About

The Diocese of Helena was established on March 7, 1884, and initially included the entire state of Montana. Its present boundaries were established on May 18, 1904, when the Diocese of Great Falls (now Great Falls-Billings) was formed from its territory. 

The diocese covers 51,922 square miles of Western and North-Central Montana, encompassing 22 counties and parts of one more. The diocese’s 57 parishes and 37 missions are structured into six deaneries: Bozeman, Butte, Conrad, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. Its diocesan church is the Cathedral of St. Helena, which was dedicated in 1914 and is located in the Capital City of Helena.

Parishes and Missions

• Parishes: 57, Missions: 37
  • Registered households: 16,097
  • Catholics registered in the parishes: 48,291
  • Children and youth enrolled in religious education: 1,857

Priesthood

• Number of priests: 61
• Men in formation for the priesthood (seminarians): 12
• Helena-Diocese Priests: 58
• • Diocese of Helena Priests with active assignments: 32
  • Senior Status Diocesan Priests: 26
    Diocesan Priests Ages
    • Age 30 to 39: 5
    • Age 40 to 49: 5
    • Age 50 to 59: 5
    • Age 60 to 69: 14
    • Age 70 to 79: 17
    • Age 80 to 89: 6
    • Age 90 to 99: 2
  • Other Priests serving in the diocese
    • Jesuit: 3
    • Apostolic Life Community of Priests in the Opus Spiritus Sancti: 3
    • Order of St. Benedict: 1
    • Extern Diocesan Priests (serving from other dioceses): 2

Diocesan Catholic Education

• College: Carroll College
  • Students enrolled at Carroll College: 1,210
• Elementary Schools: 6
• High Schools: 3
  • Children enrolled in diocesan schools: 1,148

Permanent Diaconate

• Number of Permanent Deacons: 34
  • Active Permanent Deacons: 19
  • Senior Status Deacons: 16

Religious Serving in the Diocese

• Religious sisters serving in the diocese: 7
• Religious brothers serving in the diocese: 3