There was a great atmosphere in the College for the first half of 2019, as our fourth Propaedeutic Course group of seminarians began their journey in priestly formation.
Our group came from various dioceses in Scotland as well as Derry and Ferns (Wexford) in Ireland. As with previous years, the students explored various aspects of our faith, ranging from Sacred Scripture and Liturgy to Mission and Moral Theology. At the heart of the course, however, is our focus on the spiritual life. Ably led once again by Fr Stuart Chalmers, our resident Spiritual Director, with support from a number of visiting presenters, the students explored various themes in Spirituality – prayer itself, the person of Christ, praying with the Church, and traditions in Catholic spirituality. They were also guided in reading some of the spiritual classics, most notably The Interior Castle of St Teresa of Ávila.
As well as the courses run within the College, a number of excursions also give the students an opportunity to explore something of the area of Spain in which the College is situated. Ávila, Segovia and Valladolid are all within easy reach, and a day to visit the annual exhibition of religious art, Las Edades del Hombre, afforded an excuse to visit the Dominican monastery at Silos as well.
Aula Magna, Pontifical University of Salamanca 
Clerecía Church, Salamanca 
“Four Posts”, Ávila 
Tomb of St John of the Cross, Segovia 
Segovia 
Valladolid, Chapel of the former Scots College home 
Santo Domingo de Silos 
Dominican Monastery of Santo Domingo, Silos 
Santo Domingo de Silos
As in previous years, we were privileged to go to Rome for Holy Week and the Easter Triduum, to join the community of the Pontifical Scots College for their five-day (silent) retreat and Easter Triduum celebrations. We had the privilege of looking after the Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday, at which our own Fr Stuart presided and preached, and during which our community served, sang and played the organ. A beautiful and moving contribution to the liturgies of the most significant three days of our year.
Fr Stuart presiding at Good Friday 
Leading the singing of the “Reproaches” 
Kieran singing the psalm (Good Friday) 
Fr Stuart preaching 
The two College communities together
Our “Class of 2019” finished their course at the end of June and, after th summer break, moved on to the Pontifical Scots College and Beda College in Rome, and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, in Ireland.
Please keep them in your prayers!
Below is a selection of images from various parts of the course and various people involved with our community this year.
