House of Discernment

Welcome to Domus Bartimaeus House of Discernment! We are a residence of the Diocese of Paterson for men considering a vocation to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Our purpose is to provide living accomodations and an environment of spiritual support, while the men here pursue their education, assimilate to the American culture or maintain employment.

Since we are what is known as a house of discernment, we have a looser structure than the seminary, but a structure nonetheless. The men are encouraged to participate on Sundays and Holy Days in the liturgical and community life of various parishes of the Diocese of Paterson. Also, each evening, we gather for prayer and Mass, beginning each Mass with the Angelus and, every Monday and Thurday night and on special occasions or feast days, we have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament along with the Rosary. While most, if not all, of those in attendance at the house have been in formation or are beyond the point of discernment, those of you who may be discerning a vocation are welcome and encouraged to use this house as a way to prepare and to see if the seminary is right for you.

History

On September 1, 1887, the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell took residence in a beautiful convent perched upon the hills of Boonton, which overlooked the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For 54 years it had been an active and vibrant staple for the town and people of Boonton. However, as religious vocations declined, the sisters prayed for an increase in vocations, and, in the words of Sister Curry, the former DRE of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: "Our prayers were answered in a way we could have never imagined."

In the summer of 2008, Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and proposed the idea to Fr. Richard Carton (pastor of OLMC) of turning the convent into a house of discernment. After that, the idea became a reality and minor repairs were done with the plumbing, kitchen work, and the creation of two priest suites. In the Fall of 2009 the Domus Bartimaeus opened its doors to 8 seminarians and has become the Diocesan House of Discernment, founded under Bishop Arthur J. Serratellii, overseen by Father Thomas Fallone, diocesan vocations director, and Thomas Barrett, diocesan chief operating officer, and decorated and furnished by generous donations and Fr. Richard Bay.