School of Theology and Seminary

The Seminary

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The Seminary I
Monastic Formation
From the REctor
Seminarian Experience

A Monastic Experience

Preparing Priests in the Catholic and Benedictine Tradition.

Priestly education and formation at Saint John’s Seminary integrates the richness of the monastic spirituality and the guidance provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)in the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF) and the recommendation that priestly formation be suitably adapted to the nature of the ecclesiastical context (see PPF, 31).

At Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, ever seminarian lives, worships, and shares meals with the monastic community of Saint John’s Abbey while entering fully integrated into the life of the School of Theology and Seminary. Rooting seminarians in steady rhythm of prayer, community, and friendship builds patterns and practices to sustain them throughout their priestly life. It also anchors the seminarian’s experience of human and spiritual formation.

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“Any Abbot who asks to have a priest or deacon ordained should choose from his monks one worthy to exercise the Priesthood” (RB 60.1).

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Distinguished Academic Experience

Faculty Experts

Seminarians at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary experience a rich intellectual life, especially through close contact with their teachers and mentors.  Coursework will guide students particularly into scripture, the Church’s theological tradition, moral theology, liturgy, and pastoral theology.  Moreover, Saint John’s offers extensive opportunities for seminarians to study spirituality, especially through Benedictine and monastics lenses.

The Master of Divinity

Designed particularly for the formation of priests, our customized Master of Divinity – Priesthood Studies program offers robust theological training alongside field education, CPE, and other opportunities for experiential learning.

A Legacy of Monastic Formation

The first in Minnesota

In 1857 Benedictine monks secured a charter for the first Catholic seminary and institution of higher learning in Minnesota. For over 150 years, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary has prepared men for priesthood in service to the Church and the world.

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From the Rector

Rev. William Orbih, Ph.D.

“At Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, we form and accompany men discerning a call to sacred orders, walking with them as they reflect deeply on what it means to be a priest in an evangelizing Church. We challenge them to take seriously the nature of the Church’s mission in the United States and around the world.”

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Abbey and Diocesan Resources

Collaborating in formation

Saint John’s synthesizes the best of monastic wisdom and diocesan ministry experience to provide a unique learning environment that moves between cloister to parish life. Our long-standing partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud is integral to the formation of ordained clergy. Seminarians study side-by-side with diaconal aspirants from the diocese.

Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary (SOT/Sem) thrives within the rich spiritual and intellectual Benedictine tradition of Saint John’s Abbey, which was founded in 1856 to serve the spiritual needs of German immigrants and the greater Church. Rooted in Benedictine values and practices, the SOT/Sem carries forth the Abbey’s mission into the 21st century, embodying and expanding upon the vision of our monastic founders.

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Saint John’s Abbey

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The Master of Divinity

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