Theological College (Catholic University of America)

In 1889, priests belonging to the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice were asked to administer the divinity college of the Catholic University of America. In 1917, they began building their own seminary next to the university. The Sulpician Seminary was first run as an extension of Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, but became an independent institution in 1924. In 1940, the Catholic University school of theology assumed responsibility for training its seminarians, whereupon the seminary was renamed Theological College. ==Sulpician tradition==

The formation program of Theological College is guided by the principles and ethos of the Sulpician Fathers as articulated by Father Jean-Jacques Olier, founder of the Society of St. Sulpice: “to live supremely for God in Christ Jesus our Lord, so much so that the inner life of His only Son should penetrate to the inmost depths of our heart and to such an extent that everyone should be able to say ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.'” Founded to reform the clergy in 1630s France, the Society retains its commitment of “developing men of character, educating effective priests, forming pastoral leaders and nurturing an apostolic spirit.” The Society's five hallmarks are a commitment to ministerial priesthood, the cultivation of an apostolic spirit, an emphasis on spiritual formation, the creation of a formational community, and the exercise of collegiality. This approach gives special emphasis and recognition to the importance of mental prayer and spiritual direction. Particular devotion to Our Lady under the title Sedes Sapientiae, Seat of Wisdom, is another distinctive characteristic. ==Academic programs==

The Order of Saint-Sulpice focuses on training priests through its seminaries. ==Rectors==

The eighteenth and current rector of Theological College is the Reverend Gladstone Stevens, PSS, Ph.D., who assumed this position in August 2023. He succeeded Reverend Dominic Ciriaco, PSS, who served as rector from 2020 to 2023. The current vice-rector is Reverend Chris Arockiaraj, PSS, M.S., S.T.B., Ph.L., Ph.D., D. Min., The faculty includes seven priests, six of whom are Sulpicians who are appointed by the Sulpician Provincial Council. The position of rector must be approved by both the president of the Catholic University and the archbishop of Washington. ==Notable alumni==

Theological College is the alma mater of over 1,500 priests, including 45 bishops and six cardinals. These include: • Cardinal Joseph Bernardin • Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke (B.A., 1970; M.A., 1971) • Cardinal Daniel DiNardo (B.A., M.A.) • Cardinal James Aloysius Hickey • Cardinal Humberto Sousa Medeiros • Cardinal Donald Wuerl (B.A., 1962; M.A., 1963) • Archbishop Philip Hannan (M.A.) • Bishop Robert Barron • Bishop Martin Holley • Bishop William Clifford Newman • Bishop Michael Fors Olson (B.A., 1988; M.A., 1989) • Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski • Monsignor Stephen Joseph Rossetti • Monsignor John F. Wippel (B.A., 1955; M.A., 1956) • Father Raymond E. Brown, S.S. (B.A., 1948; M.A. 1949) ==References==