Spiritual
Pastores Dabo Vobis states that the spiritual life:
“is the work of the Holy Spirit and engages a person in his totality. It introduces him to a deep communion with Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, and leads to the total submission of one’s life to the Spirit, in a filial attitude toward the Father and a trustful attachment to the Church. Spiritual formation has its roots in the experience of the cross, which in deep communion leads to the totality of the paschal mystery” PDO # 45
Within his spiritual formation the seminarian integrates the various dimensions of his human, academic and pastoral formation so that he more fully becomes a disciple of Jesus. In this process the seminarian is invited to a deeper and wider-ranging love of God and neighbour. Being attentive to God’s life dwelling within him, the seminarian is empowered to ministerial outreach and pastoral charity. Nurtured by daily Eucharist and reflection on the Word of God the seminarian critically reflects on his call and the conversion of heart to God to which he is invited. The seminarian’s experiences will deepen his appreciation of the presence of the transforming presence of God in his life and challenge him to grow into the likeness of Christ the Good Shepherd. In establishing an intimate union with Christ, the Spirit empowers him to be a generous shepherd of the Church for which he will be ordained, leading others to also participate in the compassionate love of God.
Spiritual Formation at Holy Spirit Seminary includes the following:
Eucharist: The seminarian participates in the daily celebration of the Eucharist. He gathers in the Church to worship God who gives him life and sustains him. Jesus in the Eucharist is the source of pastoral charity that animates and directs his ministry. The spiritual formation nurtures the seminarians in their reverence, respect and love of the Eucharist at which they seek to preside in the person of Christ when ordained. The priests of the seminary preside at the celebrations of Eucharist.
The Divine Office: Through the Liturgy of the Hours the seminarian prays with and for the Church. Each day the seminarian prays the Divine Office as he continues his formation for ordained ministry when he will pray on behalf of the whole Church. Each day begins with the prayerful recitation of Morning Prayer. In the afternoon the community gathers and prays Evening Prayer, and prays Night Prayer at the end of the day.
Daily Prayer: The habit of daily prayer and meditation enables the seminarian to be attentive to God’s transformative presence in his life. This prayer happens in the context of silence and solitude in which the seminarians learn to discern the movements of God in their lives. To be steadily transformed by the Word of God the seminarian develops the habit of daily reflection on the Scriptures. Each day after Morning Prayer the community has thirty minutes of silent meditation. At another time during the day the seminarian is to intentionally spend another thirty minutes in prayer.
Spiritual Direction: The seminarian engages in regular spiritual direction at least once every three weeks. The Seminary’s spiritual director is the seminarian’s spiritual director. The interaction is one of companioning the seminarian as he discerns God’s call in his life. The relationship is totally confidential and encourages the seminarian to respond in total and mature freedom to God’s call.
Spirituality Classes: Spirituality classes are an essential component of the spirituality formation. The seminary formation process has different phases each of these has a particular focus. During Foundation Year there are classes on Prayer, Understanding Spirituality, Discipleship and Discerning Vocation. During the Academic phase the dual concentration is on Classical Spiritual Writings and Contemporary Writings in Spirituality. In Classical Spiritual Writings class explores the likes of St Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross and St Ignatius of Loyola. Contemporary Spiritual Writings explores present reflections on the Eucharist, Mary, Social Justice Spirituality and Holistic Spirituality.
Devotion to Mary and the Saints: An essential aspect of Catholic spirituality is devotion to Mary and the Saints. Reflection on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an important competent of spirituality class work. Included in the seminarian’s prayer is the Prayer of the Rosary. Students are encouraged to nurture prayer and devotion to Mary within their personal spirituality and is particularly nurtured in the regular rhythm of the Church’s liturgical calendar.
Sacrament of Penance: The regular celebration of the Sacrament of Penance will foster the seminarian’s continuous conversion of heart to the redeeming love of God. The seminarian is encouraged to have a regular confessor with whom he can be completely honest. A regular confessor comes to the seminary on a monthly basis providing opportunity for the seminarian to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.
Reflection Days: Once a month the seminary has a reflection day. This is a time away from the normal daily schedule to take time out to reflect on the movement of God’s spirit in their lives and their response to God’s invitations. The day consists of input and prayerful pondering of God’s presence and activity in the seminarian’s life. It is a day spent in a spirit of silence and prayerful support of one another.
Retreats: A retreat is a sacred time and space of attuning ourselves to the movements of God. It is a time to discern and respond to God’s call. Each year the seminarian experiences a couple of opportunities for retreat. During Holy Week there is a “Keeping Holy Week Retreat” which is a time of prayerfully and reflectively entering into the paschal mysteries of our faith. In the middle of the year there is a week’s retreat. This is often a directed retreat led by a chosen priest to lead each student on a time of quiet pondering with the Lord. At the end of Internship the seminarian is strongly encouraged to undertake a Thirty-day Ignatian Retreat as he discerns his call to Candidacy for Priesthood.