Welcome to Saint John's!

Welcome from Very Rev. Stephen Salocks, Rector:

The summer of 2021 is coming to an end, and as I write these words on the eve of Labor Day Weekend, seminarians, faculty, and staff have all returned for a new year at Saint John’s Seminary. With great joy we welcome nineteen new seminarians. Orientation and the in-house retreat have prepared us for the start of a new academic year. We are joined by new and returning seminarians from the Benedictines, Carmelites, Oblates of the Virgin Mary, Franciscans of the Primitive Observance, and seminarians of the Neocatechumenal Way.

After a summer that gave seminarians and faculty opportunities for more normal pastoral experiences, travel, vacations, and study, we are ready and eager to engage the work, study, and prayer of priestly formation in a more personal and complete way this year.

Those returning to the seminary building note some significant changes, most notably a new dining service and staff. Also, changes of appearance and ambience within the building remind us more clearly of our identity as a community centered around Jesus Christ and marked by prayer, fraternity, intellectual engagement, and evangelical zeal.

For over 135 years, Saint John’s has been committed to forming men who see each day as a new opportunity to follow the Lord more closely through the gift of self and accept every day as an opportunity for radical conversion: to examine their lives in terms of growth in obedience, in celibate, chaste love, and in simplicity of life. We seek to form men who have the desire, the drive, the tools, and the capacity to become more like Christ every day, year after year, and who strive to live and work in communion with their bishop, their presbyterate and the People of God. Together, we dedicate our lives to the service of our Lord and his Church. As this new year begins at Saint John’s Seminary, we are both hopeful and grateful. With the grace and blessing of God and the support of all of you, we believe we will continue to fulfill our mission to prepare good and holy priests and lay ministers for you and your families. Please know that you are always in our prayers.

God’s blessing and peace be with you all!

Saint John’s welcomes 19 new seminarians to our community

Saint John’s welcomes 10 new lay students to our community