The Seminary was founded in 1943, as an archdiocesan seminary to prepare priests for service in the Archdiocese. In 1970, it was adopted by the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) and became a Regional Seminary to prepare priests for the various dioceses of that Conference.
In 2010 the AEC took the decision to suspend training at the Seminary for a period of three years, from June 30, for the purposes of improving the facilities and enrolment, increasing resident faculty and developing its financial base.
Address: Mount St Benedict
St John Road, Tunapuna
Phone: (1-868) 662-6774, Fax: 662-3485
Bishop Robert Llanos, Administrator for the Seminary Building
Rev Arnold Francis, Principal/Academic Dean
deanofstudies@regionalseminary.org
Tel: 662 4983
Fax: 662 6787
CREDI Office @ The Seminary (Marcia Faustin-Walker/ Fr Arnold Francis) – 662-1310
Fr Matthew D’Hereaux, Director of Pre-Seminary Programme based at Carapichaima
Support For SJVUM
Background: Studying and understanding our faith is imperative/essential for any authentic revitalization of Catholic Culture and Identity! True, many of us are already in love with God and on fire for Christ, re-inflaming “the romantic imagination of Catholicism.” In fact, the Church needs great artists and charismatic leaders to fan into flame, the fires of Catholic Christianity. Notwithstanding, “good, sound, academic theology is perennially the great corrective within Church life and spirituality.” The best insights in theology will provide a solid theological base for spirituality, stimulate our intellect, and purify our vision of God and of the nature of discipleship. Good theology is the backbone of re-evangelisation and the guiding principle or reference point for disciples’ involvement in Church life and inside the secular world
Aim:
- to equip all key resource personnel and others on the frontline of the Church’s mission with the tools (truth and sound theology) with which to renew and promote Catholicism in our times;
- to provide students with the opportunity to pursue theology “as a scholastic discipline with the same systematic demands and the same rigour as other disciplines” (GDC).
Surely, not everyone has the time to study theology in such depth, yet we know that you share the above sentiments. You long for the time when Catholics will understand and stand together for what they believe–when more and more parents will live and speak the faith more convincingly to their children.
Frequently Asked Question:
Isn’t the Seminary closed?
The talk about the closing or suspension of the Seminary means the suspension of spiritual formation of seminarians. The Seminary has a two-fold purpose:
- Spiritual formation of seminarians for the diocesan priesthood; and
- Theological formation of clergy, religious and laity
The Seminary continues to host the academic/theological formation of clergy, religious and laity. In fact, the Trinidad and Tobago seminarians will complete their theological formation in this Institute after their philosophical studies in the Dominican Republic.
Interested in Making a Financial Contribution?
We are asking for your prayerful and financial support in keeping the Seminary of St. John Vianney (SJVUM) Theological Institute, the flagship of Catholic religious education in Trinidad & Tobago, afloat
We would welcome
A committed contribution of $100.00 monthly for $1,200.00 annually
Alternatively, “the widow’s mite” will also be welcomed if you are unable to make this pledge
Bank Information:
Name of Account: R.C. Archbishop of POS/Seminary Theological Institute
Bank: Republic Bank Limited
Account No: 350 161 861 201
