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Saint John's Seminary (Massachusetts)

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Coordinates: 42°20′38.45″N 71°9′47.18″W / 42.3440139°N 71.1631056°W / 42.3440139; -71.1631056
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For other uses, see St. John's Seminary.
St. John's Seminary
Chapel at St. John's Seminary
TypePrivate, Graduate
Established1884
AffiliationRoman Catholic
RectorJames Patrick Moroney
DeanEdward Riley
Vice RectorChristopher K. O'Connor
Academic staff
seminary: 9 F/T, 12 P/T
lay programs: 19[1]
Students139 seminarians,
approx. 60 laity
Location
Brighton
,
Massachusetts
,
USA

42°20′38.45″N 71°9′47.18″W / 42.3440139°N 71.1631056°W / 42.3440139; -71.1631056
CampusUrban
Website[1]

Saint John's Seminary, located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, is a Catholic major seminary sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston.

Founded in 1884, the seminary has 114 seminarians[2] and approximately 60 lay students, mostly from dioceses in New England.

The current rector is Msgr. James P. Moroney, professor of liturgy and executive secretary of the Vox Clara commission of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

History

St. John's Hall viewed from Lake Street

Founding

The construction of the Boston Ecclesiastical Seminary[3] began in 1881, and Archbishop John Joseph Williams entrusted the seminary to the Sulpician Fathers.[4] The school was completed in 1884, and the first students began classes there on September 22, 1884.[5] The Seminary's first rector was John Baptist Hogan.[6]

The Seminary was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts in 1892. In 1911, at the request of Archbishop William Henry O'Connell, the Sulpicians withdrew from the seminary.[4]

Grounds surrounding seminary

Saint John's Seminary adopted its present name in 1941.[3][7]

Merger

Cardinal O'Connell Seminary, the archdiocesan minor seminary in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, was merged with Saint John's Seminary in 1968.[3] In 1970 its programs were relocated to a Foster Street site in Saint Clement's Hall.

Crisis and recovery after 2000

Enrollment at Saint John's declined drastically in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Boston. From a peak of 86 students in the academic year 2001–2002, enrollment fell to 34 for the year 2005–2006. The seminary recovered thereafter to reach a student population of 63 two years later.[8][9]

During the 2000s, nearly all the Seminary's land and buildings were sold to Boston College (BC), the neighboring Jesuit-run college. In 2001, BC leased St. Clement's Hall, formerly the site of the Seminary's undergraduate division, and it bought the property in June 2004.[10][11][12] In May 2007, the Archdiocese sold the Seminary's open land, its library building and several other structures.[13] Rector John Farren, OP resigned and protested the 2007 sale in a letter to Cardinal O'Malley.[8][12][14]

After the land sales, the campus of the Seminary consists only of Saint John's Hall.[13]

Enrollment statistics

(by academic year)

  • 2001–2002: 86[8][9]
  • 2005–2006: 34[8][9]
  • 2007–2008: 63[8][9]
  • 2009–2010: 91 (81 diocesan seminarians and 10 religious)[15]
  • 2015–2016: 114 (78 diocesan seminarians and 36 religious)[2]
  • 2016-2017: 139

Participating dioceses

Most students are from dioceses in New England: in Massachusetts, from the Archdiocese of Boston and the Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester; in Connecticut, from the Archdiocese of Hartford; and also from the dioceses of Burlington, Vermont, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Providence, Rhode Island.

In the academic year of 2014-2015, St. John's began receiving seminarians from the Diocese of Rochester, New York. That same year, the Diocese of Portland, which encompasses all of Maine, resumed sending seminarians. St. John's also serves as the seminary for a few men from dioceses outside the U.S.[16]

Statue of St. Patrick, patron of the Archdiocese of Boston

College-level seminary candidates for the Archdiocese of Boston reside at Our Lady of Providence Seminary College in Providence, Rhode Island and various other institutions.

