Discerning Priesthood
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"The seminary is a community journeying towards priestly ministry." In the letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the seminarians, it tells us that the seminary is a community of disciples, which is very significant to point out for those who desire to serve God and His Church. In my seminary journey experience, I can attest to the statement of the late Pope, which I treasured very much in my heart. In my seminary journey experience, there are three values that the seminary molds us into: goodness, holiness, and togetherness.
The first is goodness. Within the seminary, we are shaped into good people, not only for ourselves but also for others. As a seminarian, one of the most important things is having discipline. Whether it's studying, praying, playing, or other things, discipline is there. Because if we want to serve God and others, we are ready to learn everything according to what is right, so that we can be well formed.
The second is holiness. Appreciate and grow our spiritual and religious lives. The spiritual aspect is important in the life of a seminarian. In the seminary, we pray the Holy Rosary as a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as our morning and evening prayers, novenas, and Holy Eucharist. We also learn here about the various teachings of our church so that we can grow in our knowledge of our faith as Catholic Christians.
The third is togetherness. We are taught in the four corners of the seminary to come together and work together at all hours and days. Cooperation and empathy are very much alive in various aspects of our formation here, so that no one is left behind. We are brothers' keepers, and no one will be left behind.
Goodness, holiness, and togetherness—we can't do or learn these three values without a person who gathers us all. He is none other than Christ, whom we follow and serve as seminarians. To the young men: if you feel that God is calling you to the priestly vocation, do not hesitate to respond to it. As St. Augustine puts it, "Do not be after to take the leap for He will be there to catch you." You've heard of the few; this is what you can call "the greatest if." So, turn your "what if" into a reality. Dare to respond. Please pray for us seminarians so that we can continue the vocation we are pursuing, the vocation to the priesthood.
- Jamie
