Mater Dei Seminary is a traditional Catholic seminary founded for the formation of seminarian students in preparation for their ordination to the holy priesthood. Established in 1984, and originally located at Mt. St. Michael in Spokane, Washington, Mater Dei Seminary was relocated in Omaha, Nebraska in 1989. In the fall of 2019, a new property for the seminary was acquired. Situated on ten acres of land and with housing for up to 20 seminarians, the seminary is located out in the country and provides a wonderful retreat atmosphere. It operates under the auspices of the Most Rev. Mark A. Pivarunas, CMRI, and the Religious Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen (CMRI).

The aim of the seminary is to form, not only learned priests, but good and holy priests. As our seminary is uniquely dedicated to the Mother of God (Mater Dei), True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin and Total Consecration as formulated by St. Louis De Montfort is strongly recommended and encouraged for our seminarians. Just like the Eternal High Priest was formed in the womb of Our Blessed Mother, so we ask Her to form each priest of today to be truly an “alter Christus” and to continue the mission of the Church.  In this difficult time for Holy Mother Church, we need the heavenly protection of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God to guard us from all the assaults of Satan.

In the past the question has been raised why the seminary was named “Mater Dei”, Mother of God. The first and foremost reason for this title is that Our Divine Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest, spent thirty years in the company of His Blessed Mother. In this loving and sacred association, the Blessed Virgin Mary was so intimately connected with Him. In the seminary, as seminarians prepare to become “other Christs” through priestly ordination, they, too, in imitation of Christ, are in the “hidden life.” As they pray and study and work on their formation, who better than the Blessed Virgin Mother of God knows how to help form and prepare their souls to become living images of her Divine Son?

This is the spiritual doctrine of St. Louis De Montfort, who quotes St. Augustine that the faithful during their earthly life are: “…in this world hidden in the womb of the most holy Virgin, where they are guarded, nourished, brought up and made to grow by the good Mother until She has brought them forth…”. It  is to her care and protection that we commend these young men aspiring after the priesthood. She will assist them during the years of seminary training to develop into worthy priests.

We ask you to please keep in your prayers the spiritual success of our seminary and to pray to Mary, the Mother of God, for our seminarians- our future priests! Thank you for your prayers, sacrifices and support!  God bless you!