Saint Dominic Savio Scholarship and the Servants of the Holy Family Minor Seminary Program

The Saint Dominic Savio Scholarship was established by Servants of the Holy Family to provide the means for a minor seminarian of our religious community to receive a traditional Catholic high school education at home by using an accredited program designed for that purpose.  The scholarship is named in honor of Saint Dominic Savio who belonged to Saint John Bosco’s Salesians and was pursuing studies for the priesthood when God called him to heaven at 15.  His story can be read here.

The minor seminary consists of the first six years of the traditional seminary training for young men aged fourteen to twenty.  The minor seminary studies include four years of high school and two years of college level liberal arts.  We are endorsed by Catholic bishops worldwide who support the traditional Latin Mass.

The following words of Pope Pius XII demonstrate the importance of Minor Seminaries:

“Sound studies are not always the only benefit to be drawn from minor seminaries, nor is this the main reason for their existence. Sound Christian pedagogy confirmed by long centuries of experience teaches that true personality, strong virtue, and profound convictions are not formed in a haphazard manner.

“Life is too short, the years of adolescence and of youth are too delicate not to be in pressing need of guidance and protection. The young man who has at heart to become a priest, must ripen in the climate most favorable to a lucid choice. The education of his still fragile will requires prudence and respect.

“He will therefore find in the minor seminaries greatly experienced and solicitous counselors and teachers who will guide his step, stimulate his intelligence, develop his generosity and the feeling of his responsibility in the proper functioning of the seminary.

“If minor seminaries are so useful and beneficial, it is because their institution is based on a precise knowledge of the needs of the adolescent and Christian youth. Families can therefore rely on the wisdom of the Church to judge one’s aptitude for the priesthood and the means best suited to prepare for it.”

In addition to the standard high school curriculum as referenced above, our minor seminarians will be asked to participate (either live or recorded) in community exercises by using our website’s (Servi.org) live stream feature. Included are the following: daily Mass, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Hour, Rosary, Spiritual Conferences, classes in Christian Doctrine, Stations of the Cross, Solemn/High Masses, Sermons, etc.

We will be assisting him with his spiritual life which will include spiritual reading, instruction in prayer (especially liturgical and mental) and practice of good works (spiritual and corporal works of mercy).

With the guidance of our priests, your son will be able to live the Seminary life as has been done throughout the centuries in Minor Seminaries.

See these links for more information on the priesthood and vocations.

Parents may access our information sheet describing the Minor Seminary program

Those interested in applying for our online minor seminary program may contact us for an application or any questions:

Reverend Director of Vocations, 8528 Kenosha Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908; Phone number 719-985-4129; email [email protected]