Hello everyone,
What an incredible month it has been for the Church. Almost right after I posted the last time
Pope Benedict XVI announced that through his prayerful discernment he was going
to retire from the papacy. This is a
great example of humility for all of us, the humility which Christ calls us
each to. I find it wonderful when we
contrast this with the decision which Pope John Paul II made to stay in office
through immense physical suffering and trouble.
I heard it put in a great way, “Pope John Paul II stayed in office to
show us how to die with dignity while Pope Benedict XVI left office to show us
how to live with humility.”
This past week we had the election of Pope Francis, the
first pope from the Americas, the first pope from outside Europe in over 1000
years, the first Jesuit pope, and by all appearances so far a man that will be
a great Vicar of Christ. By now I am
sure that everyone has seen and heard of Pope Francis’ life of humility and
simplicity. One thing that isn’t talked
about much is his life before the Jesuits.
Pope Francis was raised in a simple family, his father was a rail worker
who immigrated to Argentina from Italy.
Pope Francis had gone through school and gotten a master’s degree in
chemistry before deciding to enter the Jesuits.
I think that this is going to be a great sign for those who believe
falsely that the Catholic Church is against science. Throughout history many of the greatest
scientists were Catholic clergy and this may give people reason to look into
what the Church teaches on science rather than simply their own assumptions and
false information from whatever source they get it.
As for me, my discernment continues to go well. I am still praying to God for guidance. I will say that I believe that I have gotten
an answer to this prayer, a very clear answer.
But I am not going to post here what that answer is for a while. I am working with my spiritual director to be
sure of what I think I received. I will
in good time tell you whether this means that I am going to leave seminary or
set the question aside.
My classes are going well. I have five of them this semester. I have Christology, studying simply about
Christ. I have Synoptic Gospels, talking
about Matthew, Mark and Luke. I have
Church History II from 1000AD to present.
I have Supervised ministry: Pastoral Care which is the companion course
for my going out to that teaching parish and we are focusing on care to the
sick, suffering, and dying. My final
class in Ministry in the American culture, which is a very broad topic class
focusing on issues that are being and will be faced during our lifetimes.
That is enough at this point. I hope everyone is well and ask you to keep
Pope Francis in your prayers.
Peace,
Adam
