Saint Patrick's Seminary and University

Last updated
St. Patrick's Seminary and University
St. Patrick's Seminary & University Logo.png
TypeSeminary
EstablishedSeptember 20, 1898 (September 20, 1898)
Affiliation Catholic Church (Archdiocese of San Francisco
Chancellor Salvatore Cordileone
President Very Rev. Mark D. Doherty
Rector Very Rev. Mark D. Doherty
Students77
Location, ,
37°27′33″N122°10′05″W / 37.45919°N 122.16808°W / 37.45919; -122.16808
Website www.stpsu.edu

St. Patrick's Seminary and University (STPSU) in Menlo Park, California, is a Roman Catholic undergraduate and graduate seminary whose primary mission is the formation of priests for dioceses in California and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Contents

STPSU was founded in 1898 by San Francisco Archbishop Patrick William Riordan with a faculty from the Sulpician order. In over 100 years, it has formed more than 2,000 priests. STPSU is governed by the Archdiocese of San Francisco in association with its other sponsoring dioceses.

Description

As of 2024, the president-rector of STPSU is Reverend Mark D. Doherty. The board of trustees includes the Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone, six bishops from dioceses in California, Washington State, and Hawaii, and other clergy. [1] In 2022, STPSU had an enrollment of 62 men, representing 11 dioceses and religious orders.

STPSU is accredited as a graduate educational institution by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome. [2]

STPSU is affiliated with the Bishop White Seminary at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Seminarians who are enrolled in the undergraduate formation program at Bishop White can take pre-theology courses at STPSU. [2]

History

Archbishop Patrick William Riordan of San Francisco incorporated St. Patrick's Seminary with the State of California in 1891 with the goal of providing a seminary for students from the Pacific Coast states. The archdiocese received a donation of 86 acres in rural Menlo Park for the project. The seminary was staffed by the Society of Saint Sulpice in France, which provided three French and two American priests. Riordan named the new seminary after Saint Patrick of Armagh to honor the Irish donors to the project. The first rector of the seminary was Reverend Jean-Baptiste Vuibert. [3] [4] [5]

On August 24, 1898, St. Patrick's Seminary was dedicated by Riordan, joined by Bishops George Montgomery of Los Angeles and Thomas Grace of Sacramento, along with more than 100 clergy. On September 20, 1898, the seminary received 31 high school students and three college-level students. At that time, the seminary program was 12 years of study, including high school, undergraduate college and graduate studies. Riordan presided over the first commencement exercises at St. Patrick's on May 31, 1899. [4]

As St. Patrick's continued to grow, the archdiocese established a department of philosophy with six students. In 1903, the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, a religious order based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, sent a contingent of nuns to Menlo Park to take care of the domestic services, such as cooking, laundry and cleaning, at St. Patrick's.

St. Patrick's was severely damaged in the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. However, it remained open and the damage was repaired by 1909. Due to increased enrollment, the archdiocese opened St. Joseph’s College in 1924 in Mountain View, California. Seminarians spent their first six years at St. Joseph’s, then studied philosophy and theology at St. Patrick’s. [3]

By the 1950s, STPSU was a highly regimented organization. Seminarians had only two-and-a-half hours of free time, newspapers were forbidden, and TV and radio were very limited. Seminarians could only leave the campus on Thursday afternoons with permission. The curriculum was also strictly regulated. Seminarians were supposed to remain silent except during their free time. By the early 1960s, a large number of seminarians and a few faculty started pushing for changes in the rules and an update of the curriculum. [6] With the arrival of Reverend Paul Purta as rector in 1964, the seminary started liberalizing. [6]

St. Joseph's College closed in 1991; its buildings had been irreparably damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. STPSU became the only seminary program for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. [7] In 1994, the Little Sisters of the Holy Family left STPSU due to a lack of personnel; they were replaced with nuns from the Oblates of Jesus the Priest from Mexico. [3] In February 2017, Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath announced that the Diocese of San Jose would send its seminarians to the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, instead of to STPSU. At that time, the diocese had 11 seminarians at STPSU. [8]

