Inspired by a seven-year-old papal document and new guidelines passed by the U.S. Bishops, the San Bernardino Diocese is requiring men who wish to enter the seminarian program to spend the first year as “candidates,” together in an environment of fellowship and discernment before formal admission to seminary.
This year there are six such “candidates” and they have begun their journey at Bishop White Seminary in Spokane, Washington.
The six seminarian candidates are Matthew Glaudini from St. Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills; Luis Morales from St. Christopher, Moreno Valley; Cesar Caldera from St. John XXIII, Rialto; Albert Salcido from St. Patrick, Moreno Valley; Michael Poulin from The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands; and Oscar Montalvo from Our Lady of the Assumption, San Bernardino.
Two men, Jose Hernandez from St. Anthony, Upland and Earl Reyes, from the Philippines, have entered St. Junipero Serra House of Formation as seminarians this year because they have prior academic and seminarian formation experience.
On August 19, the six seminarian candidates arrived at Bishop White Seminary to begin what is called the propaedeutic (the Greek word for preparatory) stage, which seeks to provide the seminarian candidates with the basic groundwork they need to engage in priestly formation. The seminarian candidates will be in the propaedeutic stage for no less than one year.
“Currently, we do not have a program established for this new Propaedeutic stage within our Diocese,” said Father Hau Vu, diocesan vocations director. “As a result, our candidates have been sent to Spokane, where a well-developed formation program specifically caters to this formational year.”
Bishop White Seminary has developed a new program dedicated to the propaedeutic stage called, “Cor Christi,” Its purpose is to form strong Catholic men in the heart of Christ, so that they have a solid foundation for their journey through seminary. Designed to help them “block out the cultural noise,” Cor Christi requires hours of daily prayer, Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and a six-day media fast. The new seminarian candidates are living in McGivney Hall, a building just one block from Bishop White Seminary that is dedicated to the propaedeutic stage….
From Inland Catholic Byte
Media fast and daily Liturgy of the Hours. Excellent.
Two thumbs up.
May I suggest a six-day media fast every month? If that is too much a 3-day fast every month with the last month being a six day fast. This regimen might instill a stronger discipline and hopefully an aversion to the evil promoted by the media.
Is it a six day a week media fast?
The modern world of today, is quite toxic, very stressful, very sinful, and completely Godless, stripped of Christian beliefs, values, and virtues. Christians, including Catholics, are sometimes ridiculed– even persecuted. Could ancient Rome have been similar, before its final destruction and fall — after about 1000 years of peace and order, in Western Europe– in 476 A.D.?? The barbarians ruled, after that.. horrific. (Will history repeat itself, in our era?) Well– how about a media fast– of no media at all, except one hour a week, throughout the entire propaedeutic year, in which the seminarian candidates could be given several minutes of necessary facts, to get caught up on the news (no personal involvement with any type of media) and have some recreation and light refreshments? Long ago, before Vatican II, if I remember correctly, boys in an archdiocesan Minor Seminary (high school) only saw their parents and families maybe once a month, and lived in a religious environment, apart from the world, preparing for the priesthood. As I recall, young men of college age, entering the Dominican Order (we had a Dominican-staffed church nearby) were in the novitiate their first year, and they spent a great deal of time apart from the world in prayer, as well as learning to say the Divine Office in community, and were introduced to the Dominican Order’s way of life. Studies for the priesthood started after that. I recall being told that a boy or young man had to learn to be separate from the world, and worldly things, and even separate from his family, and learn to live a new life, a religious life, close to God. The Dominicans led a balanced religious life of action and contemplation, with a preaching ministry, and the daily Divine Office and contemplative prayer. And they would say, that you had to be a well-balanced young man, to live in a religious community, well-adjusted, and get along well with others. And follow orders of the religious superior. No religious extremists or fanatics, no troubled candidates. You must give up your former, worldly life, personal pursuits, tastes and desires, to lead a good religious life, especially in a religious community. Religious life, in many varieties, has been well-established in the Catholic Church, for about 2,000 years, now, ever since Christ walked the earth. How to lead a successful religious life as a diocesan seminarian, or as a religious order novice, should have plenty of knowledge and wisdom to draw from, I would think, after all those centuries– regardless of the problems of modern life, and the changes of Vatican II. We should pray for success for all of these seminary candidates.
Actually, the young, new priests that I have met in the last decade or so, seem to be very good, dedicated priests. They came from good Catholic homes, and some were home-schooled. They seemed very mature, very clean-cut, deeply Catholic, not immersed in the filthy, worldly media at all. Very involved in parish religious activities, and busy helping parishioners. They also had good sermons, inspiring people. I wonder if only a few young men need the propaedeutic year, not all of them? Hope it is successful!
Seems like a fantastic idea, especially now that most minor seminaries have closed.
Maybe a program like this could excite seminarians and help stem the steep decline at St. Patrick’s–where enrollment is down about 25% over the past five years.
I was very saddened to find out today, that Bishop Strickland is not the only one to get a recent Apostolic Visitation. L.A. Abp. Gomez and O.C. Bishop Van also got recent Apostolic bs– for not following the oe on his view
That’s the first I’ve heard about that, and no news agency has reported it. What is your source?
