SPS Pre-Theologians at Saint John Vianney Seminary

One of the perks of what will be my only year in the Pre-Theology program is the opportunity to take the Catechetical Foundations course offered at Saint John Vianney College Seminary on the other side of campus. The course is taught by the esteemed Dr. John Boyle, professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas and by the rector of SJV, Fr. William Baer. After the first few classes this week, the sense is that this will be an exceedingly valuable and enjoyable course, even with its purportedly difficult daily quizzes. We seek to know our Faith more deeply and fully, and to eschew selectivity in our consultation of the Catechism. The five SPS men in the course are grateful to our host-brothers at SJV for their warm welcome and tweaking of their schedules to accomodate our need to get back to our place for 11:35 am Mass on class days. We are happy to be in the presence of these young men, football and basketball rivalries notwithstanding.

Of course, all good Catholics prize their copy of the Catechism, particularly if it is the preferred Second Edition (required for the course). But also required is the Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, compiled and published by the good people at Ignatius Press. I had no qualms about throwing down the cash for that one. Fr. Baer advised us not to be bashful about lugging both of these large volumes to our Holy Hours and to make them a fixture in our prayer lives -- I believe I will take his advice!