Spiritual Formation

“The seminary is first a community of prayer whose communion with the Lord calls forth from its members those qualities of openness, self-sacrifice, and charity that are necessary for successful priestly formation on the college level.”
(Program for Priestly Formation, #191)

The Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration

The Eucharist, the “source and summit of the Christian life,” (Lumen Gentium #11) is the central act of worship, community and prayer. With daily attendance and active participation, the seminarian’s appreciation of the centrality and integrating value of the Eucharist should grow into a mature and profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Daily participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass is expected of one who is preparing for the priesthood. Each seminarian is also encouraged to know the great need for Eucharistic worship in his spiritual life. Through Eucharistic Adoration, a seminarian opens his mind and heart to the Lord who awaits him in this great sacrament of love. In His Eucharistic presence our Lord remains “mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave Himself for us.” (Catechism, #1380). A daily holy hour and frequent visits to our Lord, present in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the tabernacle are sources of grace in the life of a man who will be configured to Christ the High Priest.

Liturgy of the Hours

The mystery of Christ “permeates and transfigures the time of each day, through the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours.” (Catechism, #1174) The seminary community commences and closes its day with communal prayer. A seminarian is expected to pray Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer each day, even when not celebrated communally, in preparation for the day of his ordination when he will promise to celebrate faithfully the liturgy of the hours for the Church and for the whole world.

Sacrament of Penance

The seminarian is also to cultivate a frequent practice of celebrating the Sacrament of Penance as a source of continual interior conversion. While Christ instituted the Sacrament of Penance above all for those who have fallen into grave (mortal) sin, confession of venial sins is strongly recommended by the Church. The regular confession of sins helps in the formation of one’s conscience, in the fight against evil tendencies, and in the progress of the life of the Spirit. (Catechism #1446, 1458) The Sacrament of Penance is available regularly, and it is strongly advised for the seminarian to make use of this sacrament at least once a month.

“Humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that ‘we do not know how to pray as we ought’ are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2559)

The Rosary and Other Prayers

Each seminarian’s level of spiritual growth and personal maturity varies. Because of this, the seminarian at Cardinal Glennon College explores many different expressions of personal and communal prayer. These include various forms of prayer in the great spiritual traditions: meditation, prayerful reading of the Word of God (lectio divina), spiritual reading, the habit of prayerful examination of conscience, the keeping of a spiritual journal, an awareness of prayer beyond one’s immediate needs, and devotional prayer, especially to the Mother of God. The Rosary “is at heart a Christocentric prayer…Through it, the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.” (John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae). The cultivation of daily personal prayer, especially the Rosary, is essential in the life of the seminarian who desires to be a holy and faithful priest.

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is especially important for the seminarian who is serious about his formation and growth in the faith. The seminarian will need to share the fruits and struggles of his spiritual life with a priest who serves as his Spiritual Director. The Spiritual Director has the privileged position of helping a man discern the call from God as it is heard through the seminarian’s own prayer and experiences, and as it is judged by the Church acting especially through the Seminary. It is the role of a spiritual director to assist the seminarian in the spiritual life by encouraging him in his strengths, challenging him in his weaknesses, clarifying his understanding of his life with God, suggesting various approaches in his prayer life, consoling him in his failures, and aiding him in his discernment. Unlike the public program of formation in its human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral components, spiritual direction takes place within the internal forum, a “privileged and confidential” relationship. (PPF, #483) Each student chooses a spiritual director from an approved list of priests. It is recommended that seminarians meet frequently with their spiritual directors, at least once a month.

Expectations in Spiritual Formation:

• Daily participation in the Eucharist
• Daily Liturgy of the Hours: Morning, Evening and Night Prayer
• Daily habit of the Rosary, personal prayer, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and spiritual reading
• Regular celebration of the Sacrament of Penance
• Participation in weekly spiritual conferences and discussion
• Participation in monthly Days of Recollection and the Annual Retreat
• Regular use of Spiritual Direction
• Respect for others’ need for quiet