Target My Donation
Priests & Seminarians
"I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently."
– JEREMIAH 3:15
Priest & Semiarian Funds
Target your donation to support the priests and seminarians of the Diocese of Lafayette.
Diocesan Seminarian Endowment & Burses
Supporting Future Shepherds
The Diocese of Lafayette is blessed with men answering God’s call to the priesthood. However, the financial burden of seminary education is significant. The Seminarian Endowment & Burses within it ensure that financial concerns never stand in the way of a vocation.
Generous donors to the Burse Program ensure that the Diocese of Lafayette, through its association with the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana, can cover the cost of seminarian education now and in the future. The Foundation ensures the growth of endowed giving within the Diocese of Lafayette.
Active use of the burse system with the Foundation is advantageous because the more you add to the principal of the Seminary Endowment through a burse donation, the more interest the Endowment will generate to defray the rising costs of seminarian formation for the diocese.
"Seminary formation was like medical school, but for the soul. This education and formation would not have been possible without the generosity of burse donors."
— Fr. Connor Poirrier
What is the Diocesan Seminarian Endowment & Burses?
A seminarian burse is a named fund within the Seminarian Endowment that supports the education of future priests. The term burse comes from the Latin word for "purse,” symbolizing a dedicated fund that continually provides for seminarian education.
Burses are named in honor or memory of individuals, families, or organizations. The principal is invested, and only the interest generated is used to support seminarians, ensuring a Forever Faithful legacy. Once a burse reaches completion, it is closed to future contributions and continues generating funds in perpetuity.
Why Support the Diocesan Seminarian Endowment & Burses?
- Fulfilling Christ’s Call — Your generosity helps provide the Church with future priests to administer the sacraments and shepherd the faithful.
- Perpetual Impact — Burse donations remain intact forever, with only the investment earnings used to support seminarians.
- Building the Future of the Church
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Supporting seminarians ensures that future generations have access to faithful Catholic leadership.
How it Works
Establishing a New Burse
A new burse can be established with an initial gift of $1,000. Once the burse reaches $15,000 (Founders’ Burse) or $36,000 (Shepherd’s Burse), it becomes perpetual, with the principal preserved and earnings used to support seminarians.
To start a burse, contact the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana at 337-261-5642 or mtrahan@CLFAinc.org.
Contribute to an Existing Burse
You may also contribute to an incomplete burse or support the St. John Vianney Perpetual Burse, which remains open indefinitely.
Founders’ Burses – Established before 2021, these burses honor the foresight of Bishop Jules Jeanmard and Reverend Monsignor John Vigliero. They are considered complete at $15,000, the cost of seminary formation in 1919. More than 100 Founders’ Burses remain incomplete and are open to donations of any amount.
Shepherd’s Burses – Introduced in 2021 to reflect the increasing cost of seminary education, these burses reach completion at $36,000, which covers one year of seminary tuition and expenses.
St. John Vianney Perpetual Burse – Established in 2021 and named after St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, this perpetual burse supports seminarian education for generations to come. The St. John Vianney Perpetual Burse burse serves as a perpetual safety net for the future, ensuring seminarian education remains supported as costs continue to rise. Contributions of any amount are welcome indefinitely.
Planned Giving & Memorial Gifts
Planned Giving – A burse can be funded through a will, charitable gift annuity, IRA beneficiary designation, or other planned giving vehicle.
Memorial & Honorary Giving – Honor a loved one by establishing or contributing to a burse in their name, ensuring their legacy supports priestly vocations for generations.
Contribute to an Incomplete Founders' Burse
Over 100 Founders’ Burses are incomplete and eagerly accepting donations of any amount.
Contributions may be made payable to the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana and mailed to 1408 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501 or you may click here to make a credit card gift.
While contributions to existing Founders’ Burses are most welcome, new Founders’ Burses may no longer be created. Shepherd’s Burses, however, are available if you are looking to start something new.
With your investment in an incomplete Founders’ Burse, you can offer a clear commitment to the future of the Catholic community and the Church in our beloved Acadiana.
Please join your fellow Catholics in supporting those who will be serving you, your children and your grandchildren in the practice of the Catholic faith.
Start or Contribute to a Shepherd's Burse
Honor the memory of a special priest or family member by establishing a Shepherd's Burse with their name to help fund the formation of future priests.
In acknowledgment of 21st century educational costs, a new category of burses was created in 2021 called Shepherd’s Burses. These will be considered complete when they reach $36,000 which reflects the majority of costs for educating one seminarian for one year.
A minimum of a $1,000 donation will be needed to establish a new named Shepherd’s Burse through the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana. Thereafter contributions of any amount can be added to a named Shepherd’s Burse.
Contact Foundation Executive Director Margaret Trahan at mtrahan@CLFAinc.org or call 337-261-5642 to start a new Shepherd’s Burse or to make a contribution to an existing Shepherd’s Burse.
Donations should be made payable to the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana.
Contribute to the St. John Vianney Perpetual Burse
Named after the patron saint for priests, the St. John Vianney Perpetual Burse was created in 2021. It will remain open and available to accept contributions of any amount indefinitely. As costs for seminarian education continue to rise, this burse acts as a safety net for the future.
