General

ashes for ash wednesday at the beginning of lent

Lent isn’t just about fasting: The call to increased prayer, penance and almsgiving

Lent is a time of penance and preparation for Easter, calling Catholics to embrace prayer, fasting and almsgiving as the pillars of spiritual renewal. While fasting often receives primary emphasis, the Church invites us to a holistic approach that integrates all three practices, deepening our spiritual lives and fostering a closer relationship with God.

fr scott padrnos mass cambodia

2022 Saint Paul Seminary alumnus spreads Catholic faith — at home and halfway across the world

Fr. Scott Padrnos balances his ministry in Minnesota with missionary work in Cambodia, sharing the Gospel with those who have never heard the name of Jesus.

dr mary healy giving a lecture

Saint Paul Seminary to host Dr. Mary Healy for April 22 discussion on how to treat sacred Scripture

The Saint Paul Seminary is set to host its annual Archbishop John Ireland Lecture at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in the University of St. Thomas’ O’Shaughnessy Educational Center Auditorium, featuring renowned biblical scholar Dr. Mary Healy. Known for her dynamic teaching and deep insight into sacred Scripture, Healy will present on the topic “Unsheathing the Sword: Reclaiming the Authority of Sacred Scripture.”

bishop austin vetter institutes lectors at saint paul seminary

Saint Paul Seminary celebrates lector institution of 16 seminarians

In seminary formation, lectors proclaim Scripture readings, recite the Psalms, lead general intercessions in the absence of a deacon and guide the singing and active participation of the faithful during the liturgy.

Saint Paul Seminary spiritual director fr ben little

Fr. Ben Little joins The Saint Paul Seminary as spiritual director

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has appointed Fr. Ben Little to serve as a spiritual director at The Saint Paul Seminary starting July 1.

saint paul seminary turkey greece pilgrimage

Priestly preparation takes seminarians to Greece, Turkey, Mexico City and the United States capital

Each January, seminarians from The Saint Paul Seminary pilgrimage throughout the world as part of priestly formation. These experiences are intended to have a lifelong impact on their future ministry. “These trips are so important for priestly formation,” Br. Didacus Gottsacker of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace said. “Not only do they enrich and renew […]

deacon candidates processing in for ordination mass

How to discern a vocation to the Catholic diaconate

Discerning a vocation to the diaconate is a profound journey of faith and service, requiring prayerful reflection, guidance, and active involvement in your faith community. 

Leaders serving leaders: How The Saint Paul Seminary forms priests long after ordination

Fr. Jim Livingston sits at his desk and glances at the stack of papers sandwiched between the Church of St. Paul’s wedding liturgy guide and the Rite of Christian Burial book. He started his day at breakfast with two parishioner couples, discussed some important internal topics with his parish staff, and hosted a local deanery meeting in the afternoon. He’s preparing for a funeral tomorrow and his homily at Mass this Sunday. He’ll celebrate Mass and hear confessions this evening.

fr joseph taphorn saint paul seminary rector

Saint Paul Seminary rector: Empowering priests to lead and serve in a changing world

As we begin a new year of forming leaders for the Church, we are incredibly blessed to have welcomed 91 seminarians, representing 19 different dioceses and religious orders. The fact that so many are responding to the Lord’s call is a great blessing as we acknowledge the need for many strong and faithful priests in the Church today.

Watch: Saint Paul Seminary alum Fr. Mike Schmitz on the Eucharist, his seminary days and liturgy

Fr. Mike Schmitz, host of the Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcasts and a contributor to Ascension, served as a keynote speaker at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Before that, he met with reporters to answer questions ranging from how to minister to youth online to how to celebrate the Catholic liturgy.