Current faculty

Formation Faculty

  • Rev. Msgr. James P. Moroney, S.T.L., Rector (Theology & Sacred Liturgy)
  • Rev. Christopher O'Connor, M.Div., Ph.L., S.T.L., Vice Rector (Philosophy)
  • Rev. Joseph Briody, S.T.L., S.S.L. (Sacred Scripture)
  • Rev. Msgr. Marc B. Caron, S.T.L., Director of Sacred Liturgy (Theology & Sacred Liturgy)
  • Very Rev. Romanus Cessario, O.P., S.T.D., M.A. (Theology)
  • Rev. Ryan W. Connors, S.T.L. (Theology)
  • Rev. James J. Conn, S.J., J.C.D., J.D., M.A., M.Div., A.M. (Canon Law)
  • Rev. David Pignato, S.T.D., J.D., Director of Pre-Theology (Theology)
  • Rev. Edward Riley, M.Div., Dean of Men & Director of Pastoral Formation
  • Rev. Stephen E. Salocks, M.Div., S.S.L. (Sacred Scripture)
  • Rev. Raymond Van De Moortell, Ph.D., M.L.I.S., Th.M., M.Div., Director of Human Formation (Philosophy & Theology)

Teaching Faculty

  • Rev. Dennis McManus, D.Litt. (Theo), M.A. (Sacred Liturgy)

Lay Faculty

  • Dr. Angelica Avcikurt, Ph.D., M.A.T. (Spanish)
  • Prof. Janet Benestad, M.A. (Philosophy and Social Doctrine)
  • Dr. Phillip Crotty, M.Sc., M.B.A., Ed.D. (Latin)
  • Dr. Stephen Fahrig, S.T.D. (Scripture)
  • Dr. Janet Hunt, FAGO, D.M.A. (Director of Sacred Music)
  • Prof. Paul Metilly, Ph.D. (Cand.), S.T.M., Interim Director of Intellectual Formation

Adjunct Faculty

  • Rev. John Grimes, Ph.D., D.Min., M.Div., S.T.M. (Pastoral Theology)
  • Rev. Peter Grover, O.M.V., S.T.L, Th.M. '90 (Greek)
  • Rev. Msgr. Robert Johnson, M.Div., M.A., S.T.B. (Sacred Liturgy)
  • Rev. Mark Mahoney, J.C.L. (Canon Law)
  • Dr. Leonard Maluf, S.S.L., S.T.D. (Sacred Scripture)
  • Rev. Mark Murphy, M.Div, M.A. '11 (Theology)
  • Dr. Ann Orlando, S.T.D., M.S.E.E., M.A. (Church History)
  • Dr. Richard Spinello, M.B.A., Ph.D. (Philosophy)

Full-Time Spiritual Direction Faculty

  • Rev. Michael MacInnis, O.F.M., Interim Director of Spiritual Formation
  • Rev. Msgr. Cornelius M. McCrae, M.A. (Spiritual Director)
  • Rev. Msgr. John R. McLaughlin, M.Div. (Director of Spiritual Formation)
  • Rev. Joseph F. Scorzello, Ph.D. S.T.L., M.A. (Spiritual Director & Philosophy)

Adjunct Spiritual Directors

  • Rev. David Barnes
  • Rev. Casey Beaumier, S.J.
  • Rev. David Cavanagh
  • Rev. Brian Dunkle, S.J.
  • Rev. John Grimes
  • Rev. James Mattaliano, S.J.
  • Rev. Paul McNellis, S.J.
  • Rev. Huy Nguyen
  • Rev. Linh Nguyen
  • Rev. José Ruisanchez
  • Rev. Michael Simone S.J.
  • Rev. Ronald Tacelli, S.J.

Location

St. John’s Seminary is located on Lake Street in Brighton, Massachusetts. The nearest transit station is the MBTA Boston College light-rail stop (Green Line).

Academics

Seminary programs

As a major seminary, an institution providing formation for the Catholic priesthood, Saint John's offers a four-year program leading to the Master of Divinity degree. There is also a program leading to the Master of Arts in Theology.[17]

In addition, "St. John's Seminary offers a two-year program of initial formation for those candidates who are college graduates and have no prior experience of formal preparation for the sacrament of Holy Orders."[18] Those who complete the Pre-Theology Program may qualify to receive a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.).

St. John's Seminary exterior

Programs for lay students

The Seminary's Theological Institute for the New Evangelization offers programs for lay people wishing to work in Roman Catholic ministry, leading to the degrees Master of Theological Studies for the New Evangelization, and Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM). These programs are based at a separate campus in accordance with norms of the Holy See.[19] The MAM division of TINE also offers non-credit catechist training programs in evangelization and apologetics.[20]

Accreditation

The Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools[21] and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.[22]

Athletics

Seminarians partake in sports including basketball, football, golf, softball, and soccer.,[23] including intramural games with BC club teams. Twice a year St. John's Seminary competes in softball games against Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary (Weston, MA) and Our Lady of Providence College Seminary (Providence, RI). With access to the Flynn Recreation Complex at Boston College, seminarians contend in intramural basketball and soccer leagues against Boston College students.[24]

Daily life

In addition to their daily schedule of classes and services in chapel,[25] seminarians have off-campus pastoral assignments at least once per week. Most seminarians also have a "house job", such as sacristan or bookstore manager. Each seminarian meets his spiritual director at least once per month.

