I came up with the idea of starting this blog a couple of days ago so that you--my family and friends-- could check on me. I shall endeavor to give updates as faithfully as I can in short narratives and, maybe, with a few pictures if they are available.
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| With our Grand Chancellor, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, O.P. |
As most of you know,
I am studying here at the International Theological Institute (ITI) as a
seminarian. I belong to the minority as most of the other students are
either married or single laity. This past school year, I was one of only
three candidates for the celibate priesthood. While one other seminarian is
from the Eastern rite who, along with another young man still in discernment, may opt to marry before getting ordained. We also have
married aspirants to the diaconate. Our formation program is led by our
rector, Msgr. Larry Hogan, who is a priest of the Archdiocese of Vienna where he is also the chief exorcist, and assisting him is our prefect, Rev. Yuriy Kolasa, who was recently named vicar general for the Eastern Catholic churches in Austria.
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| At home in Saint Thérèse. |
I live in the clausura ('enclosure') within the Saint Thérèse student housing. While we do not always take our meals in common and we, seminarians, are encouraged to take full advantage of our sacred space, we make time for evenings of fellowship with our brothers and sisters. We also do not miss out on any ITI community celebrations: feasts, talent shows, ordinations, balls, weddings, etc.
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| During a retreat at Stift Lilienfeld. |
Our formative lifestyle, in my view, is just as avant-garde as it is ancient. We follow a decidedly idiorrhythmic model, typical of the desert hermits of old, stressing individual commitment to one's chosen path with the help of seasoned mentors and the support of a community that does not place any unnecessary demands for structure. I argue that nothing could better prepare us for life in the parish, especially that we daily find ourselves in the midst of a community of men and women who represent a rich diversity and a lived experience of mutuality...
Besides
studying and other more serious pursuits, I also get to travel a bit, thanks to the generosity of
friends scattered across the continent. Last Christmas, the
Fiães Family invited me to Milan. It was great catching up with them after four years. Then some Austrian friends had me
over for a few days in Salzburg, where I got a personalized Sound of Music
tour and sledded down the mountain at midnight, among other things.
Another invitation came shortly afterwards to spend a weekend in Paris. Without any reliable income, I never thought I would be able to make those trips
(and all within three months!), but the funny thing is that I did.
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| A light moment with Mozart at Getreidegasse 9 in Salzburg. |
