Help a 3rd year English ICKSP seminarian

Matthew Bird is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Friends ICKSP.

Donation protected

Dear friends,

After having studied at St Anselm's college and having completed 2 years at university I decided to join the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, a religious congregation whose main focus is the glory of God and the salvation of souls by means of the Sacred Liturgy. I will shortly be beginning my third year of priestly formation at our seminary of Gricigliano in Italy.

The formation at the seminary is a minimum of 7 years, comprising of a 1st year of initial introduction to the studies and to the life of seminary followed by 2 years of Philosophy and 4 years of theology. Thanks to your prayers and support this year I will be starting my 2nd year of philosophy. Our life at seminary is centred first and foremost on the life of prayer, each day all the seminarians gather in the chapel to sing the praises of God and to assist at the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. After prayer the second most important aspect of seminary life is our studies which we do under the patronage and guidance of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Our studies consist of around 5 hours study each weekday. And the 3rd aspect which is of great importance is that of manual work, each seminarian consecrates a given time each day to carry out certain tasks which contribute to the upkeep of the seminary, I have spent my last two years in the workshop repairing and constructing things.

How may you Help?

The seminary fees are around £7000 per year; this contributes towards our tuition fees, food, accommodation and more. We, as seminarians, are asked to raise what we can to go towards these expenses. If you would be willing to support me and my formation at the seminary, then you may help by making a donation. I would be very grateful for any contribution that you can make, I would also be very thankful for your prayers.

You may be assured of my prayers for you and your families,

May God bless you.

Abbé Bird

Here you will find a link to an album of Gregorian chant which was made by the seminarians. Gregorian chant has a very important place in our life, by the chant we lift our hearts and minds to God in prayer while singing His praises.