Q. Is a High School Seminary really a good idea? A. In a word, yes! Minor seminaries are something with a long and venerable tradition. Why is that? Because the Church has always recognized that God calls whom He wills when He wills. This often means that those who are called to the priesthood first hear that call in their adolescence or even childhood. In fact, because boys are usually not struggling with the weight of past sins in the way many adult men are, they are even more sensitive to divine grace and thus better able to hear God’s call. The Church has always recognized this fact and has always understood that boys who are called to the priesthood need an environment that will help nourish and encourage their vocation. Adolescence is perhaps the most crucial period of development in a person—not only physically, mentally, and socially, but also morally and spiritually—and as a result, there is no point in one’s life when it is more important to be educated in accord with one’s vocation.
Q. What do I need to do in order to apply? A. High school age boys who wish to join the Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio Seminary must follow a two-step process. 1. They must fill out and submit a completed application packet. 2. Most importantly, the prospective seminarian will need to have an interview with the Rector or someone designated by him. Admission to the seminary is contingent on this interview.
Q. What are the graduation requirements at the Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio Seminary? A. Mother of Divine Grace School offers a standard academic diploma and transcript. As an established, respected, and accredited private school our transcript is accepted by colleges throughout the United States. Graduation from Mother of Divine Grace School requires completion of 22.5 credits (225 units).
Q. How much time is given for vacation? A. The seminarians are given a three-week break for Christmas, usually beginning a week before Christmas, and a seven-week break in the summer.
Q. When do the classes begin? A. Classes typically begin during the last week in August. Before the start of classes, the seminarians arrive at the seminary around the beginning of August to take part in the annual Convivencia or summer camp.
Q. Is there a tuition cost that the seminarians need to pay? A. Yes, there is a very low or minimal tuition that we ask the parents to contribute. This tuition helps with the cost of formation and the daily living expenses. If for some reason, however, a family is unable to pay, the prospective seminarian will not be turned away. We believe that there is nothing more precious than a priestly vocation, and we want to do everything possible to help young men called to the priesthood to discern their vocation and to preserve it.
Q. What happens if a seminarian, after discerning such, decides to leave the seminary? A. It sometimes happens that a student, after reconsideration, changes his mind and decides to discontinue his preparation for the priesthood. If he wishes to leave right away he may, otherwise, he can only continue to reside at the Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio Seminary until the end of the academic semester in which this decision has been made.