The Mater Boni Consilii Institute opened in Orio Canavese, in the Ivrea Diocese in January 1987 and was moved to Verrua Savoia in the Casale Monferrato diocese in 1988, where it continues to train clergy for the priesthood.

The Seminary and the Church (doctrinal position, canonical situation)

The ‘San Pietro Martire’ Seminary aims at preparing young candidates for the catholic priesthood, by strictly observing the rules of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church is the sole to care of founding seminaries (Can.1352) and the bishop or the Holy See of approving the rules (can. 1357, 3 and 4). Thus, while awaiting the canon founding of the Seminary and approval of its rules, the San Pietro Martire Seminary is not a legal reality, but a purely factual one. .However, as the training of the clergy is of vital importance for the continuation of the Mission entrusted to us from our Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that it is our right and duty, while this state of privation of the Church’s authority lasts, to prepare as many as are called by God to the priesthood. On account of what was mentioned above, the only moral justification for the existence of our seminary, without canon approval, is the present situation of the Catholic Church as described by Monsignor M.L. Guerard des Lauriers in his thesis ‘di Cassiciacum’. So, superiors, teachers and students of the seminary must accept to this belief.

The vocation to the priesthood

One cannot aspire to the priesthood if one has not received a vocation or call from God ‘nor can such an honour be appropriated by just anyone, but he who is called by God, like Aaron (Heb, 5,4,); not you have chosen me, but it is I who have chosen you, and I have appointed you that you may go forth and bear fruit’ (Jo, 15,16); ‘ not everyone understands the word, but only those on whom it is bestowed (Mt. 19. 11) God will never fail to kindle vocations to the priesthood, because these are indispensable to the very existence off His Church.Very rarely are there extraordinary or miraculous calls (like St. Paul’s), God usually manifests his choice through causes according to their creation. In particular, Divine Providence will:1. Create a favourable family atmosphere and upbringing (or overcome or compensate), without excluding material and economic aspects etc.2. Inspire and nurture the suitable physical, intellectual and moral qualities.3. Inspire the desire for the life in the priesthood to his will (particularly with devotion to the Sacrifice of the Mass), by closely examining and judging the above-mentioned elements by the spiritual father.4. Enlighten his ecclesiastical superiors, rendering their judgement favourable and persuading them to accept.

Admission to the Seminary

Anyone who is interented in the Seminary should write to the Rettore del Seminario San Pietro Martire (Località Carbignano 35/36, 10020 Verrua Savoia (To), Italy, specifying reasons which lead your to the priesthood.The following should be attached to your letter:I. Candidate’s curriculum vitae with place and date of birth, family, education, job, name of any seminary that you have already attended.II. Baptism, Confirmation and parent’s marriage certificatesIII. Copy of High School leaving certificateIV. An introducing letter signed by a priest. The application form will be taken into consideration by the Rector who will decide whether the candidate meets the requirements of the Church, particularly in the canons 1363.1364 of the code of canon law (promulgated by Benedict XV)The candidate – of whatever nationality – must be between the ages of 17 and 40. He may apply for admission to the Istituto Mater Boni Consilii; however, ‘ even candidates who are not intending to become part of the Istituto Mater Boni Consilii, are admitted by previous arrangement with their institute or sacerdotal group or on recommendation by a trusted priest’, bearing in mind what has been stated above on the doctrinal position to be adopted in the seminary.

The studies

The academic year begins on the Feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15^th) and finishes at the end of June; the exams are scheduled in February and June. The courses last six years: two of scholastic philosophy, and four of theology. For both sciences the Doctor Communis’s doctrine (Saint Thomas Aquinas), will be followed (can 1366). Lessons will be held in Italian and French, while the manuals and texts are in Latin; weekly remedial courses for those who know less Latin will be provided.

Liturgy and ecclesiastical robes

Holy Mass and divine office are celebrated exclusively in Latin and conform to the rubrics promulgated by St. Pius X. From the moment of taking the habit, the clerics must always wear the ecclesiastical robes (priest’s cassock).

The Sacred Orders

During the course, the seminarists who apply in accordance with the spiritual director and the approval of the Rector, will receive the Sacred orders laid down by the Council of Trent: the tonsure, the four minor orders, the sub-deaconate (which implies the obligation of celibacy), the deaconate and the priesthood. The Sacred Orders for the Mater Boni Consilii Institute are usually administered by Monsignor Geert Stuyver, who was consecrated bishop by Monsignor Robert Fidelis McKenna, a Dominican, who in turn was consecrated by the Dominican theologist Monsignor Michel-Louis Guerard des Lauriers, Padre Guerard des Lauriers received the Episcopal consecration in 1981 from Monsignor Pierre-Martin Ngo-dinh-Thuc, who was Archbishop of Hue, in Vietnam, and Assistant to the Papal Throne. For the legitimacy of these consecrations, which can be justified only by the present situation of the Church (the Apostolic See is officially vacant), Don Ricossa’s booklet on the Episcopal consecrations can be consultated and are on sale at the Centro Librario Sodalitium.

Conclusion

Our Lord Jesus Christ entrusted the celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass to the priest, the bloodless renewal of Calvary, the only sacrifice of the New Testament that gives God the glory he deserves. He also entrusted the priests with the administration of the sacraments, channels of grace and privileged instrument for the salvation of souls. Young people who have the physical intellectual and moral qualities for the priesthood might ask themselves if by any chance Jesus Christ isn’t also saying the words ‘come and follow me’ to them. The spiritual exercises according to St. Ignatius are a wonderful way, recommended by the Church, to examine one’s vocation closely. In these particularly difficult times zealous, willing, holy priests are even more necessary than in the past for the salvation of souls. Why should it be the others and couldn’t it be I who answers Jesus Christ’s call?