My wife and I were fortunate, thanks be to God, to have been in receipt of truly outstanding hospitality by the Priests and Seminarians of Institutum Christi Regis Summi Sacerdotis, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.
Well nourished in food and of course fine liturgy, we return back to the UK with a heavy heart but graceful and indeed very thankful.
During the visit, we were further blessed with a visitor to the seminary, none other than Bishop Schneider, whom I met at the LMS conference just three weeks ago. He really is a gentle, Holy man defending Church teaching, Tradition and truth.
Now, for those who claim that the 'bells and smells' are all that attract young men to Traditional vocations, please stand corrected!
The young men I encountered do all for the glory of God, Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam - and they obviously see the pre-Council liturgy as the most fitting way to give that glory - their adherence to the traditions of the Church and the character of the Institute manifests in everything. They are disciplined; possess great humility and boast a warmth and keen interest in people. Their French is also far better than my English!
Seven years of formation and study (all in French), brings together men from across the world (including Abbé Tanner from England) to prepare for Holy Orders.
They have very little room here to accommodate the 80 seminarians - what a great vocations crisis to have!
Of course, we already know the Institute through 'The Dome of Home' at New Brighton and their new mission in Preston, if you don't know of them, then please visit their website for more information.
In any event, please pray for them, especially at this time as they undertake examinations and prepare for ordinations in Florence in July and St Louis in the US in August.
S. Francisco Salesii ... ora pro nobis!
S. Benedicti ... ora pro nobis!
S. Thomæ de Aquino ... ora pro nobis!
S. Philippi Nerii ... ora pro nobis!