The Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary (RM) was opened in 1996 to form Archdiocesan and missionary priests to serve the universal Church and the local one in Denver, where they are needed. RM welcomes seminarians from 12 different countries of origin to the Archdiocese of Denver. Moreover, while RM seminarians share the same academics with men studying at St. John Vianney Seminary (SJV), the Neocatechumenal Way offers them an itinerary of formation into an adult faith in a concrete Christian community inserted in a particular local parish.

Both seminary formation and this itinerary of faith in a particular community aim to foster their human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation, which is fundamental in their growth as Christians, especially when facing this increasingly secularized society. Upon ordination, the Archbishop of Denver may send the new priests to local parishes or a missionary assignment.

This past year brought many spiritual fruits for Redemptoris Mater. This past September, seven new men were welcomed to the seminary to begin formation for the priesthood. A few months prior, in April, two seminarians took an important step toward ordination as Archbishop Aquila admitted them for candidacy to receive Holy Orders. Two other seminarians were also instituted as Lectors in April, and another was instituted as an acolyte in the Fall.

The Seminary also seeks to reach out to the local community through events and other activities. In May, the traditional Friends of the Seminary Gala dinner drew more than 560 guests and honored both Father Molina and the Stefanicks. In September, the seminary hosted its third family fair, where many families and youth came to the seminary grounds to spend a day together, play sports, tour the seminary and enjoy games and snacks in fellowship with one another.

Another special moment of this past year was the summer pilgrimage to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Neocatechumenal Way in the USA, which was celebrated in NY. As a preparation for this event, the seminarians participated in a vocational pilgrimage with many young people from different parishes and dioceses of different parts of the country. Finally, the last seminary event of the year will be our traditional Christmas concerts, during which the seminarians will both sing and welcome guests on two different dates.