Saint Joseph Seminary College
Saint Joseph Seminary College (St. Ben or St. Ben's) is a private Roman Catholic seminary in Covington, Louisiana. Founded in 1891,[1] it is operated by the Benedictine Monks of Saint Joseph Abbey and the dioceses of the ecclesiastical provinces of New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.
 | |
| Type | Seminary |
|---|---|
| Established | 1891 |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Endowment | Private |
| President | Very Rev. Gregory Boquet, O.S.B. |
Academic staff | 43 |
| Students | 150 |
| Location | , , United States 30.5267°N 90.1115°W |
| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | White, navy blue |
| Nickname | St. Ben's |
| Mascot | The Ravens |
| Website | sjasc |
Academics
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in philosophy in either liberal arts or religious studies to men seeking eventual ordination as priests in the Roman Catholic Church. The college also has a two-year pre-theology program for students who have already attained a college degree. After attending Saint Joseph Seminary College, seminarians wishing to continue priestly studies will attend a graduate seminary. In the past, Saint Joseph Seminary College has also offered degrees with majors in psychology, history, and English.
Bonfire football game
There is also the tradition of a flag football game, called Bonfire, between St. Ben's and the graduate seminary of New Orleans, Notre Dame. This tradition has gone on for well over 70 years. The annual game takes place in a field on the vast property of the Abbey the Friday before Thanksgiving. The students at St. Ben's spend weeks building a massive bonfire out of the downed trees on the surrounding forests owned by the Abbey. After the game, the two seminaries join together to share in fellowship and traditional Louisiana foods around the bonfire.
Notable alumni
- Jules Jeanmard, first bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana
- Bernard Francis Law, cardinal and archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts
- John Clement Favalora, archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Miami, Florida
- Joseph Nunzio Latino, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi
- Ronald Paul Herzog, current bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana
- Robert William Muench, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Glen John Provost, current bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Gregory Michael Aymond, current archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana
- Shelton Joseph Fabre, current bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
