This year Corpus Christi College, the regional seminary of Victoria and Tasmania, is celebrating its 90th anniversary.

On 3 March 1922, Archbishop Cattaneo, Apostolic Delegate, formally opened Corpus Christi College. In his vote of thanks, Archbishop Mannix explained his rationale for founding a new seminary:

We are today undertaking a great work, not only for the Province of Melbourne, but for the whole Church of Australia. Since the establishment of Manly College there has been nothing so important and so far-reaching in its effects as the foundation of this college, to take its place side by side with Cardinal Moran’s great foundation. The greatest compliment we could pay to Manly College is to establish here the College of Corpus Christi. If the bishops were not satisfied with the Australian clergy that they had got from Manly, they would not think of establishing another college to multiply Australian vocations.

Ninety years later, Corpus Christi College is now Australia’s oldest continuing seminary. The feast of Corpus Christi, which is always a big seminary celebration, will be bigger than usual.

In the years that I was a student there, Corpus Christi was celebrated in many different ways: outreach to the poor and lonely, open days, perpetual adoration, and Corpus Christi processions — on one occasion, the route took us down Lygon Street! The festivities are largely organised by the students, and they are often months in the planning.

This year, the itinerary includes a youth festival, an open day, Mass and procession. Details are on Facebook, and on the seminary website.


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