Seminary priest facts for kids

Seminary priests were Roman Catholic priests who trained in special schools called seminaries. These schools were mostly located in other European countries, like France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. This happened because laws in Britain made it difficult or illegal to be openly Catholic and train priests there.

These priests were different from earlier priests trained in England, like those from the time of Queen Mary I. The idea of training priests in special seminaries was quite new. It started after a big meeting of the Catholic Church called the Council of Trent. The very first seminary priest to die for his faith was Saint Cuthbert Mayne. He is sometimes called the "protomartyr" (first martyr) of the seminary priests.

Why Priests Trained Abroad

After the English Reformation in the 1500s, the official religion in England changed from Catholicism to Protestantism. New laws were made that made it hard for Catholics to practice their faith freely. It also became very difficult to train new Catholic priests in England.

Because of these laws, many young men who wanted to become Catholic priests had to leave England. They traveled to other countries in Europe where they could study safely. These special schools, or seminaries, were set up to help English Catholics continue their religious training.

Where Seminary Priests Studied

Many seminaries were created specifically for English students. These schools became important centers for learning and faith. Here are some of the most famous ones:

• The English College at Douai, in France, started in 1568. For a while, it moved to Rheims (from 1578 to 1593) before returning to Douai.
• The English College in Rome, Italy, opened in 1579.
• In Spain, two colleges were founded: one in Valladolid in 1589, and another in Seville in 1592.
• The college at St Omer (which later moved to Bruges and then Liège) in what is now Belgium, began in 1593.
• The English College in Lisbon, Portugal, was established later, in 1628.

These seminaries provided a safe place for English students to study theology and prepare for their lives as priests. They learned about Catholic teachings and how to serve their communities back in England.

Their Important Role

After their training, many seminary priests secretly returned to England. Their mission was to serve the Catholic communities that remained. They would celebrate Mass, give sacraments, and offer spiritual guidance. This was a very dangerous job, as they risked being arrested, imprisoned, or even executed for their faith.

These priests played a vital role in keeping the Catholic faith alive in England during a challenging time. They showed great courage and dedication to their beliefs. Their efforts helped to preserve Catholicism for future generations.

First to Die for Their Faith

One of the most famous seminary priests was Saint Cuthbert Mayne. He was trained at the English College in Douai. After his ordination, he returned to England to serve the Catholic community.

Sadly, Cuthbert Mayne was arrested and accused of treason because he was a Catholic priest. He was martyred (killed for his faith) in 1577. He is remembered as the first seminary priest to die for his beliefs, making him a very important figure in the history of English Catholicism.

See also

• Colleges of St Omer, Bruges and Liège
• English College, Douai, France
• English College, Rome, Rome
• English College, Valladolid, Spain
• Pontifical English College, Lisbon, Portugal