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226, Trelawney Avenue, Langley, Slough, Berkshire. SL3 7UD Telephone: 01753 543770
 
  MICHAEL PATEY is a student for the Priesthood in our diocese. He arrived with us on Saturday 1st September for a month.                    Read his story. . . . . .
Hello!
My name is Michael Patey and I am a seminarian for the Diocese of Northampton.
Before going to seminary, my parish was Our Lady of Lourdes in Coffee Hall, Milton Keynes, and I taught Maths at the Catholic secondary school in the town.
Since 2005 I have been living at the Venerable English College in Rome.  Study & prayer are the staples of daily life at seminary, in addition to enjoying community life.
During the year, spiritual direction, retreats and pastoral work complement the academic studies providing an all-round
preparation for priesthood.
SEMINARIAN - A seminarian is a man who is in formation for priesthood.
As part of his formation a seminarian would study the bible, the Church and its teaching, moral questions, the history of the Church and its Canon Law, and other subjects too.

Seminarians meet regularly with a tutor and spiritual director to discuss developments in their prayer life and study of prayer.

However seminary isn’t just about academics; there is also a lot of time for personal reflection and growth, and also pastoral opportunities that mirror some of the things a man would be doing if he was a priest – this is a bit like work experience

In September, each student visits a parish to experience the reality of life working in a parish, and being here in Langley in September 2007 has been invaluable to this end. Thank you for your welcome!
Michael serving at St Peter's,
Solemnity of SS Peter & Paul,
29th June 2007		  
Our Lady Of Lourdes - Milton Keynes : website

Michael in St Peter's Square
The Venerable English College in Rome  their website

At the English College, each day starts with Mass at 6.45am, combined with Morning Prayer.

Lectures at one of of the pontifical universities (about a mile away from the college) begin at 8.30am and finish
at 12.15pm.
These lectures are conducted in Italian.

Front of the Venerable English College,
in Via di Monserrato, Rome
After lunch, students are free to continue studying, find time for prayer, carry out their duties in the house, take Italian lessons or do some exercise by walking around the city. We gather again at 7.15pm for Vespers followed by supper.
Saturday is our day off, for some this is spent exploring more of Rome or the many surrounding towns, enjoying the local cuisine, or spending time at our Villa Palazzola.       Visit their website
Training for the priesthood may seem like training for a profession or a trade.

The College Church

However, ordination to the priesthood should
only happen if both the candidate and the
Church is sure that he has a vocation,
that God is calling him to serve
Him & His people as a priest.

This is why the training takes 7 years, this gives plenty of time for the student to discern his vocation.

The seminary community in 2007

Praying for vocations is an essential role parishes can play to support those in seminary and
others who are considering the priesthood.
Michael receiving communion
from Pope Benedict,
29th June 2007

 
For those visiting Rome, there is Mass here (in English) on Sundays in term time at 10am.  All are welcome.
The year runs from the beginning of October until the end of June.
Michael Patey