PHOTOS | Where Holy Priests Are Formed: St. John Vianney Seminary Open House Offers View Inside Growing Mission

The seminary's annual Open House showed donors and guests that formation is more than academics — it's about forging hearts fully given to Christ and his Church.

Tommy Myers, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Denver, leads visitors on a tour of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. (Photo by Grant Whitty)

By Grant Whitty

“The challenge is not to be ordained. The challenge is to form men who will live as holy priests. That is why we are here,” Father Ángel Pérez-López, rector of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary (SJV), said to a full room of benefactors during the seminary’s annual open house.

With faithful supporters of the seminary from across the archdiocese in attendance, the event was marked by several exciting improvements to the seminary campus, new leadership and the largest entering class of seminarians in the seminary's history. 

After a brief welcome address, attendees were divided into small tour groups, each led by seminarians. Groups viewed nearly every corner of the seminary, from construction sites to private chapels. 

The tour began with a walk-through of the nearly-completed Monsignor Glenn Recreation Center on the campus’ northeast corner. The building will feature a gymnasium, cardio and weight rooms, a locker room and an outdoor turf field for soccer and other activities. 

“The call to the priesthood is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received,” said Tommy Myers, a Denver seminarian studying at SJV, while leading his tour group. “And to have a seminary that supports our spiritual health and our physical health; that too is a real gift.”

That sentiment of gratitude and mission resonates beyond the seminary walls. For Paul Doherty, a parishioner at All Souls Parish in Englewood, supporting SJV has been a personal mission to support the Church.

“While I am not rich, I have been blessed in my life,” he said. “I feel I have a duty to give back, and what better way than to invest in our men. Our world needs strong men, strong priests.”

As groups moved from the new recreation center through the main seminary building, they had exclusive access to view the halls — and the recently renovated private oratory in the center column of the iconic bell tower of Christ the King Chapel — in which God is forming those future “strong priests.”

Father Angel Perez-Lopez celebrated Mass at the end of the annual Open House.

Dozens of seminary supporters from around the archdiocese gathered for the annual Open House.

Guests had the chance to see firsthand how St. John Vianney is forming men to become holy priests.

Tommy Myers, Denver seminarian, led guests around the campus.

On the tour, guests had a behind-the-scenes look at the various elements of Christ the King Chapel.

St. John Vianney Oratory, a private chapel at the seminary, is located within the iconic bell tower.

Denver seminarian Tommy Myers led guests on a tour of the near-complete recreation center.

Dozens of seminary supporters from around the archdiocese gathered for the annual Open House.

Father Angel Perez-Lopez, seminary rector, welcomed guests and supporters to the seminary.

Guests received a tour of the near-complete recreation center.

(Photos by Grant Whitty)

Finally, the tours moved downstairs into Christ the King Chapel, where they were given a detailed explanation of nearly every artistic detail of the space, from the beautiful stained glass windows to the various saint statues, from the side altars to the subtle design elements. 

The tours ended in the chapel before Mass, when more seminarians joined the night’s festivities, the black and white of their cassocks and surplices filling the pews. Father Pérez-López celebrated the Mass alongside two deacon-seminarians and many priest-formators. In his homily, he encouraged those present to embrace Gospel humility, becoming small like the mustard seed and giving God the credit for all movements of one’s life.

Following Mass, all gathered back in the seminary refectory for a reception and an address from the new rector.

“This year we have the largest class of seminarians in recent memory … and I have been around here a long time,” quipped Father Pérez-López, who has been a familiar face at SJV for nearly two decades. “We are pleased to share that we have ninety-six men in formation this year.”

In addition to the record number of new archdiocesan seminarians this year, more than 900 men were nominated in the archdiocese’s recent Called By Name campaign as individuals who could make good, holy, happy priests. Nearly 100 of them attended a recent “Come and See” retreat at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary to begin priestly discernment.

To support these men, especially once they enter seminary, the archdiocese has assembled a committed team of priests, religious, deacons and laity. Among them are newly welcomed Father Julius Lule and Father Jorge Jesus Lopez. These new priests join a devoted team of individuals accompanying seminarians as they discern God’s will for their lives and move through the Holy Father’s 2017 formation directives, which continue to be implemented in seminaries across the country and world.

Here in the Archdiocese of Denver, the success of the mission is seen as dependent on the holiness of the Church’s priests. Thanks to the support of the many generous benefactors gathered for the annual seminary open house, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is able to form men in holiness and service — a mission with eternal impact.

“Holy priests are an anchor for the success of the mission of the Archdiocese of Denver,” said Andrew Castillo, archdiocesan director of mission advancement. “They are necessary so that in Jesus Christ all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father.” 

It is at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary that these anchors are forged in holy fire to become the holy men of God that the Church of Northern Colorado needs in the years to come.