Admissions

As Catholics, we rely on the authority of our bishops to lead us. Not surprisingly, therefore, it is the Archbishop of our Archdiocese who accepts candidates for ordination, assigns them to specific seminaries, and offers spiritual and financial support in a variety of ways to the candidates.

In the Archdiocese of Dubuque, we are blessed with the presence of a college-level seminary (sometimes called “minor seminary”) at Loras College in Dubuque. This college seminary, St. Pius X Seminary, is the normal place that men prepare for entrance into a major seminary; that is, the four years of study that are the final preparation for ordination to the priesthood.   To be admitted to St. Pius X Seminary, a man must exhibit a sincere desire to discern a Calling to the priesthood. Since men who reside in any diocese may apply to St. Pius X Seminary, a separate application process is necessary to be accepted as a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Though circumstances can vary from man to man, a man generally applies to be accepted by the Archbishop as a seminarian of the Archdiocese when he is in his last year of preparation for major seminary. The Archbishop has appointed a board of five persons to comprise his advisory Seminary Admissions Board. Currently, the Board is comprised of four priests of the Archdiocese and one lay woman (who has particular expertise in psychology). The Seminary Admissions Board meets with a candidate, reviews various materials submitted by the candidate (an application, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a spiritual autobiography composed by the candidate, and psychological assessment offered by two licensed psychologists), a recommendation is then made to the Archbishop regarding the acceptance of the man as a seminarian. However, as mentioned before, the final decision lies with the Archbishop.

Assuming a positive recommendation by the Seminary Board and the acceptance of such a recommendation by the Archbishop, he will then appoint a man for study at a major seminary. At the same time, the Archbishop assumes all of the ordinary expenses of a man’s major seminary studies.

Major Seminaries

The Archdiocese of Dubuque does not operate its own major seminary. Instead, it uses major seminaries operated by others (dioceses, religious orders, etc.)  Though there are many seminaries operated throughout the United States, not all are used by the Archdiocese. Many factors determine which seminaries are used. Some seminaries have a long relationship with the Archdiocese and have proven particularly effective in preparing priests for ministry in Iowa. Others possess particular resources and strengths that are needed for men as they seek to discern their Call to the priesthood. Location of a particular seminary is a factor. Finally, it has been the experience of the Archdiocese that, because no seminary is perfect in all areas of seminary formation (various theological disciplines, pastoral ministry formation, liturgical formation, spiritual direction, etc.) to have priests trained in a variety of seminaries contributes to a richer group of priests who serve the people. At the same time, the use of too many seminaries does not permit a good working relationship between the seminaries and the Archdiocese.

With these general comments in mind, the Archdiocese currently sends its major seminarians to the following major seminaries: