The following comes from a story dated Feb. 28 in Catholic San Francisco.
St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in conjunction with its partner dioceses, hosted a weekend discernment retreat for priestly vocations Jan. 18-20 providing “a quiet and prayerful environment” for men to think and talk about the priestly vocation, the seminary said. There were 22 participants ranging in age from 18-46 with varying degrees of educational experience from high school only to completed bachelor’s degrees. The men came from the dioceses of Oakland, Portland, Sacramento, Spokane, and Stockton, with nine from the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Christian, OP, seminary president and rector, welcomed the discerners with a brief reflection during the weekend’s opening evening prayer and led grace at mealtime. Activities for the participants included formal conferences, an interactive seminarian panel, small group discussions, and meals with priests and seminarians. The liturgical activities during the retreat mirrored the daily liturgical life of seminarians, including morning and evening prayer, Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and opportunities for confession. During a seminarian panel, current seminarians provided insight into their lives and answered questions. Discerners asked questions about the formation process, the details of affiliation with a diocese, how seminarians come to peace with the discipline of clerical celibacy, and how and when they “know” that the priesthood is right for them. The seminarians’ testimonies were among some of the most memorable moments for the discerners, the seminary reported.
BEAUTIFUL!!!
LET US ALL PRAY FOR MORE TRADITIONAL AND SOLID PRIESTS ESPECIALLY IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO :)
Man, I hope the fact that the Bishop is OP means he is not like McCoroy
Let us pray for their successful discernment and place our intention for those men in the care of our Spiritual Mother, Blessed Virgin Mary:
“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother; to thee do we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer us.
Amen”
God bless these guys! Becoming a seminarian now is like running into a burning building.
Please let’s stop generalizing about members of an order being like the “less stellar” members. Frs Pawca, Fessio & the Barber brothers are hardly Martin or Spadaro SJ. Neither is Bishop Christian Matthew Fox or the other person mentioned. It is a loss to the Order of Preachers but a great gain to the seminary and archdiocese of San Francisco to have one of the most solid, intelligent , holy priests shepherding the seminarians. He was a professor at the Angelicum in Rome . I went to a conference on the Eucharist where he was the main speaker. He spoke so simply and knowledgeably that he received a standing ovation.
So please, in charity, do your homework first before commenting.