Established 1942

Seminary for the formation of men for the diocesan priesthood.

Saint Charles Seminary was founded in 1942 for the formation of Catholic priests for the ecclesiastical province of Western Australia. After closing in 1975, the Seminary reopened in 1994. It is located in the suburb of Guildford, on the banks of the Swan River.

The Seminary provides a comprehensive SEVEN year course in human, spiritual, pastoral and academic formation, and is assisted in this task by the Centre for Seminary Studies and the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Rector: Rev Fr Don Hughes OMI
Dean of Studies: Rev Dr Brian Limbourn
Spiritual Director: Rev Fr Nino Vinciguerra

Address: 30 Meadow Street, GUILDFORD
Postal Address: PO Box 134, GUILDFORD WA 6935
Office Telephone: +61 (0)8 9279 1310
Seminarians Telephone: +61 (0)8 9377 2655
Fax: +61 (0)8 9279 2772
E-mail: admin@seminary-perth.org.au

The site is calm, quiet and peaceful--conducive to prayer and study. It is also appropriate as Guildford was one of the early sites for the fledgling Catholic Church in the mid-19th century. St Charles' Seminary cares for the fledgling vocations to the diocesan priesthood which serves the Church in WA.

Men who feel they have a call to the priesthood are able to apply for entry to the Seminary. Since 1942 over 160 men who have spent time at St Charles have been ordained priests.

Pope John Paul wrote:

In its deepest identity the seminary is called to be, in its own way, a continuation in the Church of the apostolic community gathered about Jesus, listening to his word, proceeding towards the Easter experience, awaiting the gift of the Spirit for the mission. (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 60)

A seminary is a place of work and prayer and discernment. It is a place where men draw closer to Christ by learning about his life and teaching. Priests are called to be "other Christs" through their times of quiet prayer and recollection. They will learn to be shepherds after the heart of Christ.

The life of a student at St Charles' is a busy but happy one. Busy, with a full timetable of study, prayer and work. Happy and fulfilling because our students live and share, play and work in a community of like-minded men who are all dedicated to the following of Christ. Seminary life and training helps the student to realize more and more that God has chosen him for a special purpose in life. He becomes more aware of this through the various areas of his priestly formation. The Seminary provides a comprehensive seven-year course in these areas of human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation and is assisted in this task by the Centre for Seminary Studies and the University of Notre Dame Australia. A fuller explanation of these areas is developed under the heading Priestly Formation Programme.

All of this formation is placed under the patronage of Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ and Mother of priests.