the Seminarian seminarian

Last week, we had the privilege of receiving the Apostolic Visitation team, led by Archbishop Sean O'Malley from Boston. This was an official visit from the Congregation for Education, who oversees, among other things, the formation of seminarians for priestly ministry in the world. We were blessed in a unique way to have in our company Archbishop O'Malley who was designated a cardinal during his week-long stay with us by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Visitation Team's focus was to examine all the areas of priestly formation here at the semianry, focusing around the pillars of Human, Spiritual, Intellectual and Pastoral programs. By the week's end, the busy team left our seminary with good hope about the program here. A report was drawn by the team and then immediately forwarded to the Congregation for Education in Rome for review. Without revealing the specific contents of the report, Archbishop O'Malley was pleased and somewhat refreshed to have spent 5 days with us. Though not without our faults, Archbishop O'Malley and the team enjoyed the fellowship of the entire staff, facutly and students during celebrations of the Eucharist and at meals.

All in all, a good week here at the seminary.