A Closer Look at the Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs

The Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs, nestled in Mount St Benedict, has long been a cornerstone of Catholic priestly formation in the Caribbean. However, as Rector Fr Jason Boatswain revealed on Altos, there is far more to the Seminary than meets the eye. From its administrative challenges to the growing role of lay formation, the Seminary remains a vital institution in the spiritual and academic development of clergy and laity alike.

More Than Just a Building

For many in Trinidad and Tobago, the Seminary is a familiar sight on the journey to Mount St Benedict. Yet, its significance extends beyond the visible structure. “When people think about the regional Seminary, I think most, if not every Trinidadian, has been up to Mount St Benedict and would have passed the building,” Fr Boatswain noted. However, behind the walls lies a complex and demanding operation that ensures the efficient management of the institution. “Seminaries run like any ordinary business,” he explained, emphasising the administrative demands required to sustain the Seminary’s mission.

The financial aspect of running the Seminary is considerable, and every year, the Archdiocese of Port of Spain holds a special collection on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. This collection helps to sustain the Seminary’s daily operations and ensures that seminarians receive the resources necessary for their formation.

“This collection is taken up to support the operations at the Seminary, which entail the paying of the staff, the lecturers, the upkeep of the seminarians, and all the expenses that are associated with the Seminary,” Fr Boatswain elaborated.

The cost of training a seminarian is significant. “It takes about $75,000 a year for each seminarian at the Seminary,” he stated. This includes tuition fees at the university, living expenses, a stipend, room and board, psychological support, and general upkeep. The Seminary also retains an in-house psychologist and maintains an operational kitchen, making its management a multifaceted endeavour.

A Caribbean Seminary

Currently, 19 men are pursuing priestly formation at the Seminary, though only four are local Trinidadians. The institution plays a critical role in training priests for various dioceses across the Caribbean. “There are about 10 men who are studying for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain,” Fr Boatswain shared. Students hail from Suriname, Jamaica, Dominica, Cameroon, and Kenya.

For those studying for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, the Archdiocese assumes the financial responsibility for their formation. “Once they have been accepted to study for the Diocese, all their costs are then taken care of by the Archdiocese of Port of Spain,” he clarified.

The Seminary is not exclusively for those called to the priesthood. “The Seminary focuses on not just the formation for men for the priesthood, but it also focuses on the formation of the laity,” Fr Boatswain explained. Laypersons interested in deepening their understanding of the faith are welcome to enrol in courses. However, accessibility remains a challenge as most courses are scheduled during traditional work hours. “We’re trying to see how that can then be moved, like to a Saturday on the evenings, so that more persons may be able to access the courses at the Seminary.”

A critical aspect of Seminary formation is preparing future priests to be missionary disciples, a calling that extends beyond the Seminary’s walls. “The idea is seminarians are formed as missionary disciples. So as we express that more concretely, it’s to form the seminarians who then become priests as missionary disciples, men who would be willing to go out and form and make disciples,” Fr Boatswain asserted. This includes digital evangelisation and social media outreach, alongside traditional mission work within communities.

With its integral role in shaping the clergy and laity, the Seminary relies heavily on the support of the Catholic faithful. Contributions to its upkeep, whether through the annual special collection or direct donations, ensure that the formation of priests and lay leaders continues as an investment in the future of the Church in the Caribbean.

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