The Sulpicians withdrew its affiliation from STPSU on June 30, 2017. The STPSU board of trustees had recently told them that it wanted to establish a more collaborative administration of the institution. In announcing their departure, the Sulpicians said that the archdiocese was removing them entirely from the STPSU administration. [9]

In April 2022, STPSU introduced a preparatory first year of seminary training that it called the Propaedeutic Stage. The seminary was following new guidelines from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. [10] All six men who graduated from STPSU in 2023 with both Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees were ordained in their dioceses. [11]

Programs

Propaedeutic Stage Program

The Propaedeutic Stage Program is a first year program of intellectual formation for seminarians. It combines 12 academic courses with intensive personal development of the participants. STPSU states that the program's aim is to develop an "...intellectual formation of a mystagogical nature..." in the seminarian. [12]

Pre-Theology Program

The Pre-Theology Program is a two-semester program of classes in philosophy, Latin language, and sacred scriptures. It is designed for incoming seminarians with bachelor's degrees but no background in philosophy or any other seminary formation experience. [13]

Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.)

The Bachelor of Sacred Theology program is designed for seminarians with bachelor's degrees who have at least 30 credit hours of philosophy coursework and a reading knowledge of Latin. It supplants the Pre-Theology Program for these candidates. The program includes instruction in Biblical Greek. Seminarians can pursue an S.T.B degree at the same time as a M.Div. degree. [14]

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

The Master of Divinity Program is an advanced academic program for seminarians with bachelor's degrees to serve as the final preparation for priests entering parish work. It provides 30 credits of philosophy and 12 credits of religious studies over four-and-a-half years of study. The third year includes a five- to seven-month internship in the seminarian's home diocese. [15]

Master of Arts (Theology)

The Master of Arts (Theology) program is an advanced alternative to the M.Div. degree for seminarians who are planning to teach, write or work in church administration. It requires a bachelor's degree with 12 credit hours of philosophy or religious studies, along with letters of recommendation. The program includes coursework and a master's thesis. [16]

BA Completion Degree Program

The BA Completing Degree Program is for incoming seminarians or lay people who do not have a bachelor's degree. It allows them to complete a bachelor's degree in philosophy.

Notable alumni or staff

Notable alumni and staff include: [17] [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seminary</span> Institution for educating students in theology

A seminary, school of theology, theological college, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students in scripture and theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy, in academics, or mostly in Christian ministry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Joseph's Seminary and College</span> Major seminary of the Archdiocese of New York

St. Joseph's Seminary and College, sometimes referred to as Dunwoodie after the Dunwoodie neighborhood of Yonkers, New York in which it is located, is the major seminary of the Archdiocese of New York. Since 2012, it has also been the major seminary for the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Saint Mary of the Lake</span> Catholic seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, US

The University of Saint Mary of the Lake (USML) is a private Roman Catholic seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. It is the principal seminary and school of theology for the formation of priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago in Illinois. USML was chartered by the Illinois General Assembly in 1844. USML is often referred to by the name of its graduate program, Mundelein Seminary. Its compound name is University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's Seminary and University</span> Roman Catholic seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, US

St. Mary's Seminary and University is a Catholic seminary located within the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland; it was the first seminary founded in the United States after the Revolution and has been run since its founding by the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick William Riordan</span> Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco, California

Patrick William Riordan was a Canadian-born American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of San Francisco from 1884 until his death in 1914. He served during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and he was a prominent figure in the first case submitted to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American College of the Immaculate Conception</span> Former Roman Catholic seminary in Leuven, Belgium

The American College of the Immaculate Conception, or the American College of Louvain is a former Roman Catholic seminary in Leuven, Belgium. Founded in 1857, it was operated by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to prepare European priests for service in the United States and to provide a residence for Americans priests studying at the Catholic University of Louvain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Paul Seminary</span> Catholic seminary system in Minneapolis, U.S.

The Saint Paul Seminary (SPS) is a Catholic major seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. A part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, SPS prepares men to enter the priesthood and permanent diaconate, and educates lay men and women on Catholic theology.

