Discern God’s Call with Us

For some men, the formation process begins at the undergraduate seminary known as “Old College.” Located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, collegians earn a degree in a subject of their choice while discerning God’s call in an intentional community of fellow discerners.

Once a man has obtained a four-year degree, he is eligible to spend a year living with the Holy Cross community at Moreau Seminary on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. During this year, he pursues coursework in philosophy, serves in a ministry placement, and participates in a series of formation conferences, all while continuing to explore God’s call. Postulants are invited to petition for admittance to the novitiate.

Situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Cascade, Colorado, the yearlong novitiate is an apprenticeship in celibacy, poverty, and obedience. Novices observe daily silence, participate in work periods, pursue avocations, and perform apostolic service. They also study the history and spirituality, character and mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Novices are challenged and helped to open their hearts to the Gospel, to live under the same roof with one another, and to create a brotherhood of disciples. At the conclusion of the novitiate year, novices profess first vows, thereby becoming temporarily professed seminarians and brother scholastics.