HISTORY
Since 1991, 1490 priests from 96 countries and 672 dioceses have taken part in this course. In addition to the annual international course, similar workshops have been held at a national level in Colombia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Philippines, Tanzania, Ghana and others. The international course has also counted on the support of many bishops who have participated as special invitees.      

OPEN TO
• Bishops
• Rectors
• Spiritual directors
• Other seminary formators

DIPLOMA
The Pontificial Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum will award course participants with a diploma. Full participation is required.

LANGUAGES
Simultaneous translation will be provided in English, Italian, Spanish, and French.

DAILY ACTIVITIES
Lauds and concelebration of the Eucharist, 3 conferences, case studies, group discussions, Q&A, personal study, vespers before the Blessed Sacrament.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
One free day (usually Thursdays); weekly outing with all participants (usually Sunday - visiting the important sights in Rome).

TOPICS
The topics will cover theology, pedagogy, pastoral ministry, and organization.

• The ministry of the formation of priests
• Principles of the formation process
• The ecclesial dimension of the vocation and the seminary
• Identification with Christ and prayer life
• The seminarian and the importance of human virtues and maturity
• The role of psychology in the formation process
• Pastoral charity and its manifestations
• Intellectual development and academic formation

FACULTY

HECTOR GUERRA, LC , PHL, STL (MEXICO)
He is Former Territorial Director of the Legionaries of Christ in Europe. He is author of several books on spirituality. He is currently director of Sacerdos Institute at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.

OWEN KEARNS, LC, PHL, STL (IRELAND)
He has been a guide in the United States for over 16 years for young men discerning the priestly vocation. He also specializes in conferences and retreats for priests.

PAOLO SCARAFONI, LC, PHL, ED.LR., STD (ITALY)
He is former Rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, and currently the Rector of the European University of Rome, as well as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology. He has participated as a panelist in various teleconferences organized by the Congregation for the Clergy.

GONZALO MIRANDA, LC, PHL, STD (SPAIN)
He has more than 20 years of experience in the intellectual formation of seminarians. He is Dean of the Faculty of Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, and the Director of the scientific journal, Studia Bioethica. He frequently participates in debates and discussions on radio and television programs, particularly on bioethical themes.

ANTHONY BANNON, LC, PHL (IRELAND)
He is former Territorial Director of the Legionaries of Christ in North America and is a highly experienced formator of seminarians. At present, he dedicates himself to the spiritual guidance of priests, seminarians and youth and oversees the development of the apostolic work of Regnum Christi in Ireland. He is the author of several books on vocation and discernment: Peter on the Shore, Vocation: Questions and Answers, Launch into the Deep (Circle Press). He is also the director of the website www.vocation.com.

ROBERTO GONZÁLEZ, LC, STD (MEXICO)
He has many years of experience in preaching spiritual exercises to priests and seminarians, as well as offering spiritual direction to seminarians. He worked for the Congregation for Bishops for more than 15 years and is currently a Professor of Moral Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.

MICHAEL RYAN, LC, PHD (IRELAND)
He specializes in pastoral themes, especially social ethics, business ethics, matrimony, and the family. He had served as Dean of Philosophy and is presently Director of the Fidelis Institute at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. His book on the importance of communication in marriage entitled, The Last Straw, has been translated into five languages. 

JESÚS VILLAGRASA, LC, STL, PHD (SPAIN)
He is currently the spiritual director of philosophy and theology students, and was a seminary formator in Chile. He holds the chair of Metaphysics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and is a member of the International Society of St. Thomas Aquinas (SITA). He has published numerous books and articles, including an analysis on the challenges presented by globalization. He is Editorial Advisor of the journal Ecclesia.

MSGR. TONY ANATRELLA, SJ (FRANCE)
He is a Psychoanalyst and specialist in Social Psychiatry. In 2007, he was appointed by Benedict XVI as consultant for the Pontifical Council for the Family and for Pastoral Health Care. He is a Professor at the Institut de Philosophie Comparée  in Paris (IPC). His books include: El Sexo Olvidado (The Forgotten Sex) (1990), L´Amour et le Preservatif (Love and Contraception) (1995), Le Regne de Narcisse (The Kingdom of Marcissus) (2005) and La Diferencia Prohibida (The Forbidden Difference) (2008). 

COURSE LOCATION

PONTIFICIO COLLEGIO INTERNAZIONALE MARIA MATER ECCLESIAE
Via Pietro di Francisci snc
00163, Roma
Tel: (+39) 06 66 52 61

ENROLLMENT
Cost
•€2,100 due no later than upon arrival.
•Payment includes registration, room, board, and materials.
•The price may be reduced for those proving a justified reason by April 15, 2013.

Required Documentation
•Completed enrollment form
•Curriculum vitae
•Letter of recommendation from Bishop or Major Superior
•Recent photograph (wallet-size)

All documents must arrive by April 15, 2013. (They may be sent via email or fax by the deadline, but all originals should be sent by mail before the beginning of the course.)

CALENDAR

•June 25: Arrival for Spiritual Exercises (optional)
•June 26 - June 30: Spiritual Exercises
•July 1: Arrival for Workshop
•July 2 - July 27: Academic Activities
•July 28: Conclusion and Departure

CONTACT INFORMATION
Fr. Hector Guerra, LC
Via degli Aldobrandeschi, 190
00163 Rome, Italy

Tel. (39) 06 66527409
Fax (39) 06 66527410
E-mail: cfs@arcol.org

WORDS OF PRAISE
"The course has given me a new meaning to my priesthood. It has broadened my horizon on my work. There is now the urge in me to do more to help young people who express the desire to become a priest. I have realized the need to do more in accompanying my seminarians to respond positively to the call of God. I want to thank the organizers for this wonderful program. The seminarians were wonderful in their service to make us happy. They really inspired me. God bless them and lead them to his altar." -Fr. Anthony Appiah (Tamale, GHANA)

"The course for me was a launching pad for my seminary work. I’ve been a formator for only two years now, and I see how I needed to better plan out my goals, means and methods for formation. I would say that, for my life, the course has met my expected goals. We won’t find perfeciton in this world, but this course has marked my life greatly, in particular through the experiences of International eclesial comunión and the witness of so many brothers in the priesthood, seminarians and their formators. It’s really been a good course!"
-Pierpaolo Cilla (Acerenza, ITALIA)

 "I have found this course a very good introduction for my work as formator. The meeting with priests from around the world and the excellent service and good example of prayerfulness from the brothers of the legionaries of Christ."
-Bernard Gordon (Sydney, AUSTRALIA)