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About Us
Since 1948, the program at IHMS has been forming men of mature human quality and deep spirituality. IHMS is more than a place. It is an experience…an opportunity for men to follow Christ. As Pope Benedict XVI defines any seminary, IHMS is where a man experiences the beauty of God’s call in a moment of grace which could be defined as “falling in love.”
History
A CHRONOLOGY
Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary
1912 – Bishop Patrick Heffron founds St. Mary’s College for the higher education of young men of the area, and the special training of those aspiring to the priesthood.
1933 – Bishop Francis Kelly transfers Saint Mary’s College to the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Approval is sought from the Holy See because the college was viewed as an approved seminary; hence the transfer is not completed until 1943 under Bishop Leo Binz, Coadjutor Bishop of Winona.
1947 – Bishop Binz writes to the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Cicognani, for advice about founding a diocesan seminary whose students would live in a St. Mary’s College dormitory wing while taking classes there (February 4). In the fall, Fathers George Speltz and William Magee begin teaching on the faculty of the college with a core group of students who will be the first seminary community upon its establishment.
1948 – Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary is established by Bishop Binz (canonically erected July 16), and is incorporated in the State of Minnesota (September 24). Father Speltz is appointed rector, with an enrollment of 25.
1949 – The first seminarian graduates from St. Mary’s College (Paul Halloran, May 29).
1950 – Bishop Edward Fitzgerald is installed in the See of Winona (January 6) and completes architectural plans for a separate seminary dormitory (February). The Christian Brothers deed a plot of land to the Diocese of Winona from their property at St. Mary’s College. Construction contracts are awarded (April 25), Fitzgerald breaks ground (May 1), and the cornerstone of Kelly Hall is laid by Binz (June 15), then Coadjutor Bishop of Dubuque, with all priests of the diocese present.
1951 – Students move into the building (March 3). Bishop Fitzgerald consecrates the altar (April 22). The first open house is held for parents (October 7).
1952 – Father Speltz offers the first Solemn Mass in the Chapel of St. John Vianney (March 2).
1953-1954 – The convent (“Mary Hall”) is completed, and the first Dominican sisters arrive to assume domestic care (December and January). Eventually they would include Sisters Hildegundis (who served sixteen years), Oswina, and Amabilis.
1962 – St. Leo the Great Hall is blessed by the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Vagnozzi, in the presence of Arcbishop Binz in whose honor it was named (March 25).
1963 – Father Speltz is consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Winona (March 25), later becoming Coadjutor Bishop of St. Cloud (1966, succeeding to the see, 1968). Bishop Fitzgerald appoints Msgr. Joseph McGinnis as rector.
1964 – Dominican Father A.C. Fabian launches a thirty-plus-year teaching career with seminarians and college students in philosophy.
1966-67 – All-time high in total enrollment is reached (90).
1968 – Bishop Fitzgerald appoints Msgr. Roy Literski as rector.
1970 – Post-conciliar chapel remodelling is completed (March 6). Bishop Loras Watters appoints Father Robert Brom as rector. The Dominican sisters return to Switzerland, and are replaced by several School Sisters of Notre Dame (eventually including Sister Stanisia, who served fifteen years).
1971 – New seminary Guidelines are introduced, based on the newly-approved national Program of Priestly Formation.
1971-1986 – 73 TEC Retreats are offered by seminary students and faculty to the youth of the diocese.
1973 – A 25th anniversary reunion of ordained alumni is held (June).
1974 – Fitzgerald Retreat Center is established in Leo Hall for diocesan Priest Retreats, in memory of the late bishop (who died in 1972).
1979 – Bishop Watters appoints Father Gerald Mahon as rector. After serving as Rector of the Cathedral, Father Brom is named Bishop of Duluth (1983), and later of San Diego (1989 as coadjutor, succeeding to the see in 1990).
1986-87 – Papal Seminary Study is undertaken at IHMS under the chairmanship of Bishop William H. Keeler of Harrisburg (February 17-21, 1986). The chapel is renovated (summer 1986). Highest total enrollment in two decades is reached (80).
1988 – A 40th anniversary reunion of ordained and lay alumni is held in conjunction with diocesan Clergy Days (June).
1989 – IHMS Endowment Fund is created (incorporated, 1991). Bishop Vlazny names Father Timothy Reker as rector.
1994 – Seminary assumes oversight for sacramental ministry on the St. Mary’s campus.
1995 – Saint Mary’s College becomes Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
1996 – Wiring of the seminary facility is completed for modern computer technology. Bishop Vlazny names Father William Becker as rector.
1998 – Father David Kunz is named rector by Father Michael Hoeppner, Diocesan Administrator. Fiftieth anniversary.
1999 – Bishop Bernard J. Harrington was installed in January as the 7th Bishop of Winona Diocese.
2002 – Father James Steffes is named rector by Bishop Bernard J. Harrington. This also marks the height of enrollment in over ten years at 62.
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