The Priest is His: Building an Ongoing Formation Experience for Priests

Nearly twenty years ago, when Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) launched Good Leaders, Good Shepherds (GLGS), we dreamed of equipping pastors with the skills to shepherd well while carrying the immense responsibilities of parish leadership. More than 3,000 priests have been formed through GLGS, and its impact remains profound. Unlike the era in which many priests were ordained, faith can no longer be assumed, and the culture around us often stands indifferent or even opposed to the Church.

It is the current reality of priestly ministry that gave birth to Eius. Rooted in our history and propelled by our bold five-year strategic vision, Eius is CLI’s ongoing formation for priests to meet their needs today. It is our most ambitious undertaking yet, designed to reach 50–55 priest cohorts across five unique learning tracks, impacting 950-1,000 priests over the next five years.

Its name, Eius, is Latin for “His” and recalls the ordination rite when a priest offers himself completely to God and the Church. Eius seeks to help priests renew that offering, equipping them with self-assurance, helping them gain clarity, and developing fraternity for the challenges of today’s priesthood so that they may energetically answer their special call with confidence and zeal.

The effort to build Eius has been extraordinary and thanks to a generous donor, we were able to move swiftly from vision to reality. In less than six months, CLI assembled a team of theologians, leadership experts, learning design specialists, and parish practitioners to shape the curriculum. Priests themselves provided essential input, ensuring that every element speaks directly to lived pastoral realities.

We developed a new, robust learning management system, crafted in-person retreat-like sessions, and trained our team of facilitators so that they are ready to welcome the first cohort of priests to Eius this fall.

Creating Eius meant building far more than a training program. What has emerged is a movement of accompaniment.

Eius is ready to see priests hold time for both discipleship and leadership, growing in their priestly identity and gaining practical skills to lead parishes with confidence.

Eius is, in every sense, a lifeline for priests navigating a rapidly shifting culture and a Church facing both great trials and great hope.

Developing Eius is only the beginning. Our deepest desire is that priests who participate will rediscover the joy of their vocation, strengthened by the tools, wisdom, and brotherhood they need to thrive. In turn, their people and our parishes will be renewed by pastors emboldened to lead as missionary disciples.

Eius is for them, and ultimately for Him. May it sustain the shepherds who, in every season, sustain us!