First Year in the Seminary
Formation for the priesthood in any seminary is split into four separate areas: intellectual, pastoral, spiritual and human. The categorisation and description of these four areas are inspired by the document "Pastores Dabo Vobis" ("I shall give you shepherds"), which was written in Rome and concerned the formation of seminarians for the priesthood.
Community life is considered very important in Allen hall. Every student realises that they have talents and abilities to contribute towards the community. Community life imitates the life of Christ and his disciples. Community teaches seminarians Christian living and how to relate to others. It is important for priests of the future to have the skills of understanding and persevering with community life, because ultimately they will be its leaders.
The spiritual life of Allen Hall is centred on the daily celebration of the Eucharist. Morning and Evening Prayer is recited together. There is a good opportunity for personal prayer early in the morning, and on specific days of the week adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary and other devotions are practiced. A spiritual conference (or talk) is held once a week and each student has a spiritual director with which he discusses his faith and vocation. Students are encouraged to do some spiritual reading over the year.
The academic studies are an essential part of the studies towards the priesthood. For the first two years all lessons are based at Allen Hall, after which a degree is taken at Heythrop College. Seminarians mostly study philosophy and theology over the six years. Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Old and New Testament, patristics, Canon Law, Church history and liturgy are studied as well as a host of other subjects. The majority of examinations are oral and far harder than the usual written exams! Many of the courses are taught by priests or professors who come to the seminary to teach that class one day a week. The academic life of the Allen Hall really comes to life when students discuss the issues out of class.
Each student is assigned a pastoral placement for each year. The majority of the placements are with parishes in the diocese, although some students are sent to help in prisons, homeless projects or even the tribunal of the diocese. The most important objective for each placement is assistance and observation. Over the summer the students help in their placement for a number of weeks and most students attend their placement every Sunday. Every student has a pastoral reflection class with which to consider the experiences of his placement with others. This year many students have helped with events at Westminster Cathedral and with extra events in different parishes. As the seminary is placed in the heart of the diocese there is an excellent opportunity to get to know the life of the diocese and how it works very well.
Many different aspects of the life of Allen Hall could be considered under the "human" aspect of formation. A class in human development is given once a week for the first and second years. Each student is part of a social group which organises evenings together. The college has a justice and peace group as well as a group that travels to Lourdes with the HCPT pilgrimage every year. Each student also has a personal formation adviser who is there to discuss different aspects of the formation. There are many different talks every year from visiting speakers and guests who stay at the seminary. Above all, maturity, friendship and wisdom are encouraged as part of the human formation. A very successful choir has been formed this year and musical and cultural events are easy to attend frequently in London.
Above all, the formation at Allen Hall should enable the students to put on Christ (Romans 13:14) in a radical way, to discard their old self and to grow in the Christian virtues. I certainly feel grateful and empowered to have been given many opportunities and skills with by the grace of God I can help to serve the Church in London and help build up the kingdom of heaven on earth.