Introduction and Overview:
On Wednesday, September 8, 2010, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the one-year anniversary of the founding of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos, Ave Maria School of Divinity was established opening its doors to the first student on October 15, 2010. Since that time, the School has been renamed, Ave Maria Theological Seminary. The Most Reverend Doctor ++Russell D. Lee, O.SS.T. serves as the current Dean of Academic Affairs with the Most Reverend Doctor ++Robert F. Jangro, O.SS.T., serving as Seminary President.
What is the difference between a Theological Seminary and Divinity School?
A theological seminary educates students for leadership roles in Christian ministry, such as pastors, missionaries, church planters, counselors and other avenues of service to the Church. Its curriculum places strong emphasis on study and understanding of the Bible and theology, spiritual formation and practical tools for church ministry.
A divinity school is usually affiliated with a university. Like a law or medical school, a divinity school is essentially a theological division within a larger university. Its students can take courses unrelated to theological education. Some are more focused on the academic study of religion and Christianity, preparing students to serve in academic, religious and non-sectarian settings, while others are more pastorally-focused.
Church-Based Seminary Education:
A relatively recent trend is the development of seminaries by churches. Still rare in the U.S., these schools may offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees that prepare students to understand and apply the Bible and theology in vocational ministry. Typically, they are not accredited.
One of the best-known church based theological schools is Ave Maria Theological Seminary developed through Charter by the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos.
Ave Maria Theological Seminary is the official Seminary of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos, with the primary purpose of training, educating, and preparing candidates for ordination to Holy Orders as priests and deacons for service in the church.
Administrators and faculty of the Seminary are authorized by a mandate from the Presiding Archbishop-Abbot of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos.
Main Features of Ave Maria Theological Seminary:
• Non-residential study for mature men, married or single, employed students.
• Clergy Training Program leading to Holy Orders.
• Well qualified Faculty and Staff.
• Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees available.
• Spiritual Direction from Advisors.
Our Mission:
Ave Maria Theological Seminary has two purposes - (1) to train and educate clergy for the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos, and (2) to oversee and administer the formal educational portion of our religious communities' Spiritual Formation Program. It is set up so that a man, married or single, called to the priesthood or permanent dicaonate may prepare for ministry without leaving his home, employment, or local church.
To educate, examine, and other wise prepare those who are called to ministry in this non-residential form of study. Many are hearing the call in mid-life, or even later, and can not leave home, employment, and family to attend a full-time, residential seminary. That is why Ave Maria Theological Seminary is here.
Accreditation / Authorization:
Without apology, Ave Maria Theological Seminary, as a Christian (Old) Catholic seminary, has elected not to pursue secular accreditation, which would force us to teach secular courses with secular guidelines. Our vision and focus is MINISTRY ONLY! The Church should not be under secular guidelines. Therefore, a Christian seminary that trains clergy for ministry in the Church should NOT be under secular guidelines. Secular accreditation has not been found in God's will or in God's Word. Consequently, at Ave Maria, we seek only the approval of God.
Schools dedicated to the specialized area of theology may be (but are not required to be) corporate structured or state licensed for theological education. Degree granting institutions must be qualified to grant degrees either from governmental agencies or through affiliated status with recognized ministries or denominations.
Ave Maria Theological Seminary does not hold regional academic accreditation. Our programs and degrees are religious/theological, not secular and academic. We wish to train ordained ministers (Deacons and Priests) of the Gospel, which is our primary mission and task.
Ave Maria Theological Seminary is affiliated and underwritten by the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos. The Presiding Archbishop-Abbot and the Synod of Bishops of the O.SS.T. in conjunction with the Ordination Review Board (Vocations/Formation Committee), authorizes the Board of Regents of Ave Maria Theological Seminary to issue Theological Degrees to those students whom the Faculty and Dean of Academic Affairs have approved and recommended. We offer religious/theological degrees at the Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate level.
For more information on Accreditation, visit our Disclaimer page.
Training and Preparation:
We have established stringent educational guidelines to assure the quality of the theological education provided through Ave Maria Theological Seminary.
We prepare our candidates for ordination in a slightly unusual way, by what is known as the time honored custom of “reading for Holy Orders”. All reading for Holy Orders is by distance using available technology.
We have also patterned clergy training at Ave Maria Theological Seminary after the ancient practice of the “bishop’s” or “abbot’s” schools. In the early medieval period, before general education, universities and seminaries, leaders of Christian communities trained others for ministry to the diaconate and presbyterate/priesthood in a local setting.
We have renewed that vision in our educational structure at Ave Maria Theological Seminary, which allows people to train within their local churches and to receive a high quality, academically demanding and professional instruction in ministry.
At Ave Maria Theological Seminary, we're educating the next generation of ecumenically minded (Old) Catholic leaders. We provide a distinctive educational experience driven by a rigorous quest for knowledge and guided by an enduring faith in Jesus Christ. In short, we're academically challenging and passionately Catholic.
A Message from our President:
God seeks men and women trained in His Word who will proclaim it accurately and in spiritual power. Ave Maria prepares such men of God. Since our beginning the quality of Ave Maria's faculty and Bible centered programs has gained the respect of many. Our programs of study are offered for personal growth and for ministries in the Church, and witness beyond in the secular world. The Faculty and Staff are fully committed to the biblical faith of the early church and the infallibility and final authority of every word of Scripture. Our educational procedures, programs, and courses stand uncompromisingly upon the Word of God. As President of Ave Maria Theological Seminary, I invite you to consider the educational advantages offered to you by our seminary. For you who qualify for admission, a rewarding time of preparation awaits plus a lifetime of fruitfulness for the glory of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to the prospects of you becoming a member of our student body and part of the Ave Maria family.
Your Servant in Christ through Mary,
Dom ++Robert, O.SS.T.
The Most Rev. Dr. Robert F. Jangro, O.SS.T.
Additional Information:
Pursue your vocation in a community rooted in the love of Christ. Pursue your your wisdom in a seminary rooted in the historic (Old) Catholic heritage. To learn more about Ave Maria Theological Seminary, please contact us to receive a digital PDF copy of our latest Seminary Catalog/Outline.
To find out more about ordination or incardination, and how it relates to our seminary program, visit our Ordination/Incardination page located in the drop down box below Holy Orders.
Take the First Step...visit our Contact Us page and leave us a message.
All students must be interviewed before starting studies. If you are interested in answering your call with us, please Contact us!
Let us pray.
O Eternal God, bless Ave Maria Theological Seminary, that it may be a lively center for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF AN (OLD) CATHOLIC SEMINARY ~ CATHOLIC ~ CLASSICAL ~ COMPLETE
Agnus Dei... it's what you've been looking for - a life full of purpose and inspiration.
Renew your faith in God, in Christ, and in the Church... because the Good News is still good news.
