1959 Saint Paul Seminary alumnus Fr. Martin Siebenaler will receive the seminary’s Distinguished Alumni Award on Sept. 24 — his 92nd birthday.
Briefly
- Fr. Martin Siebenaler, at 91, continues to serve patients and staff at Allina Health United Hospital Hastings Regina despite using a walker.
- Siebenaler will receive The Saint Paul Seminary’s Distinguished Alumni Award on September 24, his 92nd birthday, recognizing his enduring contributions to the Church.
- Siebenaler cherishes the shared priesthood with his brothers and credits The Saint Paul Seminary for shaping his spiritual and pastoral identity.
When he formally retired in 2002, Fr. Martin Siebenaler chose to live in a duplex less than two blocks from the Allina Health United Hospital Hastings Regina campus. The Saint Paul Seminary alumnus is there ministering so often these days, patients and staff sometimes think he lives there.
Not bad for a 91-year-old priest who uses a walker to get around.
“I praise God that I’m able to help out,” Siebenaler said, “and my mobility isn’t hindered so I can do the work the best I can.”
That’s always been the M.O. for Siebenaler, a 2024 recipient of his alma mater’s Distinguished Alumni Award. The 1959 Saint Paul Seminary alumnus will receive the award Sept. 24 — his 92nd birthday — inside the seminary’s St. Mary’s Chapel.
Siebenaler, the eldest of three brothers, entered The Saint Paul Seminary alongside his brother Leonard in 1953. Six years later, in 1959, both were ordained by Archbishop William Brady. Their younger brother, John, followed their footsteps and was ordained two years later.
In a 2019 Catholic Spirit interview marking the 60th anniversary of their ordination, Fr. Martin reflected on the unique blessing of sharing his vocation with his brothers. He recalled how he and Fr. Leonard were together at every step of the seminary formation process, from their early days of discernment to the moment they were ordained as priests. Though Fr. Leonard and Fr. John have since passed away, Fr. Martin cherishes their shared commitment to the priesthood, which he described as a source of strength and joy throughout his life.
“I think we supported each other for the seminary years,” Fr. Leonard said five years ago. “As a priest, we’d call each other on occasion just to ask for advice or something of that nature.”
Fr. Martin’s time at The Saint Paul Seminary played a pivotal role in shaping his spiritual and pastoral identity, he said.
“It’s when you’re in the cathedral for ordination and they call your name forth. That’s when you know the Church approves it and thinks you’re ready, and the seminary gives the OK,” he said. “I always knew I really wanted to be a priest. It’s a big decision, and you’ve got to really think it through. I had 12 years [in minor and major seminary] to think it over, then I never had any second doubts after that.”
Siebenaler served as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul in Loretto from 1972 to 1986 and then St. Joseph in Waconia from 1986 to 2002.
That’s when he moved back to Hastings with his brother, Fr. Leonard. The two served as chaplains for the hospital and nearby Benedictine Living Community.
Siebenaler stills says Mass, hears confessions and offers Anointing of the Sick several times per week.