Since I haven't written since September, it's easy to think of a lot of things that have gone unsaid in my blog. I'll try to bring out a few of the more important things, but I'll inevitably forget some very important things...
My brother has been seriously discerning religious life for a while now, and he finally made the move to get that process underway. This fall, he decided to drop his college classes, given that it was going to take him a significant amount of time to finish up his degree. He called Conception Abbey, which is the monastery that ran his seminary when he attended seminary college, and asked them what it would take. After some talking, they arranged for him to come and live with them for a month. He just got back tonight from working and praying with the Benedictines for a month, and I can only say that he's as happy as I've ever seen him. Hopefully, God willing, he'll be joining sometime after the beginning of the year. While I can't say that it won't be difficult to live so far away from my brother, I'm incredibly happy for him in every possible way. It's amazing to have an example in my life of someone who's so willing to radically follow God's call in his life. I only hope that I'm as willing to put aside my wants and desires and abandon myself so fully to God.
Aside from that, things in my life have been going pretty well. As of October 29th, I have officially applied to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. I can't even say how great it felt to get the application finished. I felt like I was finally doing something about what I felt God had been writing on my heart for quite some time. Now I wait as they begin to review my application. Eventually I'll be called in for an interview and at some point I'll begin the process of applying to the seminary itself. Exciting times, no doubt. I just have to keep reminding myself to keep focused on my vocation at present, which is student.
The weekend after I turned in my application, I had the opportunity to visit the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary. My diocese sends to this school, along with a couple of others. The place is absolutely stunning. The grounds are gorgeous and the entire place breeds peace and serenity. The weekend I visited happened to be deaconate ordination, and I was blessed to be able to sing in the choir for the celebration. Afterwards at the hors d'oeuvres reception, a friend of mine who goes to Mundelein introduced me to some of the very important figures associated with the seminary. I shook hands with Francis Cardinal George and a couple of bishops, the rector of the seminary as well as a couple of the deans, and some very intriguing professors and religious. After somewhat of a whirlwind weekend, I was fortunate to get to spend some time in the main chapel and then driving around the lake. (Funny, my camera ended up deleting the pictures I took.)
I'm incredibly eager to get started with my discernment in seminary. I have a ways to go before I get there, but things are definitely coming together.
St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us!
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