Catholic seminary in Louisiana preparing seminarians for Roman Catholic priesthood since 1891.
Saint Joseph Seminary College offers baccalaureate and pre-theology programs for full-time resident seminarians preparing for graduate theological study and Roman Catholic priesthood. The college awards Bachelor of Arts degrees in either philosophy and the liberal arts or philosophy and theological studies. A two-year pre-theology program is available for students who have already attained a college degree. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has historically offered majors in psychology, history, and English.
The seminary is situated on 1,200 acres of pastoral setting one hour from both New Orleans and Baton Rouge, bordered by the Bogue Falaya River. Campus facilities include the Abbey Church (on the National Register of Historic Places with internationally acclaimed murals), Roquette Library (completed 2018 with 40,000+ print books and 200,000 digital books), residence halls (Borromeo, Savio, and Vianney), athletic facilities with 20 miles of hiking trails, basketball and tennis courts, and a gymnasium. The resident Benedictine community provides liturgical and cultural traditions central to student formation. A long-standing tradition is the annual Bonfire flag football game between St. Ben's and Notre Dame Seminary, held the Friday before Thanksgiving.
Most students are full-time resident Roman Catholic seminarians, but the college also accepts part-time and non-resident students, including lay students pursuing continuing education in Catholic religious studies and permanent diaconate preparation. Applicants may apply for special student or non-credential status without submitting previous academic records. The college adheres to U.S. Department of Education, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and Louisiana State Board of Regents guidelines.
Saint Joseph Seminary College is rooted in the Benedictine tradition and promotes learning in the liberal arts while preparing seminarians as missionary disciples in love with Jesus Christ. The close community between students and faculty, combined with the presence of the resident Benedictine community, enhances the educational and formational setting. The college traces its origins to January 1890, when Father Luke Gruwe founded the Saint Joseph Preparatory Seminary at the request of Archbishop Francis Janssens.