The Seminary

Providentially situated between Rome and France, in that Tuscany whose incomparable nature serves as a setting for some of the marvels of Christian art, the House of Priestly Formation of the Institute sets itself the goal of preparing future priests according to the spirit of the Church. This spirit is that of Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, handed down over the centuries in Tradition, the decretals of the popes, the canons of the Church, and the councils. This work of formation is vital for the Church, for souls, and for a world that, more than ever, needs well-formed priests. The particular end of the Institute is the promulgation, the spread, and the defence, in every aspect of human life, of the reign of Christ Our Lord, Sovereign Priest, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (From the Constitutions)

The seminarians are formed under the patronage of Saint Francis de Sales, Saint Benedict, and Saint Thomas Aquinas. Saint Francis de Sales, so attentive to the person in order to raise him to the Truth, guides them in the pedagogy needed for our age; Saint Benedict teaches them regularity and order in action, to accomplish the civilising work of the Gospel through the sacred liturgy, source and summit of the Christian life; Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Common Doctor, enables them to deepen and to live that Truth which they must one day carry to the world.

Formation for the priesthood extends over seven years: one year of spirituality, two years of philosophy, and four years of theology. The teaching, of Thomistic tradition, is given by professors from the Roman universities, the Sorbonne, and the IPC Philosophical Faculty in Paris, as well as by priests of the Institute. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Common Doctor of the Church, remains the master of this doctrinal formation.

Formation embraces the whole man. On the intellectual level, besides philosophy and theology, the seminarians study languages, particularly French and Latin. On the human level, they acquire general culture and priestly manners, and take part each day in manual work in the house and grounds. On the spiritual level, finally, the most important, the seminarian’s life is a daily contact with Our Lord through Holy Mass, the Divine Office, the Rosary, and meditation; there the traditional Latin liturgy is studied not only in its history and rubrics, but in its inner meaning and power.

Marked by the bell, the day unites prayer, study, and service. It opens with meditation and Holy Mass, its centre; the Divine Office, chanted in choir, punctuates it hour by hour until Compline, which closes it in peace. Between the offices come study, classes, and manual work; meals in the refectory and recreation also form the future canons in the common life, in responsibility, obedience, and fraternal charity. The Villa Martelli provides a worthy setting for this life: living quarters for the seminarians, a vast refectory, a large kitchen, classrooms, and a conference hall.