Who We Are

Welcome

This website is a window into our life and I invite you to look in. You will catch a glimpse of what happens to a young man in the seminary. First, he grows in two fundamental areas of knowledge: the knowledge of self and the knowledge of God. For a man to be here he must be willing to see the truth. He must gaze upon his own history and discern the hand of God. As with the two disciples who walked with Christ on the road to Emmaus, Jesus reveals to each man the meaning of his own life. Christ alone can interpret the pages of each man’s narrative. During this process of discernment, a man’s heart may begin to burn with a desire for more. If it does, then we have ourselves a seminarian.

With knowledge comes the need alter our character and shape our desires in conformity to the designs of Christ’s heart. Love for Christ compels a man to change. The dimensions of this change we call formation. A seminarian must work with grace to perfect his natural powers so as to be an authentic ambassador for Christ. Formation is broken down into four major areas:

The development of his character by the cultivation of the cardinal virtues.
The development of his intellect by assiduous study
The development of his union with God by a life of intense prayer
The bestowal of the goods he has received by a life of pastoral charity.

Whether you are looking through this window because you are a young man discerning your vocation, or you are a member of the lay faithful with a desire for a holy priesthood, I welcome you to not only look but to become part of this mission.

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. In Domino .

Fr. Matthew Kauth, S.T.D., Rector

Seminary is for
men who are serious
about Christ and
not too serious
about themselves.

20 + C + M + B + 16

St. Joseph College Seminary in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, was canonically erected by Bishop Peter Joseph Jugis on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, 2016. The Seminary began its first academic year on August 22, 2016, Solemnity of the Queenship of our Lady. Fr. Timothy Reid generously housed the seminary on the grounds of St. Ann Catholic parish the first four years.

Lion

Abbot Leo Haid began the college at Belmont Abbey, and thus the college’s seal bears a recumbent (couchant) lion. Leo, of course, means lion. St. Joseph is from the tribe of Judah, whose symbol is also the lion. This seemed a fortuitous way to connect the two realities. The lion in the St. Joseph shield is seated in a position of vigilance.

Lozenge

The lion charge, as an image of St. Joseph, looks across to the field of lozenges, diamond-shaped patterns. The white lozenge was the charge on the shield of Sir Walter Raleigh, and hence found its way onto the shield of the first Diocese of North Carolina, the Diocese of Raleigh. It is a symbol in heraldry of purity.

Noli Timere

Our motto is the imperative Noli Timere. These are the words the angel spoke to St. Joseph: “Do not be afraid, Joseph, to take Mary as your wife.” We pray that these young men would not be afraid to take the Church to themselves as Her priests, as friends of the Bridegroom Jesus Christ.

the Beauty of Holiness

The Cardinal Virtues

Justice, Prudence, Temperance, and Fortitude provide the footers for the foundation of a man. To develop these, each seminarian receives a priest mentor, house job responsibilities, and many opportunities for leadership and self-sacrifice.

The Intellectual Life

Rising from the foundation of human character are the pillars of man’s intellectual powers. The human person is an Imago Dei (image of God) and that means Capax Dei (capable of God). To know him is our ultimate end. This requires strict training in perennial Philosophy, which in turn supports the vaulting of sacred Theology. This intellectual training finishes with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Belmont Abbey College.

The Spiritual Life

Knowledge of Him culminates in contemplation. To behold Him is to love Him. To love Him is to be with Him. Each seminarian spends his time in his presence: adoration, the sacred Liturgy, silence, and praise.

The Pastoral Life

Love of God and love of neighbor are united in a strict bond. What we have contemplated we must in turn give freely. Seminarians serve in parishes, at retreats, and attending to the many needs of the faithful.

The most fundamental question that must be asked by every man is: “For what life did God create me?” College seminary is a means to finding that answer. One does not join college seminary because he has certitude about his vocation, but because he seeks certitude. How is that accomplished? By giving men a structured form of life which removes distractions that can cloud clarity. Men in our seminary attend traditional college classes at Belmont Abbey College but live in a house of formation. The goal of pursuing the will of God permeates the life. This means that the day begins and ends with prayer. The assistance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Liturgy of the Hours, the Holy Rosary, spiritual direction is part of the daily life. Academics, sports and manual labor are in the gaps of our prayer. We come from prayer and return to it. Our work is sanctified by it. All of this is done in the context of a fraternal life. When I was in seminary, I met some of my closest friends because the finest friends are those who share the common life of discipleship. We serve the same King and are knit up in bonds of fellowship greater than mundane interests. Yet to be a “part” of something and not a “whole” unto oneself requires a certain death to self. To form the men that might one day be entrusted with Christ’s priesthood is no small task. The priests of the Diocese of Charlotte do not “outsource” their responsibility of being a father and mentor to our own. The vocations that are born here are formed here, close to their families and bishop, under the careful watch of our own faithful parishioners. While we have very high expectations of the men who are accepted at St Joseph College Seminary, no one emerges as the man that first entered. Growth in virtue and the spiritual life requires courage, good humor, and a determined will to follow Christ at whatever price. He who loses his life will find it. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about St. Joseph College Seminary.

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Who We Are

Welcome

Formators • Faculty • Staff

Our seminarians