June 2026 Newsletter

Priestly Ordinations

Congratulations to Mundelein Seminary’s 32 Deacons from 14 dioceses on their ordinations to the priesthood.

Diaconate Ordinations

Congratulations to Mundelein Seminary’s 26 seminarians from 17 dioceses on their ordinations to the diaconate.

Mark Your Calendar for June 15

On June 15, 1925, 101 years ago, the first seminarians were ordained as priests from Mundelein Seminary.  This year, on June 15th, you have the power to ignite the next generation of these spiritual leaders. For 24 hours, our community will unite for our annual Giving Day with one clear, urgent mission: Fuel the Faith.

Join us on June 15th to Fuel the Faith and keep this mission growing!

This year, USML priests will minister to more than 11 million Catholics in the US alone! Add to that the growing number of deacons and lay ministers from USML/Mundelein in our 12-graduate degree and 7 certificate programs, and 101 years later, we are still going strong!

This is your opportunity to spark a wave of transformation across the nation.

This June 15^th we also have a special matching gift opportunity—details coming soon.

Mark your calendar, pray for our mission, and get ready to Fuel the Faith!

https://usml.edu/fuel-the-faith/

New USML Video

Discover how the University of Saint Mary of the Lake is equipping faithful Catholic lay leaders and priests to serve alongside each other in parishes, schools, dioceses, and ministries throughout our communities. Watch our new video and see how lives are being transformed by our graduates.

Mundelein Seminary hosted the 33rd Annual Celebration of Mundelein, an evening of honor, community, and support, on Wednesday, May 27, at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort.

Learn more about this year’s event and view photos by visiting our website: www.usml.edu/2026-celebration-of-mundelein/

New Issue Coming Soon

Living in the Light of Christ, Seeing through the Eyes of Hope

Read articles on Bethlehem University, the virtue of hope, the eucharistic form of priestly life, & marriage in the upcoming issue of Chicago Studies.

Experience the mission firsthand and see the powerful stories of transformation made possible by your generosity.



New issue of Chicago Studies coming soon on our website.

Sign up to be notified via email when new Chicago Studies volumes are published by clicking here.

A Quigley Alumni Mass and Reception

On Thursday, May 21, alumni of Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary—North and South gathered for a special Mass, elebrated by Fr. John Kartje, Rector/President of Mundelein Seminary, and a reception for a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and reminisce with former classmates.

View the photos by clicking here.

Lilly Thriving Congregations Grant Retreat

The University of Saint Mary of the Lake’s School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization (SPLE) will host its Lilly Endowment Thriving Congregations Grant Conference on June 13, bringing together more than 60 parish and school faith formation leaders from across the Archdiocese of Chicago who have participated in the grant’s Learning Communities and Catechetical Leadership for Renewal Project. The retreat will celebrate a year of prayerful discernment, collaboration, and formation focused on evangelization, synodality, and catechetical renewal. Participants will hear from keynote speaker Deacon Matt Halbach and reflect on the future of faith formation in the Church. Representatives of the Office of Lifelong Formation and the Office of Catholic Schools will discuss how they are working collaboratively with the SPLE in the formation of catechists and catechetical leaders. Rev. Miguel A. Martinez-Figueroa will share comments on his participation in the Walking Together synodality program for the ongoing formation of priests and preside at the closing liturgy. The day will be highlighted by a brief presentation by Cardinal Blase Cupich, who will address attendees and offer encouragement for the ongoing work of fostering synodality and catechetical renewal throughout the Archdiocese.

Come & See and Open House Events

Explore where faith and mission meet. Join us for an upcoming Come & See or Open House event at the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization and discover programs designed to form leaders for today’s Church.

Learn more and view upcoming events by clicking here.

Rev. Juan Carlos Vargas Meets the Holy Father

Mundelein Seminary alumnus Rev. Juan Carlos Vargas (’24), Associate Pastor at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and Vocation Promoter for the Archdiocese of Chicago, recently participated in a private audience with Pope Leo during a Chicago delegation visit to Rome.

Fr. Vargas shared words of gratitude for the Holy Father’s witness to the Gospel and asked for prayers for his parish, its ministry to those in need, and for an increase in priestly vocations. He described Pope Leo’s warmth, humility, and personal connection to Chicago as a blessing he will carry for a lifetime.

We are proud of Fr. Vargas and grateful for his faithful service to the Church. Please join us in praying for him, Pope Leo, and all those discerning God’s call.

Fr. Kartje and Experts Welcome New Encyclical on AI

In a recent Chicago Catholic feature on the Vatican’s new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, our Rector/President, Very Rev. John Kartje, shared that our human limitations aren’t flaws—they are intrinsic to our nature and our relationship with God, setting us apart from any machine.

Read the full article at Chicago Catholic: https://bit.ly/4vsLxyy.

Special Display

The University of Saint Mary of the Lake began with a charter in Chicago in 1844 and has grown into the vibrant campus we know today. Now, a historical display at the McEssy Theological Resource Center shares this story, welcoming students, alumni, and friends to discover the legacy that shapes our mission.

Library Corner

Have you visited the library lately? Beyond our collections of books and journals, we invite you to explore our museum, which showcases treasures from the history of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Cardinal Mundelein’s personal collection, and significant artifacts from Catholic history.

Whether you are interested in history, faith, or the remarkable legacy of our institution, there is always something new to discover. To arrange a visit and learn more about our exhibits, please contact us at AskALibrarian@usml.edu.

Did you know that alumni have access to our library? To learn more, click here, and for help, send an email to: AskALibrarian@usml.edu

Online Short Course

Liturgy and the Domestic Church

How can we bring our faith into the everyday moments with our families? Register for our online short course, “Liturgy and the Domestic Church,” where we’ll explore how to deepen our family’s unique connection to the Church’s liturgical life.

Explore this online short course by clicking here.

Rector Reflections

Alumni Updates