Vianney Visit Weekend
If you are a high school through college-age man who has not completed undergraduate studies (up to age 24) and have ever considered the priesthood, you might be wondering about your next steps.
You are not alone.
The priests and seminarians at Saint John Vianney College Seminary invite you to take a closer look at seminary life. Beginning on Thursday afternoon and concluding Saturday morning, a Vianney Visit offers an ideal look into our spiritual, intellectual, and fraternal life.
There is nothing like visiting SJV yourself. You will hear testimonies from current seminarians, attend spiritual conferences with SJV priests, pray with the community, and tour the University of St. Thomas.
You will also have the option to meet individually with the rector or priests on staff. And, you won’t leave without having some fun! Don't forget to bring:
- Business casual clothes for Holy Mass.
- Gym clothes for open gym.
- A sleeping bag and pillow if you are not traveling by air.
- An open mind and an open heart.
Be Not Afraid
Vianney Visits alleviated my fears of discernment and made me realize I could thrive in seminary. Attending a Vianney Visit was one of my best experiences in high school. I encourage all young men to consider attending as an encounter with the radically Christ-centered life SJV offers is inspiring and necessary today. -Jeffrey D. '24
Come and See
Vianney Visits are typically held the third weekend of November and February. The next Vianney Visits will be held November 19-21, 2026 and February 18-20, 2027.
Thursday
3:30 PM Registration Opens
Saturday
10:00 AM Depart
Young men discerning seminary life will stay overnight at SJV. There is no charge for a Vianney Visit weekend, and *all meals are provided.
*During normal food preparation at Saint John Vianney College Seminary, cooking utensils, equipment, and preparation areas are shared. As a result, SJV cannot guarantee that any food item is completely free of allergens (egg, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat). If you have a severe food allergy, we recommend that you bring your own food for your Vianney Visit weekend. Limited gluten-free food options are available at each meal. Men will eat some meals at the University of St. Thomas campus dining halls. Please visit their Dining Services page for more information.
To Register
Contact your Vocations Office first, and let them know you would like to attend the next Vianney Visit weekend. After speaking with your Vocations Office, you will fill out the Vianney Visit registration form. (The registration form for the 2026-27 academic year will be available in August.) Please note the registration guidelines for the fall and spring Vianney Visits:
November - For high school juniors through college-age men who have not completed undergraduate studies (up to age 24).
February - For high school sophomores through college-age men who have not completed undergraduate studies (up to age 24).
Private Guest Room Use
SJV has limited guest room space reserved for bishops, vocation directors, and clergy involved in official SJV seminary formation.
Other priests coming on official SJV business should work through their local Bishop's Office or Diocesan Vocation Director to contact Savannah Siegler, Executive Assistant to the Rector, at 651-358-3341.
Due to the seminary's formation and communal environment and our facilities, we are unable to host other guests overnight, but we are always happy to welcome guests for tours and prayer in our beautiful new chapel during normal office hours.
Other Prospective Seminarian Visits
We encourage prospective seminarians to attend our Fall or Spring Vianney Visit weekends which offer special events to highlight seminary life at SJV.
Outside of Vianney Visit weekends, we will evaluate requests based on the seminary calendar. All overnight visits of prospective seminarians should be coordinated through your diocesan Office of Vocations.
Hospitality toward guests is an important aspect of formation, and SJV seeks to promote vocations in every way, though SJV is primarily a formation environment for existing seminarians. Hosting prospective seminarians impacts our environment and involves a significant time commitment from the current seminarians who help host the visitors. Thank you for understanding our best efforts to accommodate guest requests within these limitations.