The Pontifical North American College is a seminary for young men from the United States, nominated by their bishops for the Roman Catholic priesthood. It is also a home way from home for priests pursuing graduate degrees. A third component, The Institute For Continuing Theological Education, offers spiritual and theological renewal over a three-month period twice a year for priests ordained at least ten years.

Rome is a magnificent place to study for the priesthood. Our men continually witness the Holy Father in his role as brother priest and Bishop of Rome in service to the Church Universal. The seminarians’ studies are led by some of the finest Catholic scholars in the Church. 

As a house of formation, the College prepares the men to be servants of God after the heart and mind of Jesus. The spiritual and practical aspects of priestly life are blended with the studies of theology, philosophy, scripture, Church history, sacred liturgy, sacramental and other courses taken at historical Pontifical universities of Rome. Generally, our men attend either the Jesuit-run Gregorian University or the University of St. Thomas, staffed by the Dominicans.

Since its founding in 1859, the College has been an important link between the Heart of the Universal Church in Rome and the Catholic Church in the United States. Thousands of men have returned home to serve Catholic America as well as some from Canada and recently men from Australia have enrolled in the college. Most have become parish priests, the ministry for which they were formed, educated and ordained. Some have taught at seminaries and a few have served as rectors. Over time, the Church has called several hundred alumni to be bishops and a handful to be cardinals. In order to keep our tuition and fees affordable and compatible with seminaries in the United States, only a little more than 50% of our annual operating budget is able to come from tuition paid by a sponsoring seminarian's diocese.  This leaves a little less than 50% of the annual operating budget of the North American College which needs to come from other sources, namely from freely given contributions from the many faithful alumni and friends of the College.  Each year, we not only enjoy but also need your help!  There are no annual national collections from the North American College nor is the College supported directly by any Conference of Bishops.

Catholics in the United States and beyond can assure the College’s future by becoming Friends of the College. We welcome your support. We rely upon your support. We pray you will join the thousands of other Catholics who deem the College worthy of their financial support and their prayers.


Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
How to Contact Us: 

Mary Di Donato
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement
The Pontifical North American College
3211 4th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
202-541-5403 - phone
202-722-8804 - fax
mdidonato@pnac.org

Vision for the Future