On Sunday 16 February, two young men from our Diocese, Aaron Baulch and Mason Crosier took a significant step in their journey towards the priesthood, entering Corpus Christi College Carlton for the beginning of their priestly formation. Accompanied by their families, the day was filled with excitement and emotion as they settled into the next chapter of their lives.

The seminarians and their families were welcomed with afternoon tea, providing an opportunity for seminarians and their families to meet each other, as well as the seminary staff. “I was feeling very excited to meet the other first-year seminarians ….” said Mason Crosier from Mooroopna. “Along with Aaron Baulch from Kerang, there are five other first-year seminarians ,all of whom are studying for the Archdiocese of Melbourne.”

After unpacking, the first-year seminarians said farewell to their families and prepared for an evening of formal proceedings, which included official College photos, solemn evening prayer in the seminary Chapel, followed by dinner.

From Tuesday 18 to 23 February Aaron and Mason embarked on a spiritual retreat for first-year seminarians at St Paul’s Retreat Centre in Wantirna South. “The retreat was led by our first year formator, Fr Daryl Montecillo,” reported Mason. The main focus was getting to know each other and also providing a good understanding of what our first year in the seminary will look like.”

There were many opportunities for prayer,” said Aaron of the retreat. “Especially on Friday, which we spent in silence until dinner, only speaking during morning and evening prayer and our responses at Mass.”

“I am grateful to have had this time on retreat, where I was able to mentally and spiritually adjust to the reality that I am now a Seminarian, which had not fully sunk in until this time on retreat to recollect, and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the rhythm of the Seminary.”

Aaron and Mason commenced formal classes at the University of Divinity on Monday 24 February. They have both expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to be seminarians and thank all who are praying for them. They join Ryerson de Lai and Jhunel Mendez as seminarians for the Diocese of Sandhurst and will be assigned to parishes in the Diocese during Holy Week.

 Image above:  L-R  Aaron Baulch, Ryerson de Lai and Mason Crosier.