This (somewhat incomplete) late 1940s / early 1950’s color film “Seminar to Priesthood” uses the conceit of a scrapbook photo album to make a case for the vocation of Roman Catholic priesthood. Life on seminary campuses is depicted with an emphasis on recreation, while the benefits of a non-secular education are praised (TRT 38:06). The film was produced by the Jam Handy Organization.

Film begins in media res. Young men play soccer at a French prep seminary (0:06). A student writes on a chalkboard before a priest, who corrects him. A young man in a holiday sweater works at a chemistry stand (0:41). Boys throw chalkboard erasers from a second story window (1:37). A hand reaches for a photo album: “College Philosophy” (1:57). Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (Saint Louis Roman Catholic Theological Seminary) in Shrewsbury, Missouri. A dormitory courtyard. A campus chapel. A road leads to a garden (2:17). A stone grotto enshrines a statue of the Virgin Mary (3:23). Undercranked footage of a young man being shaken out of bed, brushing teeth (3:47). Seminarians in cassocks and collars walk from one building to another (4:08). Tennis and softball (4:36). Walking in conversation (5:24). A young man happily dons a cassock and collar (6:10). A cross-section illustration of a microscope and the real thing (6:48). Writing in Greek on a chalkboard (7:20). A new photo album: “Major Seminary” (7:50). The seminary entrance with a Latin inscription (8:07). A Catholic altar, tabernacle, and stained glass windows (8:48). A hand turns the album page: “Time For Prayer.” A priest bows to the altar in a red robe. A seminarian follows. Reading prayers from missals while kneeling in pews. The priest says mass, reads the gospel, and anoints himself (9:38). The Eucharist and Holy Communion. A mirror is passed as the host is distributed (10:43). Praying at an altar to the Virgin Mary. Kneeling before the tabernacle (11:23). A priest raises the chalice with a blessing, consecrating it (12:58). Seminarians carrying candles genuflect and file away (13:43). “Time For Study” (14:24). A class of students rise to their feet, then sit again as a priest instructs them before a map of the Holy Land. Students take notes as priests lecture (14:35). Speaking before a map of Palestine. Students file out, books in hand. They perform the Sign of the Cross on themselves before sitting. A practice baptism using a baby doll (16:57). Saying grace at mealtime while wearing birettas (17:54). “Time for Play” (19:03). Men in casual dress change their shoes. Softball and football games in a grassy field. Handball on a brick-walled court (19:11). Fishing in a pond. Climbing a tree. A lost biretta is fished out of the water (20:56). A prayer huddle and a soccer game (23:00) A snowy winter scene. A game of ice hockey (23:44). “Hobbies.” A band concert (24:22). Seminarian photographers shoot snow landscapes (24:43). A sepia-tinted photo print of the seminary (25:37). “Recreation.” Men gather around a 1940’s Philco tube radio, smoking and reading magazines (25:46). A map of the United States. A game of chess takes place in front of a rack of periodicals. A spectator waves dismissively (26:27). “Mail Call” (27:27). The seminary store (27:57). “Our Lady’s Time.” Seminarians carry rosaries while walking the campus grounds (28:08). The correspondence department. A mail basket and two 1930’s Underwood typewriters (28:33). A drummer plays fills on a drum kit, then taps out a swing pattern for a jazz quintet (29:01). “Nearing the Goal.” Announcements are read by a priest (29:54). Seminarians in thoughtful retreat (30:18). “Call to Orders.” A seminarian blows out a candle. Seminarians prostrate themselves while a Bishop says the litany. Seminarians are ordained and robed in deacon’s vestments. Eucharistic prayer. The consecration and elevation of the host and chalice (31:20). Subdeacons receive Communion (33:01). A newly ordained deacon greets friends (33:57). “Ordaining “His” Captains.” Prostrations. Anointing priest’s vestments (34:10). A newly ordained priest blesses his parents (35:55). Swinging a censer and offering mass (36:18). Baseball for young and old (37:32).

Kenrick–Glennon Seminary (officially Saint Louis Roman Catholic Theological Seminary) is a private Roman Catholic Seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri. It is named after Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick and Cardinal John J. Glennon of Saint Louis. The seminary traces its origins to the early 19th century .

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com