THE SEMINARY OF THE SOSNOWIEC DIOCESE

FOREWORD:

?I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me
It was not I that found, O Saviour true;
No, I was found of Thee.?

Some years ago at a social function in England, a great actor was asked to recite something for the pleasure of his fellow guests. He consented. He asked if there was anything special which his audience would like to hear. An elderly priest who was present arose and said, ?Could you, sir, recite the 23rd Psalm??

The great actor replied, ?I can and I will if you, my friend, after I have finished, will do the same.? The priest reluctantly consented. Impressively, the great actor recited the Psalm. His voice was perfect. His intonation was flawless. The audience was spellbound. As he finished, the guests applauded.

Then, the elderly priest arose and began to recite the Psalm. His voice was not remarkable. His intonation was not flawless. When he finished, there was no applause, but rather silence. There wasn?t a dry eye in the room. Many heads were bowed in reverence.

The great actor again rose to his feet and with great emotion said, ?My friends, I have reached your eyes and ears, but the father has reached your hearts. The difference is this: I know the 23rd Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd!?

The Seminary is not about teaching and preparing for the recitation of Psalms or other prayers. Although we do have six years of such studies and many pastoral exercises, its real essence is to get to know and to follow the Shepherd.

St. Joseph’s Seminary of Sosnowiec Diocese in Cracow was founded in 1992 by H.E. Adam Śmigielski, the first Bishop of the newly formed Sosnowiec Diocese (situated some 50 miles west of Krakow). In 2013 our Seminary has been moved to Częstochowa. Our Seminary, with its 41 seminarians (2013/2014), is one of two diocesan seminaries in current building, which – with seminarians of Częstochowa Diocese – jointly have over 110 students.

Prayer for Vocations

Heavenly Father, help us to respond to and live out our mission in the Church. Help all your people to know their vocation in life, and assist them to prepare for it. For your greater glory and for the service of your people, call many to be priests and religious. Give those whom You call the grace to respond generously and to persevere faithfully. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Dear Friends,
We would like to share with you our hopes, joys and sufferings. Holy Mass is celebrated in your intention every Thursday in our Seminary chapel. If there are any special intentions you may have, please let us know. Write to us:

St. Joseph’s Seminary
of Sosnowiec Diocese
ul. św. Barbary 41
31-069 Częstochowie
Poland

seminarium@sosnowiec.opoka.org.pl