About

The vision of Dr. Hosffman Ospino (Boston College) and Dr. Timothy Matovina (University of Notre Dame), Haciendo Caminos is a response to the ever-growing population of Hispanic Catholics in parishes, schools, and other ministerial spaces, and the need to accompany these communities. Haciendo Caminos is also a response to the consequent need to invest in the talents and leadership of new generations of pastoral leaders firmly grounded in the cultural and religious experience of the emerging generations of Hispanic Catholics in the United States. As the U.S. Catholic Church becomes increasingly Latino/a, we seek to increase knowledge of and interest in ministerial professions among a new generation of young adults and reduce barriers towards their graduate-level theological education.

“If the Catholic community in the United States wants to have a vibrant and fruitful future during the rest of this century, we must turn our attention and resources immediately to serve and accompany Hispanic youth and young adults. This is not an option but an imperative, given the size of this population within the Church.”

- Dr. Hosffman Ospino, Ministry with Young Hispanic Catholics, 2023

Committed to a spirit of collaboration and the formation of the next generation of Hispanic Catholic pastoral leaders in the United States, Haciendo Caminos partner institutions support and accompany students in a way that is holistic and en conjunto. Haciendo Caminos fellows:

• Engage in graduate theological formation leading to the completion of a master's degree in a partner institution
• Develop pastoral leadership skills to serve effectively in ministerially diverse contexts
• Receive financial support to cover some personal expenses and participate in professional development opportunities
• Meet other Latino/a young adult Catholic leaders from around the United States
• Connect with local mentors and ministerial partners

Summer Events

Vocations Summit

From Wednesday, July 31st to Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, Haciendo Caminos collaborated with the PASOS Network to host a national vocations summit for young Hispanic Catholics interested in discerning a call to ministry in the Church. The Vocations Summit was held at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.

Attendees had the opportunity to converse and discern with other young Hispanic Catholics, hear from some of the nation’s leading ministers and scholars in Hispanic Catholic ministry, learn more about Haciendo Caminos, and meet representatives from each of the 18 Haciendo Caminos partner institutions.

Summer Symposium

In July of 2025, Haciendo Caminos Fellows gathered with one another for joint formation and fellowship at the Haciendo Caminos Summer Symposium: a two-week long gathering combining credit-bearing theological and ministerial classes and mutual, holistic enrichment.

The symposium was hosted at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

Steering Commitee

Juan Miguel Alvarez, MDiv	Former director, Haciendo Caminos, University of Notre Dame
Javier Clavere, DMA	Dean Emeritus for the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, University of the Incarnate Word
Maura Colleary, MEd	Associate Dean, Finance, & Administration, Boston College
Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu, PhD	Professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University
Brett Hoover, PhD	Associate Professor of Pastoral and Practical Theology, Loyola Marymount University
Timothy Matovina, PhD	Professor Emeritus of Theology, University of Notre Dame
Hosffman Ospino, PhD	Associate Professor of Hispanic Ministry and Religious Education Chair, Boston College
Jorge Presmanes, OP, DMin	Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Hispanic/Latino Theology and Ministry, Barry University
Michael A. Romero, PhD	Director, Pastoral Institute, University of the Incarnate Word
Rebecca Ruvalcaba, MDiv	Director of Pastoral Formation, Master of Divinity Program, University of Notre Dame
Gloria L. Schaab, SSJ, PhD	Professor of Theology and Department Chair, Barry University
Chris Tirres, PhD	Buckley Visiting Chair in Latinx Theology, Santa Clara University
Cecilia Titizano La Fuente, PhD	Director of Latina/o Theology and Ministry Leadership Network, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University

Contact

For more information, please contact Luz Berumen, lberumen@nd.edu.