Dear Friends,

It is a distinct privilege for me to welcome you to The American College web site and I hope that if you have not already passed through The College’s actual great green gate on Louvain’s historic Naamsestraat that soon enough you will be privileged to do so as a visitor or a new resident of our 150-year-old institution.

As you may know, The American College has been the American bishops’ seminary in Louvain since 1857. Throughout the decades, our College has sent back to the dioceses of North America hundreds of zealous, wise and pastorally sensitive priests. The formation of future priests for the local churches of North America continues to be our foremost mission as we enter the Third Millennium. Nevertheless we also now take great pride in our further mission of welcoming priests, religious and laity to join our community in sabbatical and graduate study programs and thus extend the blessings of study in the Catholic University of Louvain to even more people for the benefit of the Church.

The Catholic University of Louvain has been serving the Church in its mission of academic excellence since 1425 especially in the areas of theology, philosophy and canon law. We are proud to be associated with her and to share in this extraordinary institution’s commitment to excellence under the protection of Our Lady, Sedes Sapientiae, The Seat of Wisdom.

Sincerely in Christ,

Reverend Monsignor Ross A. Shecterle, STL, PhD
Rector-President