Welcome to St. Pius X Seminary at Loras College!
Thank you for visiting us.
St. Pius X Seminary is associated with Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, and operated under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The seminary provides a full undergraduate education and preparation for theological seminary. In addition, it provides a pre-theology program for participants who have already acquired a bachelor’s degree but do not have the academic and formation background required for admission to a theological seminary. Both programs follow the guidelines set out by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in its Program of Priestly Formation, 5th ed. (“PPF”). In the terminology of that document, St. Pius X Seminary is a collaborative diocesan seminary.
Admission
For acceptance into the St. Pius X Seminary program, a candidate:
- must be evaluated psychologically by the sponsoring diocese,
- must be enrolled at Loras College or accepted for enrollment,
- must provide a recent certificate of baptism and confirmation,
- must provide appropriate references and other documents requested by his Vocations Office,
- must be accepted as a seminarian for his diocese or religious community and submit a formal letter from his bishop or religious superior endorsing his participation in the program, and
- must sign and give to the Rector a “Consent to Disclose” form giving permission for sharing with his bishop and vocation director any information or documents pertinent to his evaluation.
Students enrolled at Loras may be admitted provisionally pending completion of these procedures.
Pastoral Formation
The pastoral formation component of the program introduces the seminarian to pastoral ministry in the Church. Seminarians work under the direction of the Director of Spiritual Formation and a supervisor at the level of the pastoral experience itself. This component includes the following:
FOR SEMINARIANS WHO ARE COLLEGE FRESHMEN: they may engage in an off-campus service or ministry activity if they have the time and interest.
FOR ALL OTHER SEMINARIANS: they participate in an approved pastoral activity of the Church (especially parish ministry) and prepare a ministry agreement with the on-site supervisor which describes the seminarian’s responsibilities. They also undergo evaluation by the on-site supervisor regarding the seminarian’s pastoral effectiveness and his areas of potential growth as a pastoral minister.
FOR ALL SEMINARIANS: they participate in theological reflection sessions which help them integrate their spiritual lives, theological studies and ministerial experience. They also participate in campus life organizations or perform other on-campus service.