Holy Apostles College and Seminary: A Beacon of Catholic Education

Holy Apostles College and Seminary, located in Cromwell, Connecticut, stands as a testament to faithful Catholic higher education accessible to all. Inspired and guided by the missionary charism of the Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (MSA), as well as by the founder and co-founder of the MSA, Fr. Eusebe Menard O.F.M. and Mr. This institution has a rich history of forming Catholic leaders for the Church and the world. With a commitment to academic rigor and spiritual formation, Holy Apostles offers a range of programs both on-campus and online, serving a diverse student body from around the globe.

Founding and Early Years

Holy Apostles was founded in 1956 on a 40-acre property in Cromwell, Connecticut, by Franciscan priest Eusèbe M. Ménard. Initially, the institution was established to provide a program of education and formation for men intending to enter the Catholic priesthood. It began as a college-level, preparatory seminary, which Ménard entrusted to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles.

Eusebe Menard, a Quebecer born on January 6, 1916, in East Broughton, Beauce County, was christened Henri. His early education took place in his village, and he later pursued theological studies, being ordained a priest in the Fall of 1941. The foundation of Holy Apostles was significantly aided by Hector Durand, an important Montreal contractor and businessman, who offered financial support to Father Menard's vision. Durand's faith and generosity were instrumental in realizing the work of Holy Apostles.

Evolution and Expansion

In 1972, facing declining enrollment, Holy Apostles began admitting non-seminarians, including women. This marked a significant shift in the institution's mission, broadening its reach and impact. In 1977, it added a Master of Divinity program, becoming a major as well as a minor seminary.

The college continued to expand its offerings, partnering with International Catholic University in 1998 to launch online graduate programs, including a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Arts in Philosophy. Recognizing the growing need for online undergraduate programs, Holy Apostles added undergraduate-level courses to its online programming in 2012. In 2011, Holy Apostles established a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies program, which became available online in 2013.

Academic Focus and Curriculum

Holy Apostles places a heavy emphasis on the academic disciplines of philosophy and theology within the context of the Catholic honors liberal arts curriculum. Half of the undergraduate courses are part of the required core, including a distribution of courses in theology, philosophy, English, and history.

The institution offers Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts programs, as well as the "Take Credit!" program. The Bachelor of Arts in History in the Social Studies (BA in History) program is available both on campus and 100% online and is a 120-credit Undergraduate degree. Students desiring to double major need to complete at least 30 credits in each of any two of the areas, with 9 of those credits in upper-level coursework (300 or above) within each major. The A.A. degree program may be completed in as quickly as 3 years. However, there is a 6-year time limit from entry into the program for completion of the degree requirements.

Online Programs and Accessibility

Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a pioneer in faithful, affordable, and flexible online education, offering fully online undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology, philosophy, pastoral studies, sacred art, and more. Its online Master of Divinity in the New Evangelization is among the first of its kind, specifically designed for lay leaders. The college’s year-round online campus provides flexibility for any schedule.

At Holy Apostles, they believe that a debt-free graduate is a gift to the Church and strives to make a quality education accessible. You can complete your degree any time, anywhere.

Spiritual Life and Formation

The institution fosters a vibrant spiritual life, with daily Mass at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Chapel. Students also have the option of participating in Mass and other spiritual activities, including perpetual adoration, at our nearby parish neighbor, St. John Church in Cromwell.

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The seminary has a strong commitment to the pro-life cause. The Student Life League at Holy Apostles is undoubtedly one of the most active in the world: Every month it sponsors lunch meetings that focus on the dissemination of pro-life information in the greater community. Every Saturday morning it holds two prayer vigils at the Hartford abortion mill. In addition, the student league publishes and distributes four newsletters per year, provides a large section of the seminary library with pro-life resources, sponsors periodic devotions like the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplets for pro-life intentions, and organizes the annual trip to Washington D.C for the March for Life. Currently it is trying to raise money to complete a Tomb of the Unborn and Scriptural Stations of the Cross, having already secured the necessary permissions. The seminary also sponsors a full-year of pro-life field ministry coordinated by Sr.

Campus and Facilities

The campus of Holy Apostles is located in the beautiful, lush hills of the Connecticut River Valley. Its campus is made up of small, charming buildings, which accentuate the simple, familial lifestyle of its occupants. The property itself is situated on a bluff above the Connecticut River. It is bucolic and relatively beautiful. It is said that it was here that in 1771 John Adams said that Middletown “was the most beautiful town of all.”

The oldest building here was built around 1750 and still survives. Around the time of Adams’ supposed visit and exultation, the house was owned by one Captain James Riley - the aforementioned “great underappreciated characters in Connecticut history.” Riley was a young sea captain who was shipwrecked with his crew off the coast of Africa. They were taken and sold into slavery. Riley’s account of this adventure, Sufferings in Africa, became a best seller. Abraham Lincoln cited it as a major influence. It is called the Ebenezer Beckwith Octagon and was built in 1854 along with a matching octagonal barn.

To meet the needs of Holy Apostles’s growing student population, a new chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, was built by Sullivan Brothers, LLC of Wolcott, CT, and dedicated in 2010.

Accreditation and Recognition

Holy Apostles College and Seminary is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the Connecticut Office of Higher Education (CTOHE), and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This accreditation underscores the institution's commitment to academic excellence and adherence to rigorous standards.

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Notable Alumni

Holy Apostles College & Seminary alumni comprise an exceptional list of internationally recognized leaders and experts in the areas of apologetics, theology, parish ministry, philosophy, and the new evangelization.

Some notable alumni include:

Rev. John Antonelle
Rev. Richard Breton
Rev. Joseph De Costa
Deacon Octavio Flores
Rev. Martin Jones
Deacon Ben Locasto
Rev. Michael Phillippino
Fr. Dan Valente, MSA
Fr. Matt Fradd, Catholic author and podcast host of Pints with Aquinas
Sean Forrest, motivational speaker and founder of Haiti180
Very Rev. Chris Alar, MIC, Providential Superior of the Marian Fathers
Rev. Wade Menezes, CPM, EWTN host and contributing writer
Rev. Daniel Reehil, VF, Pastor and exorcist for the Diocese of Nashville
Mother Adela Galindo, SCTJM, Foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Alumnus Trent Horn, Catholic Answers apologist and best-selling author, said, “My time at Holy Apostles gave me access to abundant resources that I still use in my podcasts and books to defend the Catholic faith. It also helped me understand new and exciting areas of thought in various fields of Catholic philosophy. Both philosophy and critical thinking are crucial to my defense of the faith, so I wanted to grow in that field and become a better apologist."

Leadership and Mission

In 2019, Peter S. Five of the members of its board of directors are from the founding religious order, the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles.

Holy Apostles College and Seminary (HACS) is inspired and guided by the missionary charism of its sponsor, the Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (MSA), as well as by the founder and co-founder of the MSA, Fr. Eusebe Menard O.F.M. and Mr.

The institution places heavy emphasis on the academic disciplines of philosophy and theology in the context of the Catholic honors liberal arts curriculum.

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