Reverend Arthur Kennedy
Rector, Saint John's Seminary
Rector's Welcome
Welcome to the website of St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts. In the fall of 2008, the Seminary will welcome, for the 124th year, men who are considering whether God is calling them to the priesthood, and who are in formation programs for that purpose. These programs are shaped so as to bring seminarians into a closer union with Christ and to develop a deeper knowledge of the mystery of Christ and His Church. It is modeled on the first seminary, namely, the experience of the Apostles with Christ who called them to be His witnesses to his life, death and resurrection. He encouraged them to be the preachers, evangelizers and celebrants of the mission that He gave to them and he trained them to bring healing and redeeming love for the world through the Church. Since this call by Christ, and union with Him, is the basis of the life of a priest, this union is especially fostered in prayer, in worship through the celebration of the Eucharist, and in meditating in the presence of Our Lord. This union is also the foundation for making the seminary community one that is based on the type of charity that prepares men for their pastoral assignments and for later priestly service. The academic work of philosophy, theology and other intellectual tasks prepares seminarians for being able to apprehend the mysteries of God and to comprehend the culture and times into which they will bring the understanding of God's love. All of this is aimed at assisting seminarians in becoming spiritual persons who can be models for Catholics and others. Spiritual formation is central in aiding those in training to be priests of Christ to be holy and self-sacrificing mediators and leaders. Given the times in which we live, with its deep concerns and fears, its conflicts between freedom and equality, and its hunger for some hope that will give purpose and meaning to living and dying, the Church needs men dedicated and committed to bringing Christ to these hungers. St. John's Seminary is itself dedicated to preparing priests of Christ for our times, priests who are capable of drawing on the broad vistas of Catholic tradition and culture for the new evangelization. Because "the Church's mission of salvation in the world is realized not only by the ministers in virtue of the Sacrament of Orders but also by all the lay faithful" (Christifideles Laici, 23), in the year 2000, St. John's Seminary inaugurated the Master of Arts in Ministry Program. In this program, lay men and women receive not only academic preparation, but also spiritual, human, and pastoral formation, so that those working in ecclesial positions are professionally prepared and all students might better witness to their faith in the family, in their work, and in the many other situations in which they find themselves.
As Rector of St. John's it is a privilege to share with the faculty and formation leaders in the preparation of holy and dedicated priests and lay people for the Church. I ask for your prayers as a way of having the whole of the Church participate in our work at St. John's and ask especially for your prayers for the men who offer themselves to the Church for formation to the priesthood of Christ.
I hope that as you visit our website you will come to know more about our life and work at St. John's and will contact us for further information.
May God bless you.
