St. Joseph Abbey

Saint Joseph Abbey is a Benedictine abbey in Saint Benedict, La., governed by the Swiss-American Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation. The monks of the abbey also operate Saint Joseph Seminary College.

Over the past century, Saint Joseph Abbey has become an enduring presence in the Gulf South, etching in small strokes an indelible mark on local and regional history. The abbey has educated many of the region's civic and religious leaders, founded and staffed numerous parishes in the New Orleans and Northshore areas, had a significant impact on area culture by sponsoring and promoting programs in both liturgical and secular arts, and maintained and cultivated an abiding spiritual presence in the community, which is manifested in its daily rhythms of prayer.

During this #IGiveCatholic campaign, the Abbey is asking for your support for its largest apostolate, Saint Joseph Seminary College.

About the Seminary and This Year's Campaign

Since our humble beginning in 1891 when the seminary hosted classical and business programs, and later when it became a high school and junior college, Saint Joseph Seminary College has continued its mission of preparing and educating young men for the Roman Catholic priesthood. SJASC has offered baccalaureate and pre-theology programs since 1967, and it has become the largest freestanding seminary college in the country. During the 2023-24 school year, seminarians came from 22 dioceses and archdioceses and four religious orders in seven Gulf South states.

Many buildings on campus have been renovated in recent years, but our gymnasium, built in 1951, has certainly seen better days. The gym's original hardwood floors were damaged by the flood in 2016, and since that time our seminarians have been making do with a smooth surface concrete flooring – a less-than-ideal situation, to say the least.

This year, your #iGiveCatholic donations will go directly toward restoring this special place.

Our gym is more than a building. It's an essential part of daily life at Saint Joseph Seminary College. Physical health and wellness are a vital part of our formation program, allowing seminarians to grow, not only spiritually but also in body and mind. There's been camaraderie, laughter, and competition shared on that gym floor. It has long been a place where lifelong friendships were born, and resilience was strengthened.

The first phase of our gym renovation project will focus on installing a high-quality, cushioned flooring like what's used on tennis and pickleball courts. It is much safer, more durable and flood resistant, and far better suited for our seminarians' needs.

Your donations to Saint Joseph Seminary College through the #iGiveCatholic campaign will go directly toward funding this first phase. Thank you for considering a donation to this worthy project.