Seminaries
Holy Trinity Seminary
Reverend Monsignor Michael F. Olson
It was the vision of Bishop Thomas Gorman, former Bishop of Dallas and founder of Holy Trinity Seminary, to create a place where seminarians, while preparing for the priesthood, would study with the men and women whom they would serve in the future. Holy Trinity Seminary collaborates with the University of Dallas, a nationally acclaimed Catholic Liberal Arts University. While emphasizing the classical approach to Western tradition, UD offers a study of literature, philosophy, history, psychology, science, and fine arts based on original texts of the great Western thinkers. This challenging curriculum gives seminarians the knowledge and skill to be thoughtful and articulate priests.
As a college and pre-theology level seminary, Holy Trinity Seminary puts a special focus on the human formation of our seminarians. Here they will lay the foundation for the maturity and stability needed for theological formation and ultimately for an effective priestly ministry.
At Holy Trinity Seminary the relationship with Jesus is considered the foundation for true spiritual formation and authentic discernment.
Two full-time Spiritual Directors, living in the seminary community, carefully guide seminarians in developing this relationship and in the discernment of their true vocation. The daily celebration of the Eucharist provides nourishment for their spiritual journey. Morning and Evening Prayer in common, as well as opportunities to practice the authentic devotions of the Church, promote a lively faith. Communal times of silence on the hall foster the appreciation of quiet in the seminarian's life.
Reverend Monsignor Michael F. Olson
Holy Trinity Seminary
P.O. Box 140309
Irving, TX 75014
(972) 438-2212
Redemptoris Mater Seminary
The Very Rev. Fernando Carranza, Rector
What is "Redemptoris Mater" Seminary?
The Redemptoris Mater seminaries were born above all thanks to the courage, the prophetical vision and the enthusiasm of Pope John Paul II. The idea to establish these seminaries started in Rome, the diocese of the Holy Father, to establish a seminary with these characteristics: an international seminary, i.e. with vocations coming from different nations, that be missionary, i.e. that upon ordination, the priests are available to go wherever the ordinary sends them. In 1988, the first Statutes of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary were approved by Cardinal Poletti, Vicar of the Holy Father in Rome.
These seminaries have vocations that come forth from the Neocatechumenal Way. When it comes to the studies, the seminarians in these seminaries have the same educational formation as the other diocesan seminarians, following the directives of the nations where they are erected.
The characteristics of the "Redemptoris Mater" Seminaries, which possess their own statutes and a rule of life approved by the respective bishops who have erected them according to the rules issued by the Holy See, can be grouped around 4 fundamental inspirations: the Neocatechumenal Way, diocesan character, missionary and international character.
They are diocesan i.e. the authority belongs to the bishop. Once the seminarians are ordained Presbyters, the ordinary can place them to minister in his own diocese, or when a brother bishop, seeing the needs in his own diocese asks the ordinary of the seminary for help, then he would send eventually priests to this other bishop to this other diocese. They are governed according to the present norms for the formation and incardination of the diocesan clergy. They are missionary and international in character because the seminarians come from different countries and continents, both as a concrete sign of the missionary character and of their readiness to be sent anywhere in the world.
Yet the most significant aspect of these Seminaries lies in their relationship to the
Neocatechumenal Way, as a Way of maturing towards an adult faith: this Way prepares and awakens vocations in many young people before they enter the seminary. It accompanies them during their time of formation; once ordained as presbyters it continues to sustain them in their permanent formation.
Once there is the ordination and incardination, the Neocatechumenal Way has no authority over the priest, which is at this very moment a priest under the authority of the ordinary.
To this day 64 Redemptoris Mater Seminaries have been opened in 5 continents, and have been ordained more than 1000 priests.
The Very Rev. Fernando Carranza, Rector
Redemptoris Mater Seminary
419 N Cockrell Hill Rd.
PO Box 211669
Dallas, TX 75211
214-467-2255
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