It still feels a bit like I am daydreaming as I start each day here. The schedule is full, the people are amazing, and the topics are fascinating. I am currently one of twelve new seminarians that have been sent by their Bishop’s to Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon. It is a Benedictine monastery with school grounds on top of a decent hill overlooking Mount Hood on one side, and Salem on the other. The top of the hill is ringed with giant sequoias, and the views help remind me of God’s great creation in everything around us. Saint Benedict really understood the importance of beauty.
We are learning to live in community and prayer during what they are calling a slow fall into academics. This is a new preparation step called the propaedeutic year/stage; it is a program that makes formation of one’s prayer and spiritual life, as important, if not more important, than the academic learning. This is a blessing. We have five credits this summer and are studying prayer, spirituality, and how to read the Bible.
On top of the academics, we have Liturgy of the Hours a minimum of three times a day. I highly recommend trying this out in your daily routine. It is a form of prayer that has its roots in what Jesus, Mary, and Joseph would have prayed each day. I would recommend the apps Divine Office or IBreviary if you would like to join me in part of this spiritual and prayer growth.
We also have the gift of Mass each day, and a Holy Hour of Adoration with the Eucharist. Each gift by itself is so powerful for growth. The chance to sit and kneel in adoration to the gift Jesus gives and is in the Eucharist. I thirst each day for these times of great personal and communal moments with the Lord!
The truth of being a part of the body of Christ together in the church is so much simpler to see and obtain here in this community of love and grace. I pray that each of us builds this within ourselves and those of our neighbors around us. Thank you again for this great opportunity to discern God’s path for me. Thank you for joining and being a part of this family of the Catholic Church. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity!
Please help us continue
