The Life of a Seminarian

Adjustment - I am not a stranger to seminary life, as in my youth I participated in several activities run in a seminary context or with seminarians. I will never forget, for instance, the time when at the age of sixteen I decided to explore the possibility of training to become a Roman Catholic priest. I participated in the so-called 'August Week', held by the Portuguese Seminary of Almada set next to the Tagus and facing the splendorous Lisbon. Nevertheless, when getting to Rome, I came with an open heart and a willingness to recall past experiences and to certainly learn new things. Though the Roman Catholic guidelines regarding the formation of future priests are unequivocal, not every seminary is the same. The context, the language, the sending dioceses and ultimately each person makes them different and unique. I have to admit I was surprised when I understood the induction would last two weeks. I wondered if this period wasn't too long, especially when compared with St Mellitus College's induction: only a day. I came to understand the wisdom of this provision, as it allows each candidate to adjust smoothly to a complex reality: the abandonment of their homes, family and friends, the forging of new friendships, the adaptation to a different culture, the learning of a new language, and the adoption of a new routine. In the words of the rector, Canon Philip Gillespie, at the Beda seminarians come 'to experience the romanità - Rome's culture and way of being - and to be at the heart of the Church.'

The Beda is an open and welcoming community. Everybody is received with a smile and open heart by staff and students, as everyone feels responsible for making any new person feel at home. The older students are solicitous and keen to help whenever needed those who are settling in and take all the necessary time to explain the routine and duties to every new member of the community. I have seen bishops, nuns, ordinary folk, couples, seminarians’ relatives, friends and strangers being happily received and partaking of the table with the Beda community.

Induction - The induction begins in a spirit of pilgrimage. Tradition has it that when visiting Rome, travellers visit the tombs of St Peter and St Paul, found at St Peter's and St Paul's Outside the Walls Basilicas. In our case, we started first with a visit and a Eucharistic celebration at St Paul's. Two days later we had the privilege to attend the Mass in one of St Peter’s underground chapels, next to the Apostle Peter's remains and many popes' tombs.

At St Peter's chapel of the Lithuanians

During the induction period, the new students are introduced to their spiritual director, Fr John Carlyle, which will be fundamental to gauge their spirituality and help them to progress in their relationship with the Lord. Everything discussed during each session is confidential.

The Breviary is fundamental to the spiritual life of those in clerical orders, religious orders or studying to be admitted to one. As an Anglican, I am used to praying the Daily Office, but I have to admit when I held in my hands three thick volumes of the Roman Catholic Daily Office I was overwhelmed. No wonder there is a session just dedicated to the use of the breviary.

A crucial dynamic of the induction is a three-day period led by Fr John Breen where the first-year seminarians spend time sharing stories of their lives and praying together. These are precious moments where one discovers in each other secret gems and starts creating bonds that will last for years and, perhaps, a lifetime.

The induction ends with a three-day silent retreat from Friday evening until the morning Sunday Mass. As Fr Peter Verity - the retreat organiser - emphasised this is an opportunity to spend some quality time with God and to try to discern his voice in the little things.

'Many are called, but few are chosen' - After a thorough and demanding selection process where the life of each candidate is scrutinised to the very last detail, the time comes to be sent to the Pontifical College of Saint Bede. Some of the men do not land on the college without a prior short experience in a different seminary, as to prepare them for the 'real' thing. This year eight new students will be joining the other continuing twenty-five. These numbers are far from being impressive. As it is admitted, the Church is struggling to find men who respond to the call of serving God as priests. 'Many are called, but few are chosen', or perhaps read differently 'few allow themselves to be chosen'. But don't get me wrong. In this cohort, there are many valuable and mature men who have a clear sense of calling. Many have abdicated of successful careers and well-paid jobs to embrace a life of material scarcity, discipline and prayer. Some have had partners and do not hide their natural urges or sexuality. To do otherwise would be contra natura and foolish. A seminarian and a celibate priest are not castrated or asexual; nevertheless, they find in the seminary life a positive alternative way to channel their sexuality. They don't feel they are losing something or someone; they know they are choosing the better part. They miss everything else and everyone else, except the one who sustains everything and everyone. As a friend used to say, '-why going for the second best when you can have the best?'

I truly admire anyone who leaves everything behind and responds to the Saviour's bidding. I reject some popular Protestant theologies that consider married life as preferable and look down on those who adopt celibacy. I even put aside a more balanced approach that affirms the calling to marriage and to celibacy to be equally valuable. My reading of the Scripture tells me otherwise. Celibacy is a higher calling, but only few can pursue it (1 Corinthians 7.1,7). Now, those who read this and know I am married may accuse me of hypocrisy and contradiction in terms. To this I reply that I have not been called to celibacy; it is not a gift I have received, and therefore I do not exercise it. Just because the vast majority of people embark in some form of intimate and carnal relationship, being it formal or informal, and a few choose a purely spiritual relationship one cannot conclude that the first is better than the second. Marriage and celibacy are equally valid but are not equally valued. Marriage is not better; it is only prevalent.

