Dear Bishops, Vocation Directors, and Board Members,

I am writing to let you know that in light of the developments of the Coronavirus and with consultation with Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Abbot Justin Brown, and members of the Seminary Administration,  I have made the decision to release the seminarians to their home dioceses to continue priestly formation and full academic course work from home. We will revisit this on April 13, 2020, the day Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards' stay at home order expires.

We have taken every precaution by closing the campus and providing handwashing stations, social distancing, eliminating all off-campus activities, visitors, and non-essential personnel. However, we still have some vulnerability as the virus is spreading rapidly in the New Orleans area and the threat and risks cannot guarantee that someone on our campus will contract the virus.  Also, Governor Edwards has predicted that we will have no hospital space by April 1st.  We must be mindful that a seminarian could experience some other type of emergency that would require other medical treatment and we are concerned that resources may not be available to help them. For all these reasons and for their health and wellness, we feel it is most prudent to have the men continue their formation from home. 

We are aware the men have many different situations at home and your dioceses may have plans in place. Our expectations of the men, although away from the seminary, is to continue to meet online with their spiritual directors, formation advisers, and academic classes. Just as we expect during all breaks from school year and summer, we anticipate that the seminarians will continue their daily prayers with the Liturgy of the Hours. For those seminarians who do not have the proper computer equipment to attend their classes online, the seminary college will provide the necessary equipment. 

We will be speaking to the students this afternoon and simultaneously sending a communication to their parents. We are advising them to take what they need through April 13, 2020. We anticipate every student will be heading home by Saturday afternoon. The seminary administration will remain on campus to continue coordinating their seminary formation and are available to you should you have any questions or concerns. 

Thank you for your support and diligence in Shepherding your Churches through these unpresented times.  

Fr. Gregory M. Boquet, O.S.B.
President-Rector
Saint Joseph Seminary College