The Christ the King Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Karachi, Pakistan; located in adjacent to the Portiuncula Friary. In its early years most of the faculty were provided by the Franciscans. It has been described as "the pioneering theological institution for the Catholic Church in Pakistan."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint John's Seminary (Massachusetts)</span>

Saint John's Seminary, located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, is a Catholic major seminary sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. The current rector is Fr. Stephen E. Salocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's Seminary (California)</span>

St. John's Seminary is a Private Catholic graduate seminary in Camarillo, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Joseph Mitty</span> American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church

John Joseph Mitty was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the third Bishop of Salt Lake City (1926–1932) and the fourth Archbishop of San Francisco (1935–1961).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theological College (Catholic University of America)</span>

Theological College is the national Catholic diocesan seminary for the Latin Church in the United States. The school was founded in 1917 and is located in Washington, D.C. It is affiliated with the Catholic University of America and is owned and administered by priests of the Society of Saint-Sulpice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenrick–Glennon Seminary</span> Catholic seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri, US

Kenrick–Glennon Seminary is a Catholic seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri that is operated by the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. Founded in 1818, the seminary is named for Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick and Cardinal John J. Glennon, two former archbishops of Saint Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Carlos Seminary</span> Roman Catholic archdiocesan seminary in Makati, Philippines

The Royal and Conciliar San Carlos Seminary is the archdiocesan seminary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. It was established in the year 1702, by decree of King Philip V of Spain. At present, the institution houses seminarians belonging to various dioceses in Luzon, particularly from the Metro Manila region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint John Vianney Seminary (Denver)</span> Catholic seminary in Denver

Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary is a Catholic seminary in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. It is located at 1300 South Steele Street in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood of Denver, on the campus of the St. John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization. Founded in 1999, St. John Vianney is run by the Archdiocese of Denver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Charles Borromeo Seminary</span>

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary at 1400 Evans Road in Ambler, Pennsylvania, that is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The oldest Catholic institution of higher learning in the Philadelphia region, the school is named after Charles Borromeo, an Italian saint from the Counter-Reformation.

Mark Joseph Hurley was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Santa Rosa in California from 1969 to 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Anthony Daly</span> American Roman Catholic bishop

Thomas Anthony Daly is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has been serving as bishop of the Diocese of Spokane in Washington State since May 20, 2015. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of San José in California from 2011 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary</span> Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana

Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary is a Catholic college seminary located in Indianapolis, Indiana, within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The seminary takes its name from Bishop Simon Bruté, first bishop of the Diocese of Vinncennes, who came to Vincennes, Indiana, from Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1834. Bishop Simon Bruté Seminary has provided college-level seminary formation since 2004. Seminarians from eight dioceses across the Midwestern United States reside at the seminary and take classes at Marian University.

References

  1. "Meet our Trustees". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  2. 1 2 "Accreditation". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  3. 1 2 3 "About St. Patrick's Seminary & University". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  4. 1 2 Coleman, Gerald D. (1993). "When Menlo Became a Bastion of Catholicism". U.S. Catholic Historian. 11 (1): 123–125. ISSN   0735-8318.
  5. Kevin Knight (2009). "San Francisco". Catholic Encyclopedia . Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  6. 1 2 Burns, Jeffrey M. (1998). "Transitions in Catholicism in San Francisco, 1950-1970: The Seminary and the Eclipse of Authority". Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia. 109 (1/2): 19–37. ISSN   0002-7790.
  7. "St. Joseph's College". St. Joseph's College. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  8. Morris-Young, Dan (February 14, 2017). "San Jose diocese switches to using Chicago seminary". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  9. "Sulpicians to leave San Francisco Archdiocese's seminary after 118 years". Catholic Herald. 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  10. Wasowicz, Lidia (November 9, 2022). "New program prepares seminarians for challenging calling". Archdiocese of San Francisco. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  11. "St. Patrick's Seminary". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  12. "St. Patrick's Seminary". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  13. "Pre-Theology Program". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  14. "St. Patrick's Seminary". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  15. "Master of Divinity Program…". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  16. "St. Patrick's Seminary". St. Patrick's Seminary & University. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  17. St Patrick's Seminary Patrician Centenary Edition 1898–1998
  18. Burns, Jeffrey M. St Patrick's Seminary, A Centenary History (1898–1998) Available at St Patrick's Seminary Archives