A Benedictine Education

Benedictine Values 

Saint Benedict chose to begin his famous Rule with the word, "Listen." Almost 1500 years later his simple insight that spiritual and intellectual growth begin with an open heart continues to inspire his readers. Benedict asks us to be open to the Word of God, to seeing Christ in other people, to new experiences and challenges. From that basic stance come the Benedictine values of fidelity to daily prayer, life in community, respect for others, and hospitality. These values are deeply cherished by the faculty and staff who have chosen to live their educational vocation in this place.

Since its founding in 1856 Saint John’s has been preparing priests for service to the Church. In the last half century this mission has broadened to include those preparing for other ministries. While intellectual endeavor is prized, personal faith development and vocational discernment are continually nurtured in this place where both mind and heart are understood to be necessary for service of God and neighbor. We do not presume that our graduates finish their studies with the conferral of a degree. The lifelong pursuit of wisdom, sustained within communities of faith, is at the heart of the monastic call and is our hope for all who study here. (Columba Stewart)

A Sense of Place

The large Benedictine monastic community of Saint John's Abbey, anchors the educational life of Saint John’s University in the daily round of communal prayer. Architectural masterpieces by Marcel Breuer and the nineteenth-century quadrangle built of warm red brick fired from local clay bridge the Abbey’s history from its foundation in 1856 to its current engagement with the modern world. Breuer’s Abbey and University Church stands at the heart of the campus. With its towering bell banner and three-story wall of stained glass, the church is among the most striking pieces of twentieth century architecture in Minnesota. Across a small plaza sits the former Abbey Church, now known as the Great Hall, with its magnificent painting of Christ Pantocrator welcoming visitors to the campus.

Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary
Collegeville, Minnesota 56321
Phone: 320-363-2102
Toll-Free: 800-361-8318
Fax: 320-363-3145