Phone calls with a first-year seminarian

I caught up on the phone with a few friends this weekend. This is always a treat. Amid the conversations came the questions that are becoming standard to most of my phone calls with friends. I’ll address them here.

How are the other seminarians?
Let’s be honest straightaway. This is not a question regarding the well-being of my classmates—of their moods or of their health. At best, it is a question that aims to find out what kind of people decide to join the seminary. At worst, it’s a euphemism for, “Are the other seminarians normal?” Sadly, this is a common question.

Sadder still, perhaps, is the fact that I was apprehensive about the seminary because I had similar questions. Will the people be too busy being holy to have fun? Will every conversation focus on the Church. Will I feel out of place because of the movies, music, books, and people I enjoy?

My answer—the other seminarians are great. Normal. Like me. Different than me. Yes, we work at holiness. Yes, we talk about the Church. However, we do other things—watch sports, go to concerts, play football, pull pranks in the dorm, go out for drinks, watch ridiculous videos on YouTube. And yes, I sometimes feel out of place because of the movies, music, books, and people I enjoy. But this is no different than any other situation I’ve encountered. Not everyone enjoys The Royal Tenenbaums (USCCB rating: A-III) the way I do. Not everyone digs Explosions in the Sky. Not everyone can get behind a Hemingway. That’s as true in the working world as it is in the seminary. The people here are interesting, entertaining, and supportive.


Are there good-looking women on campus?
Of course there are good-looking women. There will always be good-looking women. God bless good-looking women. I, however, am not here for the good-looking women. I am here to discern a call that exists in this world but is beyond this world—a call I must hear through all distractions, whether they be appealing careers, forms of entertainment, or people.

I won’t say that I never consider the sacrifice that the celibate life will bring. I also won’t only call it a sacrifice—priests talk about celibacy as a life-giving joy. My time in the seminary will help me learn more about the celibate life and how to live it joyfully.


What do you do?
The days here are structured, and they are mostly spent on study and prayer. Each weekday begins with a holy hour at 6 a.m., which is followed by morning prayer. A quick round of morning classes brings me to midday Mass, which centers each day on the Eucharist. Mass is followed by lunch, which is followed by more classes. Evenings bring more prayer and studying, most of which happens at a local coffee house. Additionally, we engage in many formational activities, meeting with academic, pastoral, and spiritual directors.

I do make time to enjoy the company of my classmates and to exercise (lately that’s been swimming, which I’m finding more difficult than ancient philosophy). I’ve also been blessed with a couple of opportunities to design print materials, which I find relaxing and fulfilling.

I am grateful for my introduction to, and participation in, the Liturgy of the Hours. Our morning, evening, and night prayers serve as solid reminders of why I am here and where I am going.


Are you going to be a priest?
Time will tell. Or, better, God will tell me in time. I’m in year one of what could be a six-year process. I wouldn’t be here, though, if I weren’t completely open to the possibility. I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t see myself living the vocation. Ask me again some other time.