Changes

In college seminary, come about the beginning of November, all the seminarians start to become a little weary. I remember us slowly making our way through Evening Prayer until we arrived at that point when the Rector would stand up and announce, "Gentlemen, after much prayer and discernment..." Those words, to a certain extent, are dreaded.

Those words were the customary beginning of the rector's announcement that a seminarian was leaving formation for diocesan priesthood. Why November? Because when in doubt of God's will, the best thing is to stick with one's current plan. Many men, particularly in college seminary, come to the end of a school year and consider leaving the seminary (oftentimes, as a result of the stress of Final Exams, finding a summer placement/job, etc...). Because his thinking might not be clear, he usually decides to persevere, come back the next year, and see what God tells him then. After returning, he waits a couple months and if reassured that he ought to leave, he finally makes the leap of faith (since we never can be perfectly sure) in pursuance of God's will.

A dual response is evoked in the brother seminarians when told of a man's decision to discontinue formation. We seminarians have formed a brotherhood and friendship; we've even probably thought about the possibility of being a priest with that man who is now deciding that he will not be a priest; it's only natural to feel a little disappoinment. On another level, though, given that the decision was made with much prayer and reflection, we have every reason to believe that this is the right thing for him in God's plan, and so we ought to encourage the departing brother.

In the last month and a half, I have had two brother seminarians e-mail from the college seminary in Winona saying that they have discerned that they are not called to the diocesan priesthood. Though this saddens me somewhat, I am happy for them, pray for them still and wish them well. Brothers, Godspeed.