seminarians

Last January I spent a week in DC helping my dad get settled into his assisted living center. He'd had a bad fall a few months before and had suffered a brain injury. With the family home for sale, I didn't have anywhere to stay. Luckily I had a friend living in DC who offered me a home for the week. What's unusual about that is my friend was my former pastor and now formation director for his religious community, and the "place to stay" was the Paulist Seminary.

Turns out the seminary was a perfect place for me to base my operations. I was able to come "home" after an exhausting day to a place of peace, prayer and community. The Paulist fathers, seminarians and novices all made me feel welcomed and at home. They made what was a challenging week fairly enjoyable.

I also enjoyed getting to know the men who are discerning with the Paulists. Gave me hope for the future. One of them, Brandon, has his own blog. Another, Art, has a reflection up on Busted Halo. Both will give you an insight into their discernment journeys.

Please keep the Paulist novices in your prayers as they prepare to make first promises on August 6th and embark on their seminary studies.