In the Church, October is a month especially close to Our Lady - the Month of the Rosary and the month we celebrate at Oscott our patronal feast: Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom Meet Dr Sarah Boss, lecturer in Dogmatic Theology, explaining the subject of Mariology in this reel. 📚 But don’t miss the full video where she tells her own extraordinary journey: from feminist activism to discovering Mary as a powerful woman in the history of salvation and unmatched proximity to Christ, and to Sarah's own conversion to the Catholic faith. (fb)

Fr Andrew, Vice-Rector of Oscott, gives us a look into Seminary life for this month's Oscott on the Ground: 🍁 What's the general atmosphere of October at Oscott? Some of the novelty of the new year has worn off, and everyone has their heads down getting on with the work which must be done. But the work is punctuated by the special events, like the feast day and the new men concert, and our fourth years, who are currently out in parishes on their extended placements, come back for the first of their “return days”. It’s always good to see them and to have all the seminarians back in the house. We also have the promise of the half-term break coming up at the end of the month, which is always something to look forward to. It’s a chance to get back to our different parts of the country and catch up with family and friends, or to take a break for a few days. So overall, a good atmosphere which mixes fun with the necessary hard work of seminary life. 🙏Tell us about the Oscott "feast day": Each year we celebrate a Mass of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, as our patronal feast. It’s a chance for us to renew our devotion to Mary and to ask her intercession for the college, that we might each come closer to her Son and live by His wisdom. We’re joined by trustees of the college for Mass and for the meal which follows. The feast day is also an opportunity to meet with the bishops and religious superiors who currently have seminarians at Oscott. Staff spend the morning with them, updating them on the formation programme and seeking their feedback and guidance on issues which affect formation. 🎤Any highlights from the new men concert? The “new men” concert is an annual event at which we formally welcome the new seminarians, who have already been with us for a few weeks. The officially become “Oscotians” once they have participated in the event; this means performing an act, showing off some talent or participating in one of the sketches which are laid on for the entertainment of the whole community. There are a variety of talents on display: music, impersonations, a bit of comedy. It’s usually an opportunity for the seminarians to indulge in a bit of satire about life at Oscott, often at the expense of the staff! It’s always a fun and enjoyable evening, which helps to build up our community life in an atmosphere of fun and relaxation. (fb)