Message from the Rector

Fr. John Horn, SJ
President-Rector
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Christ's Peace!

As you view and read through our website I invite you to keep in mind these inspiring words from Pope Benedict XVI: "...only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others about our friendship with Him."

At Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, through the gift of a lively faith, we have been given the grace to know Him and to taste and see the beauty of living day by day in real friendship with Jesus. The seminary is a place where we enjoy living in a manner that fosters conversations about Him. We learn as disciples to speak of His love freely. We also learn as disciples how the silence speaks of a special intimacy with Him and of love's triumph at the cross in everyday and practical ways.

The seminary enjoys an amazingly rich living tradition. The Archdiocese of Saint Louis, founded Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in 1893. We serve many dioceses throughout the nation and several religious orders. Over 2,700 of our alumni have been ordained to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. At the present time we serve one-hundred and twenty students who are enrolled in either the Kenrick Pre-Theology or Theology programs of seminary formation, or the Cardinal Glennon College program for collegiate seminary education.

At Kenrick-Glennon Seminary we live in and through a lively faith, ever surprised by the Gospel and the beauty of friendship with Jesus. He teaches us in the everyday how to listen for and yield to the power of His Holy Spirit who is at work in our hearts. Jesus draws us to cry out "Abba, Father" in humility in all of life's circumstances, so that we are disposed to receive more of the Father's affection and light, more of His glory alive (Romans 8: 14-17)!

As you view and read about the people and programs at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary I hope that you see primarily relationships that are rooted and grounded in the gift of faith. Relationships determine our identity and mission.  We have come to believe that the "new evangelization" is not a slogan, but a reality to be lived. We desire to choose each day to reject fear and humbly receive the willingness to let the Holy Spirit write history through our hearts. We have come to believe in the power of prayer and the triumph of Jesus’ love. Like Bl. Theresa of Calcutta, like Bl. John Paul II, like Mary and St. Joseph and the first apostles, and all of the saints throughout the ages, we are humbly aware that the beauty of friendship with Jesus makes all the difference.  

Be assured that we will keep you in our prayers as we also request your prayers. May we all grow in our calls to holiness. In describing priesthood as a call to holiness, St. John Marie Vianney said, “The priesthood is the Heart of Jesus.” May we, in true humility, not be afraid of our greatness, for the full affection of the Father's Spirit is present for each one of us. If you desire to explore a call to diocesan priesthood I encourage you to contact your diocesan vocation director. Know that you are always welcome to visit Kenrick-Glennon Seminary to gain a better understanding of the awe-inspiring call to serve as a priest. We are all called to seek first the kingdom of God, our relationship with Jesus, then everything else will be given (Luke 12:30-32). May we rest and abide always in this truth.

In the Risen Heart of Jesus,

Fr. John Horn, S.J.
President-Rector