THE SEMINARY OF ST. ANSELM

 A MESSAGE FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

This week marks the beginning of classes for our four seminarians.  They have been settling into their new home over the past few weeks, adjusting to the rigorous daily schedule of prayers, study and farmwork, learning the Rule of the Seminary, and becoming familiar with the work and mindset of the Guild of St. Peter ad Vincula.  Classes in Ascetic and Mystical Theology, Latin, Liturgy and Chant for the lower years will begin on Wednesday, along with a meticulous review of the Catechism. 

Our most advanced seminarian will combine his study of Dogmatic Theology with teaching the Latin and Chant classes to the lower years.  He is an accomplished church organist and choir director, as well as having been a high school teacher and a professional tailor (specializing in church vestments), so he brings a good number of talents to the seminary.  Another of the seminarians is a motor mechanic, which should prove handy, while yet another was a carpenter before he joined the seminary.

As you can imagine, this has been a lot of work for Fr. Spray and myself, as we prepared for the arrival of these candidates for the priesthood.  The seminary Bylaws, Rule and Schedule are now in place, the necessary legal requirements are in the process of being finalized for the states of Indiana and Ohio, and a whole new accounting system has been set up.  We are currently working on a software program that will enable us to centralize a grading system for the curriculum, as well as putting together a seminary library of the most important reference books they will need, plus the necessary textbooks for the various courses.

Housing is being provided by one of the parishioners of our Lizton mission.  He has a large farm with several farmhouses dotted around, and our seminarians will have the use of one of these in return for some work on the farm.  Another parishioner has donated a car for the use of the seminarians, which will be an enormous help.  The mission of Our Lady of Good Remedy in Lizton is already benefitting in return by the presence of the seminarians at Sunday Mass, where they sing the Gregorian Chant and help solemnize the ceremonies.  They remain at the chapel to sing Vespers and this, I’m told, is well attended.  We hope to invite the seminarians to our own chapel one week, so that you will have the chance to meet with them and get to know the men who, God willing, will one day be offering Mass here.

Until we can organize our finances properly, donations for the seminary should be made by check, payable to The Seminary of St. Anselm, and mailed to Fr. Christopher Spray at 6381 Bales Drive, Plainfield IN 46168.  God will certainly bless your generosity, and the seminarians themselves offer their daily Rosary for the intention of their benefactors.  Thank you in advance for your support.