Preparation for the priesthood takes between six and seven years. There are four essential areas of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. Fr. Brian O’Mahony, who was ordained in June, has shared with us what life is like in the seminary...
Daily life at Allen Hall Seminary in West London begins at 7:30am when the whole community gathers for prayer. We pray the Angelus followed by a half-hour of meditation and conclude with Morning Prayer.
After breakfast, classes begin at 9:00am. During years one and two these are conducted in-house. After a parish-based pastoral year, students in years four, five and six enroll at Heythrop College (part of the University of London) for theology studies.
In the afternoon time is devoted to private study and meetings. We all have a personal academic tutor, spiritual director and formation advisor, as well as a weekly singing lesson and a meeting with a speech and communications teacher.
In addition, we each have a pastoral assignment, which changes every year. Over my six years, I will have spent time in three parishes, as well chaplaincy placements in a hospital, school, the Young Offenders Institute and specialist ministry to the Travellers and to the Deaf community. During my Diaconal year, preparing for Priestly Ordination, I have spent the weekends working at the vibrant parishes of Poplar and Limehouse, where there is only one parish priest.
Everyone in the seminary comes together again for Evening Prayer, which is sung on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We celebrate Mass either in the evening after Vespers, at lunchtime, or at 7:30pm, depending on the day of the week. Supper is generally a casual affair, and the evenings are free for private study or recreational time. Silence is observed in the house from 10:30pm until breakfast-time.
We gather for a Spiritual Conference followed by a period of Adoration every Wednesday, and pray a Holy Hour on Sunday evenings. Since Sunday is set-aside for pastoral work, we celebrate the vigil Mass on Saturday with the whole community, followed by community dinner. Guests of students are welcomed on this evening, and there is some social time together afterwards.
Allen Hall is a very happy community and has grown in size in the years I have been studying here. We currently have students training for Westminster, Nottingham, Leeds, and Cardiff, as well as associate students from the Neo-catechumenal way. We have a Seminarian from Johannesburg and a Deacon from Macau with us at the moment. Along with students who originate from as far afield as Nigeria and Bolivia, it is quite an international household.
Cardinal Nichols has appointed me as a Chaplain at the Cathedral. I hope you will pray for me as I prepare to serve the people of God in our Diocese.
About Fr. Brian O’Mahony
Fr. Brian was born in the UK but spent most of his teenage years and young adult life in Australia. He was living and working in London when he applied for the priesthood. He has a degree in International Relations and Philosophy and spent several years working in Hotel Management.
