Seminary Life

So, I realize with words like 'Death' and 'Suffering' in the titles of my most recent entries, you may think I am not having a good time here. On the contrary, this place is great, and I feel certain this is really where God wants me right now. Let me tell you a little bit about it:

Every morning during the week, I get up at 6:00 for 6:45 Mass. Though it is sometimes a challenge to get up this early, it is such a priveledge to be able to start every day off with Mass. Plus, everyone has to do it, so that makes it easier, and we have a beautiful chapel that is one floor below my room in this building! We are expected to pray morning and night prayer, both of which take 15-20 minutes. We pray one of these as a community each day. I also pray night prayer, which is a little shorter, and a fantastic way to end the day. My brothers and I are good about keeping each other accountable, and I often pray night prayer and rosaries with a few guys.

We all have a normal college load of classes. I'm taking 16 hours, which includes a couple philosophy classes, a theology class, a litterature class, and Latin. I pretty much enjoy all of these - my favorites are theology, and Latin (believe it or not!) Most of my classes are primarily seminarians, but none of them are only seminarians. It is nice living with 5-10 guys in each of your classes for study purposes.

Also, we are very encouraged to stay physically active, and almost everyone here is in shape and athletic. We eat well, eating dinner as a community in the seminary almost every day. There is a choir, or schola as it is called, and I have gotten many chances to use my musical talents. It is a very rich lifestyle.

"Help me, Lord Jesus, to persevere in my good resolutions and in Your holy service till death. Help me to begin this day well, for up to now I have done nothing."
-A suggested morning prayer from 'The Imitation of Christ'.