New Documentary Shows Seminarians Striving for Greatness
in Time for National Vocation Awareness Week
Saint John’s Seminary & the Archdiocese of Boston team up for “Souls in the Game,” a new documentary depicting the spiritual life of seminarians intertwined with their love of basketball
When Fr. Peter Schirripa began his journey to the priesthood, he never would have thought that basketball would play a role in his formation. But with the creation of a basketball team at Saint John’s Seminary in Boston, basketball leapt from a pastime he used to enjoy into a defining experience of his years as a seminarian. Souls in the Game, a co-production of Saint John’s Seminary and the Archdiocese of Boston, is a heartwarming new 30-minute documentary that tells the story of seminary formation beyond theology and philosophy classes. Released in time for National Vocation Awareness Week, the documentary offers a glimpse into seminary life through the lens of fraternity and sportsmanship, showing brothers supporting each other– on and off the court– as they grow to understand their own vocations.
“Shortly after starting at Saint John’s Seminary, I was fascinated to learn what John Paul II said about the humanity of the priest. He says that man’s humanity ‘must be a bridge to Christ and not an obstacle,’” recalled Fr. Schirripa. “Without question, my time in seminary revealed to me that the basketball court was the best place to bridge the gap between the Church and the typical modern American male. The hardwood helped me to forge relationships with my brother seminarians across the country. Basketball also served as the catalyst for the current men’s apostolate in my parish. Sports reveal a big part of our humanity and teach us what really matters.”
Souls in the Game follows the Saint John’s Seminary basketball team as they travel to the DeSales Invitational, a national basketball tournament created for teams of seminary students. Through the challenges of finding facilities, the right players, and the right coach, Souls in the Game fosters a deeper understanding of the path to priesthood and spotlights a lighthearted and competitive group of seminarians who are anything but the cultural typecasts they are often compared with.
Deacon Marcelo Ferrari, who is currently studying at Saint John’s Seminary and featured prominently in the documentary, added, “We are excited to show a youthful church on fire with faith. By coming to the basketball tournament, you get to see this bright future of the Church. There’s a lot of young men living the joy of the Gospel and following Christ.”
Souls in the Game is available for free viewing at soulsinthegame.com or YouTube. Discussion questions are also available making it appropriate for religious education curriculum or vocation awareness initiatives.
For more information and a complete press kit, visit here.
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About Saint John’s Seminary
Established in 1884, Saint John’s Seminary is situated in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, MA. Recognized by ATS and NECHE, the Seminary boasts a rich academic tradition. Over the years, Saint John’s Seminary has been honored to prepare more than 3,000 individuals for the priesthood, with alumni serving in over fifty dioceses and a myriad of religious congregations worldwide. In addition to seminarian training, the Theological Institute of Saint John’s Seminary provides advanced academic pursuits, including the Master of Arts in Ministry and the Master of Theological Studies, tailored for laypersons, permanent deacons, and members of religious orders. Continuous educational and formation opportunities are also provided for clergy.
About the Archdiocese of Boston
The Diocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of 1.8 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 254 parishes, across more than 140 communities, educating approximately 31,000 students in its Catholic schools and more than 50,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of 200,000 individuals through its pastoral and social service outreach. Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit www.BostonCatholic.org.
