Seminary Building

Seminarians Reflections on life in the seminary

So what is my experience in the Seminary? Well, let me fist introduce my self. I'm Will Howard and I'm in my sixth year of the program -one more year to go. Now... what lies in between? Well, I'm a bit of an odd-ball for this environment. I'm actually not from the Caribbean, technically speaking I'm a 'late vocation' (age 47) and my back ground is the arts (BFA in Fine Arts) and a semi eremitical (hermitage) spirituality. When I first arrived in the Caribbean in the early 1980s I hardly thought I would be studying for the Archdiocese of Castries St. Lucia in the year 2001. Fact is I wasn't even Catholic. But hey...life is and adventure right.

My experience in Seminary has been very positive. O, there has been a lot of challenge and hard work. But for me this is the stuff of a creative live-giving existence. Much of my energies in seminary have been to make the 'institution' into a 'home'. Home is where a person is meant to thrive, to grow and feel at peace, in this case, with one's family of faith. I see this 'thriving' as happening at this communal interpersonal level, but also at the spiritual level.

By and large it's a nice small manageable community; 25-30 persons in house. Every one gets to know everyone else pretty well over the course of seven years. Again, some real deep and meaningful relationships can emerge with men and women you will be potentially working with into the future. Yes, I said "and women". Especially in relation to the academic studies there are many religious and secular associates of the Seminary, both male and female, that one is encountering on a daily bases. And then there is the staff and lecturers that are more than willing to contribute to the 'uplifting' of the environment, whether it's cooking meals or acting as a rector. Really all make up to create one pretty happy 'family' in many ways.

In terms of the academic side of things, the lectures are again rather small and intimate 10-15 students. These take place in the mornings mostly. A short walk up the hill, and there one finds all one needs to satisfy all philosophical and theological quests, with library and internet access... and much stimulating discussion and debate. Sure the course work is demanding at times, but by and large it is paced and very manageable.

Trinidad itself is a great host for the seminarian. Representing a diversified and rich culture cosmopolitan of the Caribbean, I've found my time here quite rewarding as an artist. With the University only 20 minutes away and the city of POS little more than 1/2 hour the Seminary has the best of both worlds. Here too is found many opportunities for real hands on ministry experience.

All told, I must say I will miss the life when I complete the program in another year.

by William Howard-Seminarian-Diocese of Castries