Dear Friend,

Welcome to Cardinal Muench Seminary in the heartland of the upper Midwest! Our tradition of forming men for the priesthood for the last four decades continues on into the third millennium. We consider it a singular grace and serious responsibility to be charged with the task of preparing young men for major seminary studies to become shepherds after the heart of Christ. Here at Cardinal Muench Seminary, we offer to those who sense a call to the priesthood the opportunity to deepen their openness to God so that their call can grow. They begin their formation while completing a university degree or, if they already have a degree, the requirements for entering into a major seminary. Being situated in an urban setting surrounded by rural communities enables Cardinal Muench Seminary to provide a realistic learning environment for the future priests of our region.

The pages of this website outline our mission, structure, programs and life here at Cardinal Muench Seminary. Further information can be obtained by contacting us. Please join us in continuing to pray for our seminarians.

Very Rev. Gregory J. Schlesselmann
Rector

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart” (Jer. 3:15).

In these words from the prophet Jeremiah, God promises his people that he will never leave them without shepherds to gather them together and guide them: "I will set shepherds over them [my sheep] who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed” (Jer. 23.4).

The Church, the People of God, constantly experiences the reality of this prophetic message and continues joyfully to thank God for it. She knows that Jesus Christ himself is the living, supreme and definitive fulfillment of God's promise: “I am the good shepherd” (Jn. 10:11). He, “the great shepherd of the sheep” (Heb. 13:20), entrusted to the apostles and their successors the ministry of shepherding God's flock (cf. Jn. 21:15ff.; 1 Pt. 5:2).

Without priests the Church would not be able to live that fundamental obedience which is at the very heart of her existence and her mission in history, an obedience in response to the command of Christ: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19) and “Do this in remembrance of me” (Lk.  22:19; cf. 1 Cor. 11.24), . . .