Pontifical College Josephinum
| Pontifical College Josephinum | |
|---|---|
| Short name | Josephinum |
| Type | Roman Catholic Seminary |
| Status | Active |
| Operated by | Independent (not staffed or governed by a particular diocese or religious order) |
| City | Columbus, Ohio |
| State / province | Ohio |
| Country | United States |
| Address | 7625 N High St, Columbus, OH 43235 |
| Website | Official site |
| Levels of formation | Propaedeutic Stage, Discipleship Stage, Configuration Stage |
| Degrees | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy, Certificate of Completion in Philosophical and Theological Studies, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Certificate in Hispanic Ministry |
| Pontifical status | Pontifical |
| Interdiocesan | Yes |
The Pontifical College Josephinum is a pontifical, national, and independent Roman Catholic seminary in Columbus, Ohio, whose mission is to prepare men for the ordained priesthood. Independent of any single diocese or religious order, it serves 15 dioceses and religious communities in the United States and beyond.
History
The Josephinum continues the vision of its founder, Msgr. Joseph Jessing, who established it to prepare holy, generous, adaptable, and resilient priests to serve the pastoral needs of the Church. As of 2026, the seminary has held its 127th Commencement Exercises, with graduates including seminarians from multiple dioceses.
Campus and Formation
The seminary is located at 7625 N High St, Columbus, OH 43235. Seminarians pass through three stages of formation: the Propaedeutic Stage, the Discipleship Stage, and the Configuration Stage, with programs following the norms of the Code of Canon Law, the Congregation for the Clergy, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Seminarians are organized into the House of Saint Joseph, which looks to Saint Joseph as its model and patron. During the Configuration Stage, seminarians are installed as lectors and acolytes; an installation ceremony was held on November 16, 2025.
Academics
The Josephinum comprises the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Theology. The College of Liberal Arts offers the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Philosophy, and a Certificate of Completion in Philosophical and Theological Studies. The School of Theology offers the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts, the Bachelor of Sacred Theology, and a Certificate in Hispanic Ministry, along with field education. The Josephinum Diaconate Institute prepares candidates for the diaconate. The A.T. Wehrle Memorial Library serves the campus.
Current Status
As an independent seminary not staffed or governed by a particular diocese or religious order, the Josephinum is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive funding from Rome, relying instead on the support of benefactors. The Rector/President is Reverend Monsignor Steven P. Beseau, STD, and the Vice-Chancellor is Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes.