St. Peter's Seminary (Diocese of London, Ontario)

St. Peter's Seminary
Motto "I will give you shepherds according to mine own heart"
- Ezekiel 25:17
Established 1912
Type Theological College & Seminary
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Rector Rev. Stevan Wlusek
Location London, ON, Canada Canada
Colours blue      & gold     ;
Affiliations Kings University College,
Western University, ATS
Website St. Peters Seminary

St. Peter's Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary located in the Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada. The Seminary is a fully accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools of the United States and Canada. St. Peter's Seminary is the major seminary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London in Ontario. It is affiliated with King's University College, a Catholic affiliate of The University of Western Ontario. The current rector of St. Peter's Seminary is Rev. Stevan Wlusek.

St. Peter’s Seminary is Canada’s oldest English speaking Roman Catholic diocesan seminary. Since it was founded by the Diocese of London in 1912, the seminary has produced more than 1,000 priests (including 23 who became bishops) and has educated permanent deacons and lay graduates.

Mission

"Inspired by the love of the Trinity, urged by the self-emptying of Christ, and in prayerful communication with the Church, we seek to be and to form servant-leaders; priests and lay persons who are self giving and life giving.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit and sharing in the mission of Christ who reconciles all people to God and to one another in the communion of God's Kingdom, we strive to call forth others to join us in this loving service of evangelization." [1]

History

Gates of St. Peter's Seminary c. 2012
Seminary building c. 2012

St. Peter's seminary was founded by the Right Reverend Michael F. Fallon, OMI, who was the bishop of London at the time. The seminary opened its doors on September 15, 1912. The students were initially housed and taught in the Bishop's Residence, which later became the rectory of St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica. However this building is no longer present.

The 25-acre riverside site on which the Seminary stands was donated by Sir Philip Pocock from a prominent London Catholic family. The Seminary is constructed of Credit Valley stone, and is designed in the Collegiate Gothic style. The cornerstone of the present building was laid by Bishop Fallon on May 31, 1925, and the official opening of the St. Peter's Seminary building was celebrated on September 29, 1926. The main entrance rotunda features a marble statute of St. Michael the archangel carved in Rome and presented from Bishop Fallon upon the Seminary’s opening.

The Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas was dedicated on June 18, 1930. A new wing was added to the building in 1957 which houses the auditorium, library and recreational facilities. In 1968 the chapel was renovated. The Seminary interior was renovated in 1970. In 1983 the library was doubled in size, and the main floor of the building renovated. In 1987 St. Peter's Seminary purchased the St. Thomas Scholasticate, the former house of formation for students of the Congregation of the Resurrection. The renovated and newly named Aquinas House was opened on the 27 October 1991 and housed transitional deacons in the formation program. Aquinas House currently houses workshops in formation, summer institutes, retreats and other programs for ministry.

Programs

This is a list of programs currently being offered at St. Peter's Seminary[2]

Degree Programs

Non-Degree Programs

Diocesan Programs

St. Peter's Seminary Foundation

St. Peter's Seminary Foundation is a public charitable organization whose sole purpose is to fundraise for St. Peter's Seminary so as to help build our faith and our future. The foundation does this by acting as a vehicle for fundraising, creating conditions for effective fundraising, mobilizing community support and exercising exemplary fiduciary and stewardship practices.[3]

Guiding Principles

Through the strong foundational strength of Christian Stewardship, the St. Peter's Seminary Foundation employs forward-thinking, ethical methodologies to raise awareness and garner support for the continued economic vitality of St. Peter's Seminary. The Foundation works with its valued members of the Board of Directors to develop and implement its goals. The Foundation works to establish a strong body of volunteers throughout the diocese to assist with a variety of initiatives to benefit the community of St. Peter's Seminary, the Catholic Community in the Diocese of London and the whole Canadian Catholic Church. St. Peter's Seminary Foundation works to increase community support to provide their time, talent and treasure for the seminary and its students, faculty and staff, through: support for operations, endowments for student bursaries, endowments for faculty chairs, building programs for upgraded and / or expanded facilities, and new programs.[3]

Notable Alumni (Bishops & Cardinal)

St.Peter's Seminary has graduated a number of notable alumni who have been elevated to the rank or bishop; they include:

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ St.Peter's Seminary Mission Statement
  2. ↑ St. Peter's Seminary Programs
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 St. Peter's Seminary Foundation
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Coordinates: 43°00′44″N 81°15′10″W / 43.0121°N 81.2528°W