On Thursday, September 30, 2021, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will begin a series of celebrations marking its 150th Anniversary at its Overbrook (now Wynnewood) campus. Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez (’89) will celebrate a Mass for seminary alumni at 4:30 p.m. in Saint Martin of Tours Chapel. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge (’84) of Arlington, Virginia, a past Rector of the seminary, will be the homilist. Following Mass, there will be a tented reception on the seminary lawn for all alumni. Over 230 priest alumni are expected for the Mass and reception.
Later in the week, on Sunday, October 3, 2021, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Saint Charles will host an Open House. The Open House will include tours by current seminarians, followed by Solemn Vespers at 5:00 p.m. in Saint Martin of Tours Chapel. All are welcome for the Open House and Solemn Vespers. Visitors must all wear a mask while on campus.
Both the Mass and Vespers will be livestreamed. The Mass will be broadcast live at https://vimeo.com/592339564. The livestream for the Solemn Vespers can be found at https://vimeo.com/event/1271526.
“Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is the oldest Catholic institution of higher learning in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with a rich history of distinguished visitors, graduates and honorees including five once and former Popes, three canonized saints, and one venerable person, as well as thousands of ordained clergy and religious and lay men and women,” said Bishop Timothy Senior (’85), Rector of Saint Charles Seminary. “Our 150th Anniversary at the Overbrook campus is an opportunity to give thanks to Almighty God for this educational and spiritual treasure and to look forward to our future.”
History of the Seminary
The Seminary was founded in 1832 by Most Reverend Francis Patrick Kenrick, third Bishop of Philadelphia, at his home on Fifth Street in Center City. There were only five students. After four subsequent moves, Saint Charles settled at its present location in Overbrook (now Wynnewood) in 1871. The purchase of the Overbrook property by Archbishop Wood for $62,000 was criticized in the local newspaper as “Wood’s Folly” because the ground was considered to be located too far into the country to be a practical setting.
In May 2019, Saint Charles’ Board of Trustees made the decision to sell its current campus to Main Line Health. Following this decision, the seminary began a search for a new campus location and eventually found a new home on 15 acres of land purchased from Gwynedd Mercy University in Lower Gwynedd in April 2021. Over the next three years, new seminary buildings will be built and renovated, and the seminary expects to relocate for the 2024-25 academic year.
For more information about Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and its fall semester, please visit www.scs.edu.
Background on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for 190 years. In August 2021, the seminary expected an overall enrollment of 149 seminarians. Saint Charles’ seminarian population is becoming increasingly diverse with approximately 38% of its students now coming from Asian, Latino, or African countries. Of the 27 new seminarians, 12 are seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and there are 66 new or returning seminarians for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia studying at St. Charles. With the generosity of many, these young seminarians are able to successfully transform into the compassionate and loyal priests and inspiring leaders of tomorrow’s Church. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, please call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu.
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Contact:Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
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215-587-3747 (office)