In response to the dangers posed by the coronavirus, Holy Trinity Seminary has suspended residency at the seminary until further notice.  This means that all the seminarians have moved out of the seminary and have returned to their home dioceses.  Given the very close quarters under which we live within the seminary buildings, including the sharing of toilets and showers, maintaining the six feet distance from each other is not a viable option for protection.  Furthermore, if a seminarian were to be a carrier of the virus or come down with the virus, again because of the very close living quarters we share, the likelihood of it spreading quickly throughout the house is very high, and a general quarantine could strain our food and housekeeping and ordinary supplies which we do not stockpile.

We want to stress that the seminary program of priestly formation has not been suspended, just residency, that is, doing formation here and all together. 

An off-site formation program will be in place in about a week’s time allowing the men to continue their formation, even if in a different than normal setting.  Their academic courses will continue at the University of Dallas through distance-learning.  Their human, spiritual, and pastoral formation will continue through the seminary’s off-site formation program.  Even those in counseling can continue through secure video counseling.

All seminary events to which you are welcomed are canceled, including Sunday Masses and our traditional Living Stations on Palm Sunday.

Be assured that all of us are joining with you in praying for those directly affected – whether medically by the virus or emotionally or financially because of the virus.  Please keep us in prayer as we enter this new phase of off-site priestly formation.