135th Anniversary Celebration

On Sept. 25, 2026, Saint Joseph Seminary College commemorated the 135th anniversary of its founding by gathering members of the Abbey and Seminary College community, Church leaders, alumni, supporters and invited guests from multiple dioceses to celebrate 135 years of priestly formation.

The observance began with a reenactment of a historic photograph taken in front of a Saint Joseph statue that was installed at the original seminary’s location in Gessen, LA in 1891. The statue holds significance as it is one of the only remaining artifacts from the original seminary college and survived a large fire the campus faced in 1907.

Participants then joined in prayer and a blessing over the statue before processing to Mass in the Abbey Church presided over by the Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Archbishop of New Orleans. A cocktail reception followed the liturgy.

During the mass, Very Reverend Matthew Clark, O.S.B., President-Rector of the seminary college said, “Preparing laborers for the harvest of the Lord, forming missionary disciples, shepherds who serve God’s flock, especially the troubled and abandoned: this has been and remains our mission at Saint Joseph Seminary, now called Saint Joseph Seminary College. Seminary formation continues to evolve, and the monks, rectors, priests, lay professors and support staff have been evolving our formation program through the years. We must be thankful for the dedication and effort of all who have been a part of our mission. In spite of the fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, economic and social challenges, God has been good to us!”

This year, over 100 seminarians are enrolled in the seminary college, representing 19 dioceses. All students were invited to participate in this historic celebration. This event took place ahead of the seminary college’s annual fundraising Gala, Deo Gratias, to take place at Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College on October 24. Tickets and information available on saintjosephabbey.com/deo

Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College

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Emily Lechleiter
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985.867.2234
rowelle@sjasc.edu
SAINT JOSEPH ABBEY + SEMINARY COLLEGE
75376 River Road | Saint Benedict, LA 70457