Holy Cross Office of Vocations x Notre Dame Summer Scholars
Summer Seminary Immersion Program
Explore God’s call on the campus of the University of Notre Dame
June 14-28, 2025
Summer Seminary Immersion Program
Led by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross (priests, brothers, and men in formation), the Summer Seminary Immersion Program (SSIP) is a two-week experience designed for rising juniors and seniors in high school (aged 15-18) interested in deepening their relationship with Christ and His Church. The SSIP experience is based on many of the main pillars of seminary life:
- A theology course taught by a Holy Cross priest, credited through Notre Dame’s Theology Department, and that touches on Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, priesthood, and religious life (upon successful completion of the course, participants receive 1 credit of theology from Notre Dame on their college transcript)
- Forming brotherhood and living in community built around common prayer, common meals, common recreation, and service
- Workshops on different forms of prayer (including lectio divina, centering prayer, journaling, Eucharistic adoration, and others)
- Formation conferences on topics to encourage and spur on a young man’s growth in faith and virtue in today’s world
While some participants may have intentionally discerned priesthood or religious life for a number of years, others come to SSIP much earlier in their discernment, with a desire to grow in holiness and an openness to following the Lord wherever He is beckoning.
SSIP takes place on campus at the University of Notre Dame. The program is housed in St. Edward’s Hall, a men’s residence hall during the academic year that is located just behind the Golden Dome and which has a beautiful chapel. This chapel, along with the Log Chapel, will be where most of our common prayer takes place – daily Mass, daily Eucharistic adoration, and the prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. St. Ed’s is also close to an outdoor basketball court and a sand volleyball court. The local Holy Cross community on campus will also generously provide a dining room for the dedicated use of our SSIP community, with our common meals provided by the same kitchen (and according to the same menu!) enjoyed by the Holy Cross priests and brothers on campus.
“Do it. As simple as that. This was one of the most fun and transformative two weeks of my life. I am so grateful to everyone who made this possible.”
Past SSIP Participant
“There was a lot that took me out of my comfort zone, but that was so good for me, and has really shown me that I’ve been missing out on a lot in life …. the whole team was honestly interested in helping me follow God’s will.”
Past SSIP Participant
“SSIP was amazing. I loved learning different ways to pray, especially the Liturgy of the Hours. SSIP definitely has helped me in my discernment. The community aspect was also amazing, and I had a great time getting to know everyone.”
Past SSIP Participant
Experience SSIP
Check out our promo video highlighting the countless ways SSIP participants discern God’s call and engage in brotherly community.
“My experience was better than I could have imagined; it was a really packed schedule, but it was entirely worth it.”
Past SSIP Participant
“Do it, and do so with an open heart. There really is not anything to lose, only gain.”
Past SSIP Participant
SSIP Theology Course
Throughout the centuries, men and women have courageously chosen to “leave all behind” and follow Christ. What has moved them to do so, sometimes at the risk of losing social status, material wealth, family and friends, and, in the case of the martyrs, even their lives? What did they seek and find in exchange for what they seemed to give up? And how can modern disciples come to discover how Jesus is calling them to come and follow him?
This course will help young men considering the priesthood or religious life to better understand the rich and beautiful meaning of the faith, discernment, and committing a life to Christ. Students will have the opportunity to experience what seminary life looks like for themselves while engaging the Scriptures, Church documents, Rites of the Church, theologians, lives of the saints, and the arts to consider this special vocation from many academic perspectives to complement their own experience and discernment.
Course Instructor
Fr. Gilbrian Stoy, C.S.C.
Fr. Gilbrian Stoy, C.S.C. is a Holy Cross Priest and doctoral student in Moral Theology in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. His research interests focus on the intersection of economics, ecology, and ethics. Originally from Little Falls, Minnesota, he joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2013 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Pre-professional studies. He has received both a MDiv from the University of Notre Dame as well as an MST in Christian Ethics from the University of Oxford.
