Nineteen new seminarians join Maynooth

Tomorrow, 27 August, 19 first year seminarians will commence their studies for the priesthood in St Patrick's College, Maynooth in the Republic of Ireland. The total number of seminarians in the College at the start of the academic year will be 75, compared to 63 last year. Commenting on the number of diocesan vocations, Monsignor Dermot Farrell, President of St Patrick's College Maynooth, said: "I welcome the overall increase in the number of seminarians in formation at Maynooth." Underlining the centrality of the sacraments to the life of the Catholic Church, Monsignor Farrell noted that "the continuing growth in the number of students studying for the priesthood is good news for Catholic communities throughout the country for it guarantees the continuation of that sacramental life which is at the heart of the Church." St Patrick's College, Maynooth, was founded in 1795 and is the national seminary. The Trustees of the College are the Governing Body of the College. The membership is defined by successive Acts of Parliament. The current Trustees are the four Archbishops together with thirteen other senior bishops. The College comprises the seminary and the Pontifical University, which offers degrees in theology, philosophy and theology and arts.