About IHM Seminary

Behold how good and how splendid it is where brothers dwell as one. - Psalm 133

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About IHM Seminary

Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHMS) is a Roman Catholic college seminary located amidst the natural beauty of the peaceful Mississippi river town of Winona, Minnesota. Building upon the rich two thousand year history of the Catholic Church and its Program of Priestly Formation, IHMS in conjunction with Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, progressively delivers first-class spiritual and academic resources. This program ingrains an outstanding foundation of prayer, Philosophy, and Theology in our men.

For over a half century the programs at IHMS have 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 Francis defines a seminary, IHMS is a place where one develops their vocation, gaining an in-depth understanding of the Gospel, Confession, the Eucharist, and prayer. Pope Francis also says, “We respond to this vocation in the same way as the Virgin Mary does to the angel: ‘How is this possible?’ becoming ‘good shepherds’ in the image of Jesus is something very great and we are so small. Yes, it is true, it is too great; but it is not our work! It is the work of the Holy Spirit, with our collaboration.”

A Sacred Mission

Flowing from its responsibility to build God’s Kingdom on Earth, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary nurtures and brings to maturity a man’s calling from God to the ministerial priesthood. IHMS strengthens and deepens the seminarian’s personal commitment to Jesus Christ with the highest quality programs of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. While supporting and encouraging the development of each man’s growth in virtue and natural gifts, IHMS strives to help the men discern and answer God’s call with hearts on fire!

A LETTER From the Rector

Greetings from the Rector,

Welcome to the website for Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary! 

Since 1948, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS) has been forming men for the priesthood of Jesus Christ and service to His Church.  We work with men in formation in the Propaedeutic and Discipleship stage of formation and seek to aide men to discern the will of the Lord in their lives.  Nestled in the bluffs of Winona in southeastern Minnesota and adjacent to St. Mary’s University, IHMS provides an atmosphere of prayer, study, and community life in which men explore the possibility that God might be calling them to follow Jesus as ordained priests.  In the course of their time here, they seek to develop both an interior sensitivity to the Lord’s promptings and a readiness to respond to those promptings.  The work of formation undertaken at IHMS is oriented toward the formation of the whole man as he grows in human freedom, spiritual depth, intellectual knowledge, and pastoral charity. 

Here on our website, you will find information about the program of formation; the history of IHMS; the process of becoming a seminarian; ways to support our work, and more.  I invite you to explore these materials at your leisure, and I thank you for your interest in the seminary and her mission.  May God in his great generosity favor you with an abundance of his blessings. 

Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres, fratres in unum!
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Ps 133:1

In Christ Jesus,

 

Fr. Kern

Fr. Jason Kern
Rector

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