Our Mission
The Saint John Paul II Society hopes to break down financial barriers and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and to ensure the vibrancy and vitality of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Spokane.
Our Vision
The Saint John Paul II Society will provide a source of funding to ensure that young men who are accepted to the priestly formation program will have partial or full relief from the costs of residency at Bishop White Seminary or a Pre-Theology Program. It will also provide financial relief in the event their uncovered tuition presents a hardship to them or their families. In addition, it will provide funding to ensure young men and women have the opportunity to attend Quo Vadis Days or Vocare at little or no cost.
OUR PATRON SAINT
John Paul II
Karol J. Wojtyla’s own life is the best evidence for the truth of his famous maxim. Born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland he survived the Nazi occupation, secretly studying for the priesthood at an underground seminary by night while toiling in a rock quarry by day, and later saw his country brought under the yoke of the Soviet Union. This double brush with totalitarianism left a deep mark on the man who would become Pope John Paul II – yet it never broke his spirit. He remained a charismatic figure with a deep love of arts and culture – a true man of the people.
READ MORE
The world looks to the priest, because it looks to Jesus! No one can see Christ; but everyone sees the priest, and through him they wish to catch a glimpse of the Lord! Immense is the grandeur of the Lord! Immense is the grandeur and dignity of the priest!
Priestly Formation
The cost of forming priests is significant and rising. Yet it is vital that the Church has the best priests possible. In his initial years of formation, each seminarian must attain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy while pursuing a rigorous formation program at an approved seminary. The cost of this education (tuition, room, and board) is shared between Gonzaga University, the Diocese of Spokane, and the individual seminarian.
The Saint John Paul II Society provides need-based scholarships to help seminarians pay for Room and Board and Tuition expenses.