A Roman Catholic seminary in central Poland is opening its doors today and gives male visitors the chance to experience what it is like to be a man-of-the-cloth for a couple of days.

“Become a cleric for two days” is the motto of open days at the Catholic seminary in Lodz.

This is the first time that such a college, which is normally off limits even for the students’ relatives, has decided to open its premises to outsiders. The invitation was extended to students of other institutions of higher learning. It does not apply to women, though.

“We want to open the door to students, of course, males only, who are interested in the ministry and seminaries” – the Lodz seminary informs on its web page. This is an opportunity to see how life at the seminary looks like from inside. The college will be open to visitors from Friday afternoon through Saturday and part of Sunday.

Everyone who is willing to experience this, will live just like the regular students are. “There will be no special events to show off”, Father Mariusz Rucki, a prefect of the Lodz seminary, told Gazeta Wyborcza daily.

First visitors are moving in this coming Friday. They will start with Way of the Cross masses and prayers and go to bed at 10 p.m. Wake up call at 6 a.m. The plan for Saturday includes lectures and a meeting with the prefect. There will also be some free time, which students may spend in town.

Father Rucki hopes that the open days scheme will attract more candidates at a time when the number of priestly vocations in Poland has fallen dramatically.

The Lodz seminary enrolls an average of 10 students annually. (kk)