Life in a seminary

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
8 February 2004

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Life in a seminary

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Life in a seminary

A class in the Ryan Auditorium at the Catholic Institute of Sydney

By Damir Govorcin

Life in a seminary can never be regarded “as a waste of time even if it is not completed”, says seminarian Bernard Toutounji.

Bernard, 24, a third-year seminarian at the Good Shepherd Seminary, Homebush, says even those who fail to complete the six-year formation to become a priest still come away with a valued academic education.

“Nothing is a waste of time when you become a seminarian,” he said.

“Even if some men realise that after six years the priesthood is not for them, they have at least been educated and can move into another career path.”

Seminarians need to complete six years of study – two in philosophy and four in theology – before their ordination.

Bernard, who is studying a Bachelor of Theology degree at the Catholic Institute of Sydney, says seminary life provides the ideal balance between prayer and study.

“I’m really enjoying studying philosophy ... learning how people think,” he says.

“I’m blessed to be at the seminary with other people following a similar dream.”

Seminarians are slowly introduced to study at the Catholic Institute of Sydney.

Those in the first year program do a philosophy subject, Beginnings of Western Thought, in the first semester.

Another philosophy subject, The Emergence of Modern Thought, is undertaken in the second semester, as is an introductory course in Scripture, Foundations of Biblical Studies.

Class and tutorial expectations increase for first-year seminarians during the second semester, which helps ease them into the demands of full-time academic studies the following year.

Seminarians need to do a minimum of six years of academic study, totalling at least 360 credit points.

They usually undertake 36 credit points (four units) per semester.

Subjects covered are hu manities, philosophy, biblical studies, Church history, systematic theology, liturgy, spirituality and ethics.

Bishop Julian Porteous, rector of the Good Shepherd Seminary, says academic study is a critical aspect in the formation of a priest.

“The role of the priest is to preach the Gospel and teach the faith so he needs to have a solid grounding in the sacred sciences,” he says.

“A priest needs to be a pastoral, spiritual and moral guide for people.

“It’s a long road for the seminarians in terms of study, but those who complete it reap the rewards.”

There are 41 seminarians at Homebush at present, including 11 new seminarians this year.

The Good Shepherd Seminary has the capacity to cater for up to 70 seminarians.

“The numbers are encouraging, but we still have some spare beds,” says Bishop Julian.

“Becoming a priest is an immensely rewarding role – a life dedicated to serving God and people.

“A priest can inspire the best in people.”