New Rector, Dean, and Faculty Appointed
On Thursday, August 25, 2022, the College and Theology seminarians of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will return to campus to mark the start of a new year of formation. In total, 133 seminarians are expected to enroll at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary for this 2022-2023 year, which includes 29 new seminarians.
Earlier this summer, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez announced several new seminary administrative and faculty appointments, which have already taken effect. These appointments include: Reverend Jason E. Buck as Dean of Men in the College seminary, Father Michael J. Kelly as the Director of Spiritual Formation for the Spiritual Year and Pre-Theology Program, and Reverend Monsignor Gerard C. Mesure as the new Director of Pastoral and Apostolic Formation and Dean of Men for Pre-Theology. These appointments were preceded by the earlier announcement that Reverend Keith J Chylinski would become the new Rector of the seminary, effective July 1st.
“We are so grateful to God for the sign of hope that these new seminarians bring. Our dedicated seminary faculty and staff are looking forward to helping them further grow as disciples of Jesus, and discern their potential vocation to the priesthood,” said FatherChylinski. “It is a joy and privilege to welcome them to Mother Overbrook for the first time as “new men” to the seminary.”
The Opening Day schedule includes a Mass, orientation, solemn evening prayer, and a Rector’s Dinner.
Among the 29 new seminarians beginning their journey at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary this fall, 11 are new seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Of these 11 new seminarians for the Archdiocese, 3 are entering the college seminary, 7 are entering the Spiritual Year or Pre-Theology and 1 is entering the ESL (English as a Second Language) program, which was initiated last year. In total, there are now 68 seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Saint Charles seminarian population is becoming increasingly ethnically and culturally diverse. Approximately 31% of its students come from Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, African, or African American backgrounds.
For more information about Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and its fall semester, please visit www.scs.edu.
Background on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary was founded by Bishop Francis Kenrick as the diocesan seminary for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1832, making it the oldest Catholic institution of higher learning in the Archdiocese. In August 2022, the seminary expected an overall enrollment of 133 seminarians. The seminary population is becoming increasingly diverse with approximately 31% of its students now coming from Asian, Latino, or African countries. Of the 29 newly enrolled seminarians, 11 are studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which now brings the total number of seminarians for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to 68. Thanks to the prayers and generosity of so many people, this institution has been able to continue its mission of forming future priests continuously for the last 190 years, both for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as well as many other dioceses and religious orders throughout the country.
For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, please call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu.
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Editor’s Note: Media are invited to campus on Thursday, August 25th. Seminary Rector, Reverend Keith Chylinski, will be available for interviews from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. and to cover Opening Day Vespers at 5 p.m. in Saint Martin’s Chapel.
Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)