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I AM a seminarian!
Today I got the letter. — I’ve been accepted into the Archdiocese of Miami priestly formation program. I guess my psych results came back “negative” … or is that “positive” … whatever they are, they have been fully warned about me … and still let me in … (there must really be a priest shortage!)
Now I need to finish steps 7 thru 490. I still need a physical, blood work, background screening, a letter of recommendation from my pastor (Fr. Dalton), among other things. I also need to be at the new priest ordination next Saturday at the Cathedral. And (I don’t remember this mentioned at all) the following Monday thru Wednesday I need to go on a 3 day retreat called the Seminarians’ Convocation after celebrating Mass and having dinner with the Archbishop. Apparently, if I can do all that (and not explode), I can start the formation process (or be the Matrix Architect).
Cool. (— once it really hits me, I’ll probably have more to say.)
Kermit? any words?
Director says “blog OK”
After yesterday’s emailed question to the Vocations Director (if a blog would be OK to do), he wrote back that a blog could be a great way to communicate my vocational journey if done right. He acknowledged my concern about complications (from any Internet endeavor) that I’ll discuss with him soon. He mentioned the Vocations Office has a new blog for seminarian on the website that he hopes will grow.
I also found out the next monthly discernment group meeting (usually the first Tuesday of the month) would resume back up in September. That doesn’t sound right. I missed the last one, so I don’t know why. I didn’t think discernment takes a vacation (although we’d like it to, sometimes). Some of the newer guys seemed to just be getting comfortable enough to share & compare their own calls. I’ll pray for the group tonight.
DID: I spent most of the day replacing a door with my father. Watched The Office (Women’s Appreciation Day) — that show is getting a little too extreme for a TV comedy.
This blog may be a BAD idea?
The more I think about what I should write in a blog, the more I question if this is a good idea. Although the formation process is very personal (about my own individual experience), it involves the counsel and shared experiences of others (seminarians & priests). Most of life’s great experiences involve others, but seminary life seems unique.
I don’t want to compromise the “community life” of the seminary by others watching what they say to me (because it may get blogged). I take confidences very seriously and I think I would be responsible in keeping others out (for privacy), but it’s hard to establish that trust without time to build true relationships. I may also feel vulnerable that others (in seminary) would know what I am feeling before discovering issues they may have with me.
To top it all off, I should probably ask permission to even have a blog from the vocations director. There may be some parts of the application and/or formation process that are better left private. I emailed the Miami Vocations Director for suggestions. Am I just paranoid? WWKD ?
Am I a seminarian yet?
I’m starting this blog a little premature. I don’t even know if I’m in yet, as a seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary. If I’m accepted, I would be entering as Pre-Theology since I already have a BS degree. Since the application process seemed to go pretty well, I pray for the best.
In February, I turned in the application and a 9 page autobiography (actually 12 pages, but I dropped the line spacing to not exceed the 8-10 page requirement — I’ll mention that at confession next time). After that, my 3 independent interviews with priests on the vocation panel seemed to go well. My only remaining concern was the results of the 3 days of psychological testing. If there was nothing wrong with me before the testing, I’m sure they’ll find some PTSD from the application process or maybe something I can’t even have, like Munchausen by Proxy (it just sounds cool). Those pictures I was asked to draw can’t mean anything good. 🙂
The committee met at the end of April and I’m just waiting to hear the results. Since the Archbishop came to do Confirmation at my parish last Saturday, I went hoping to introduce myself and get a hint, but that didn’t happen. I’d have a better chance to meet the President than to speak to Archbishop Favalora during a overflowing Confirmation Mass. (It’s these moments that I question my own judgement.)
WWKD ? … probably “Be patience (not so) young patowon.” — (“yeah, yeah, I know.”)
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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