“What echoes within these walls?” I ask you now. We stand before Corpus Christi College. It is a place of faith and learning in Melbourne. This college has a rich history. It is central to the training of Catholic priests in Victoria and Tasmania.
Corpus Christi College was founded by Archbishop Daniel Mannix on Christmas Day 1922. The first location was the Werribee Park Mansion. It was then known as the Chirnside Mansion. This marked the beginning of a long tradition. Corpus Christi College is Australia’s oldest operating seminary with its original name.
The college is overseen by a board of episcopal trustees. These trustees include the archbishops of Melbourne and Hobart. Bishops from Ballarat, Sandhurst, and Sale are also involved. The Archbishop of Melbourne is the permanent chair.
Corpus Christi College plays a vital role in religious education. It trains priests for various archdioceses and dioceses. These include Melbourne, Hobart, Ballarat, Sandhurst, and Sale. It also serves the Archdiocese of Adelaide, Canberra-Goulburn, and the Diocese of Bathurst. The college even attracts seminarians from Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, and Myanmar.
Currently, Corpus Christi College is located near St Patrick’s Cathedral in Carlton. Its location is close to Catholic Theological College. It is also near the University of Melbourne and the Australian Catholic University. St George’s Church serves as the seminary chapel. This church has a long history, dating back to 1855. It was once a school.
Several notable alumni have passed through Corpus Christi College. These include Archbishop Mark Coleridge and former Archbishop Denis Hart. Cardinal George Pell, who served as College Rector in the 1980s, is also an alumnus. Arthur Fox, a former bishop, also studied here.
Corpus Christi College has had several locations throughout its history. Besides Werribee, there were campuses in Glen Waverley and Clayton. The Glen Waverley campus is now the Victoria Police Academy. It was humorously known as “Coppers Christi” by former seminarians.
The Melbourne Corpus Christi Procession is an important annual event. It begins with a Mass at the college. The Eucharistic Lord is carried in procession to St Patrick’s Cathedral. Vespers and Benediction are then celebrated. This procession is a public display of faith.
So as you leave Corpus Christi College, remember its role. It has shaped religious leaders. It continues to be a place of learning and spiritual growth.