spiritual year

Spiritual Year

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook

Spiritual Year

spiritualityyear14B:Churchhill.3panel.1/07 4/2/14 11:54 AM

Introduction

In his Apostolic Exhortation, Pastores Dabo Vobis, Blessed Pope John Paul II called fora sufficient period of preparation prior to major seminary formation due todifferences between the “style of life” in the times in which we live and the “style oflife” required by seminary formation (cf. n. 62). As a supplemental program, theSpiritual Year of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary responds to this, consistent with theVatican II teaching which called for “a suitable interval of time for a more intensivespiritual preparation” for seminarians (Optatam Totius, n. 12).

Key goals of the year include the opportunity for the seminarian to enter deeply intosolitude so as to solidify his self-knowledge—including his vocational calling—and toprofoundly affect the seminarian’s interiority with the heart of Christ.

This year strives for a life-experience which will allow the seminarian to “find God inall things” such that the stillness of the year—freed from academic grades andcredits—will foster a monasticism of the heart to remain with the candidatethroughout ordination and priestly life. A daily holy hour, and an emphasis on thedaily Ignatian examen will be key practices highlighted throughout the year.


Intellectual Formation

The core courses which meet once and every week are the following: Scripture,Spiritual Classics, Catechism.

Other shorter courses include the following: Theology of the Body, IgnatianDiscernment, Celibacy, Liturgy of the Hours, Music, Lectio Divina, Ignatian Prayer,Vatican II Documents, Pastores Dabo Vobis, Evangelization, Communication skills,Salvation History, Christian Anthropology

Grades are not assigned, however, classroom participation and one synthetic essay persemester will be used to gauge the student’s ability to integrate course-work withprayer.

A key assignment of the Spiritual Year, facilitated through the courses, is a completeread of the Bible and Catechism.

Spiritual Practices

Central to each day is the celebration of the Eucharist. The Hours of Morning Prayerand Evening Prayer are prayed in common. A holy hour occurs each morning. Therosary and stations of the cross are incorporated regularly. Devotion to Mary will beessential, and since her womb became the mold for our Blessed Lord, she takes aspecial role in forming a priestly heart after her Son.

• A fall 3-day retreat, spring 5-day retreat, and concluding 30-day Ignatian Exercisesare offered with appropriate preparation and guidance.

• The seminarian is required tohave a regular spiritual directorwhom he can meet with, withincreased frequency.

• As a means of separating from thenoise of the world, the SpiritualYear includes a media fast.Phones, television, computers,popular media and otherelectronic devices are not usedMonday through Friday. All-daySaturday, the media fast is lifted;it is also relaxed on Sunday.


Human Formation

Human formation happens in both formal andinformal situations. Significant genuine Christianetiquette and courtesy happens informally throughcommunal life, including regularly shared meals.Various human formation talks include the following:community living, effective fraternal correction, therole of silence in our lives, Christian manhood with St. Joseph as model. Each seminarian is given a housejob as a means of supporting the community anddevelopment which results from the experience.

Pastoral Formation

A central feature of the Spiritual Year isthe month-long immersion program whichbegins the 2nd semester. Seminarians areassigned in pairs to travel simply, with fewbelongings to serve the poor. Thisexperience provides a concrete sheddingaway from materiality which can so easilymask the interior.

In addition, weekly the seminarianreceives a field education assignmentemphasizing service.


Pattern of LifeThe daily schedule for the Spiritual Year is focusedon providing ample time for prayer and activereflection. A typical schedule is shown to the left.Interior time is the opportunity for the seminarianto choose among studying, reading, prayer andconstructive communal conversation.

Afternoons will always include time for recreation.

Evenings will vary from a communal movie(Sunday evenings), to group lectio divina, to moreinterior time.

No workshops take place on Saturdays. This is aday for “re-creation.” The seminarian is free aftermorning Mass (time to be decided) for the wholeday until evening, with the goal of spending thisleisure day in a productive way for human growth.

Contingent upon enrollment, it is envisioned tohave Eucharistic adoration through the night fromSaturday night into Sunday morning, whereby theseminarian enters into the hopeful expectation ofthe Resurrection each week in deep communionwith Mary and our Eucharistic Lord.

Wednesdays and Sundays will be a distinctschedule. On Wednesdays, the Spiritual Yearseminarians will join the greater St. CharlesSeminary community for Mass and Rector’sDinner.

Fridays are open days to allow for communaloutings. The Philadelphia region offers diverseoptions in parks, museums, shrines and more.

Typical Horarium

6:15-7:30 am EucharisticAdoration,MorningPrayer andBenediction

7:30 am Breakfast

8:00-9:15 am Interior Time –study, read, pray,constructiveconversation

9:30-11:30 am Classroomtime

11:45 am Mass

12:30 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Work hour

2:00 pm Free time

5:20 pm Rosary

5:45 pm Evening Prayer

6:00 pm Dinner

7:00-9:00 pm varies by day

9:00 pm Night PrayerGrand Silence


Tentative Schedule 2014-2015Date SY Event

Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Opening Day

Wednesday, August 20, 2014 Orientation

Thursday, August 21, 2014 Orientation

Friday, August 22, 2014 Orientation

Monday, August 25, 2014 First Class

Monday, September 1, 2014 Labor Day

Friday, September 12, 2014 Rector’s Weekend begins post Mass

Sunday, October 5, 2014 Fall Retreat begins–evening

Monday, October 6, 2014 Fall Retreat

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Fall Retreat

Wednesday, October 8, 2014 Fall Retreat - ends evening

Friday, October 10, 2014 Rector’s Weekend begins post Mass

Monday, October 13, 2014 Rector’s Weekend ends

Saturday, November 1, 2014 All Saints Day / 40 Hours

Sunday, November 2, 2014 All Souls Day / 40 Hours

Monday, November 3, 2014 40 Hours

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 St. Charles Day

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 Thanksgiving Break begins post Mass

Monday, December 4, 2014 Immaculate Conception

Friday, December 19, 2014 Christmas Break Begins, post Mass


Monday, January 12, 2015 Return from Break; Immersion Orientation

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Departure for Immersion Assignment

Thursday, February 12, 2015 Return from Immersion

Friday, February 13, 2015 Immersion Processing

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Ash Wednesday

Friday, February 27, 2015 Rector’s Weekend begins post Mass

Sunday, March 15, 2015 5-day Ignatian Retreat Begins

Saturday, March 28, 2015 Holy Week Easter Break, post Mass

Sunday, April 12, 2015 Easter break ends

Friday, May 8, 2015 Last Class Day

Saturday, May 9, 2015 Diaconate Ordination

Saturday, May 16, 2015 Priesthood Ordination

Monday, May 18, 2015 30-Day Retreat begins

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 30-Day Retreat ends

Thursday, June 18, 2015 Processing Day

Friday, June 19, 2015 Processing Day

Saturday, June 20, 2015 Conclusion after morning Mass


To maintain the integrity of the Spiritual Year program, enrollment is limited. For more information contact:

Reverend Christopher Cooke(610) 785-6208

[email protected]

Saint Charles Borromeo SeminaryOverbrook

100 East Wynnewood RoadWynnewood, PA 19096

www.scs.edu


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