Ireland: Nine new students begin studies for priesthood

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

Nine new seminarians have begun their 2021-2022 academic programme and formation for Irish dioceses. These students are currently undertaking the propaedeutic programme in the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Dundalk, Archdiocese of Armagh; Royal English College, Valladolid, Spain; and, Royal Scots College, Salamanca, Spain. This brings to 64 the total number studying for the priesthood. See below for the full list of seminaries and houses of study where these seminarians are currently undertaking their formation.

There are four stages of what is called initial priestly formation, three of which take place in a major seminary. These three stages include studies in Philosophy, Theology and Pastoral Ministry.

The Propaedeutic Stage is a distinct stage that takes place in a recognised seminary, approved by the Holy See and the relevant Bishops' Conference - see explanation below. Upon completion of this programme, the seminarian, with the nomination of his bishop, then applies to a seminary to continue his formation for an Irish diocese.

Commenting on the 2021 - 2022 intake of seminarians, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, chair of the Bishops' Council for Vocations, said: "While we are all aware of the great challenges facing the Church and society at this time, we know also that God the all-powerful is always with us. These formation figures released today offer us a sign of hope."

Bishop Cullinan continued, "In his message for Vocations/Good Shepherd Sunday on 25 April last, Pope Francis asked us to be inspired by the courage of Saint Joseph to say 'yes' to the Lord. The Holy Father said: 'May he help everyone, especially young people who are discerning, to make God's dreams for them come true.'"

Father Willie Purcell, National Diocesan Vocations Coordinator for the Bishops' Conference said: "Across the island of Ireland, the role we have as Vocations Directors is to help young people realise that each one of them has a unique calling from Christ, and we aim to support them in answering that call, particularly in the case of those who are discerning vocations to the priesthood or religious life. I take this opportunity to thank all the vocations directors for their work in accompanying those who are discerning a vocation to priesthood."

The following seminaries and houses of study are where seminarians are currently undertaking their formation for Irish dioceses:

· Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare

· Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Dundalk, Co Louth

· Royal Scots College, Salamanca, Spain

· Royal English College, Valladolid, Spain

· Pontifical Beda College, Rome

· Venerable English College, Rome

In 2018, the Congregation for Clergy, in Rome - which has overall responsibility for seminary formation - issued a new document (Ratio), The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, which is the revised programme for seminary formation. The Ratio strongly recommends to bishops around the world the introduction of a propaedeutic programme for new candidates who wish to discern their priestly vocation.

The National Vocations Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference opened on 1 July 2017. For information on priesthood in Ireland and for contact details for local diocesan vocations directors, see: www.vocations.ie.