Seton Students in Canada

My name is John-Paul Shaw. I am a Seton alumnus and a current student at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Canada. My experience here, augmented by the experiences Seton gave me, has been nothing short of extraordinary.

My Faith life has grown exponentially because of the education, positive environment, and good role models. From music nights and swing dances to watching movies late at night with friends to early morning rises to daily Mass, the college has given me so many memories I will never forget. Looking back over the last year, I am so grateful for all the ways it has helped me.

I would not have gained so much from my time here if it had not been for Seton. The Religion and English courses, especially, have helped prepare me for this next stage of my life.

Seton taught me how to write basic essays, analyze poetry, and do research for my writing assignments. Juggling schoolwork and extracurriculars in high school has been a fantastic preparation for life at college.

Make Friendships for Life

The positive community I found at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom has been a big part of my growth. Students live in houses instead of dorms. I learned to live in a community where people are held accountable and to a high standard. Because it is such a small school, you get to know everyone here and make friendships for life!

Everything is within walking distance, and there have been so many times I have gone to other houses for lunch, to study, or to watch a movie! Study groups are helpful for a lot of people, but the study halls make sure that there is a place for the more introverted students as well. Being in the Ontario woods, there are so many opportunities to go camping or swimming!

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom also offers a variety of sports, including soccer and ice hockey. Every year, the college puts on a play for the local community, showcasing the student body’s acting talent.

Rigorous Academics

The rigorous academics here were important factors in my choosing Our Lady Seat of Wisdom. The professors spend a lot of time during office hours helping students improve their research, writing, and analysis. Like Seton, the school’s mission is to educate people in the truth.

In doing so, it frees the next generation of Catholics from the lies of the devil and enables students to think critically about the world around them. This knowledge has already been so helpful to me, both in the workplace and among friends. I know it will continue to help me for the rest of my life!

The college offers several 4-Year Bachelor of Arts Degrees. However, all graduates leave with a strong knowledge of theology, philosophy, history, and literature. In studying the liberal arts, students at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom discover part of our foundation as Catholics.

Prayer Life at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom

By far, the most important reason why I decided to go to the college was because of its unapologetic Catholic Faith. Seton helped show me that the most important thing in this life is to get to Heaven.

Mass, Adoration, and Confession are offered daily at the Parish Church, which is next door to the college. Annual pilgrimages and retreat days help focus the students on their spiritual lives. At their houses every evening, the students pray compline together, ending each day glorifying Our Lord.

God is the basis for each school subject. The professors swear an oath of fidelity to the Magisterium every year before the bishop at the first College Mass. The school has all the Newman Guide’s gold stars for Catholic colleges, and not without good reason! Both the faculty and staff never cease to hold us to high standards and encourage us to sainthood!

Positive Community

In this positive community, I have learned to grow as a person and grow in my Faith. Without the opportunities Our Lady Seat of Wisdom offers I know I would not be the person I am today.

Both Seton and the college have been so impactful to me, and through them I have been incredibly blessed. The desire they have given me to seek the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, has changed me forever. I could not recommend

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom more: it is not merely a matter of studying the Faith, but in growing in Faith and as a person.

John-Paul Shaw lives in Barry’s Bay and is a sophomore at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College.