Somehow, my original comment got tangled up in the computer– I tried to write a correction, but it did not get printed by CCD. Hopefully, this comment will be printed. On EWTN, Sept. 14 (yesterday) it was announced that L.A. Abp. Jose Gomez and O.C. Bishop Kevin Vann had recently received Apostolic Visitations, for not correctly following “Traditionis Custodes.” Perhaps a reader knows more facts about this. It made me wonder, what future priests and prelates can expect, from the Vatican– because clerics who have said and done things contrary to Catholic teaching– like Cdl. Hollerich, Abp. Paglia, many of the bad German bishops, scandalous Jesuit Frs. James Martin and Antonio Spadaro, etc. etc — never seem to have been reprimanded, warned, or received Apostolic Visitations. I would also like more information on this, myself. Upon learning this news, I felt badly for both Abp. Gomez and Bp. Vann– as well as Bp. Strickland.
Is it possible that Pope Francis and Cardinal-designate “Tucho” Fernandez may take the Catholic Church in a new direction, totally unfamiliar to us– especially, after the end of the Synod on Synodality, in 2024?
Nope. Not possible at all.
Here is a link to a Catholic EWTN news story, that is very concerning, for both Catholic clergy and laity:
https://ewtn.co.uk/article-archbishop-fernandez-outlines-his-vision-as-the-vaticans-new-doctrinal-chief/
No, they have not received Apostolic Visitations.
There is a story online that they had to meet with the Apostolic Nuncio about TC.
That is not the same thing.
From the news story, it looks as though Abp. Pierre had a number of concerns to discuss, when he met with Abp. Gomez and Bp. Vann. He also was serious about “Traditionis Custodes.” It was also noted that the Vatican was displeased with the American bishops, for some reason (USCCB).This is very concerning. I hope that when Abp. Pierre met with Abp. Gomez and Bp. Vann, that they were not scolded and humiliated. That is very hurtful.
It is not a news story. It is an op ed that does not give a source.
Not sure what you mean. I heard this from several sources. The “Crisis” news story is not really news, it is an opinion about a news story. In any case, it is very concerning for Catholics. We need to know the truth. Just what is the Vatican doing, and are the Pope and Cdl.-designate Fernandez really set to go in a different direction? How far “leftist” can they actually go? There are lots of concerning news stories on Fernandez. Fernandez also warned that the bishops may have the wrong ideas about the pope’s beliefs and what he wants to do, etc.Will re-read the EWTN News stories and other Catholic sources, and try to understand. It is all very concerning. What will the pope and Fernandez require of the clergy– and of us? This is all not the normal Catholic Church any more, in my opinion.
According to EWTN, there is an article in “Crisis” magazine, stating that the U.S. Papal nuncio, Abp. Christophe Pierre, recently made a Visitation to L.A. Abp. Jose Gomez and O.C. Bishop Kevin Vann. One of his main concerns was to warn these prelates to suppress the Latin Tridentine Mass. I can’t find the article online, though. Anyone have any information? I feel badly for Abp. Gomez and Bishop Vann, and all their good Catholic people! What else did the nuncio do and say?? Praying for them, and for Bp. Strickland!
I finally found the “Crisis” magazine news article. Here is the link:
https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-good-the-bad-and-the-effeminate
These men that you slander are within the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
St. Joseph also has a special interest in them.
They are alter Christus.
Stop doing evil to these men of God.
Alter Christus, you do not understand. This is a very serious situation in our Church. It has nothing to do with notions of slander. It is a situation that affects many good Catholics. Looks like the Vatican is making some big changes, with the pope and Cdl.-designate Fernandez, and their plans… our bishops may be in for some difficult times ahead. We must pray for them.
I understand what the Lord has given me to understand.
Do not attack these men.
Do not lie about them.
These men are priests. Our Lady and St, Joseph would like prayers for them.
The Lord has allowed all the gossip to increase prayers for the Synod.
Please pray.
Calm down, nobody is “attacking” anyone. There is a big concern, because it looks like the pope and Cdl.-designate Fernandez are seriously planning to take the Catholic Church in a very extreme direction. Not sure how far they actually can go, however. You need solidarity with your fellow Catholics who are naturally worried– not blindness to them and criticism. The Synod is not a good thing, and we all know that. Stand in solidarity, with us all, and solidarity in prayer, too. What is being asked — or, demanded– of our bishops, by the pope and Fernandez– affects us all.
Evangelizing is an extreme direction?
The Pope’s job is to preserve the faith. Your false accusations need to be confessed because you are spreading falsehood in public. It is a very grave sin to undermine people’s confidence in the one person that God has guaranteed.
You worry because your faith is so small.
You need to stop doing this.
I am alarmed by how many views some videos on Youtube are getting.
You all might harm the Mystical Body of Christ and we will pray prayers of reparation to ease His Sufferings.
You might harm yourselves (you already have) by not staying loyal to God.
Remember when the Israelites made the golden calf, they called it God, the God who brought them out of Egypt.
