Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West has officially welcomed 25 new seminarians for the academic year. The newcomers moved into the building Thursday, after which they celebrated Vespers in St. Gregory Chapel. There, they also received an official welcome from seminary rector Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh.

The incoming class is the seminary’s largest in 35 years. About 25 other men will begin studies to be permanent deacons.

The public is invited to a Holy Hour for vocations to the priesthood at 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11 in the St. Gregory the Great Chapel at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, 6616 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati. Your prayers are asked whether you can attend or not. As a benefactor of One Faith, One Hope, One Love, your legacy will include helping to foster vocations in ways that will bear fruit for many years to come.

To see a photo gallery of the seminarians moving in, go the Athenaeum website here. To watch a video of Father O’Cinnselaigh discussing his own vocation, go here.

The seminarian group photo above is by E.L. Hubbard Photography.