VOCATIONS

St. Augustine Seminary welcomes candidates from across Canada

By Nipa Mukerji

St. Augustine’s Seminary was established in 1913 as the first major seminary constructed in English-speaking Canada for the training of diocesan priests. It is the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Toronto, the largest Roman Catholic diocese in Canada. It also welcomes candidates from elsewhere, including Western Canada. Its primary purpose is the preparation of candidates for ordained priesthood in the Catholic Church.

“At present, there are approximately 70 men studying for the diocesan priesthood,” said Neil MacCarthy, official spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Toronto.

In 2009, tuition fees per course were just under $500 for domestic students. Candidates for the ordained priesthood participate in the Priestly Formation Program in conjunction with the Pontifical Baccalaureate of sacred theology/master of divinity degree, depending on their academic eligibility. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and be fluent in English before entering St. Augustine’s Seminary. Typically, there is a minimum of five years of formation before a candidate is ordained.

The Spiritual Formation program focuses its efforts on developing the religious identity of the candidate within the understanding of the priest as one who grows in his commitment to become a disciple of Jesus, a servant of God’s people, a representative of and leader within the faith community, a presider over the celebration of the church’s sacramental life and a prophet of God’s justice in the world.

According to Rev. Hansoo Park, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Toronto, the number of vocations to the priesthood has been consistent, but on the low side in the past 10 years.

“For the Archdiocese of Toronto, the number of priests getting ordained each year over the past 10 years has been about to four or five,” said Park.

Park said that a typical vocation discernment process for a priest takes about six to eight years. A seminarian without a bachelor’s degree needs to get a full degree in philosophy, which takes about three years. Theology programs normally last four to five years.

While there are not any standard traits in those who are called to the priesthood, he said that a candidate “must be balanced psychologically, mentally and socially.” Additionally, those who are called are strongly drawn to the parish life and the dynamic of the life of the church. They are also strongly drawn to prayer and the spiritual life.

St. Augustine’s Seminary is a founding member of the Toronto School of Theology, affiliated with the University of Toronto. The seminary tries to form candidates as responsible and apostolic persons for the service of the church. This includes fostering faithful love for Jesus Christ, his church and all people. It also inspires commitment to hand on faithfully the tradition, teachings and history of the church. It further fosters a commitment to the exploration of the mysteries of faith through scriptural and theological inquiry. Last, but not least, it encourages communal life through sharing faith, prayer and wisdom.

Apart from its programs for those aspiring to the priesthood, St. Augustine’s Seminary is also mandated to form men and women aspiring to other ministries in the church.

Mukerji is a freelance writer based in Toronto.