Road to Emmaus Discernment Year

• Delivery & Duration: Hybrid (In-person retreat September 6, online synchronous and asynchronous sessions September to June, in-person MASI Study Days in June)
• Dates: see full calendar for details
• Cost: $450 (registrants may pay in 3 installments)
  • PLEASE NOTE: Program fees do not include travel or accommodations for the closing conference: MASI Study days in June

Program Overview

Learn how to establish a rule of prayer while building a foundation of scriptural and catechetical knowledge. This program is designed as a discernment year for those who are discerning Holy Orders (Subdiaconate, Diaconate and Priesthood) within Byzantine Catholic Churches, or laypeople already involved, or interested in becoming involved, in lay-leadership within Church Ministries. Participants will receive an introduction to the Scriptures, “Christ Our Pascha” Catechism of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and training in the spiritual tradition of the Christian East while building a connection to their local parish.   

About the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute

The Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies (MASI) is an autonomous academic unit of the Faculty of Theology of the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto.

It specializes in the theology, spirituality, liturgy, history, and ecclesial polity of the Eastern Christian Churches, both Orthodox and Catholic.

Learning Outcomes

In this course, learners will:

1. Establish a personal prayer rule consisting of the Jesus Prayer and Lectio Divina, monthly spiritual direction, and Sacramental Confession.
2. Receive a basic introduction to Eastern Christian Spirituality including: theosis, ascetic discipline, kenosis, logismoi, and virtues, along with a basic Christian (patristic) anthropology.
3. Maintain a working knowledge of the narrative of Salvation History and a framework for further scriptural study.
4. Possess a working knowledge of the “Christ Our Pascha” catechism of the UGCC.
5. Develop a basic understanding of Eastern Christian liturgical worship through collaboration with the pastor and engagement with the Liturgical Year via The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship, including a basic understanding of the “minor canonical hours,” their meaning, and how to pray them.
6. Establish a liturgical and service-oriented connection with the pastor and carry out a project of almsgiving and self-giving love within a parish or community setting.

Method of Instruction

The majority of the program is available online and in a “self-paced” framework with occasional live-streamed meetings. The program commences with an opening retreat in-person on campus at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto and concludes with participation in the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute Study Days in June 2026 (a popular theological conference). Learners who cannot attend the opening retreat in person will be provided with recordings of the sessions.

About the Instructor

Rev. Michael Bombak, BEd, STB, MTh

Fr. Michael Bombak is a Ukrainian Catholic priest whose journey began in Edmonton with early education in the Ukrainian Bilingual Program and a teaching career before entering the seminary. His vocational discernment led him to Holy Spirit Seminary in Ottawa, culminating in his ordination as a priest in 2016. He served as Assistant Pastor at St. Josaphat Cathedral, then as pastor of the Vermilion District, and later at St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Calgary. Fr. Michael earned a Master of Theology (MTh) from Newman Theological College, publishing his thesis on theological anthropology and contraception. He is currently a Doctorate in Ministry (DMin) student through the Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto and serves as the Chaplain and Programming Coordinator of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute. He is married with five children and enjoys mountain climbing and hiking.

Questions?  

Please email Fr. Michael Bombak, michael.bombak@utoronto.ca

Register Now

Note: Alumni and Senior discounts cannot be applied to this program.