Pre-Theology Retreat

Heretofore unreported is the fact that the Pre-Theologians (I & II) of the Saint Paul Seminary were recently on retreat. Upon completion of our J-term (20 Jan), we reported to Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN, but not before gathering for a hearty supper at the home of the parents of one of the seminarians. Leading the retreat was the Most Reverend Peter F. Christensen, bishop of the Diocese of Superior, WI, and former priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis.

The retreat lasted from Sunday evening to Thursday afternoon the 24th, with morning and afternoon talks focused mainly on the Gospel of Luke. In particular, the bishop offered fruitful meditations on the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector. The talks were tailored specifically to us as men uniquely called by Christ (out of the sycamore tree, as it were) to the seminary and ultimately to the priesthood.

The retreat also offered us an opportunity for some much-need relaxation and leisure after busy J-terms; (Pre-Theology I spent theirs in class, while the Pre-Theology II men spent theirs on pastoral placement in parishes). Evenings were spent playing cards, dominos, and Scrabble, all the while drinking lots of hot chocolate and building fraternity. Several of the men took advantage of the down time to do some extra spiritual reading. A few of us even made some excursions onto the two feet-plus thick ice of Buffalo Lake for some ice fishing; sadly, there was no catching.

Other highlights included daily Mass and Liturgy of the Hours with the Bishop, a Eucharistic Holy Hour with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on the final evening, good food and fellowship, and the chance to explore all the nooks and crannies of the beautiful building we were in.

Thanks go to Bishop Christensen and our hosts at Christ the King, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.