On Friday, July 15, Saint Francis Seminary kicked off its celebration of 150 years on South Lake Drive and honors the 4,000 men and women who have joined the ranks of Catholic leaders in southeastern Wisconsin.

The Seminary anniversary began with an outdoor alumni picnic, that also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Saint Francis Seminary Alumni/ae Association. The event opened with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Dolan and included walking tours of the Seminary grounds, 3257 S. Lake Dr. in St. Francis. The event commemorated the laying of the Henni Hall cornerstone 150 years ago, making Saint Francis Seminary the oldest U.S. seminary operating on its original site. Fifty years later, alumni formed the Salesianum, an association of alumni and alumnae of Saint Francis Seminary.

“For more than 150 years graduates of the Seminary have baptized our babies, confirmed our youth, witnessed our marriages and taught us to love and live the gospel,” said Very Rev. Michael Witczak, rector of Saint Francis Seminary. “The need for well-formed leaders is underscored by the worldwide shortage of priests and Catholic lay leaders.”

The Seminary celebrates its 150th anniversary following a 33 percent increase in student enrollment during the 2004-2005 school year -- the largest enrollment surge in recent history.

“The future is bright. The need is great. We must be effective stewards of the gifts God has given us to prepare men and women to minister in His Church,” said Archbishop Timothy Dolan. “The seminary is a great gift. It has always risen effectively to meet the challenges posed by the needs of the Church.”

Founded in 1845, Saint Francis Seminary prepares priests, deacon, and lay ministers for Church leadership.