91Èȱ¬

What makes young Scotsmen ranging from former law students, teachers, DJs and merchant seamen decide to give up their fairly conventional careers and turn to a vocation like the priesthood? And what obstacles might they face or have to adapt to?

For over four centuries The Pontifical Scots College based in Rome, has been the destination for young Scottish men who have felt compelled to enter the priesthood.

91Èȱ¬ Scotland's Priest School looks at the origins of this ancient Scottish institution and its role as it exists today. The Scots College was founded by Pope Clement VIII as a means for young Scottish Catholic men to obtain an education, as post reformation Catholics were excluded from higher level education at that time.

After the martyrdom of St John Ogilvie in Glasgow on 10 March 1615, the focus of the college moved from general education to priestly formation. With the intention that all priests ordained should return to their missions in Scottish Parishes, an ethos which is maintained to this day.

Following this pivotal first year in the life of these Scots College seminarians, this compelling and insightful programme sets out to answer these exact questions while offering a unique insight into this normally closed institution.

Perhaps some of what lies ahead for these students can be seen through the experiences of Mark from Wishaw who, as a Deacon in his final year, is testament to the fact that many of the students don’t make it through the challenging seven year programme.

An ordinary day will see the students rise at 5.30am, in order to observe prayers and mediations at 6.30 and attend mass at 06.45. They then leave the seminary at 7.10 for lectures, in Italian at the University... stopping briefly for a well-earned coffee at 8.00.

On average only a third of students make it to priesthood. Mark who started with twelve fellow seminarians says, “From my year I think it’s only myself who’s gone through the seven year programme and who’s about to be ordained, to be honest I’m surprised its me. I always remember thinking I’m never going to be the person who finishes here.”

As fellow seminarian Ryan from Port Glasgow says, “It’s not all sunshine and lollipops...”