The Oblates of the Virgin Mary want prospective candidates to grow in interior freedom as they seek God’s plan for their lives. To assist in the discernment process, we are happy to provide discernment retreats and priestly spiritual direction for men aged 18 to 40.

Come & See

After you have reviewed our information, we invite you to visit Our Lady of Grace Seminary in Boston, where you will experience seminary life, accompanying the seminarians through the various activities of the day. The ideal time for visits is during the academic year, outside of the seminary’s scheduled vacations. The rector and the formation staff will look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have.

A visit will also give you the opportunity to witness the Oblates in action at St. Francis Chapel and St. Joseph Retreat House. Your experience should help you determine if you’re ready to leave your current life and career and if you’ll feel at home among our brothers. Most of all, we hope that your visit will afford plenty of time for you to pray and reflect on the call of Christ.

Program Dates

2023

  • January 26-29
  • September 28 – October 1
  • November 9-12

Application

After the visit, we ask potential candidates to take some time to reflect on the experience, and to consult their spiritual directors. The next step is the formal application process. Classes begin in the fall each year, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for application submission is May 31 each calendar year.

Upon acceptance, the candidate will enter the seminary in late August for a week of orientation, a brief retreat, and the first semester of classes.

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