Enrollment on the rise at Saint Joseph Seminary College

When Saint Joseph Seminary College began a new school year in the fall of 1978, the student body included some 120 seminarians.

Then, with the beginning of the next school year in 1979, the enrollment dropped to 111. The years that followed saw a continued decline, an experience shared by most seminaries in the United States.

So when classes began on Aug. 26 with an enrollment of 121 students after a 35-year decline, it was a notable cause of joy and thanksgiving. The last three years had brought increases, but none as noteworthy as this. Still, the increase was not without its complications.

Among the students are four from the Diocese of Corpus Christi—Oscar Chaparro, Richard Gutierrez, Charles Silvas and Marc Joseph Zamora.

Although the seminary college was already in the process of renovating in order to provide living space for more seminarians, the larger number this year took all by surprise.

“When the school year began last year we had to ask the monks to house 18 seminarians in the monastery until temporary living space was ready,” Father Gregory Boquet, OSB, President-Rector, said. “Little did we suspect that this year would find us asking the same thing; but it is a problem I’m glad to have.”

Some differences exist, however, between the seminary enrollment of the present and that of 35-years ago. Then the majority of the seminarians were from the dioceses of Louisiana. Now, St. Joseph’s draws students from 20 dioceses. Among the fifty-seven new students are 36 seminarians from Texas, seven from Georgia, eight from Mississippi, eight from Alabama and one student studying for Saint Joseph Abbey.

Another difference is one that has been developing over the past years. This is the number of students who are entering after having had some college experience. Only 16 new students are entering college for the first time, while 35 have had one or two years of college. Six are in pre-theology studies, having already received a Bachelor’s degree.

In the mid 1970s, the seminary college began a program in English as a Second Language to accommodate the large number of Vietnamese-speaking students. As overall enrollment decreased, so did the number of students in this program. This year the English as a Second Language program has also seen a rise in numbers, but now the difference is that the majority of students enrolled are native Spanish-speakers.

“We are grateful to God for this increase of ‘laborers into the vineyard,’ and pray that it continues” Father Boquet said. “May their years here at St. Joseph Seminary College prepare these men to be good servants for God’s people.”