Current Seminarians
Meet the Seminarians from the Archdiocese of Omaha
The seminarians of the Archdiocese of Omaha exhibit a wide variety of interests, hobbies, and talents. They represent a diverse group of high school graduates, college transfers, college graduates, and occupational and professional workers. Download the poster or prayer card below to pray for our seminarians.
Zachary Eischeid
Theology IV
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Matthew Pohlman
Theology IV
North American College
Thomas Matya
Pastoral Internship
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Nicholas Seier
Pastoral Internship
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Logan Hepp
Theology III
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Brian Hula
Theology III
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Will Targy
Theology III
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Michael Figura
Theology II
North American College
Steve Mahoney
Theology II
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Caleb Kosch
Theology I
St. Paul Seminary
Andrew Nigro
Pre-Theology I
St. Paul Seminary
Ryan Sheridan
Pre-Theology I
St. Paul Seminary
Seth Conrad
Pre-Theology II
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Brandon Hernandez
Propaedeutic Year – Theology
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Brian Johnson
College IV
St. John Vianney Seminary
Kyle Wozniak
College IV
St. John Vianney Seminary
Luke Capoun
College III
St. John Vianney Seminary
Thomas LaSala
College II
St. John Vianney Seminary
Ethan Menning
College II
St. John Vianney Seminary
Harrison Elhabbal
Propaedeutic Year
St. John Vianney Seminary
Luke Gunderson
Propaedeutic Year
St. John Vianney Seminary
Casey LaMotte
Propaedeutic Year
St. John Vianney Seminary
Learn About The Seminaries
St. John Vianney Seminary
St. Paul, MN
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
St. Louis, MO
North American College
Rome, Italy
St. Paul Seminary
St. Paul, MN
Stages of Priestly Formation
In order to become a Catholic priest, a man must fulfill three basic requirements: a college degree, 2 years of Philosophy study, and 4 years of Theology study. Some men enter seminary while still in college and so they attend College Seminary. Once they get a degree, they can transfer to Major Seminary. Because the demands of priesthood are so great, formation of future priests is rigorous. In addition to master’s-level academics, seminarians pray together at least twice a day, go to daily Mass, meet with their spiritual directors, and go to pastoral assignments at local parishes.
The Propaedeutic Stage (1-3 years)
Since formation is a lifelong journey, it is important to lay a solid foundation for this journey in the Propaedeutic Stage, especially in the human and spiritual dimensions. This is a non-academic stage which allows the seminarian to lay a foundation for a new way of life through prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation.
The Discipleship Stage (2 years)
In the Discipleship Stage there is a systematic and rigorous formation that has at its core the goal of growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the life of meditation, contemplation, philosophical study, and the training of one’s character in Christian virtue.
The Configuration Stage (4 years)
In this stage, the seminarian models his life on the self-donation of Jesus Christ, Shepherd and Servant, as he prepares more immediately for Holy Orders. Reception of Candidacy, and conferral of the ministries of lector and acolyte occurs during this stage, marking the progressive deepening of this self-configuration to Christ both liturgically and in catechesis, evangelization, and active service to the poor.
The Vocational Synthesis Stage (6 months – 1 year)
This stage is the period of formation between diaconal and priestly ordinations. Occurring upon the completion of formal seminary formation, it is intended as a time of integration and transition into one’s diocese. This stage is a gradual realization of the cleric’s responsibility for the care of souls while he resides full-time in a parish.