Habemus Papam! Okay, this is a day late, but I figured it would be proper for me to say this sometime. Needless to say, we're all excited at the seminary about the new Pope. Having never experienced something like this before, and being in formation for priesthood during my first experience of it, this is certainly a truly awesome experience for me.

Long live the Pope! May our Lord continue to guide His Church under her new Roman Pontiff, Benedict XVI.

"Ecce Sacerdos Magnus!" These words rang out as the centuries-old tradition took place today. Archbishop Burke entered his Catedral, dressed in cassock, surplice and cappa magna, greeted by the seminarian choir, who announced his arrival. After this procession, we began our yearly Chrism Mass. I love the Church! I was brought to tears as I took in the awesomeness of today's liturgy. We are truly blessed to have such an Archbishop and Cathedral choir and staff who help make the liturgy more tangible. I love when the walls rumble and the choir sounds like both thunder and angels all at once. The sopranos hit heavenly notes, and our senses are reminded that truly, every time the Mass is celebrated, Heaven touches earth. The presence of so many priests brings such a sight of magnificence to the priesthood, as the presence of religious sisters presents true womanhood at its best. All of this encourages me in my vocation, as I remember how all this greatness is only the physical, tangible presentation of the Heavenly truth. One day may we all share in the Heavenly banquet, where we can truly hear the angels sing, and realize what is so difficult to see on this earth. Lord, let your glory shine down!

Have a great Easter Triduum, everyone.

Okay peeps, I'm back from Spring Break. Don't you hate the feeling that during a break where you're supposed to relax, you feel like you were just as busy--or more!!--than when you're actually in school? But it's all good. A lot of the stuff I chose to do, and it's not necessarilly bad. I really enjoy actually practicing priestly ministry, like helping out at different parishes. That's one thing I really enjoy about breaks. It's good to learn and be in formation (actually VERY good), but I really enjoy getting breaks occasionally, which give me the opportunity to really practice what I've learned. It is during breaks that I can truly test my growth as well as my needed areas of continued growth toward priestly ministry.

One thing I really enjoyed was helping out at a Luke 18 retreat at a local parish. I really didn't do much, but apparently my presence was inspiring. I even talked to one guy about discerning a priestly vocation. I'm realizing that a lot of the time I really don't have to "do" anything to be a witness. I guess I just never realized until now how much people appreciate just a priest or seminarian spending time with them. Much like the father of a family--sometimes he doesn't need to "do" anything. Just spending time with his family is enough to build relationships and show how much he loves them. I pray that I may one day be the "loving father" that God could be calling me to be.