LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE EXTENSION WORKS OF THE REDEMPTORIS MATER SEMINARY
On Saturday 12th February 2022, Archbishop Eamon Martin presided over the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the extension works of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in De La Salle Terrace, Dundalk, Co. Louth. The present building of the seminary was renovated and officially opened in November 2016. However, with the sustained growth of vocations, there is an urgent necessity to extend the existing building.
The ceremony marked the opening of the new construction site. In line with the growth of vocations in recent years, the new extension will provide additional bedrooms, increased dining and living areas as well as a beautiful new Oratory. It is expected that the project will be completed by the end of 2023.
The marble foundation stone laid by the archbishop was blessed by Pope Francis in 2018 during his short visit to Ireland to attend the World Meeting of Families. It is engraved with a symbol of Jesus Christ. The ceremonial laying of this foundation stone is a sign of the project being entrusted to God as well as being a symbol of Christ himself, who is the cornerstone of our faith and the rock of our salvation
At the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone, Archbishop Eamon Martin said:
Ireland has had a tremendous missionary outreach down through the centuries, so one of the ingredients of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary that is so important for me is this missionary dimension. It is really a seminary for the New Evangelisation. I am hopeful that our young men who are being formed here in Dundalk will be able to bring that missionary spirit into their priesthood within the Archdiocese and beyond. We have been very blessed that so many people have supported this seminary by their prayers and by their contributions over the years. By laying this foundation stone today, we are placing the continuation of this work in God’s hands. We pray that he may bless all those working on this project and that this seminary may bear much fruit for the formation of future priests and for the spreading of the Gospel.
In attendance were Bishop Michael Router (auxiliary bishop of Armagh), Cardinal Seán Brady (Spiritual Director of the seminary), some priests of the Archdiocese of Armagh and other dioceses, representatives of Religious Communities, friends and benefactors of the seminary, local residents, some representatives of the local Council, the team responsible for the Neocatechumenal Way in Ireland and some members of the Neocatechumenal communities and the members of the Family of Nazareth Foundation charity who are conducting fundraising activities to support the work.