On October 16th, 2018 the Russian Catholic Church celebrated the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Preseminary in Novosibirsk, Russia.  The new class of three preseminarians along with friends graduates and former formators in the program shared about the evolution of the Preseminary as a history of a discernment.  After a break, the reflection turned to the future as the group shared and discussed contemporary challenges to young priests in ministry in Russia; and how these could inform a better formation process.       

From the very beginning the project was entrusted to the Jesuits serving in Novosibirsk.  Since October 15th, 1993, approximately 170 seminary candidates passed through the program, a reasonable portion of whom went on to studies in the Major Seminary in St. Petersburg and on to ordination. Initially the two-year program modeled on the Jesuit novitiate/juniorate program has been transformed into a one-year program centered on a parish practicum, personal studies, social apostolate and the Spiritual Exercises. The Preseminary forms candidates from all four dioceses of Russia.