BRIGHTON — Twenty-four graduates received certificates from Archbishop Seán P. O’Malley at St. John’s Seminary Dec. 16 after completing studies in the Instituto de Formación de Laicos, the Religious Education Office’s Spanish-language formation program for laity.

Graduates received theological, biblical and pastoral formation through the program, and return to the 11 Spanish communities they represent “prepared and ready” to serve as lay people, according to Pilar Latorre, assistant director for Hispanic Catechesis.

“They are very, very committed, very faithful to the Gospel,” she said.

The participants, the third class to graduate from the program, study over the course of four semesters. Students meet for 10 weeks each semester, and in the fourth semester they choose an area of pastoral specialization, according to the needs of their communities.