Founded in 1642 by Father Jean-Jacques Olier, a disciple of Vincent de Paul and Charles de Condren, the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice is a society of apostolic life in the Catholic Church named for the Church of Saint Sulpice in Paris, France, which was itself named for Sulpitius the Pious. The foundations of the religious society were laid at the seminary at Vaugirard, although Olier soon moved his operations to Paris, where he became the parish priest at the Church of Saint Sulpice, where the Society is still headquartered. Priests can become members of the Society of Priests of Saint Sulpice only after ordination and some years of pastoral work, as the chief purpose of the Society is the education of priests. Many of its early members were in the upper class, as Sulpicians did not take vows of poverty, retaining ownership of personal property, and were free to retain their wealth. Sulpicians place great emphasis on the academic and spiritual formation of their own members. The Society soon spread from France to Canada, the United States, Vietnam, French Africa, and other countries. Sulpicians played a significant role in the founding of Montreal, Canada, where they worked at missionary activities, training priests, and establishing the Saint Sulpice Seminary. They were also active in the evangelization of Native people in Canada and the United States. The Sulpicians established the first Catholic institution for the training of the clergy in the United States in 1791, that being Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, as well as other schools. Its rapid expansion into Canada and the United States was in part spurred by the French Revolution, which made things difficult for them in France, as the Sulpicians to take the oath demanded by French officials, although their activities have since resumed. Today, the Society is organized into three provinces, operating in three countries: France, Canada, and the United States.
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St. Joseph is a Roman Catholic seminary for men in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Beginning as a rectory in 1894, the seminary opened officially in 1927, and has been operated by the Priests of Saint Sulpice since 1990. Its history, vocations, seminary formation, and its formation team are highlighted, along with schedules, a list of current seminarians, and announcements.
http://www.stjoseph-seminary.com/
Saint Joseph’s College began as part of Saint Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California in 1898, educating candidates for the Catholic priesthood in a 12-year seminary program, moving to Mountain View and opening as a separate school in 1924, where its program included four years of high school, plus two years of college, and it was placed under the direction of the Sulpician Fathers. It closed after being damaged by an earthquake in 1989.
http://www.saintjosephscollege.org/
Saint Mary’s Seminary & University
Founded by the Society of Saint Sulpice in 1791, the Baltimore, Maryland seminary offers training for candidates for the Roman Catholic priesthood, while its Ecumenical Institute encourages people of all denominations to explore theological studies, and its Center for Continuing Formation offers programs for priests and bishops. Its programs, schedules, library, and history are put forth.
http://www.stmarys.edu/
Society of the Priests of Saint-Sulpice, Province of Canada
The origins and activities of the Sulpicians is set forth here, including a history and profile of the Canadian Province, its services, pastoral institutions, publications, and job postings. Its membership policies and specifications are defined, with information about how a priest can become a Sulpician. Donations may be made through the site, and a private members area is included.
http://www.sulpc.org/
The Sulpicians, Province of the US
The Society of Saint Sulpice began in France in 1641, coming to the United States in 1791, opening what would become Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. Its international and United States history are put forth, along with an overview of its mission today, membership information and an introduction to its members. Other resources include a newsletter and a private member section.
http://www.sulpicians.org/
TC, the national seminary of the Catholic University of America was formed in 1917 as Sulpician Seminary, a mission seminary of Saint Mary’s in Washington, DC. and established as Catholic University and the Sulpician Seminary in 1923, and the university seminary of the Catholic University of America in 1937. Its history, mission, formation faculty, and an overview of the Sulpician formation process is set forth.
http://www.theologicalcollege.org/
