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SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND LITURGICAL ACTIVITIES

The document released by the Congregation for Clergy "Gift of the Priestly Vocation" (New Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis) stresses the importance of the spiritual dimension in seminary formation. The Congregation instructs that by prayers, listening to the word, devout participation in the sacraments, in the liturgy and in community life, the seminarian fortifies his personal union with God after the example of Christ.

Seminarians therefore by the daily celebration of masses and reception of the Eucharist, periodic celebration of the liturgy of the hours, weekly confessions, monthly recollections, weekly spiritual conferences and daily spiritual readings at table before meals, seminarians are introduced to a more intimate union with Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

INTELLECTUAL AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala is known far and wide for excellence in the sciences and humanities. The seminary's age long academic excellence still thrives and in more recent times has been improved considering the modern demands of education technology facilities. The seminary ensures that seminarians receive the requisite intellectual formation in the sciences, humanities, vocational aptitude, current affairs, public speaking and entrepreneurship.

St. Peter Claver Seminary Okpala is the senior session to the feeder seminary Assumpta Minor Seminary located at Naze, Owerri, where seminarians study from JSS1-JSS3 and then proceed to complete SS1-SS3 at the prestigious St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala-“The Village of Peace”

Other extracurricular activities such as debates, quiz and academic symposia are organized in the seminary for seminarians on weekends, depending on the schedule for each one on the seminary's annual calendar.

Life in the Seminary

"A day in the seminary is not a joke" and St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala is no exception. Here in St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, seminarians are introduced to the life in the seminary according to the mind of the Church and modeled in the spirit of the Archdiocese.  Early rising at 5: am. Lauds and meditation follow from 5:30am-6:00am with daily masses at 6:10am. The daily mass is followed by morning run where seminarians run round the field to strengthen the body's fitness to cope with the demands of the day. Breakfast and functions (routine duty of every seminarian) span from 7:00am-7:45am. Classes begin by 8: am and ends at 1:30pm. In the seminary, seminarians study the humanities and the sciences. The study also of Liturgy and Latin takes precedence and are taught within the timeframe for classes and are also added to the academic curriculum of the seminary. Seminarians converge in the chapel again for afternoon prayers and particular examine immediately after classes from 1:35pm-1:45pm. Lunch and spiritual reading at 1:50pm in the refectory after which seminarians proceed for siesta which lasts from 2: pm-3:15pm. Afternoon studies span from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Games or Labour follows alternatively depending on the days they occur. Labour days are Tuesday evenings, Friday evenings, and Saturday mornings whereas the rest of the days in the week are for games.

Spiritual Conference follows labor by 6:30pm on Tuesdays while on other days Vespers follow immediately. Holy Hour and Benediction are on Thursdays and Sundays respectively. Rosary is said in common on Sunday’s preceding vespers and Thursdays before adoration. Supper and recreation by 7: pm which lasts till the last bell that ends the recreation and begins the magna silencia at 8:15 pm.

Seminarians end their day with the examination of conscience and compline by 8:30pm coupled with five minutes of lectio divina to meditate on the gospel of the following day. Night studies lasts from 9: pm-10:30pm. Lights out follows at 10:45pm and with this final bell for the day, seminarians retire to their beds.

The rigorous schedule of the seminary is aimed at instilling the requisite discipline necessary for the exercise of the priestly ministry to young seminarians, to make them punctual as well as dedicated and responsive to duty.

HUMAN FORMATION AND CHARACTER BUILDING

The seminary promotes the human formation of seminarians, to imbibe in them the virtues of integrity, good morals and general discipline. The aim is to produce seminarians who are mature and responsible for the good of the Church and the society. For this reason, seminarians live among themselves in dormitories where they learn to practice the spirit of brotherhood, fraternal charity and emotional support to one another ahead of the community life they will live as priests.

Why SPCS Okpala?

Great Teachers

Our teachers are well qualified and dedicated to knowledge impartation.

Future Priests

St. Peter Claver is an institution dedicated to training future priests.

Conducive Environment

Our serene environment aids study assimilation and meditations.

Good Grades

Our students are known through out the state when it comes to excellent grades in exams and quizzes. 

School Bus

Constantly services school bus for excursions

Sick Bay

A standby Sick Bay to administer first aid in case of emergencies.