The formation of priests includes spiritual formation with frequent meetings with one's spiritual director, reception of the sacrament of Penance, classes on spirituality, the annual retreat and periodic days of recollection.
Today, the major seminarians spent the day in prayer and quite reflection. In addition to Lauds and Vespers, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration there were two conferences. Meals were in silence and the normal activities of the day curtailed to focus one's awareness on the things of God. The day was led by Father Daniel O'Reilly, the spiritual director of the Saint John Neumann Residence (the undergrad seminary).
Father O'Reilly's reflections centered on being clothed in Christ. This Pauline motif has lots of currency for Catholics, especially Catholic priests. Noteworthy are the vesting prayers prayed by the priest as he is vesting for the Sacrifice of the Mass. What are these prayers? Why would we be attentive to such prayers?
Washing of the Hands
Give virtue, O Lord, to my hands, that every stain may be wiped away; that I may be enabled to serve you without defilement of mind or body.
--Think of the work to be done at Mass, the offering of self, the offering of Mass with the proclamation of the Scriptures, the prayers of intercession, the offering of bread and wine that will become of the Body and Blood of Christ. With what degree of generosity is needed to do this ministry and do it well. God is excessive in His generosity in that He created a universe and then entered that same universe because of His love. Recall the excessive generosity of Jesus at Cana and feeding of the 5000. As Benedict XVI reminds us, excess is the form of our salvation.
Placing of the Amice
Place, O Lord, on my head the helmut of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.
--The metaphor of "the helmut of salvation" is used only in certain circles today. Its virtue is that of prudence in speech and action. As we present ourselves to God we ought to do so in holy way; not in a mechanistic manner, but in a real, human way in which we are aware of sinfulness but not held captive by sin. Here we notice the movements of grace and sin; hopefully we choose the former over the latter. The assaults of the devil come in the form of sins against chaste living. How much more do we need to have custody of eyes, ears, mouth and the imagination?
Covering with the Alb
Purify me, O Lord, from all stain and cleanse my heart, that, washed in the blood of the Lamb, I may enjoy eternal delights.
--Purity of mind and heart and body leads to real, substantial joy. Eternal joy. The controlling idea would be that our purity is not only what is obvious but applied to the ability and willingness to speak the truth, to preach the Gospel, to think with the Church at all times. This is God's truth and our task is discover it and live it. Mediocrity has no place in the preaching ministry of the Church. The purity of the alb is about sacrificing one's self for Christ.
Fastening the Cincture
Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of purity, and quench in my heart the fire of concupiscence, that the virtue of continence and chastity may remain in me.
--Chaste living is required of everyone, regardless of ordination or not. The gift of sexuality is pivotal in our humanity as it is the most powerful gift God gives us. It is so because we cooperate with God in creating a human life that is made not only in our image, but in God's. This powerful gift has a shadow side: we can abuse it by allowing sensuality to control our being so that we denigrate our bodies and those of others. It can be a poison if we don't judge (assess) life with our faith and reason. Sensuality is beautiful and so it's necessary not to allow it to be reduced to a base level. Self-denial (fasting) exercises our freedom to live according to gift of sensuality as God intends it to be lived. Human sensuality opens the door to the Presence of God.
Placing of the Stole
Restore to me, O Lord, the state of immortality which was lost to me by my first parents, and, altogether I am unworthy to approach your sacred mysteries, grant me nevertheless eternal joy.
--The prayer here orients our thoughts to contrition, forgiveness and the process of conversion. Think of the Rule of Benedict or the Suscipe prayers: each leads the person to greater freedom in Christ by acknowledging our total dependence on God. The Ignatian method of the Examen is particularly apt when putting on the stole for liturgical services.
Accepting the Chasuble
O Lord, who said, "My yoke is sweet and my burden light," grant that I may carry it so as to obtain your grace. Amen.
--Snapping the fingers won't get you holy. Doing the sweet work of God will. Don't delay, seek the Face of the Lord. The chasuble is the vestment of Charity.
Conversion has to be seen as a process. To that end, I recommend:
-a daily schedule of prayer-->looking to live in the intimacy with Christ
-fasting to exercise human freedom
-physical exercise
-healthy friendships
-Lauds, Vespers and Mass and Compline
-Eucharistic Adoration
-Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary (rosary, a litany, Miraculous Medal)
