"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
 2 Timothy 2:15

 Is God Calling You to the Priesthood?Our unique seminary prepares men and women answering the call to priesthood. +Ave Maria School of Divinity

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AUTHENTIC

Independent 

OLD CATHOLIC SEMINARY

est.  2010

 The Most Rev. Dr. David S. Moody

Academic Dean / Vice Presidient

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 (“The Old Catholic Marianists”), the Ave Maria School of Divinity was established.

The Most Reverend Doctor Robert F. Jangro, O.SS.T. (President of the Seminary) "opened the doors" and welcomed the seminary’s first student on October 15, 2010.

Ave Maria School of Divinity is the official Seminary of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos (O.SS.T.), and while the primary purpose of the School is to train, educate, and prepare candidates for ordination to Holy Orders as priests and deacons for service in O.SS.T., the doors are also open to those who merely wish to pursue theological studies for their own personal knowledge and edification.

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 School of Divinity:

- Non-residential study for mature male and female, 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 School of Divinity has two purposes - (1) to train clergy for The Old Catholic Marianists, and (2) to oversee the formal educational portion of the Order's Spiritual Formation Program. It is set up so that a man or woman, married or single, called to the priesthood or permanent dicaonate in the Old Catholic Tradition, may prepare for ministry without leaving his or her 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 School of Divinity is here.

Accreditation / Authorization:

Ave Maria School of Divinity 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 School of Divinity 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 School of Divinity is affiliated and underwritten by the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos.  The Presiding Archbishop / Abbot, in conjunction with the Ministerial Vocations Committee and the Abbot's Council, authorizes the Board to issue Theological Degrees to those students whom the Faculty and Dean have approved and recommended.

We offer religious/theological degrees at the Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate level.  The Seminary also awards the Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) honoris causa in recognition of distinguished service.

Training and Preparation:

O.SS.T. has established stringent educational guidelines to assure the quality of the theological education provided through Ave Maria  School of Divinity.   

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 in the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos 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 newly established Ave Maria School of Divinity, 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 School of Divinity, 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.

Financial Policy:

Ave Maria School of Divinity offers its degree training programs entirely on a tuition free, contribution basis. Our tuition free policy is maintained that all who qualify may receive seminary training second to none regardless of financial or geographic circumstances. Ave Maria is a proven work of faith and a labor of love to the body of Christ. The school is not endowed by any foundation, church group, or anyone. It is supported entirely by prayer, hard work, and contributions from its students and friends.

President's Message:

God seeks men and women trained in His Word who will proclaim it accurately and in spiritual power. Ave Maria prepares such men and women 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 Board 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 School of Divinity, I invite you to consider the educational advantages offered to you by our seminary. For you who qualifiy 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.

NOTE:  Because O.SS.T. is a monastic community, those seeking entry into any of our programs of study are encouraged to consider a vocation as either First Order Monks (Ascetics) or Third Order Regular (Tertiaries or Oblates), but as a minimum must be accepted as Third Order Secular (Companions or Associates) of the Order prior to submitting an application for enrollment.   

Additional Information: 

To find out more about ordination, incardination, or the Ave Maria School of Divinity program of study visit  Ordination/Incardination

Take the First Step...Contact Us:

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 School of Divinity, 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.

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