Craig Szmidt

Craig's Journey to Priesthood

(so far... )

Click here to see the latest news from Craig!

Craig’s Pre-Seminary Year at The Royal English College, Valladolid

Craig spent his pre-seminary year, 2004 to 2005, at the Royal English College in Valladolid. (www.valladolid.org) The College was a wonderful place to study and it was a great privileged to walk the same corridors walked by the Martyrs when the college was founded.

The Royal English College Valladolid

Students in their pre-seminary year at Valladolid 2004-2005

Valladolid Students 2004/05

At Valladolid Craig studied Catechetics, Scripture, Spanish and personal Human Development. Typical days started with Meditation at 7.30 followed by communal celebration of Lauds and four teaching sessions. The day’s events ended with Supper at 8.30pm, leaving the rest of the evening free for socializing and even some sleep!

During his time at Valladolid Craig’s house job changed from Sacristan to Choirmaster, as he took on responsibility for organising the music for the college liturgy.

Craig found it a year to remember. He recalls “My incredible year in Spain sadly drew to a close on Friday 17th June 2005 and my Summer Pastoral placement took place in Câmpulung, Romania.”

Scenes from the English College and Our Lady of Vulnerata

Oscott College

Craig began the next stage of his priestly formation at St. Mary's College Oscott, Birmingham at the end of August 2005 and settled back down into Seminary life back on English soil. Each day at Oscott begins at 7.15am with meditation in the college chapel. After Morning Prayer and breakfast, the daily lectures begin.

Current First Year Students at Oscott College

In the first year the students study a wide variety of subjects which include:

Study Skills
New Testament Synoptics
Introduction to Liturgy
Introduction to Christian Latin
Pastoral Theology & Placement
Introduction to Spirituality
Christian Living
Human Development
History of Classical Philosophy
Introduction to the Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas
Old Testament Psalms
Public Speaking

Craig is now half-way through his priestly formation at St. Mary's Seminary in Birmingham and is currently in the final year of his first degree in Applied Theology which is validated by Birmingham University. The curriculum at Oscott comprises of two years of formation in philosophy, followed by a further four years of theology. During this time, seminarians also pursue a programme of spiritual, human and pastoral formation.

Ministry of Acolyte

Craig has received the ministry of Acolyte on Suday 27th January 2007 from Bishop William Kenny, Auxialliary Bishop of Birmingham.

The Acolyte Mass

“…candidates for ordination as deacons and priests are to receive the ministries of reader and acolyte and are to exercise them for a suitable time, in order to be better disposed for the future service of the word and of the altar.” Ministeria Quaedam, Pope Paul VI.

The photo shows Craig kneeling in prayer (on the right), then receiving the Chalice whilst Bishop Kenny says: “Take this vessel with wine for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of His Church”.

Ministry of Lectorate

On Sunday 27th May 2007, Craig received the ministry of Lector from Bishop Edwin Regan, of Wrexham diocese.

Oscott College in the snow and Oscott Chapel

Craig's News

Maintained by Craig Szmidt

Craig was ordained deacon on Saturday 26th June 2010 at St. Mary’s College, Oscott.
Please continue to pray for him as he returns to Oscott in September for the last year of his formation.

First Picture: Deacon Craig with Archbishop Bernard Longley after the Ordination
Second Picture: Deacon Craig with Archbishop Peter Smith (Southwark) at Mass during Invocation 2010

Link to more photographs of Invocation 2010 which took place at Oscott College:
www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/sets/72157624412003826/show/

Updated 28/01/2009
Saint Wulstan