Renewing Priestly Formation for a Changing Church: St Mary’s College, Oscott

Forming Priests for the Church of Tomorrow

Reviewing Formation at St Mary’s College, Oscott

Every generation of the Church must ask an important question.

How do we prepare priests for the world they will serve?

At St Mary’s College, Oscott, the formation programme has developed over many years in response to changing pastoral realities and new guidance from the Church. Individual initiatives had been introduced at different times, each responding to a particular need.

But the Rector recognised that the moment had come to step back and examine the formation programme as a whole. I was invited to assist the seminary in undertaking a comprehensive review of its approach to priestly formation.

The aim of the review was not simply to adjust particular modules or introduce new courses. Instead, the task was to reflect on how the different dimensions of formation - human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral - fit together within the life of the seminary.

A central part of the work has been listening.

We have spoken with bishops about the qualities they most hope to see in the priests who will serve their dioceses in the years ahead. Experienced parish priests have reflected on the realities of ministry and what they wish they had been better prepared for.

Recently ordained clergy have shared their experiences of the transition from seminary life to parish ministry.

Seminarians themselves have also contributed valuable insights about their experience of formation at Oscott.

Alongside this consultation, we have facilitated workshops with the seminary formation team exploring leadership development, pastoral placements and the culture of community life within the seminary.

Even though the review is still ongoing, several pilot initiatives are already being prepared for introduction in the coming academic year.

It is reassuring to see how seriously the Church takes the formation of future priests.

Preparing men for priestly ministry has never been a simple task. But thoughtful reflection, honest listening and careful discernment can help ensure that the priests ordained today are well equipped to serve the Church of tomorrow.