The Archdiocese of Denver is blessed to have two seminaries forming the future priests for 13 dioceses: St. John Vianney Theological Seminary and Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary. Young men come from all over the world to study for the priesthood at these two renowned seminaries.
In February 2023, seven men were ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Archdiocese of Denver, while Archbishop Aquila ordained eight men as priests for the Archdiocese of Denver in May 2022. Additionally, the St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons, a St. John Vianney Theological Seminary division, will ordain 21 men to the permanent diaconate in the summer of 2023. Last but certainly not least, in May 2023, three men will be ordained as priests to serve the faithful of the archdiocese.
The two seminaries are currently educating and forming a total of 112 men for the priesthood, 42 of whom are discerning to serve as future priests for the Archdiocese of Denver. They will be joined by another 35 men who will be ordained to the permanent diaconate.
It takes an average of seven years of study before a man is ordained. Once ordained to the priesthood, these men will serve the faithful for an average of nearly 50 years. The seminaries are committed to forming the future generation of priests through robust spiritual and academic formation. They are formed to lead the faithful they serve to encounter Jesus Christ.