Organ in seminary chapel
Statue of St. John the Evangelist

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

Rectors

Under Sulpician administration:[4]

  • 1884–1889: John Baptist Hogan, S.S.[26]
  • 1889–1894: Charles B. Rex[26]
  • 1894–1901: John Baptist Hogan, S.S.
  • 1901–1906: Daniel E. Maher, S.S.[27]
  • 1906–1911: Francis P. Havey

Under archdiocesan administration:

  • 1911–1926: John Bertram Peterson
  • 1926–1933: Charles A. Finn
  • 1933–1938: Joseph C. Walsh
  • 1938–1950: Edward G. Murray
  • 1950–1958: Thomas J. Riley
  • 1958–1965: Matthew J. Stapleton
  • 1966–1966: Lawrence J. Riley
  • 1966–1971: John A. Broderick
  • 1972–1981: Robert Joseph Banks
  • 1981–1986: Alfred Clifton Hughes
  • 1986–1991: Thomas J. Daly
  • 1991–1999: Timothy J. Moran
  • 1999–2002: Richard G. Lennon
  • 2002–2007: John A. Farren, OP
  • 2007–2012: Arthur L. Kennedy
  • 2012–present: James P. Moroney

References

  1. ^ http://www.sjs.edu/faculty/
  2. ^ a b Mary L. Gautier and Jonathon Holland. "Catholic Ministry Formation Enrollments: Statistical Overview for 2015–2016" (PDF). Georgetown University (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate).
  3. ^ a b c Alice H. Songe. American universities and colleges: a dictionary of name changes. p. 173.
  4. ^ a b c "Sulpicians". The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. Volume XVI. New York: Universal Knowledge Foundation. 1914. p. 331. {{cite encyclopedia}}: |volume= has extra text (help)
  5. ^ "St. John's History". Retrieved 2007-02-27.
  6. ^ "Dr. John Hogan, S.S." American Ecclesiastical Review. 25: 430–435. November 1901.
  7. ^ "1941 Chap. 0313. An Act Changing The Name Of The Boston Ecclesiastical Seminary To St. John's Seminary And Authorizing The Granting Of Certain Additional Degrees By Said Seminary". The State Library of Massachusetts.
  8. ^ a b c d e Michael Paulson (December 14, 2008). "Stunning turnaround for St. John's Seminary". The Boston Globe.
  9. ^ a b c d "Seminary of Archdiocese of Boston doubles enrollment". Catholic News Agency (ACI Prensa). December 18, 2008.
  10. ^ Michael Paulson (April 21, 2004). "Diocesan headquarters sold to BC". The Boston Globe.
  11. ^ "Statement of the Archdiocese of Boston and Boston College on sale of part of Brighton campus". The Boston Globe. April 20, 2004.
  12. ^ a b John Farren, OP (May 23, 2007). "Response of Rector to Proposal". "Catholic Pundit Watch" (archived at webcitation.org). Archived from the original on August 13, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b Michael Paulson (May 24, 2007). "Boston Archdiocese to sell headquarters for $65 million, move to Braintree". The Boston Globe.
  14. ^ Michael Paulson (June 13, 2007). "Critic slams archdiocese land sale as betrayal". The Boston Globe.
  15. ^ Mary L. Gautier. "Catholic Ministry Formation Enrollments: Statistical Overview for 2009–2010" (PDF). Georgetown University (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate).
  16. ^ http://www.sjs.edu/who/seminarians.html
  17. ^ http://sjs.edu/prospective/theology.html
  18. ^ http://sjs.edu/prospective/pretheology.html
  19. ^ On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest, 1997, art. 13.
  20. ^ Angela Franks and Jim Lockwood (September 4, 2009). "St. John's Seminary introduces Catechetical Certificate". The Boston Pilot.
  21. ^ "Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada". Retrieved 2007-02-27.
  22. ^ "Details: Saint John's Seminary". New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Retrieved 13 Jul 2010.
  23. ^ http://sjs.edu/news/SJSMagazine10-1.pdf
  24. ^ http://bc.athleague.com/team.profile?id=41822
  25. ^ http://sjs.edu/prospective/seminary_life.html
  26. ^ a b John A. Butler (May 1898). "St. John's Ecclesiastical Seminary, Boston". American Ecclesiastical Review. 18 (5): 457.
  27. ^ "Candidates Ordained in Boston". The New York Times. May 25, 1902.
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