You can help to ensure God's blessing for generations to come by supporting seminarian education through the St. John Vianney Perpetual Burse.
Contributions may be made payable to the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana and mailed to 1408 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501 or you may click here to make a credit card gift.
Give to a Burse Through Your Will
Depending on the anticipated amount of your gift, you can invest in existing burses of your choice or create a newly named burse.
In your will, include the following: Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana (Tax ID # 99-4679427) for the benefit of (name of burse or endowment).
Call the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana at 337-261-5642 for more information.
Examples in Action
- A family contributes to the St. John Vianney Burse providing perpetual support for seminarians.
- A parish community raises funds to establish a new Shepherd’s Burse named in honor of their beloved pastor.
- An individual includes a Founders’ Burse in her name in her estate plan, leaving a legacy of faith and generosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Burse?
Burse is a Medieval Latin word which means "purse."
Burses are part of the diocesan Seminary Endowment that provides financial support for seminarians' livelihood and education until they become ordained as priests, a path that can take up to eight years to complete.
A burse is set up as an endowment. Only the dividend and interest earned on the principal amount can be used. The balance of the dividends and interest helps to pay for seminary tuition, educational fees, books, room and board, and retreats.
How and why did the burse system become established in the Diocese of Lafayette?
Like medical school, the intense high quality years of seminarian formation is for good reason but comes with a large price tag. Through the foresight of Bishop Jules Jeanmard and Monsignor John Vigilero, burses (the “named” portion of the Seminary Endowment) were begun over a century ago to remove any financial barriers for priestly vocations. In 1919, the full cost for seminarian formation was $15,000. Hence Founders’ Burses were considered “complete” when they accumulated $15,000 in donations. Burses established after 2020 are complete at $36,000 which represents one year of seminarian education. These higher level burses are called Shepherd’s Burses.
What does it cost to educate a seminarian?
Today, costs for all 8 years of seminarian education for one individual total almost $300,000. Since our priests receive only a modest salary after ordination, it is imperative that the diocese be able to provide financial assistance to educate our future priests. With 20 to 30 seminarians enrolled in a given time period, these burses are an important part of the Seminary Endowment which ensures the future of the legacy of faith in Acadiana.
How does a burse work?
A seminarian burse is a perpetual fund where the principal remains intact, and only the annual earnings are used to support seminarian education, ensuring long-term impact.
How much is required to establish a burse?
A new burse can be created with an initial gift of $1,000. It becomes perpetual once it reaches $15,000 (Founders’) or $36,000 (Shepherd’s).
Can I contribute to an incomplete burse?
Yes! Donations of any amount are welcome and help an unfinished burse reach its perpetual status
Can a burse be named in honor or memory of someone?
Absolutely. Naming a burse after a loved one, parish, school, or faith-based organization is a meaningful way to create a lasting legacy of faith and support.
Are burse contributions tax-deductible?
Yes, donations to burses are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Consult your tax advisor for guidance.
Can I include a burse in my estate plans?
Yes. A planned gift allows you to support future seminarians through your will, trust, or other estate plans.
Who can establish a burse?
Anyone—individuals, families, parishes, schools, or organizations—can create a named burse.
Can I donate to an existing burse?
Yes, contributions of any amount are accepted to help complete an unfinished burse or grow the St. John Vianney Perpetual Burse, which remains open to ongoing contributions.
What happens when a burse is completed?
Once a burse reaches $15,000 (Founders’) or $36,000 (Shepherd’s), it is closed to future contributions and remains a perpetual source of seminarian support.
What are the tax benefits of supporting a burse?
Burse contributions may qualify for tax deductions and offer additional financial planning benefits. Consult your financial advisor for details.
How do I start a new burse?
To establish a burse, contact the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana at 337-261-5642 or mtrahan@CLFAinc.org.
Are burses endowed funds?
The money donated to the Seminary Endowment by way of the burse system remains untouched principal. Only interest and dividends from the trust are used to pay for the annual cost of seminarian formation which makes it a gift that keeps on giving.
How is the Diocese covering the cost of seminarian education at present?
Currently interest and dividends from the Seminary Endowment, including burses and proceeds from the Centennial Campaign, pays 60% of this expense. The Bishop’s Services Appeal largely covers the remainder of seminarian formation costs. Growing these combined funding sources will allow the Diocese to better absorb future cost increases for seminarian education.
How many burses exist in the Diocese of Lafayette?
At the end of 2024, the Diocese had 148 completed burses. Additionally, there are currently 116 incomplete Burses with a combined outstanding balance of over $1.3 million. Founders’ Burses are complete when they reach $15,000. Shepherd’s Burses are complete when they reach $36,000.
Together, we build a Forever Faithful Church.
At the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana, we are committed to stewardship, sustainability, and service.
By supporting our priests and seminarians, we ensure that Catholic ministries, parishes, and schools are forever faithful. Join us in making a lasting impact—because your faith, generosity, and vision can shape the future of the Church.
Start Your Legacy Today
Are you ready to make a gift towards our priests and seminarians? We can help!
Phone (337) 261-5642 | Email mtrahan@CLFAinc.org | Contact Us