Despite a nationwide decline in the number of men pursuing the priesthood, the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul started the current academic year with its largest enrollment in a decade: 100. The number “exceeded all of our goals,” said Father Joseph Taphorn, the seminary’s rector and vice president. 

When Father Taphorn joined the seminary about five years ago, enrollment was at 70. The seminary has seen steady growth and, at 100 men, is “almost at capacity,” Father Taphorn said. “We could fit in a few more, but we’re feeling really good,” he said. Father Taphorn recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show producer Kayla Mayer to discuss the seminary’s enrollment growth and formation.  

The seminary serves 15 dioceses and one religious order, with the largest group — about one-third — from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Having a large number of seminarians from this diocese is one reason behind the increasing number, Father Taphorn said. “The local Church is very strong, and it’s just super edifying to see so many young men desire to enter the seminary and explore vocation and take that question seriously,” he said. A second reason is that other bishops in the region “are sensing good things are happening and are happy to have their men be a part of a good seminary,” he said. 

Another factor contributing to The St. Paul Seminary’s reputation is its “strong emphasis on human formation,” a dimension articulated by St. John Paull II 35 years ago, Father Taphorn said. And beyond “a strong culture of fraternity, a solid academic program and “good spiritual formation,” Father Taphorn said “I just think we have … the makings of all the ingredients, and you put that together and I think just with people being generous and open, especially to the Holy Spirit, it’s really turned into a beautiful place.” 

To learn more about the seminary, visit SaintPaulSeminary.org and follow the organization on social media, which Father Taphorn said is an awesome way to share “great stories.” And get to know the people “who are going to be serving our Church,” he said. 

To hear more of the interview with Father Taphorn, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. Nov. 3 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. Nov. 4 and 2 p.m. Nov. 5.  

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Christina Krutza, staff member at St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park and a co-presenter of the Called & Gifted charism discernment process; and Pro Ecclesia Sancta Sisters Julieta Del Carpio and Maddy Elking, who discuss their vocation and the mission and spirituality of their religious order. 

Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.