Founded in 1845, and built on this site in 1855, because a bishop was inspired to make this place holy. Built by hundreds of workers, immigrants, priests and seminarians, brick by brick. Built for the formation of priests for the faithful, for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Built because of Christ, by Christ, for Christ.
Reverend Luke N. Strand
Very Reverend John D. Hemsing
On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Excellency Jerome E. Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee, appointed Reverend Luke N. Strand as the 20th rector of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, effective June 2022.
The Very Reverend John D. Hemsing, current rector, will be completing his term in June and has asked to return to parish ministry. Father Hemsing has led the Seminary during a period of significant growth and has been a decisive leader and generous spiritual father for over a decade.
Father Strand, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has served as vocation director for 10 years, and concurrently as vice rector of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary for the past five years.
In making the announcement, Archbishop Listecki stated, “This is a very positive time for the Seminary. Father Hemsing has devoted over 10 years of his priestly life to developing one of the greatest seminaries in the country. He passes the reins to Father Strand, who is experienced and prepared to continue the remarkable legacy of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary.”
Please keep Father Hemsing, Father Strand, our seminarians, and the entire Saint Francis de Sales Seminary community in prayer. Please pray also for an increase in diocesan priestly vocations in the Province of Wisconsin.
We are grateful to the priests who came to the Salesianum on January 21, and the benefactors who came on January 23, to celebrate the feast of St. Francis de Sales.
Congratulations to the 12 men who were instituted into the Ministry of Acolyte on November 13!
Thank you to the record crowd who made this a very special event!
James Cardinal Harvey talks about his alma mater.
An inspiring new video exploring the gift of the priesthood through the words of St. John Vianney.
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