Affiliation with the Gregorian University
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary has an affiliation with the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. This affiliation allows seminarians to earn the Sacred Theology Bachelor’s degree (S.T.B.) during their studies at Kenrick.
The S.T.B is an ecclesiastical academic degree. It provides the foundation for further ecclesiastical studies in the licentiate or doctoral programs offered by Pontifical Universities throughout the world.
In addition, the S.T.B is a substantial savings of time, energy, and money. Before the affiliation, a graduate of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary who was sent to pursue further studies in Rome would have to attain this degree before beginning his licentiate and doctoral studies. This process would ordinarily cost the man a year and cost his diocese about $50,000, not to mention the loss of his priestly presence in the parish for that year. Graduates from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary now have the ability of directly entering into advanced studies.
Yet the S.T.B does something more: it enables the new priest to cohesively tie all the various areas of theology, history, and canon law into his pastoral ministry. The work required to earn the S.T.B helps the priest to think and to reflect on theological and pastoral issues in a more cohesive way. This will bear fruit in the parish in the way a priest provides spiritual direction, constructs his homilies, and teaches the faith to his parishioners.
