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New partnership marks a groundbreaking model for priestly formation in the American Southwest

PHOENIX, A.Z. — The arid landscape of the Desert Southwest has long been known for its sun-scorched terrain and sparse vegetation. But in a place where little grows, something remarkable is taking root. For decades, the Diocese of Phoenix—one of the largest and fastest-growing dioceses in the United States—lacked a seminary of its own. Now, thanks to a visionary partnership between the diocese and the University of Mary’s Mary College at ASU (Arizona State University), the Church in the Southwest is cultivating something extraordinary: Nazareth Seminary, a revolutionary approach to priestly formation that is already drawing national attention.

A Historic and Providential Partnership

The University of Mary, widely respected for its robust Catholic identity and commitment to authentic, faith-filled education, has been present in the Valley of the Sun for more than a decade. Since 2012, Mary College at ASU has provided students with a deep and faithful Catholic education in the heart of one of America’s largest public universities. This long-established presence laid the groundwork for what is now a groundbreaking collaboration in the formation of future priests.

With the establishment of Nazareth Seminary, the Diocese of Phoenix has entrusted the University of Mary with the academic formation of its seminarians. All undergraduate seminarians will pursue degrees in Catholic Studies and Philosophy from the University of Mary, while graduate-level coursework, including a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theology, is set to launch in 2026. The ordination class of 2030 and beyond is already being formed, with 27 seminarians currently enrolled at Mary College at ASU, including 10 who are set to receive their undergraduate degrees at the conclusion of the Spring 2026 semester.

This partnership is not merely a logistical arrangement—it is the fulfillment of a providential plan. When the Diocese of Phoenix began discerning the possibility of opening its own seminary, it found that the infrastructure, faculty, and academic excellence it needed were already in place at Mary College at ASU. God had been preparing the soil for this moment for more than a decade.

“The University of Mary was already thriving in its mission at ASU, and the diocese recognized the strength and fidelity of our academic programs,” said Scott Lefor, director of Mary College at ASU. “Once the seminary was announced, all that was needed was a small expansion of faculty. Everything else—the curriculum, the community, the Catholic formation—was already established.”

Nazareth Seminary: A Distinctive Model for Priestly Formation

What sets Nazareth Seminary apart is its household model of formation, an innovative approach that integrates seminarians into the life of local parishes rather than isolating them in a centralized institution. The goal is to immerse future priests in real-world ministry throughout their years of study, allowing them to form deeper connections with the faithful they will one day serve.

“This is a profound shift from the traditional seminary structure,” explained Father Paul Sullivan, rector of Nazareth Seminary. Seminarians often spend eight years in a formation setting that can feel somewhat removed from parish life, which can leave them facing ministry with limited direct experience. At Nazareth Seminary, we are changing that by forming our men within the communities where they will one day serve. There is no greater way to truly know a seminarian than by living with him and sharing a kitchen, fridge, house jobs, gym and backyard—along with having dinner with him every night and noticing all that goes on among seminarians, authority figures, and the faithful. In the past, some of our seminary arrangements would allow for too little interaction between our seminarians and priests who are serving in parishes day to day. In other settings, we simply were not getting to know our seminarians well enough prior to being asked to stand up on ordination day and testify that we truly ‘know them to be worthy.’ I hope that the household model can someday be a greater part in the Church's formation.”

The Nazareth Seminary house model structures formation into distinct stages:

• Propaedeutic Stage (Years 1-2): Freshman and sophomore seminarians complete general studies while immersed in an intentional community life.
• Spirituality Year (Year 3): Seminarians relocate to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale for focused spiritual formation.
• Discipleship Stage (Years 4-5): Upperclassmen return to full-time academics at Mary College at ASU, majoring in Catholic Studies and Philosophy while living in parish-based seminarian houses.
• Configuration and Vocational Synthesis Stages (Graduate Level): Seminarians enter advanced theology studies and remain integrated in pastoral life, living in smaller fraternity-based houses attached to local parishes.

Each seminarian house is overseen by at least two priests serving in parish ministry and as House Fathers, priests who serve both as in a pastoral role at the parish and as mentors to the seminarians. This arrangement not only provides a deeply personal formation experience but also fosters strong relationships between seminarians and the communities they serve.

A Seminary with National Implications

While Nazareth Seminary was founded to serve the Diocese of Phoenix, its implications reach far beyond Arizona. With no other seminary in the American Southwest, Nazareth is positioned to become a hub for seminarian formation throughout the region. Already, other dioceses and religious orders are inquiring about sending their seminarians to this dynamic new institution.

“The more I reflect on this model, the more I believe it could be a tremendous revolution for priestly formation in the Church,” said Fr. Sullivan. “This approach allows dioceses to truly know their men before ordination, and it gives seminarians a level of pastoral engagement that was previously unheard of.”

Lefor agrees. “The Church is responding to the signs of the times,” he said. “Seminarians today need a formation experience that meets them where they are, strengthens their interior freedom, and integrates them fully into the life of the Church before ordination. Nazareth Seminary is doing exactly that.”

Why the University of Mary?

The Diocese of Phoenix could have looked elsewhere for an academic partner, but under the leadership of President Monsignor James Shea, it was the University of Mary’s unwavering commitment to Catholic truth and excellence that made this partnership the clear choice.

“The University of Mary is one of the most respected Catholic institutions in the country,” said Fr. Sullivan. “We needed a partner that could provide an academically rigorous and authentically Catholic education. The fact that Mary College at ASU was already in place was a gift of Providence.”

Since its founding, the University of Mary has been a leader in Catholic higher education, faithfully upholding the teachings of the Church while equipping students to engage the modern world with clarity and conviction. At Mary College at ASU, this mission takes on a special significance, as it brings vibrant Catholic education to the heart of a major public university with more than 65,000 students.

“Catholic identity is not an afterthought at the University of Mary,” Lefor emphasized. “It’s the foundation of everything we do. And that’s exactly what the Church needs in forming its future priests.”

A Future of Growth and Grace

As Nazareth Seminary takes root, its leaders are already looking ahead to the future. With a growing number of seminarians, an expanding faculty, and increasing interest from other dioceses, the seminary is poised for lasting impact.

“The first fruits of this partnership will be seen in just a few years, but I believe its greatest impact is still to come,” said Lefor. “The Holy Spirit is at work here, and I have no doubt that what is beginning in Phoenix will bear fruit far beyond what we can imagine.”

For a region that has long lacked a seminary, the desert is beginning to bloom. And with Nazareth Seminary, the Church is not only raising up new priests but also pioneering a new and transformative approach to priestly formation—one that is grounded in tradition, shaped by community, and built to last.

To learn more about Mary College at ASU visit their webpage at .

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at www.umary.edu or  , or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and universities in the US.

SWAG��Ƶ the University of Mary: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the University of Mary offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the University of Mary welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers over 60 bachelor’s, 15 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 19-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) conferences. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.