Seminarian Life

Duc in altum: Put out into the deep
 
When Jesus first calls his disciples in the beginning of Luke’s Gospel, he asks Simon Peter to put out his boat offshore so he can teach the crowds better. After teaching, Jesus turns to him and says, “Duc in altum!” or “put out into the deep” for a catch. Simon casts doubt on whether they will catch anything, but in a critical moment of faith, he puts down his nets at the word of Jesus. After doing so, they caught so many fish that the nets began to tear.

As new seminarians, we are often called back to this passage of the Gospel. We are called to meditate on the faith of Simon, who, though rightly skeptical after laboring all night with no catch, casts aside his fear, his doubt, and his anxiety and simply listens to the Lord. And with a small act of faith came forth a miracle.

As a first-year seminarian, I am in the “propaedeutic” stage of formation. Propaedeutic simply means “introductory,” indicating the start of the formation journey towards the priesthood, focusing on forming an intimate prayer life, the virtue of righteous work, and a recognition of the divine sonship that we Christians share in Jesus Christ. In entering this year at the Blessed Stanley Rother House of Formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, we 31 seminarians have entered into a rigorous schedule of prayer, a shared common brotherhood, and a journey into our own hearts. Separated from the other seminarians at the Mount, our formators have the ability to focus more closely on each individual. With ample time for spiritual direction, the building of good habits, study of scripture and catechism, our formators have begun to lead us towards a more radical dependence on Jesus. With consistent encouragement, support, and challenges, I find this year to already be abundantly fruitful. 

As propaedeutics, we have taken for ourselves two patron saints, one being Blessed Stanley Rother and the other being St. Pope John Paul II. Blessed Stanley Rother is an American martyr and missionary priest who served in Guatemala. He served a rural community of believers at a time when the government of Guatemala was highly oppressive of Catholics. After being placed on a “hit-list,” Blessed Stanley came back to the United States for safety. He took a retreat right here at Mount St. Mary’s where he felt compelled to return to Guatemala. After arriving back, he was there to stay as he said in a letter, “The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” Despite the continued violence and the almost certain danger lying ahead, Blessed Stanley served his flock faithfully. After some time, gunmen broke into his house and shot him. His parishioners were at a loss, but requested that his heart, which so faithfully served them, remain in Guatemala and be buried there. Blessed Stanley Rother provides a powerful image of self-gift to us men and we are blessed by his patronage. 

Our second patron, St. Pope John Paul II gives us another powerful image of selfless priestly service. It is John Paul II who gives us our propaedeutic motto for the year, “Duc in Altum.” During his pontificate, he used this phrase in his Apostolic Letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte. In his letter, he interprets this phrase as the universal recognition towards one’s own call. What are we made for? Who are we made for? By understanding our true calling as sons and daughters of God, we can embrace more closely the innermost desires of our hearts, namely those desires to love and to be loved. We acknowledge that by bearing God’s grace within us, we can rise up with Christ into new life and understand more truly our identity as beloved children of God and our vocations to the priesthood. 

As I enter into the season of Advent this month of December in preparation for the birth of our Lord, I look forward to my continued formation here in Maryland. I hope to grow ever closer to the Lord with my brothers. Let us all ask the Lord to prepare our hearts this Advent, that when he says to us, “Duc in altum,” we all might have the humility, faith, and courage to lower our nets and catch some fish.