How Much Does it Cost to Educate a Seminarian?
According to the Diocese of Marquette Vocations Office, the annual cost to educate a seminarian is about $350K - $450K over 6 to 8 years. This includes providing health insurance for the men, if needed, summer formation, the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF), and internships.
How Does the Diocese Support the Cost of Seminarian Education?
- UPCSA. The Upper Peninsula Catholic Services Appeal (UPCSA) is, by far, the primary source of funding for our seminarians' education.
- UPCF. Endowments of the Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation (UPCF).
- Catholic Extension grants.
- Fundraising from Yoopers for Seminarians (YFS).
The cost of educating a seminarian does not include the operating expenses of the vocations office.
How Many Men Are in Formation in the Diocese?
The Diocese of Marquette currently has nine men in formation, with three ordinations, God-willing, occurring in the spring of 2026. These include Dcns. Mark Beukema, Drew Langton, and Tyler Rivard. Having nine men in formation costs roughly $450,000 per year.
What Can I Do to Support Men in Formation?
Fr. Ben Hasse, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Marquette, says, “If you want to assist in the education of our seminarians, the first thing you should do is pray. The second thing you can do is give generously to UPCSA."
"To meet the immediate needs of seminarians and help young men hear the call, a gift to YFS is necessary. And for those wishing to make a long-term impact, donations to the UPCF Seminarian Endowment are meaningful. A permanent endowment of $1M would pay for the education of one seminarian in perpetuity," explains Hasse.
What's the Latest From Yoopers for Seminarians?
Yoopers for Seminarians has had a most fruitful year. While final numbers had not been tabulated by press time, gifts to YFS will be around $300,000 in 2025, more than doubling the original $150,000 goal. This is made possible in part by two generous gifts: one from a living donor and the other a heartfelt bequest from a parishioner’s will.
How to Donate Right Now
Thank you for your continued support of our seminarians.
I'll see you at the Married Couples Retreat next month (see details below)!
Megan O'Connor