MTSM Welcomes Four New Seminarians from Diocese of Charlotte

Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology (MTSM) is proud to welcome four more seminarians from the Diocese of Charlotte next semester. The Diocese of Charlotte is currently the largest sending diocese for MTSM and will have 20 men studying here starting in January 2022.

Rev. Matthew Kauth, Rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, and Rev. Christopher Gober, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Charlotte, recently visited MTSM and spent time with the seminarians from the Diocese of Charlotte as well as our resident priest faculty and leadership team.

“It was wonderful to visit [MTSM] and spend time with the men from our diocese who are studying here,” said Fr. Kauth. “They are thriving in their environment and are receiving the formation we envisioned.”

Fr. Kauth shared that the Diocese of Charlotte has been blessed over the past five years with an increase of vocations to the priesthood. The Diocese of Charlotte selected MTSM for the next phase of discernment and formation because “their approach to formation is so similar to ours.”

“We wanted the transition to be as seamless as possible,” Fr. Kauth explained. “By sending our students to study at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, we’ve been able to maintain the continuity of our vision.”

Last year, 12 men formed at MTSM from four dioceses and one order, were ordained as priests. This year, 16 seminarians are in their final year of formation at MTSM and two of them, Deacons Darren Balkey and Aaron Huber, will be the first formed at MTSM from the Diocese of Charlotte to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Currently, MTSM has nearly 90 men enrolled in the Seminary from eight different dioceses and one order including the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Archdiocese of Louisville, Diocese of Charlotte, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Diocese of Toledo, Diocese of Tulsa and Fathers of Mercy.

MTSM is the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s graduate-level Catholic Seminary and School of Theology. Founded in 1829, MTSM provides preparation for ordination to the priesthood and permanent diaconate as part of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. In addition, our School of Theology offers classes for graduate and certificate programs for laity, clergy and religious.

For additional information about MTSM, please contact advancement@athenaeum.edu or 513-231-2223.