Coastal Mississippi, October 17, 2023 -- On October 28 and 29, 2023, St. Augustine Seminary (199 Seminary Drive, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi) will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of its founding as the first in America specifically established for the ordination of African American men to the Priesthood.  

“We are extremely excited to share the historical significance of what the Divine Word Missionary's St. Augustine Seminary has achieved in its first 100 years,” says Cary Trapani, Centennial Celebration Chair.” 

The free weekend kicks off Saturday at noon with many family-friendly events to mark the occasion including live entertainment by the St. Rose de Lima Gospel Choir, Men's Ensemble, and other gospel, jazz, and spiritual musicians from Louisiana and Mississippi. There will be historical exhibits in the Chapel. Visitors can also tour the grounds and Lourdes Grotto. Multiple food trucks will provide Q with table seating under the oaks where visitors can enjoy live music.  

On Sunday at 8:45 a.m., visitors are invited to participate in a procession from St. Rose De Lima Catholic Church (301 South Necaise Avenue, Bay St. Louis) to the historic chapel at St. Augustine Seminary to commemorate the first procession held in 1923. At 10:00 a.m. Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D. Emeritus, one of the priests to be ordained at St. Augustine in 1967, will celebrate High Mass under the oaks on the seminary grounds.  The homily will be delivered by the Very Reverend Budi Paulus Kleden, S.V.D Superior General of the Society of the Divine Word. 

“St. Augustine Seminary is one of the three pillars, including St. Rose De Lima and the 100 Men Hall, that provided a foundation for the Black community in Bay St. Louis,” said Rachel Dangermond, Director of 100 Men Hall. “The education of priests of color, along with nuns who educated the children, gave rise to a remarkable wealth of talent, artistry, and community here that is noteworthy.” 

Founded in 1923 by the Society of Divine Word Missionaries, St. Augustine Seminary operated until 1967 when it became the Society's Novitiate and a Catholic High School. In 1982 the school was closed and in 1992 the Novitiate relocated to Iowa. The Seminary now serves as a retreat center for the Southern Province of the SDW. 

Historian Cyprian Davis O.S.B. wrote of the historical and cultural importance of St. Augustine Seminary saying, “Certainly the establishment of a seminary for African American students by the members of the Society of the Divine Word was one of the most important events in the history of black Catholics during the first part of the twentieth century.” (Davis O.S.B. “Black Catholics in the United States” Herder & Herder 1990). 

“The historical and cultural importance of landmarks like St. Augustine Seminary cannot be understated,” said Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism. “We invite and welcome visitors to come to our destination to learn and experience the rich heritage of our region.” 

For more information about St. Augustine Seminary's 100th Anniversary, or to start planning your Fall getaway in Coastal Mississippi, visit our website at CoastalMississippi.com.  

### 

Coastal Mississippi is an organization charged with promoting South Mississippi as a tourism and convention destination worldwide. Its mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure, convention, sports, and business visitors to the area. It is dedicated to maximizing the travel and tourism industry in South Mississippi.