Rays of hope

Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Seminary College/Fr. Augustine Foley, OSB

As the vice-rector of St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louis., where many of our Fort Worth seminarians study to be priests, I would like to share what I have seen here that makes me hopeful for the Church. 

Currently, St. Joseph Seminary has 100 seminarians, and the men come from many different backgrounds and dioceses. Some are cradle Catholics, others converts. Some come from Catholic schools, others from public schools or homeschool. Some are right out of high school, others in their late twenties. 

We are a community of Catholic men who want to serve Jesus Christ and His Church and discern His will. Many will go on to become priests and many will recognize they are called to marriage and family life. Every one of them has unique gifts and talents to serve the People of God. 

One of the things that gives me hope is seeing seminarians recognizing the challenges in the world and in the Church and allowing themselves to be formed by Christ, the Good Shepherd, to meet these challenges. They recognize the Church needs unity, good leadership, catechesis, and growth in love of Jesus Christ. They recognize cultural, political, social, and economic challenges can make it difficult to share the Gospel. And they are well aware that we live in a culture that is becoming increasingly antagonistic toward those who uphold the perennial teachings of Jesus Christ. 

The education the seminarians receive helps give them a foundation to address these important issues using faith and reason. The men receive a liberal arts education that fosters in them critical thought and equips them with the ability to hand on the truths of God and creation in a clear and effective way. Their education introduces them to the history of Western Civilization, literature, foreign languages, rhetoric, art, music — important subjects to understand the modern world and evangelize it. Moreover, the philosophical courses they take help them to understand the philosophical issues as they have developed in the Western philosophical tradition; to develop their critical and analytical abilities; and to become clearer thinkers who can present and defend the truths of the faith. For me, it is inspiring to see these men dedicating themselves to their studies daily in preparation for pastoral ministry in our contemporary world. 

Also foundational in the formation of a priest is his spiritual development as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The seminarians here are intentional about growing in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ through prayer and the sacraments. We have daily Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, daily Mass, meditation on sacred Scripture, spiritual direction, and many other ways to encounter the grace of God. They understand that we can only grow in our love for Jesus Christ by spending time with Him. 

The seminarians also have many opportunities to grow in becoming Christ the servant. They enjoy visiting their pastoral ministry sites, like nursing homes, working with inner city kids, going on mission trips at home and abroad, and helping at nearby parishes. They will have many opportunities later at their theological seminary to practice preaching and offering the sacraments, but while here, they focus more on living a simple and austere lifestyle that cares for and is in solidarity with the poor. 

So, it is encouraging to see these men giving of themselves on a daily basis, growing in virtue, and discovering the personal love of Jesus Christ. The seminarians are challenged daily in this regard, but they discover the joy of understanding these words more deeply: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Many challenges face the world and the Church today; however, I find hope in seeing these men dedicating themselves to meet these challenges head-on and lead others to the Truth that will set them free.