HSS History

The need for a seminary in Canada had long been discussed by the Ukrainian Catholic Hierarchy of Canada. Before the establishment of Holy Spirit Seminary, candidates attended various Roman Catholic seminaries in Canada including Saint Paul Seminary (Ottawa), Saint Basil's College (Toronto), Saint Augustine's Seminary (Toronto), Saint Peter's Seminary (Toronto), and Saint Joseph's Seminary (Edmonton) while others attended Saint Josaphat's Seminary and Saint Sofia College in Rome. Whereas the Basilian and Redemptorist Orders had their own scholasticates, there was no place of preparation for eparchial priests.

Holy Spirit Seminary was established here in Ottawa, Ontario in 1980. The former Basilian scholasticate at 520 Queen Elizabeth Driveway served as its first location. Very Rev. Joseph Andrijisyn was appointed Rector and in September 1981 the Seminary began receiving its first students. Seminarians studied philosophy at Ottawa University and theology at Saint Paul University. By 1983 the Seminary building became too small to accommodate all the students and an additional house at 72 Craig Street was purchased. When the Basilian Fathers made it known that they intended to sell the scholasticate building, the Seminary was relocated to its present location at 1030 Baseline Road, the former Augustinian Monastery.

In 1993, with his appointment as Moderator of the Patriarchal Tribunal in Lviv, Ukraine, Rev. Joseph Andrijisyn was succeeded as Rector by Rev. Andrew Wach of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg (1993-1996). He was, in turn, succeeded in 1996 by Rev. David Motiuk of the Eparchy of Edmonton (1996-2001). In 2001, V. Rev. Ken Novakowski of the Eparchy of Saskatoon (2001-2007 ) became the Rector. Our current Rector is Rev. Andrei Kachur of the Eparchy of Saskatoon (2007- ).

Since the erection of Holy Spirit Seminary in 1981, over 100 candidates have received all or part of their priestly formation in Ottawa; more than 30 have been ordained to the priesthood and now serve in various parishes across Canada.

1030 Baseline Road - Ottawa, Ontario - K2C 0A6
Telephone: (613) 727-1255 - Facsimile: (613) 727-1573 - E-mail: admin@hsseminary.org