Bishop John Keenan has said he hopes a new documentary on life at the Scots College in Rome will help encourage vocations to the priesthood.
Bishop Keenan, President of Priests for Scotland, said: “The documentary offers a fascinating insight into the life of a seminarian training in Rome to become a priest in Scotland. I really hope that the programme will act as a catalyst for vocations to the priesthood by allowing viewers to see exactly what the life of a student looks like.”
Bishop Keenan added: “As a former Roman student, who loved his time in Rome, I do remember feeling a sense of trepidation and nerves at the thought of moving to another country and a completely new environment. Being able to visualise seminary life through a documentary in advance would have settled many of my fears!”
“Every year, the Church runs a Vocations Awareness Week, because of the severe restrictions we face this year, the normal work of promoting vocations will be much harder, but in many ways, this programme can fill a void by offering information, insight and detail about the daily lives of Scottish seminarians in Rome. I sincerely hope it causes some of those who watch to consider what it is God wants of them and how they can respond by considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.”
Fr Andrew Garden, vocations director for our Archdiocese, said: "I'm encouraging all Catholics to watch this programme. We currently have eight seminarians for the Archdiocese (five studying in Rome) and it's always inspiring to see young men training for the priesthood."
Fr Garden, who was also a seminarian at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome, added: "As Bishop Keenan say, we all hope this could help boost vocations. If any person would like to explore their own vocation, they are very welcome to get in touch and have a chat."
Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, our director for religious vocations, added: "This is a great opportunity to get more insight in a life as a seminarian. It will provide answers to questions many might have and shows that the path of a seminarian is not as impossible as some might think.
"I hope it will also encourage many to consider what the Lord’s plan is for themselves personally, knowing that the Lord gives grace when He calls someone to follow Him more closely."
Priest School, BBC Scotland, Sunday 19 April, 10.15pm
If you are based in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh and want to chat about the priesthood, contact Fr Andrew on 0131 663 4286, vocations@staned.org.uk. For the religious life, contact Sr Mirjam on 0131 623 8902, religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
