Mount St. Mary’s Seminary has a long and illustrious history of forming priests. Since 1808 seminarians have lived, learned, worked, and prayed on Mary’s Mountain. The Mount has responded in each generation to the needs of preparing men for the Catholic priesthood.
If you are interested in hearing more about the Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation and how to apply, please contact Seminary Admissions.
The Mount is excited to have a home for the new stage of formation: the Propaedeutic Stage.
This stage of priestly formation takes place before beginning the Discipleship Stage (i.e., before the study of Philosophy). It introduces the new seminarian to the spiritual life and provides a solid foundation in human formation.
Knowing that individual dioceses may struggle to organize such a program in their own diocese and confident in the formation expertise of Mount faculty and formators already present on Mary’s Mountain, the Mount renovated a wing of the St. Joseph House of the Daughters of Charity, a complex of buildings that also houses the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. It is located two miles from the Mount.
The House of Formation is dedicated to Mount graduate Blessed Stanley Rother, the first American martyr.
Listen to Seminary Rector Msgr. Andrew R. Baker, S.T.D., and Seminary Dean of Men Rev. Diego Ruiz talk about Rother House and the Propaedeutic Stage of formation.
A year ago, we published a video introducing the Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation, the home of Mount St. Mary's new propaedeutic stage of seminary formation. Now that the Rother House is fully operational and forming our first class of propaedeutic seminarians, we would like to offer you an inside view of what that looks like.
The men of the Rother House follow a schedule for liturgy, communal and individual prayer, and devotions. There are currently 26 zealous men from 9 Dioceses across the country.
The program is not an academic year but an opportunity within a formational community for new seminarians to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, come to a greater knowledge of the Catholic faith, and grow in character and virtue.
Through various classes, conferences, and lively discussions, the seminarians learn about such things as discernment, scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, time management, and how to maintain healthy physical and emotional health. They are given the opportunity to learn about the value of manual labor and the goodness of creation, by working on an organic farm and at the National Shrine Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes.
There are several days of recollections and retreats built-in to the yearly schedule. A technology “detox” takes place whereby each man practices detachment from his electronic devices and gradually learns how to virtuously use technology in view of possible priestly ministry.
The men of the Rother House are a community of discerners under the guidance of Rev. Daniel Hanley, S.T.L., coordinator of the propaedeutic stage. Fr. Hanley is from the Diocese of Arlington, has years of experience in seminary formation, as well as parish and diocesan ministry, and is known as a national expert in PPF6. They pray together, work together, and grow together as brothers, as they begin their journey of priestly formation.
Statue of Pope John Paul II
Statue of Blessed Stanley Rother
The final costs for construction and renovations came in at $2,569,631.00, increasing the amount of our first goal. Due to the generosity of 188 Donors, in early June 2024, Phase I of the Campaign reached its goal of securing the required funds for construction and renovations. The Seminary has now moved to Phase II of the Campaign – raising funds for the Endowment – Priests for the Third Millennium. To honor Rector, Msgr. Andrew Baker, the Endowment was renamed: The Priests for the Third Millennium Endowment in Honor of Msgr. Andrew Baker, Rector 2015 – 2025. This endowment is the Seminary’s most important Endowment and is essential to ensure long-term sustainability for Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.
To date, Phase II of the Campaign has raised $1,088,652 for the Priests for the Third Millennium Endowment in Honor of Msgr. Andrew Baker, Rector 2015 – 2025.
Donations to the Rother House Campaign will make an enormous difference in the lives of future Mount Seminarians as they begin their journey toward the priesthood. The success of the Campaign will ensure that the Mount continues as a national leader in forming tomorrow’s clergy.
A wonderful and thoughtful way to honor and/or remember a loved one is by making a memorial named gift for the Rother House Campaign. The Seminary is pleased that donors have named 49 of the 80 available memorial named gifts.
*Reserved indicates – has been named
How to make a gift to support The Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation Campaign:
Mail to:
MSM Seminary
Attn: Development Office
16300 Old Emmitsburg Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Questions regarding the Rother House Campaign and Memorial Named Gift - Please contact:
Philip Dickerson
Director of Seminary Development & Alumni Relations
301-447-5902
p.r.dickerson@msmary.edu
Read the Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation Campaign Case Statement.
For additional information about the campaign, please contact:
Philip Dickerson
Director of Seminary Development & Alumni Relations
301-447-5902
p.r.dickerson@msmary.edu