One of our group members who is now continuing his discernment journey at Seminary has written a reflection on his time at these monthly gatherings:

“Discerning God’s will for your life is a very difficult task. There was quite a bit of noise in my life and finding time just to talk about what God has planned for my future felt impossible. I was working full-time and helping at my parish on the weekend. This is when I started attending the Seeker Evenings in Fareham. I found it to be a place to slow down from the busyness of the week and listen, a place to discuss and ask questions and not be afraid to do so or be judged, a place to share and grow in my faith.

We ended our time in silent adoration in the Church, praying before the Blessed Sacrament where Jesus is truly present is the best way to foster and discern your vocation. I found the Seeker evenings a place of support and made a few good friends along the way”.

Mother Superior chose St. Thérèse as their spiritual mother. Thus began a new chapter in her ecclesial mission which filled her with overwhelming joy and gratitude. Affectionately she wrote to Fr. Belliere, "My gratitude is not less great than yours to Our Lord, who has given me a little brother whom He destines to become His priest and His apostle. …It is only when you get to Heaven that you'll know how dear you are to me”.

If the Church would ever declare a saint to be the Patron of Spiritual Motherhood for Priests, after Our Lady, no one would more fittingly deserve this title than St Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

In heaven, we have a model and most powerful collaborator in our vocation to be spiritual mothers, sisters or brothers for our Priests.  Let us often invoke her and follow her example by regularly using this prayer. St. Thérèse, help us and pray for us!

Return to Seminary

Please remember in your prayers our Seminarians who have returned to their respective seminaries for the next year of Formation. We have eleven men in formation at this time.  Three of the four Seminaries that we use have new Rectors this term, so we ask that you hold them, and all the staff entrusted with the formation our future priests, in your prayers.

Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for these men whom You have called to discern priesthood.

We beg Your continued blessings on our Diocese and families. Call forth even more men, of generous spirit and fervent love, whom You desire for this holy work. Amen.

Seminarian of the Month

Before I came to the seminary I was a builder for 6 years where I learned different skills but most of all I found my confidence not to mention a good sense of humour.

I enjoy practical work so much that during the summertime I stay in the seminary to do some manual work.

I belonged to the Church of England before becoming Catholic and I am very grateful for those days because that is where God began to call me. After becoming a Catholic, priesthood was in the back of my mind. I went to Mass every Sunday and just watching and listening to my parish priest the call became stronger and clearer. I went to the vocation director who was very calm and encouraging. It is always helpful in prayer to ask what God wants us to do but, he works through people around us, he certainly does in my life. If anyone feels like they are being called to be a priest or any vocation take it to prayer and talk those who inspire you. Be aware of who inspires you but also be aware of who you can inspire.

These last couple of years in seminary have been, like the rest of the world, strange and difficult but it made the seminary pull together. A priest in 2020 became the person in charge of the seminary and within 6 months our much-loved rector died. In a small community where the world is dealing with a pandemic, we were also dealing with the loss of our spiritual father.

However, we have a new rector, around 20 new students and a new college year. I love seminary! The people, the routine and, surprisingly for me, even the study. I have made lifelong friends here at Oscott. Of course, it comes with challenges, we all live with each other striving to do what God wants us and sometimes that leads to doing what we want to. When exams come round so much as a cough in the chapel can be annoying. We are looked after here, with good food, wonderful formation staff both priests and laypeople. We also have a good football team where some of us can play very well, or like me not too well, but is so much fun.

The seminary here provides us with the opportunities to minister outside the seminary. We go into parishes on Sundays, and during the week we are assigned to a particular placement. I have been into schools, hospitals, refugee houses and this year I will be going into a prison nearby. I would say that this seminary is a well-balanced place where we pastor to those who need it; studying the necessary subjects; developing a prayer life and also dealing with our struggles.

Prayer Request:

Please keep supporting us especially with your prayers. Every morning the college comes together into the chapel for prayer so you can be assured of our prayers for you.