University of Saint Mary of the Lake

University of
Saint Mary of the Lake

Former names	St. Mary's College St. Mary of the Lake Seminary
Type	Private Seminary
Established	1844
Religious affiliation	Roman Catholic
Chancellor	Blase J. Cupich
Rector	John Kartje
Postgraduates	250
Other students	400 (special programs)
Address	1000 East Maple Avenue Mundelein, IL 60060, Mundelein, Illinois, United States
Campus	Suburban 600 acres (242.8 ha)
Vice-rector	James Presta
Nickname	Lakers
Affiliations	Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS)
Website	usml.edu

Suburban

The University of Saint Mary of the Lake, also called Mundelein Seminary, is the principal seminary and school of theology for the formation of priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, governed from Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is recognized as the first institution of higher education in the City of Chicago. Chartered by the Illinois General Assembly in 1844, it has the longest continuous academic charter in the state of Illinois.

The largest major seminary (a seminary containing a graduate school of theology) in the United States, Mundelein Seminary serves 45 dioceses in eight different countries and was the first ecclesiastical faculty in the U.S.

In addition to the seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake offers the Lay Formation Program, Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral, Diaconate Formation Program, and the Liturgical Institute.

Chicago Studies is an academic journal for priests and others in parish ministry. It is edited by the university and seminary faculty along with priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Bishop William Quarter, the first Bishop of Chicago, oversaw the creation and early development of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake with the primary objective of ordaining priests to serve the growing diocese. After years in flourishing operation but growing financial burden, the university was forced to close in 1866.

Expressing a need for more priests, Archbishop George Mundelein was compelled to re-open the institution as Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary around 1921. In 1926, the seminary opened a new campus church, designed by Chicago architect Joseph W. McCarthy. The institution became known throughout the world in 1926 as a site for the International Eucharistic Congress.