This picture, taken before the Enthronement of His Grace the Most Reverend George Stack, 7th Archbishop of Cardiff, shows myself with a seminarian of the Cardiff diocese who is now off to Oscott.
I thank you for your prayers, but ask for them to continue as I venture into the next phase of my life. As you may already know I was accepted by His Grace for formation to the Priesthood and will begin my studies with the propaedeutic year in Valladolid.
I also ask you to pray for Archbishop Stack as he undertakes his episcopal ministry in Cardiff.
I thought I'd (rather cheekily) ask for your prayers at this time!
Why? Well, I've recently applied to my local diocese for seminary formation. It quite literally came down to a conversation with a priest, during which he said "decide" - and I decided :-)
As I say, your prayers will be most appreciated as I prepare for the numerous tests/interviews I have - God willing I'll know by Easter; which isn't that far away!!
I have come across this video on two blogs that I follow, the blogs are those of Fr. Ray Blake and Fr. Timothy Finigan (I had the pleasure of meeting the latter during my visit to the Franciscan Friars).
Basically, the video is about a programme in America, whereby seminarians spend a period of time (6 weeks I think) in the Eternal City. Having visited Rome twice as a pilgrim I can certainly understand why this programme is popular!
I firmly believe that a similar idea should be placed in front of the Bishops Conference, or maybe even just one Diocesan Bishop, the idea being that a seminarian should understand the universality of the Church before being ordained, he should be close to the centre of the Church, if even for a couple of months. Some, of course are fortunate enough to be sent to Rome for their studies.
If, God willing, I am one day to become a seminarian, if I'm not sent to Rome (my Bishop tends to send students to Wonersh, not that we have any!!) i'd like to think that there would be an option for me to spend a couple of months studying in the Eternal City.
© Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk
