Mater Dei Seminary is a traditional Catholic seminary dedicated to the formation of young men for the holy priesthood through academic, spiritual, and pastoral training. Established in 1984 at Mt. St. Michael in Spokane, Washington, the seminary relocated to Omaha, Nebraska in 1989 to better fulfill its mission. In the fall of 2019, a new property was acquired, providing an ideal setting for priestly formation. Nestled on ten acres of peaceful countryside, the seminary offers housing for up to 20 seminarians and fosters a retreat- like atmosphere conducive to prayer, study, and spiritual growth. Mater Dei Seminary operates under the auspices of the Most Rev. Mark A. Pivarunas, CMRI, and the Religious Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen (CMRI).

At Mater Dei Seminary, the goal is not only to educate, but to form holy and virtuous priests. As the seminary is uniquely dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (Mater Dei), the seminarians are strongly encouraged to practice True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Total Consecration as taught by St. Louis De Montfort. Just as the Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, was formed in the womb of Our Blessed Mother, so too do we entrust the formation of our seminarians to Our Lady’s maternal care, that they may become truly an “alter Christus” (another Christ) and faithfully continue the mission of the Church. In this challenging time for Holy Mother Church, we rely on the heavenly protection of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God to shield them from the assaults of the enemy.

The name Mater Dei Seminary was chosen for a profound reason. Our Divine Lord, the Eternal High Priest, spent thirty years in the company of His Blessed Mother, preparing for His public ministry under her loving guidance. Likewise, seminarians, in their years of formation, live a “hidden life” of prayer, study, and spiritual formation before their priestly ordination. Who better than the Mother of God to guide, nurture, and form them into worthy and faithful priests- living images of her Divine Son?

This truth is beautifully expressed in the spiritual doctrine of St. Louis De Montfort, who citing St. Augustine, teaches 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, confident that she will shape them into faithful priests, devoted to the service of God and His Church. She will assist them during the years of seminary training to develop into worthy priests.

We humbly ask for your prayers and support for the spiritual success of our seminary and for the perseverance of our seminarians- our future priests! Thank you for your continued prayers, sacrifices and generosity.  God bless you!