Welcome from the Rector

As Rector, I am aware of the great privilege that is mine to be called to serve in this special place known as Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary.  I am constantly amazed as I discover the wonderful work and ministry of those who have served here before me as either Rector, Faculty, or as a member of the Staff.  These dedicated men and women have created a spiritual home that offers an opportunity for discernment to those men who feel called to respond to God’s invitation to serve Him as a Roman Catholic priest.  I am humbled by the knowledge that I am succeeding a wonderful lineage of outstanding individuals who have established this unique place that has provided the strong foundation for those men who have answered God’s call at a later time in their lives.  I am also very excited about the many possibilities that are before us as we continue to offer to the Church dedicated shepherds who are deeply in love with Christ and who seek to share that love with others as ordained priests.

I am very grateful for your interest in Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to this extraordinary place.

The Pope St. John XXIII Seminary community is committed to our founding mission: the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation of candidates aged 30 and older. Our unique institution is the only American seminary for these mature candidates administered by diocesan priests. For more than five decades, candidates have been accepted from various professional backgrounds; such as law, medicine, business, teaching, sales, banking, social work and military service. The diversity of life experiences shared by these mature seminarians enriches both the Seminary community and their future ministries in the Church.

At Pope St. John XXIII, seminarians are offered a balanced program of priestly formation in a healthy, happy and mature environment specifically suited for the adult learner. The curriculum of theological studies is designed to nurture what is central to our Catholic Faith and Tradition in an integrated human, spiritual and pastoral formation program.  The expectation is that candidates applying for admission will have obtained an undergraduate degree and many enter the Seminary having already earned advanced degrees.

Candidates considering admission are sponsored by a diocese or religious order. Our current seminarians represent over thirty dioceses and five religious orders located throughout the United States and beyond. Since 1964, 150 dioceses and religious orders have entrusted the formation of their candidates for priesthood to this Seminary. More than 750 alumni serve throughout the world.

I invite you to watch this brief video about the mission and global reach of this tremendous house of formation.

About Us

Thank you again for your interest in our Seminary. At Pope St. John XXIII, we are grateful for the opportunity to prepare holy and effective pastoral leaders to serve the faithful of our Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Very Reverend Brian R. Kiely