• Spiritus Leader Formation Canberra & National

  • Spiritus Youth Ministry – Christchurch, New Zealand YMES

  • Spiritus Leader Formation Rome

  • Spiritus Youth Ministry Fiji

  • Spiritus Leader Formation East Africa

Spirit-led Renewal
of Catholic Education

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What is Spiritus?

One Charism. One Mission.

Spiritus is an international apostolic work and charism serving the Church’s mission of evangelisation through the renewal of Catholic education.

Spirit-led, Christ-centred and grounded in the life of the Church, Spiritus forms Catholic school educators, leaders and young people as missionary disciples.

So that Catholic schools may become more vibrant centres of faith, witness and mission.

How Spiritus Achieves its Mission

Participation in the Spiritus mission occurs through four complementary forms:

  • Through which the charism is expressed and transmitted.

  • Through which dioceses, Catholic education systems, schools, universities, parishes, religious institutes, and other ecclesial communities participate in and advance the Spiritus mission.

  • Who are accredited and authorised to support the implementation and faithful transmission of the Spiritus charism.

  • Which fosters prayer, formation, collaboration, mutual support, and shared mission among those who participate in the life and work of Spiritus.

Two Formation Streams

Spiritus Leader Formation and Spiritus Youth Ministry are managed and delivered separately, but they share one charism, mission and identity within the Church. Each can operate independently, but Spiritus is most effective when both work together as part of a school-wide or system-wide approach.

For Leaders and Educators

Spiritus

Leader Formation

Helps Catholic leaders integrate faith, leadership and mission in their personal and professional lives.

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For Young People

Spiritus

Youth Ministry

Forms young people and emerging leaders for youth evangelisation within the life of the Catholic school.

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SPIRITUS

INTERNATIONAL

LEADERS

CONFERENCE 2027

Sydney · 17-19 May 2027

Spirit-Led Renewal of Catholic Education

Learn more and register
Learn more and register

Partnerships

Spiritus works in partnership with dioceses, Catholic education systems, schools, universities and other ecclesial communities.

Spiritus Leader Formation Impact at a Glance

380+

Participants in Leaders Formation Programs in 2025

97%  

Felt better equipped to lead the faith community in their school or system

100%

Reported growth in their vocation and ministry

92% 

Experienced transformative formation

  • "The formation of teachers and leaders through the ACU La Salle Academy program, SPIRITUS, has had a significant impact, and I have witnessed and participated in this myself in Canberra as well as internationally in London and Rome. I described this program as being on the cutting edge of what the Holy Spirit is doing in the Catholic world at the moment."

    Archbishop Christopher Prowse - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

  • "Inspiring, enthusing, challenging and thought provoking. Those words come to mind when I reflect upon the last few days (SPIRITUS)…I have learnt about the importance of witnessing to the faith and to talk about our encounters with Jesus Christ in an intentional and purposeful way with our staff and students."

    Michael Exton - Principal, St Ignatius College Geelong

  • "The main part about it (International Formation Program London) has been the way it has bought people together from different parts of the world… this has meant something quite special. From a catholic leader’s point of view in a school it has been really exciting to see a joined up and organised vision for how we might be able to deliver more effectively formation for the pupils we work with and our staff. I feel encouraged and excited about the whole experience."

    Stuart McPherson - Former Head, Worth School England

  • "SPIRITUS 2022 has not only given the participants the key to unlocking the New Evangelisation for our young people in schools and parishes, but the strength to push open the doors too. The Program was sensitively created to offer human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual formation. The days were full of deep discussion, fraternal sharing, prayerful reflection and a profound sense of hope and joy. We look forward to the fruits of this work and growing the network of faith-full Catholic leaders in the coming years."

    Barbara Coupar - Director Scottish Catholic Education Service

  • “Throughout my long career working for catholic education in the Vatican, I have read many books and studies about how Catholic education should be. Waves of Grace, based on Peter’s own long experience, his professional academic analysis and the success stories of programs like Spiritus, shows a possible and practicable way for educational leaders to transform Catholic schools into lighthouses and power stations of excellent education and evangelisation. Anyone passionate about Catholic schools may find inspiration in this book for their relationship with Christ - like me - and even catch a wave of grace amidst their professional service.”

    Fr Friedrich Bechina - Undersecretary for Congregation for Catholic Education (2013 – 2022) and International Consultant in Catholic Education.

Partnership and Program Enquiries

Contact us to learn more about implementing Spiritus Leader Formation and Spiritus Youth Ministry.