Seminary Life
The seminary is where a man discerns whether God is calling him to priesthood and prepares him for a life of love and sacrifice as a priest. Each seminarian is assigned to a seminary to take classes and grow in the 4 areas of formation (intellectual, spiritual, human, & pastoral). While classes take place on a college campus, it is different from the "traditional" college experience in that the seminarians are in a prayerful environment: morning prayer, daily Mass, and evening prayer. Seminarians will also meet with spiritual directors on a regular basis.
Learn more about becoming a seminarian, the steps from seminary to priesthood, and answers to common questions about seminary.
Meet Our Seminarians
How to Become a Seminarian
- The process typically begins with some conversations with the vocations director, Father Ross Parker. Some feel the pull to enter the seminary right away, while others spend more time in this part of discernment. When you make the decision that you would like to enter the seminary, the formal process begins.
- You will then have a series of meetings with the vocations director and will visit a seminary or two to meet people and see what it's like.
- You will go through several in-depth interviews and write your autobiography and an essay on what the priesthood means to you. You will be asked to get recommendation letters from priests, pastors, friends, co-workers, teachers and guidance counselors.
- You will complete a series of psychological tests (these tests are paid by the diocese).
- You will fill out application forms and supply the vocations office with high school and college transcripts, as well as baptismal and confirmation certificates, college board tests (ACT or SAT) and a medical/physical form. The diocese performs a background check and the seminary admissions committee reviews your application and sends a recommendation to Bishop Joensen.
- Upon completing the application process and having the approval of the seminary admissions committee, you'll visit with the bishop. Congratulations!
Seminary to Priesthood
The seminarian program is based on "Pastores Dabo Vobis," (I will Give You Shepherds) written by St. John Paul II. It focuses on four main pillars of formation, corresponding to four areas of the seminarian's life: intellectual formation, spiritual formation, human formation, and pastoral formation.