies, confession, hospital ministry, and sacramental preparation.
Cultural Immersion
Cultural Immersion
Experience Mexican and Hispanic culture through daily life, local traditions, community encounters, history, and Catholic heritage.
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation
Strengthen your pastoral vocation through prayer, Eucharistic celebrations, reflection, and opportunities for spiritual renewal.
Pastoral Experience
Pastoral Experience
Put language and cultural learning into practice through meaningful encounters with Hispanic Catholic communities and pastoral settings.
What You Will Experience
What You Will Experience
Throughout the program, participants will engage in
Intensive Spanish language instruction
Pastoral Spanish workshops
Conversation and pronunciation practice
Hispanic culture and Catholic traditions
Pastoral ministry scenarios
Parish and community experiences
Cultural excursions and pilgrimages
Spiritual reflection and prayer
Opportunities for fellowship and community
Personal guidance throughout the program
A Typical Day
A Typical Day
Each day combines academic learning with pastoral, cultural, and spiritual experiences.
Morning
Spanish Language & Pastoral CommunicationMidday
Community, Lunch & Cultural Interaction
Afternoon
Pastoral Workshops & Immersion ExperiencesEvening
Prayer, Reflection & Community Life
The schedule may vary according to pastoral visits, cultural activities, pilgrimages, and special program experiences.
Who Is the Program For?
Who Is the Program For?
The program is designed for:
Bishops
Priests
Permanent Deacons
Seminarians
Religious Sisters and Brothers
Directors of Hispanic Ministry
Catholic Pastoral Leaders
Participants may come with different levels of Spanish proficiency. Instruction and activities are adapted to support meaningful progress throughout the immersion experience.
Program at a Glance
Program at a Glance
Location
Querétaro, MexicoDuration
Four WeeksDates
January 5–30, 2027
Investment
USD $4,500Program Language
Spanish immersion with English support as neededFormat
In-person residential immersion
Your Investment Includes
Your Investment Includes
The $4,500 program investment includes:
Academic instruction
Pastoral Spanish formation
Housing during the program
Meals
Cultural activities
Pilgrimages and selected excursions
Local transportation associated with program activities
Spiritual formation experiences
Certificate of Completion
Airfare to and from Mexico, personal expenses, and other items not specifically listed above are not included.
More Than Spanish
More Than Spanish
Learning pastoral Spanish is not simply about learning another language.
It is about being able to listen more deeply, communicate more naturally, understand another culture, and build relationships of trust
The goal is not simply to speak Spanish. The goal is to serve in Spanish.
Begin Your Journey
Prepare to serve Hispanic Catholic communities with greater confidence, cultural understanding, and pastoral effectiveness.
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