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Barnabas Mercer is studying at the Venerable English College in Rome and was instituted as an Acolyte in 2025. He says:
"I grew up in Rottingdean, in the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. After college, I read Theology at university, where I sensed a call to priesthood as my studies concluded. I continued my discernment whilst working in education, primarily in a pastoral capacity, before entering formation.
"I am now officially a candidate for Holy Orders, and have been instituted as a Lector and Acolyte. Having completed my pastoral year in the diocese, I have returned to Rome to continue my theology studies at the Angelicum."
Luke is studying at the Angelicum in Rome.
"I grew up in the Parish of Bognor Regis & Slindon and in more recent years attended Arundel Cathedral. I seriously started considering the call to priesthood after receiving the sacrament of Confirmation, together with the support and encouragement of several priests in the parish. After Sixth Form, I studied Engineering at the University of Southampton; it was during these years that the call to priesthood became ever more apparent in my daily life.
"I completed the propaedeutic year of formation at the Royal English College, Valladolid in 2026 and began Philosophy studies at the Angelicum in Rome."
Anthony is studying at Allen Hall in London.
"I grew up in Haywards Heath in West Sussex and attended St Paul’s Church and St Joseph’s Primary School which at that time was run by Sisters of Mercy. I first felt the vocation call at that early age but shied away from it, however, the call was always there. I attended St Paul’s Secondary School, which was in Haywards Heath at that time. After secondary school I worked in the construction industry, primarily as a plasterer and bricklayer; I also worked as a prison officer at Lewes Prison for two years.
"I completed my propaedeutic year at St Alban’s College in Valladolid before coming to Allen Hall in London to continue my formation."
Csanád began his propaedeutic year (the introductory stage of seminary formation) at Valladolid in September 2026.Luke is studying at the Angelicum in Rome.
"I was born in Budapest, Hungary. My family moved to Surrey when I was five years old. We originally attended St Erconwald’s in Walton-on-Thames before relocating and becoming parishioners of the Parish of Effingham and Fetcham.
I sensed a calling to the priesthood at a young age, and this vocation has continued to grow and mature over the years. After finishing my A Levels, I went to university to study Business Administration, with a focus on hospitality. During this time, I worked as a chef in a number of restaurants across London."
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Aalrin began his propaedeutic year (the introductory stage of seminary formation) at Valladolid in September 2026.
"I was born in Bangalore, India and grew up in Horsham, in the Parish of St John the Evangelist. Towards the end of secondary school, I felt I was being called to the Lord’s Most Holy Priesthood while serving on the Sanctuary for Mass. I continued my discernment while completing my college course and my engineering apprenticeship."
