Ordinations May 2023
Pictures from the priestly ordinations (May 11, 2023), ordinations to the minor orders (May 9, 2023), and the First Solemn High Masses of the newly ordained priests. See photo album HERE.
Holy Week 2023
Pictures from the Holy Week Ceremonies held at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church with the assistance of the seminarians. See photo album HERE.
Academic Year 2022-2023
This photo album contains photos from miscellaneous events that took place at the seminary during 2022-2023. See photo album HERE.
Academic Year 2021-2022
This album contains photos from miscellaneous events that took place at the seminary during 2021-2022. See photo album HERE.
Ordinations December 2020
On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, 2020, three new priests were ordained to the holy priesthood; Fr. Carlos Zepeda, Fr. Josef Weissenstier, and Fr. Denis McGuire. See photo album HERE.
Ordinations December 2019
On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, 2019, we had the joyful occasion of the ordination of three new priests and one new deacon at Mater Dei Seminary; Fr. Joseph Pham, Fr. Michael Sellner, Fr. Joseph Appelhanz, & Rev. Mr. Carlos Zepeda. 22 priests were in attendance at the Pontifical High Mass. The new priests had their First Solemn High Masses in the days following. See photo album HERE.
Seminary Construction/ Community Life
In the fall of 2019, a new property for the seminary was acquired out near Persia, Iowa. 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 for our seminarians. There were several projects lined up such as the construction of a new seminary chapel, classroom, and walk-in freezer. Please see the photo album HERE for some pictures of these projects and of community life in general.
Corpus Christi 2019
On the feast of Corpus Christi, we had a Solemn High Mass followed by a procession with the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. See photo album HERE.
Ordinations May 2019
On May 11th, 2019, the feast of Sts. Philip and James, Rev. Mr. Michael Sellner and Rev. Mr. Joseph Appelhanz were ordained to the diaconate at Mary Immaculate Church in Omaha, NE. In addition, Joseph Pham, Josef Weissensteiner, Carlos Zepeda, and Denis McGuire were ordained to the subdiaconate. See photo album HERE.
Holy Week Ceremonies 2019
The beautiful Holy Week ceremonies were carried out at MICC with the assistance of the seminarians. They assisted at the Masses and liturgical ceremonies for Palm Sunday, the chanting of Tenebrae, Holy Thursday Mass of the Chrism & Mass of the Last Supper, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. See photo album HERE.
Ordinations December 2018:
On December 12th, 2018, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fr. Tien Le, Fr. Jeremy Saunders and Fr. Stephen Sandquist were ordained to the holy priesthood by His Excellency, Bishop Martin Davila at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. In addition to priestly ordinations, Rev. Mr. Joseph Appelhanz & Rev. Mr. Michael Sellner were ordained to the subdiaconate; Denis McGuire received the minor orders of Exorcist & Acolyte; Frater Aloysius Hartman, CMRI & Joseph Pham received the first two minor orders of Porter & Lector. Click HERE to see pictures of the ceremonies.
Ordinations May 2018:
On May 3, the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, 12 of our seminarians advanced to Tonsure, Minor Orders, Diaconate, & Priesthood. Frater Aloysius Hartman, CMRI (Arizona) & Joseph Pham (Vietnam) received First Clerical Tonsure; Denis McGuire (Connecticut) & Carlos Zepeda (Mexico) were ordained to the first two minor orders of porter & lector; Michael Sellner (Minnesota), Joseph Appelhanz (Colorado), Josef Weissensteiner (Austria), & Fray Juan Alberto O.M. Carm. (Mexico) were ordained to the last two minor orders of exorcist & acolyte; Rev. Mr. Stephen Sandquist (Nebraska), Rev. Mr. Tien Le (California), & Rev. Mr. Jeremy Saunders (Canada) were ordained to the diaconate; and finally, Fr. Philip Marie Davis, CMRI (Colorado) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood. Click HERE to see pictures of the ceremonies.
Ordinations December 2017:
Ordinations to the major and minor orders took place on Dec. 12th, 2017. Mr. Michael Sellner from Minnesota, and Mr. Joseph Appelhanz from Colorado received the minor orders of Porter and Lector. Mr. Tien Lee from California, Mr. Jeremy Saunders from Canada, and Mr. Stephen Sandquist from Nebraska received the major order of Subdiaconate. Frater Philip Davis from Colorado received the major order of Diaconate and Fra. Augustine Walz from Wisconsin was ordained to the holy priesthood! Click HERE to see pictures of the ordinations.
Ordinations May 2017
On May 11, the Feast of Sts. Philip and James, 3 seminarians received First Clerical Tonsure (Michael Sellner—Minnesota, Carlos Zepeda—Guadalajara, Joseph Appelhanz—Colorado); 4 other seminarians received the last two minor orders of Exorcist and Acolyte (Tien Le—California, Jeremy Saunders—Canada, Stephen Sandquist—Nebraska, Bradley Parker—Australia); 1 received the Subdiaconate (Frater Philip Davis, CMRI—Colorado); and 3 were ordained to the Diaconate (Frater Augustine Walz, CMRI—Wisconsin, Fray Juan Jose del Nino Jesus—Guadalajara, Fray Pio de Jesus Crucificado—Guadalajara). Click HERE to see pictures of the ordinations.
Milites Christi Boys’ Camp
Every summer, the priests and seminarians of Mater Dei Seminary host a week long boys’ camp full of prayer, fun, and activities. Click HERE to see pictures of our camp.