House of Discernment:
Every year we receive young men at St Walburge’s presbytery in Preston to help them with the discernment of a vocation to the Sacred Priesthood within the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. Many of these young men go to seminary after this year of study, work and prayer and are no living in the Seminary of the Institute in Gricigliano, Italy. There, they are receiving all that is required for the church to call them to the greatest of all honours: becoming a priest of Jesus Christ.
The candidates for the seminary receive an introduction to the spirituality of the Institute, through a common life of prayer and brotherly charity.
The rector of the shrine wishes to offer candidates the best experience, providing them with beautiful liturgies enhanced by the Gregorian Chant of the Sister Adorers, teachings in Doctrine, liturgy and an introduction to the breviary and chant of the office. We also offer French language tutoring, as French is the common language of the Seminary of the Institute.
This year of formation is also an overview of the common life of the seminarians in Gricigliano, and that which we maintain in the different houses of the institute across the world. The candidates are entrusted with a small task, teaching them the importance of responsibilities as well as helping with the maintenance of the church and presbytery.
As during their time in seminary, where, God willing candidates enter we ask them to contribute monthly towards the formation they receive. Each month candidates are asked for a contribution which barely covers two thirds of the real costs of expenses for their wellbeing but no one of them is rejected because of an inability to pay.
If you feel a strong call to serve Christ the King generously with your whole life, and you want to be a faithful son of Holy Mother Church and the fullness of Her grand tradition in all aspects of life, then you may be called to look deeper into a vocation with the Institute.
The conditions for entering the formation program to the priesthood and oblatehood are the following:
- normally, prospective seminarians should be between the ages of 18 and 30, while prospective oblate candidates should be between 18 and 40
- ‘A-levels’ or equivalent, and/or working experience
- letters of recommendation from at least two priests
If you wish to discuss with a priest the possibility of a vocation, please email our House of Discernment in Preston: