Praying for others brings growth in self

When I began my first year of seminary at St. Gregory the Great Seminary this past August, I thought I had some idea of what was in store for me. I anticipated that my first year at seminary would be a considerable adjustment, but despite this, I began the year excited to see what God had in store for me.

Upon arriving, one of the first things I noted was the new freshman feeling despite being in my third year of higher education. The other seminarians and faculty, however, quickly welcomed me into the community. The first few months of seminary were one long orientation. They consisted mainly of adjusting to seminary life: accustoming myself to the structured schedule, familiarizing myself with the classes in philosophy, and wrestling with this additional aspect of my identity.

At first, adjustment to seminary life was difficult. I did not know anyone well, and the schedule and classes were unlike what I had experienced before. With time, I got to know more of the seminarians and found myself enjoying the classes. By second semester, I was much more at home and adjusted to seminary, so I could enter even more into formation, since everything was no longer brand new. However, I was soon reminded by the outbreak of COVID-19 that I am still not in control. The world has weathered many plagues and pandemics, but naturally, one thinks of them as mere stories, having occurred decades and centuries ago, not as possibilities in one’s lifetime. Yet, here we are.

At the seminary, the spread of the virus seemed surreal. As cases were confirmed nearer to us, we stopped leaving the seminary as much. Not long after, our regional health department mandated the previously recommended health measures of social distancing that are all too familiar with us now. Some things changed, but many remained the same. We still had classes, only online with the lay professors videoing in. We still had Mass in the morning and prayed some liturgy of the hours in common. These things helped keep some sense of normalcy, which was appreciated.

Despite life at seminary not being as drastically affected as many of those in the world, the turmoil that was arising still hit hard. Though we were secluded and likely relatively safe, we were concerned for family and friends without such luxuries of seclusion, the sacraments, and a sizeable supporting community within their household. Also, an outbreak at seminary would spread quickly. In response, we had more holy hours with exposition available throughout the week and a solemn Eucharistic procession to ask for protection in these times.

I found during my time at seminary as this outbreak was unfolding, I grew more than I could have if all had been placid. All the extra time for prayer and time with my brother seminarians and the priests, helped me to better understand the call of a priest—to be an intercessor on behalf of the people of God. With having Mass, communal prayer, and confession readily available, I had many opportunities to offer my intentions at Mass, my rosary, or other prayers for those struggling in the world with the coronavirus. I found that offering my prayers for others both in and out of the community helped me to love them even more. Praying for my brother seminarians allowed me to better live in unbroken community with them for months with much less difficulty than I expected living locked in a house with 50 men for two months would entail. Praying for those outside of the seminary allowed me to accustom myself to offering myself on others’ behalf and helped me appreciate my family more when I saw them. Despite the difficulties that arose and remain, I find myself thankful for this year and all the growth that Jesus lovingly guided me through.