St Gall's Seminary - A theological education for all!
The Holy Celtic Church International endeavours to maintain high standards of education for our clergy and many have suitable theological degrees from reputable universities. For members of our church who have not received a suitable theological degree, and for members of other jurisdictions in communion with us, we offer short in-house training courses:
The standard St Gall's Seminary Course emphasises Celtic Spirituality, Liberal Catholic Theology, Church History and Liturgical Studies. Each course is customised for the indivdual so that those who have particular strengths and interests are encouraged, whilst ensuring that all meet the basic standard of proficiency. All of the textbooks are supplied as pdfs.
Courses may be weighted in several different directions. For example, we offer a course in Monastic Studies, which may or may not lead to ordination, for members of the our Benedictine and Franciscan communities. Members of other communities are also welcome. Alternatively, we also offer a course in Liberal Catholic and Esoteric Studies, primarily for members of the Holy Celtic Order of the Temple and the Mar Thoma Liberal Catholic Church. For members of the Confraternity of the Life of Mary we offer a course which leans towards Marian spirituality, Eucharistic spirituality and folk Catholicism. All of these courses are also pdf based.
If seminarians live close to a HCCI bishop they may be ordained at regular intervals to each of the minor orders, the diaconate and ultimately the priesthood. The course(s) may be completed in one or two years or longer if necessary. For those who live at a great distance from their nearest HCCI bishop ordinations may be combined in one trip if necessary. Lay people who do not intend to be ordained to major orders may also be welcome to study with us, depending on denominational affiliation. Lay men may also like to consider ordination to the Minor Orders, or in the case of ladies, admittance to the Deaconess Society of Our Lady and St Ita, for which a special course is offered .
For further information please use the Contact Form below or the contact form on the Vocations page. Thank you!
We also have a branch of the Seminary in Italy, CENTRO STUDI TEOLOGICI “SAN GALLO” , for our Italian speaking seminarians, under the capable Rectorship of Dom Giovanni OSBA, Vicar Apostolic, whilst for Spanish and Portuguese speaking students we are also able to provide some speacial resources.
It should be noted that in the Holy Celtic Church International ordination is offered primarily for the spiritual development of the individual. We do not assume that all clergy will have or wish to have a public pastoral ministry though we would certainly encourage individuals who feel called to offer sacraments and rites of passage. Generally we do not have church buildings and have small home based ministries, whilst some of our clergy specialise in wedding and funeral ministry.
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Our Lady of Vocations pray for us!
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Residential Weekends for Seminarians
Ordination of a Deacon
As part of the St Gall's Foundation Course, those seminarians wishing to be ordained, may be invited to attend one or more residential weekends in Switzerland. These are not obligatory, but are recommended wherever possible.
For further information please contact the Primus at bishopalistair1964@bluewin.ch
The Dean is the Rt Revd Dom Alistair Bate OSBA, who holds a Master of Arts Degree in Divinity from the University of Edinburgh.
For further information please contact the Primus at bishopalistair1964@bluewin.ch
The Dean is the Rt Revd Dom Alistair Bate OSBA, who holds a Master of Arts Degree in Divinity from the University of Edinburgh.
Ash Wednesday Mass, 2013
Testimonial from a former student:
St. Gall´s Retreat: Why to go there –what to get there. ...
More and more people struggle in their daily life.Their job and the world around them keeps them busy and they need time to breathe., to breathe the Spirit of God.
Attending a Seminar at St. Gall´s retreat – up in the mountains of Avers - makes you feel that not only the air is fresh to breathe. What´s more, one feels closer to his creator. This beautiful and peaceful area accompanied by Bishop Alistair´s guidance, celebrating the divine liturgy and the daily office gives you a glimpse into another world, free from the daily pressures. Not only will you be nourished by the Holy Sacraments, if you wish to do so, but also by the knowledge of e.g. Celtic spirituality and traditional liturgy. This will strengthen you for your daily tasks to come and will give you a feeling of God´s love in a broken world.
So, why don´t you book your next holiday or retreat there? I am sure this will be an unique experience for all who want to have a different holiday – away from the noise and darkness of the day, into the quietness and light of God.
More and more people struggle in their daily life.Their job and the world around them keeps them busy and they need time to breathe., to breathe the Spirit of God.
Attending a Seminar at St. Gall´s retreat – up in the mountains of Avers - makes you feel that not only the air is fresh to breathe. What´s more, one feels closer to his creator. This beautiful and peaceful area accompanied by Bishop Alistair´s guidance, celebrating the divine liturgy and the daily office gives you a glimpse into another world, free from the daily pressures. Not only will you be nourished by the Holy Sacraments, if you wish to do so, but also by the knowledge of e.g. Celtic spirituality and traditional liturgy. This will strengthen you for your daily tasks to come and will give you a feeling of God´s love in a broken world.
So, why don´t you book your next holiday or retreat there? I am sure this will be an unique experience for all who want to have a different holiday – away from the noise and darkness of the day, into the quietness and light of God.
A Prayer of St Columba
St Brigid's Perpetual Flame in Kildare
Kindle in our hearts, O God, The flame of that love which never ceases, that it may burn in us, giving light to others. May we shine forever in Thy holy temple. Set on fire with Thy eternal light, Even Thy son, Jesus Christ, Our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.
