Holy Cross Seminary Formation

The undergraduate seminary (Old College) is housed in the original campus structure built in 1843 by Notre Dame’s founder, Holy Cross priest Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., and 7 Holy Cross brothers. It serves as the residence for those undergraduate men who are exploring a vocation as a priest or brother in the Congregation of Holy Cross. With more than 50 men in formation in the United States alone, Holy Cross is a growing, international religious community with 1,400 priests, brothers, seminarians, and brothers in formation in 17 countries throughout the world.

Old College provides an introduction to religious life and ministry in Holy Cross through participation in daily Mass, the Divine Office, Eucharistic Adoration, spiritual direction, service placements, weekly community nights, retreats, and academics (including courses in philosophy and theology). Students in Old College may select their major and tailor the rest of their academic program accordingly. Old Collegians take all classes with other Notre Dame students and actively participate in clubs, organizations, and other aspects of campus life. They are also encouraged to spend a semester or year abroad. Old College combines a challenging religious formation structure with a complete Notre Dame undergraduate experience.

Moreau Seminary, also located on the Notre Dame campus, is the primary scholasticate (house of studies) for the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States. It is the formation community for both postulants and for temporarily-professed seminarians and brothers.

The one-year Postulancy is a pre-Novitiate year designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in any field who wish to discern a vocation to priesthood or brotherhood within vowed religious life. Postulants typically take 15 hours of philosophy and/or theology credits at the University each semester and have ministry placements supervised by seminary staff.

Upon completion of the Novitiate, newly-professed seminarians and brothers begin their formal theological studies and pastoral training in the Master of Divinity program at Notre Dame.

Postulants, seminarians, and brother scholastics live together at Moreau Seminary with perpetuallyprofessed Holy Cross priests and brothers. They discern their vocation and prepare for active ministry by way of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. They receive regular spiritual direction and participate in a vibrant community life centered around common prayer (e.g., daily Mass, Divine Office, and Eucharistic Adoration) and common table.

Applicants to Old College and to Moreau Seminary must be practicing Roman Catholics in good standing with the Church and of strong personal character, with a demonstrated commitment to prayer and apostolic ministry. Admission is selective, and personal interviews are required for acceptance into both programs. Tuition scholarship assistance is provided.

For additional information, please contact:

Director, Office of Vocations
PO Box 541
Notre Dame, IN 46556
vocation.1@nd.edu
holycrossvocations.org
574-631-6385