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src=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Christian-Meditation-Flyer-3.png” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”Christian Meditation Flyer (3)”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”REGISTRATION LINK” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_font_size=”46px” title_last_edited=”on|phone” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” title_font_size_phone=”30px” title_tablet=”REGISTRATION LINK” title_phone=”REGISTRATION LINK” title_font_size_tablet=”46px”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_button button_text=”Click Here” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” 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use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”534px” header_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide heading=”Journey Together, discern God’s Call, Transform our Caribbean” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font=”Playfair Display|||on|||||” header_font_size=”45px” header_letter_spacing=”0px” body_font_size=”69px” body_letter_spacing=”5px” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_image=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Seminary-Building-View-From-front-Window.png” background_enable_image=”on” text_orientation=”center” header_font_size_tablet=”45px” header_font_size_phone=”30px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_shadow_style=”preset1″ text_shadow_color=”#FFFFFF” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ 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border_color_all=”#8300E9″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The story of the Seminary in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain was born out of the inspiration of\u00a0Pope Benedict XV, whose pontificate spanned the years 1914\u20131922. This vision continued\u00a0during the pontificate of\u00a0Pope Pius XI (1922\u20131939) and was echoed again in the heart of\u00a0Pope\u00a0Pius XII (1939\u20131958).<\/p>\n
The persistent call of these three Popes for a local seminary\u2014understood as the will of God\u2014was fervently pursued by Archbishop Ryan and received with openness by five young men:\u00a0John Mendes (16), Joseph Daly (16), and\u00a0Andrew Joseph (16), all from\u00a0Siparia;\u00a0Francis deMatas (15) from\u00a0Maracas; and Urban Peschier, who, at just13 years old, came from the\u00a0Royal Chartered Borough of\u00a0Arima.<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Seminary-Drone-Shot-1.png” title_text=”Seminary Drone Shot” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Seminary-Building-3-1.png” title_text=”Seminary Building 3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ border_color_all=”#8300E9″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
These five became the first residents of the seminary, which\u00a0was placed under the care and tutelage of the\u00a0Benedictine community.\u00a0Special recognition must be given to the Benedictines, who were instrumental in laying the foundations of the seminary. The first rectors were\u00a0Fr. Bernard Vlaar, OSB (1943\u20131948); Fr.Leo Van Leeuwen, OSB (1948\u20131953); and Fr. Idelfons Schroots, OSB(1953\u20131970). The\u00a0Benedictines not only initiated the seminary but, from 1943 to 1960, fully supported its\u00a0operation. They provided the buildings, library, and staff\u2014without charging for maintenance,\u00a0salaries, or library grants. As such, the seminary placed\u00a0no financial burden on the Archdiocese\u00a0during that time.<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_color_all=”#E02B20″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” width_tablet=”95%” width_phone=”95%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” header_font_size=”34px” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_font_size=”38px” width=”84.9%” custom_padding=”||||false|false” border_color_all=”#8300E9″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ width=”84.9%” custom_padding=”||||false|false” border_color_all=”#8300E9″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Seminary\u2019s Mission can be articulated as follows:\u00a0through a synodal formation built on human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral pillars, the Seminary forms men configured to the heart of Christ to become shepherds who witness to the Divine mystery and incarnate the Gospel values in the Caribbean<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Theological\u00a0Institute\u2019s Mission is articulated as: a synodal\u00a0tertiary level institution that forms missionary disciples through\u00a0theology, philosophy and integral human development for\u00a0vocation, healing and being a prophetic witness to incarnate the\u00a0Gospel values in the Caribbean<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG-20250824-WA0048.jpg” title_text=”IMG-20250824-WA0048″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||31px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_color_all=”#E02B20″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” width_tablet=”95%” width_phone=”95%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Support Our Mission” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”60px” title_font_size_tablet=”47px” title_font_size_phone=”31px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_color_all=”#E02B20″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” width_tablet=”95%” width_phone=”95%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” border_color_all=”#8300E9″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Seminary operates as a not-for-profit institution and relies on the generosity of the faithful to sustain its mission. It costs approximately\u00a0TT$75,000 per year\u00a0to train each seminarian, covering tuition, accommodation, psychological support, and more. Your contributions\u2014whether financial, spiritual, or in-kind\u2014help shape the future leaders of the Church<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Seminarians-on-Retreat-2.png” title_text=”Seminarians on Retreat (2)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_color_all=”#E02B20″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” 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custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_color_all=”#E02B20″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” width_tablet=”95%” width_phone=”95%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Testimonials” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”60px” title_font_size_tablet=”47px” title_font_size_phone=”31px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_color_all=”#E02B20″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” width_tablet=”95%” width_phone=”95%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial portrait_url=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BRIAN.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|1px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I was part of a group who decided straight out of A Levels we would choose Theology as our first degrees…some classmates went on to other fields\u2026but I am very happy to say I remained in the field of religion. Studying at the Seminary (Theological Institute) has been one of the most life-changing experiences for me. It has truly empowered me to see faith and our church as way more… exploring philosophy, history, pastoral counselling, the bible. For this I am forever grateful for my experience studying at the Seminary. It has moulded me into the person I am today<\/p>\n Brian Charles, Graduated 2011, Teacher III Religious Studies, St. Mary\u2019s College<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_testimonial author=”Camille James (BA ’06; Moravian Associate Pastor with responsibility to Youth, Antigua and Barbuda) ” portrait_url=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/camille-james.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|1px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n My experience at SJVUM was truly unforgettable. I embraced this novel experience with an open mind and received more than I could have imagined. I was thrust into a world of knowledge and ably guided by some of the most student friendly teachers I have ever met (till today). There were many academic, personal and religious challenges as well; nevertheless, as some teachers ably reminded us that we were ‘reading’ for OUR degree, so we had to earn them. As a lay person then, it was a real eye-opening experience and my encounters with Caribbean personalities and cultures was undoubtedly remarkable.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial portrait_url=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NYRON-1-1-e1759226034605.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|1px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n At SJVUM I was afforded the opportunity to study abroad for one semester at Concordia in Montreal through the UWI Foreign Exchange Programme. I can say without reservation that the quality of studies which I was exposed to at SJVUM had proven to be more than adequate in preparing me to meet the demands of my experience abroad. As a result, I have come to appreciate that this humble Caribbean institution, despite its small staff, could deliver quality taught courses that were on par and as rigorous as those offered at larger institutions possessing more international prestige and resources. Doing theology has opened up new worlds to me, in my case intellectually, spiritually and physically.<\/p>\n Nyron Rolingson, Office of the D.P.P., attorney, Graduating student ’12’<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_testimonial author=”Sr. Lystra Long O.P. (BA ’07; Dominicans of Sinsinawa consecrated sister; Parish Administrator at New Grant) ” portrait_url=”https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sr-Lystra.png” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|1px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Theology was my second choice of study. I did not get to do psychology – my first choice. My plan then was to start to do theology for a year and then switch to psychology. However, fortunately for me I fell in love with theology passionately. I learned that theology was about life and prepared me life. Studying theology broadened my entire world-view. I had some fabulous professors at the seminary like the late Sr. Diane Jagdeo, OP who challenged me to put theology into practice, that is \u201cfaith seeking understanding.\u201d She also challenged me to think systematically, critically and outside of the box. It is due to theology that I led me to be a sister and now a parish administrator, which is a very broad field of ministry.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Welcome to the Seminary and Theological Institute of St John Vianney and the Uganda MartyrsThe story of the Seminary in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain was born out of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-209","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=209"}],"version-history":[{"count":57,"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1008,"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209\/revisions\/1008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sjvum.edu.tt\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}