MY
Life at seminary goes on. February is almost always the worst month in the seminary year. Classes are busy, the weather's no fun, guys are getting sick left and right, lenten penances have kicked in, and we've been in the grindset for so long that it's taking it's toll on our patiences. So while I could post something intellectual from my classes or some prayerful reflection... I'll leave those for March. Here's some fun photos and stories from my continued adventures in fraternity, ministry, and hobbies.
We've taken full advantage of the weather's wild mood swings. Cold days are study days, sunny days are bonfire days. We've replaced our wood shed, bought a communal axe, and had a killer bonfire. Someone tracked down a leafblower, and we created a fire of biblical proportions - Elijah would have been proud! We also had venison burgers from a deer on of the guys shot on the property. Plot twist: liturgical goods are expensive. Since I didn't want to spend $100 on a biretta, I decided to make my own. Birettas are the traditional hat for priests, bishops, and seminarians as far back as the 1300s, and they have symbolic use during the Tridentine mass. An old saying suggests that the Biretta is most significant when it isn't being worn - taken off to mark powerful moments in the liturgy: when the name of Jesus or Mary is said, when one is receiving a blessing, when one's kneeling, etc. I found a video where the mother of an order of nuns, dedicated to making vestments for priests, explains how they make their birettas. Under her tutelage, I made an old-style soft crushable felt one and I'm currently working on a modern-style stiff & collapsible one. Meanwhile, my time at Run the Race continues. The kids have gotten into making jewelry and have created all sorts of business ventures around that. I'm not a big jewelry person, but I can't say no when 6-year old Deijah lunged straight for my wrist and tried to figure out how to tie a bracelet to it. I guess it's just part of my arm now.
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I think these three words sum up my semester pretty well so far.
The picture of the snowman is from the big snowfall we had a week or two ago. A bunch of us got together and gathered a massive snowpile, which we turned into the troll-like, monkey-like, creature guarding the college. And then we gave him a moustache. Also one guy decided to make it into a bishop, not as any political statement, but exclusively because a tiny miter looked really funny on him. And we're a Pontifical Seminary, so somehow it seemed fittingly absurd. While Patrick the snowman is slowly melting, I think some of us are melting too. We've hit the point in the semester where things are picking up, and picking up very quickly. While I thank God I'm taking a more reasonable course load, I've picked up several jobs around the house, responsibilities, and side projects. The best way that we as a seminary and as a house have been keeping each other sane is through fraternity. On Wednesday some collegians made a big pot of Irish stew, loaves of soda bread, and some delicious potatoes. The kitchen was enlivened with every green accoutrement imaginable. It was a lovely evening, and while it was great to anticipate, it's better to remember fondly. The other way we're staying focused on the Lord is through prayer and mission. My biggest goal this semester has been to give God the first fruits of my day, before homework, before chores, before hobbies, and even before naps. My most important priority in my day is time with Jesus in the Eucharist. Not because of anything he can give me or even how it'll help me get everything else in order, but because I love Him and time with Him is good for it's own sake. Still, I've marveled at how everything else falls into place when He takes His throne in my heart. I'm more motivated to do my work, and to do it well, and I'm especially motivated to take His love back into ministry. My apostolic assignment at Run the Race has asked me and the other seminarians present to talk to the kids about different parts of the mass. On Thursday we brought some sacred vessels, linens, and vestments to the center as a kind of "show-and-tell." We want to inspire them with love for God in the Mass in the hopes of taking them to Mass sometime this semester. Please pray for us, and pray for them as we minister to them. Totus Tuus! |
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July 2023
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