Stay with Tradition and Scripture.
Tradition includes the Primacy of the Pope.
Pray over the keys.
Pray over “What you declare bound on earth is declared bound in Heaven.”
Learn the Catholic faith so no one else can deceive you.
How can I put this without being offensive?
If you are worried about the 16th Synod of Bishops, you probably do not know what it is about.
I know some people freak out because podcasters and websites are telling them to worry about things that the Church already rejected (like gay blessings and women priests.)
Did you do your own work? Did you read the documents? Participate when you were asked to?
It is just a meeting in the Catholic Church. It does not have any power to change doctrine (another favorite fear).
It is not an ecumenical council. It is not a legislative body that can vote in new doctrine or policies.
Much ado about nothing.
Best to inform yourselves and stay well-informed, on things that are happening in our Church. Your Catholic home and family deserve it– especially, your children, and grandchildren.
Let us pray, dearly beloved, for the holy Church of God,
that our God and Lord be pleased to give her peace,
to guard her and to unite her throughout the whole world
and grant that, leading our life in tranquility and quiet,
we may glorify God, the Father almighty
Almighty, ever-living God,
who in Christ revealed your glory to all the nations,
watch over the works of your mercy,
that your Church, spread throughout all the world,
may persevere with steadfast faith in confessing your name.
Through Christ our Lord.
From the Solemn Intercessions of Good Friday
Let us pray also for our most Holy Father Pope Francis,
that our God and Lord, who chose him for the Order of Bishops,
may keep him safe and unharmed for the Lord’s Holy Church
to govern the holy People of God.
Almighty, ever-living God
by whose decrees all things are founded,
look with favor on our prayers
and in your kindness protect the Pope chosen for us
that, under him, the Christian people,
governed by you their maker,
may grow in merit by reason of their faith.
Through Christ our Lord.
From the Solemn Intercessions of Good Friday
Let us pray also for our Bishop N.,
for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons of the Church
and for the whole of the faithful people.
Almighty ever-living God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed,
hear our humble prayer for your ministers,
that, by the gift of your grace,
all may serve you faithfully.
Through Christ our Lord.
From the Solemn Intercessions of Good Friday
These are good prayers. But let us also pray for the Catholic faithful and our priests and prelates to be blessed, and unharmed– and for the True Deposit of Faith to reign and be respected, and firmly upheld– no matter what.
Good prayers.
It worries me that you said True Deposit of Faith.
That sounds like some of the schismatic talk.
The deposit of faith ended with the Apostles.
It includes Scripture and Tradition.
Make sure you know the Catholic Faith really well.
I see a lot of people online that don’t.
Don’t you understand– can’t you see the truth for yourself? Are you really blinded to such an obvious truth? Our authentic Deposit of Faith is being seriously questioned, mocked and undermined by the Synod, and by many Church clerical leaders! Do not be blind to the truth! See the ugly truth for yourself— and stand before God, in solidarity with all your fellow authentic Catholics! Jesuit Fr. Antonio Spadaro, a controversial, far leftist Jesuit journalist and papal ghostwriter, recently seriously attacked and belittled Christ in an extremely offensive Gospel commentary. Did you read it? Spadaro was not reprimanded for that, by the pope or by his Jesuit superiors, or by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was given a promotion to be the new undersecretary of the Dicastery of Education and Culture. Do we need a cleric like Spadaro, involved in Catholic Education–and Catholic Culture? Horrible. If he were a priest serving a church in a diocese, and gave a sermon like that recent, extremely offensive Gospel commentary– on the Gospel story of the incident with Jesus and the Canaanite woman– and similar sermons– mocking, belittling and heavily criticizing Jesus, and implying that He was not the Son of God, and was a crummy, awful, abusive, “sick,” “prejudiced,” and “racist” man, with no compassion, no love for humanity–and had evil, political motives, seriously belittling, wounding and harming minorities like the poor Canaanite woman– Catholics would be in an uproar, walk out of Mass– and a bishop in a regular diocese would probably have Spadaro removed, suspended, and laicized! Instead– as Spadaro is now promoted to be undersecretary of a Dicastery– he will probably at some point, be made a bishop.
CCC 84 The apostles entrusted the “Sacred deposit” of the faith (the depositum fidei), contained in Sacred Scripture and Tradition, to the whole of the Church. “By adhering to [this heritage] the entire holy people, united to its pastors, remains always faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. So, in maintaining, practicing and professing the faith that has been handed on, there should be a remarkable harmony between the bishops and the faithful.”
Here is a link to the Spadaro blasphemous commentary, from EWTN: https://edwardpentin.co.uk/papal-adviser-father-antonio-spadaro-accused-of-heretical-blasphemy/
Here is another link to a good article regarding Pope Francis and Abp. Fernandez’ controversial plans for the future direction of the Catholic Church. No matter what– they must answer to God, for all they do. Fernandez will be made a Cardinal on Sept. 30th.
https://www.ncregister.com/news/archbishop-fernandez-outlines-his-vision-as-the-vatican-s-new-doctrinal-chief