Archdiocesan seminarians –

Excellent formation of the next generation of priest is vital to the good of the archdiocese. All men of typical college age and those needing preparatory formation for major seminary attend St. Pius X Seminary, a partnership program with Loras College. This formation last for two to four years. The Archdiocese of Dubuque partners with Mundelein Seminary for major seminary.

1. Major Seminary –
   The Archdiocese of Dubuque sends our seminarians to Mundelein Seminary to prepare, form and educate those men who have answered the call to the priesthood. The archdiocese, in addition to prayer support, also is financially responsible for all of the expenses associated with this training. In 2014, the Archdiocese of Dubuque paid nearly $465,000 to support 11 seminarians. While there is an existing endowment to fund about half of this, it does not cover the total cost. The great news is there are more men discerning the priesthood, which means costs will go up. Ongoing prayer and financial support from the faithful is essential to keep this extremely important and vital ministry possible. If you would like to learn specifically how you could financially assist this vital work, click here. (ways to give found below). To learn more about Mundelein Seminary click here. http://www.usml.edu/mundelein-seminary.
   1. Archdiocese of Dubuque Seminarian Education Endowment Fund – The Archdiocese of Dubuque has established an endowment program to permanently support seminarian education. As the number of seminarians increases the existing endowment will not be enough to cover all the costs. Therefore, it is important to grow the endowment principal. The bottom line is it takes nearly $1.1 million of endowment principal, which generates $44,000 annually, to cover all the costs for each seminarian. If you would like to learn how to give a gift now to the Archdiocese of Dubuque Seminarian Education Endowment Fund click here. (CFAD Endowment). To learn more about how to give an estate, bequest or planned gift please contact the Archdiocesan Development Office at 563-556-2580, ext. 307 or dbqcdevdir@dbqarch.org.
   2. Tuition & Fees – The Archdiocese of Dubuque pays all tuition and fees for each man in major seminary. Currently, that amounts to nearly $36,000 annually for each seminarian. If you can assist with any part of these fees click here. (ways to give found below).
   3. Books & Supplies – Seminarian students are involved in many important formation and education programs. Just like typical college students who take classes, books and supplies are an integral aspect of their education and training. It costs $500 per semester for books and supplies for each seminarian. If you can assist with helping seminarians purchase the necessary books and supplies click here. (ways to give found below).
   4. Summer Formation – During the summer, when a major seminarian is away from Mundelein Seminary, he participates in summer formation. These formational activities/retreats often times include direct prayer, discussion and reflection with Archbishop Jackels. Food and fellowship are an important element of this summer formation. This formation program is funded through the archdiocese for about $400 each summer per each seminarian. If you can assist with any part of these fees click here. (ways to give found below).
   5. Pastoral Placement – Each major seminarian works in an assigned archdiocesan parish during the summer. This experience allows him to witness and even participate in the day-to-day parish activity, much like a priest. The parish is responsible for room, board and incidental costs. The parish receives a stipend of $1000 for the summer. If you can assist with this stipend click here. (ways to give found below).
   6. Transportation – Because of the distance to Mundelein University near Chicago, we give a travel stipend of approximately $275 annually to our major seminarians. If you would like to assist with their transportation needs click here. (ways to give found below)
   7. Retreats. As a seminarian prepares for both his diaconal and priesthood ordination, a key piece of this preparation is a weeklong retreat with a cost of approximately $500 for each retreat. If you would like to assist with their retreat needs click here. (ways to give found below)
2. Minor Seminary – The minor seminarians live in Vianney House located in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Dubuque while attending St. Pius X Seminary on the Loras College campus. If you would like to learn specifically how you could financially assist this vital work, click here.
   1. Room and Board – The Archdiocese of Dubuque believes it is important for those discerning the priesthood to live together in Vianney House. While living there the archdiocese provides the young men room and board. The students share meal responsibilities including grocery shopping and meal preparation. The food costs approximately $200 per month per enrolled student. If you would like to assist with these costs click here. (ways to give found below)
   2. Books & Supplies – Seminarian students are involved in many important formation and education programs. Just like typical college students who take classes, books and supplies are an integral aspect of their education and training. It costs $500 per semester for books and supplies. If you can assist with helping purchase the necessary books and supplies click here. (ways to give found below)
   3. Other Expenses – As an undergraduate college student, discerning the priesthood it is important the men living at the Vianney House be able to interact with his college peers and the world around them. To assist them with those expenses thearchdiocese does budget approximately $1000 per student each school year. If you would like to assist with these costs click here. (ways to give found below)