St. Joseph Seminary College
| Saint Joseph Seminary College | |
|---|---|
| Type | College Seminary |
| Status | Active |
| Religious communities | Order of Saint Benedict (Saint Joseph Abbey) |
| Operated by | Saint Joseph Abbey (Benedictine Monks) |
| Religious order | Order of Saint Benedict |
| City | Saint Benedict |
| State / province | Louisiana |
| Country | United States |
| Address | 75376 River Rd, Saint Benedict, LA 70457, United States |
| Founded | 1890 |
| Website | Official site |
| Levels of formation | Propaedeutic Stage, College, Pre-Theology |
| Degrees | Baccalaureate degree (major in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts, or Philosophy and Theological Studies), Pre-Theology program |
| Ecclesiastical province | New Orleans |
| Interdiocesan | Yes |
Saint Joseph Seminary College is a Roman Catholic college seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Saint Joseph Abbey in Saint Benedict, Louisiana. Founded in 1890 for the Ecclesiastical Province of New Orleans, it offers baccalaureate and pre-theology programs preparing seminarians for the Roman Catholic priesthood.
History
Saint Joseph Seminary College traces its beginnings to January 1890, when Father Luke Gruwe, at the urgent request of Archbishop Francis Janssens, founded the Saint Joseph Preparatory Seminary for the Ecclesiastical Province of New Orleans. At its origin, the institution hosted classical and business programs, and it later acted as a high school and junior college for students preparing for the priesthood. The College was fully accredited in 1967 and began offering baccalaureate and pre-theology programs for seminarians planning to enter the theologate.
Campus and Formation
The seminary sits on 1,200 acres of pine forests and savannahs bordered by the Bogue Falaya River, about one hour from both New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The Abbey Church, designated on the National Register of Historic Places, features murals by Dom Gregory de Wit. Campus facilities include Roquette Library (completed Spring 2018), the Meinrad Hospitality Center (renovated 2024), the Benet Hall Welcome Center and Auditorium (renovated 2024, seating 475), and the Borromeo, Savio, and Vianney Residence Halls (22, 44, and 40 dorm rooms respectively). Athletic facilities include 20 miles of hiking and running trails, a football/soccer field, and courts for basketball, tennis, and pickleball, along with a gymnasium with weight and cardio rooms. A dining hall seats over 200, and student recreational spaces include The Wharf and St. Lawrence Grill.
The formation program follows the guidelines of the Program for Priestly Formation (PPF) as mandated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Its Human Formation Program is designed to help seminarians grow in Christian maturity, responsibility, cultural and social awareness, personal wellness, and community identity, including classes and workshops on psychosexual development, a system of accountability, and a Student Government Association.
Academics
Saint Joseph Seminary College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the baccalaureate degree. Its course of training fulfills ecclesiastical norms and offers a major in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts or in Philosophy and Theological Studies.