Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology is a private, non-profit Roman Catholic Seminary located in Saint Meinrad, Indiana. It was founded in 1857 by Swiss monks from the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln who went to Indiana with the goal to establish a seminary that would train and educate young men for sacred ministry in preparation for their ordination.
Initially, only secondary education was provided by members of the faculty made up mostly of priests. Since these priests came from Europe, the traditions of the European schools were used as the bases for the cultural and educational programs of the newly established school. Eventually, however, following the decrees of the Councils of Trent and Baltimore, the school curriculum was organized into major and minor seminary programs and then reorganized in 1959 into a high school, college and theologate.
Today, the school offers Master of Divinity; Master of Theological Studies; Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophical Studies and Master of Art (Catholic Thought and Life). Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the seminary’s programs are geared for Roman Catholic priesthood formation, theological formation for Roman Catholic permanent deacon candidates, lay degrees in theology for people who just want to enrich their knowledge of the Catholic religion, continuing adult education for students who cannot attend traditional classes but want to pursue their education, and youth leadership which forms a part of the school’s secondary education mission.
Apart from the School of Theology, Saint Meinrad Archabbey owns and operates Abbey Press which produces various religious publications and spiritual cards and is one of the largest business enterprises in Spencer County, Indiana, with more than 300 employees.
For more information on admissions, college majors, degrees offered, online programs, athletics, school rankings, tuition, scholarships and financial aid options, please contact Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.