Saint Philip's Seminary is an apostolate of the

Oratory of Saint Philip Neri The Confederation of Oratories of Saint Philip Neri ( la, Confoederatio Oratorii Sancti Philippi Nerii) abbreviated CO and commonly known as the Oratorians is a Catholic society of apostolic life of Pontifical Right for men (priests and lay- ...

, a

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

society of apostolic life. It has been authorized to grant degrees by the province of Ontario. It accepts students for the priesthood who are sponsored by their diocese or by their religious order.

History

The Philosophy Division of Saint Philip's Seminary was founded in 1986. Gerald Emmett Cardinal Carter requested to provide a place for the philosophical preparation of seminarians for the

Archdiocese of Toronto The Archdiocese of Toronto ( la, Archidioecesis Torontina) is a Roman Catholic archdiocese that includes part of the Province of Ontario. Its archbishop is also the ecclesiastical provincial for the dioceses of Hamilton, London, Saint Catharines ...

, especially those in residence at Serra House, the archdiocesan house of discernment. In the fall of 1988, a residential program providing intellectual training, spiritual and personal formation was made available to seminarians from Dioceses and Religious Communities. In 2007, a three-year course of studies with an expanded set of degrees was provided at the request of the

and St. Augustine's Seminary. The Congregation for Education in January 2011 instituted the three-year course of philosophical studies as the norm for seminarians.Seminary Catalogue
St. Philip's Seminary website, retrieved July 25, 2014

Principles

* Seminarians need a program of philosophy of a high intellectual calibre, explicitly directed towards the subsequent study of theology; * Seminarians need a program of formation focussing upon the development of a clear understanding of and a deep love for the priestly vocation.

Status

The seminary has trained men for Roman Catholic priesthood and provided continuing education courses for adults in matters relating to the Roman Catholic faith since its inception. However, the Ontario legislature officially recognized the seminary as a degree-granting institution through the passage "An Act respecting The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, 1990".Enabling Legislation
An Act respecting The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, 1990, retrieved July 25, 2014

Academic programs

* Bachelor of Catholic Thought (2 years) * Bachelor of Thomistic Thought (3 or 4 years) * Master of Theology (3 years)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Philips Seminary Seminaries and theological colleges in Canada Education in Toronto Educational institutions established in 1986 Catholic seminaries in North America Catholic Church in Ontario Universities and colleges in Toronto 1986 establishments in Ontario