Three virtues are demanded from a man who responds God's call to serve as a Roman Catholic priest: discipline, humility and obedience. These stem from a life of prayer structured around the Divine Office and the Eucharist.

The routine - The day, as a community, starts at 7:30 AM with either Morning Prayer or the Eucharist. If one is done in the morning, the other will be held either 6:45 PM (Eucharist) or at 7:10 PM (Evening Prayer). The pattern of meals is breakfast at 8:00, lunch at 1:00, and supper at 7:30. Seminarians are required to have breakfast and lunch together to strengthen the community bonds. Meals at the Beda are an excellent opportunity to share the latest news, to comment on the current political situation, to discuss the most recent sports' results, or to have a laugh together. If perchance a student wants to skip breakfast or lunch, he must have a ponderous reason and request authorisation from his year tutor. These can be, for example, academic commitments held outside the college, meetings with diocesan authorities, and health reasons. Even if a seminarian decides to fast, he has to sit at the table with his colleagues and watch them eat. This shows how the communal side of life is privileged in detriment of any individual preferences. The individual is important but is seen as part of a whole who finds only his full realisation in the service of others. Supper is optional, but if the member of the community does not indicate his intention to opt out, the kitchen staff assumes he will dine.

The highest point of the college's spiritual discipline is the morning Sunday Mass, to which the students come in formal attire. Before the II Council of the Vatican cassock was the norm; nowadays a suit and tie are the students’ visible way of giving their best to God in response to having received God’s best in Christ Jesus. In some occasions, casual smart is accepted, but shorts and the like are unthinkable. As the saying goes: ‘- A heretic’s words uttered in the pulpit find more acceptance then the echo of flip-flops in a chapel.’ (I just made this up). The Seminarians in religious orders, namely Franciscans, are the exception that confirms the rule: they wear habits and can use sandals. Sunday ends with the Holy Hour, starting around 6:30 PM with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and followed by Evening Prayer.

During the other days of the week, except Thursday, there is exposition at 8:45 followed by Compline (night prayer) to which attendance is optional.

Studies - Seminarians usually study for six years, being the first two focused on Philosophy and the other four on Theology. By the end of the fifth year, men are ordained deacons and a year after, priests. At the Beda, because most of the candidates are over thirty-years-old and many have had prior academic studies or significant work experience, the syllabus is crammed into a four-year course. Lectures are delivered from 9:00 AM until 12:45 PM, Monday to Friday, except on Thursdays which is everybody's day-off.

Progression - The end of each year academic year is marked by 'rites of passage' with the goal of gradually incorporating the students in the mysteries of serving this mysterious God revealed in and by Jesus Messiah. Each seminarian is expected to open himself to God's grace and to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of conformity to Christ. By the end of the first year, seminarians are made readers which, as the word indicates, confers the responsibility of reading the word of God in public. On the second year, they are instituted acolytes., By the end of the third year, seminarians receive the first degree of the sacrament of ordination and become deacons. Upon finishing their studies, they are ordained priests. Ordinations to the diaconate usually take place at the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, just in front of the college. Ordinations to the presbyterate occur in the context of each sending diocese, which is to say they are performed in the country of residence of each ordinand and in the local setting where they will serve.

'Mundane' practices - I believe there is no distinction between the spiritual and the physical, between the sacred and the profane, because everything, being permeated by God, is Holy. Nevertheless, here goes a bit of dualistic thinking that tries to separate what is religious from what is not, just for the sake of convenience.

Contrary to what some may think, smoking and drinking are not prohibited, and last time I checked no one was being sent to the lake of fire because of that. As a late friend and Anglican priest used to say, '-When we die, God will not ask us which cigarette brand we used to smoke so that depending on the answer we will go to heaven or not.' There is a designated external area where the few who smoke may have a fag.

During the induction period, when the weather permits, it is common practice to chat away in the garden around a glass of whisky, gin tonic, a beer or some other drink available. If it is too cold or rainy, the students and staff gather in the 'common room' where there is a bar, two vending machines, a pool table and a video room. Usually, someone brings a portable speaker, and pop music plays in the background. So far, I have only heard Abba and Michael Bublé. When I feel more confident, I will try to convince the D.J. to play Pink Floyd, Queen or some more contemporary stuff. Once classes start, the bar usually opens just twice a week. If you find yourself in a desperate need of a beer when the bar is closed, there is no problem. Just head to the fridge in the common room, grab your bottle and leave your contribution in the honesty box. If you can’t get around the latest theological concept and you need to clear your head and get some fresh air, dash off to the nearest café or bar. There are plenty around the seminary.

For those willing to be fit, there is a small gym with all the essential gear and a tennis court. I am still waiting on the Lord to convert me to this pious practice...

The Common Room