St. Patrick’s Seminary & University maintains as its primary purpose the initial and ongoing formation of Roman Catholic priests in a contemporary multicultural world, especially for dioceses within the Western United States and the Pacific Rim. Through human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral development, it enables Christ-centered men to grow and excel as collaborative, culturally-aware pastoral leaders committed to Jesus and His Church.
This mission of priestly formation is carried out according to the Church’s magisterial teaching, under the direction of the Archbishop of San Francisco, in accordance with the U.S. Bishops’ Program of Priestly Formation and in the values of the Sulpician tradition.
St. Patrick's Seminary & University is located in Menlo Park, California, where it prepares men for priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church.
St. Patrick's Seminary & University was founded on a vision over a hundred years ago. Throughout its history it has been staffed by the priests of the Society of Saint Sulpice and by others who share their vision of priestly formation. St. Patrick's Seminary & University has prepared more than 2,000 priests who have served the people of God in the western United States and Pacific Rim.
Through the guidance of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, in association with its other sponsoring Bishops, St. Patrick's Seminary & University provides a program of priestly formation that emphasizes preparing seminarians for pastoral service in parishes and other diocesan ministries. Religious communities also enroll candidates for education and training.
St. Patrick's Seminary & University is fully accredited as a graduate educational institution by the Association of Theological Schools, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome.
St. Patrick's Seminary & University requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college. Those applicants who do not possess the necessary background in religious studies and philosophy will be considered for the Pre-Theology Program, in preparation for entrance into the M.Div. Program.