Day 1--A Day in the Life of Salesian Seminarian.

     As a Catholic Church, we have "many parts" (Romans 12:4). And diverse groups of people, set apart by God, have been given roles or parts appropriate to their own gifts and talents. Saints such as Thomas Aquinas and Augustine help make up part of the mind of the Church while persons such as Blessed Mother Theresa help make up the hands and feet. St. Therese of Lisieux, for example, once said: “I had discovered where it is that I belong in the Church, the niche God has appointed for me. To be nothing else than love, deep down in the heart of Mother Church.”
     But it can be intimidating to follow in the place of others who planted such huge building blocks that stand before us. The Good News is that we are not meant to match them. Rather, these blocks are there as an aid, as a staircase to God. All those who came before us prepared the way for the particular role that we have been called to play. The question is: what is our role? What is our own building block that we are to add to the Church, to all those who came before us?

     As Salesian seminarians, we are praying and discerning what that role is for each of us--what God has sent us here to accomplish. And after much thought, we've decided to let you accompany us in our journey. Our hope is that this blog will not only portray the beautiful life of a Salesian and our spirituality but ultimately give glory to God, as all things rightly should. Please stay tuned to the ordinary, crazy, beautiful, and joyful experiences that are to follow from the religious life of a Salesian.

Martyrdom of St. Ignatius of Antioch, 107 AD

"I am God’s wheat, and I am to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may become the pure bread of Christ."

     These words mentioned above express the joy with which St. Ignatius approached his death, for he knew that through dying he would finally encounter God the Father face to face for all eternity.

     In this picture, we see him about to be devoured by lions. But there is no fear upon his face, no trembling of his knees.  There is only arms open wide and a heart filled with love for God. What a challenge this is for us. 

     We complain over small things; we are easily aggravated. We grow attached to things of this world. But in this picture comes the words: I give it all away. I give everything to you, for it is all as nothing compared to what you have in store for me, Jesus.
     May that be our challenge this day--as seminarians, as students, as teachers, as Christians--to die to ourselves and, in doing so, die for Christ. But most of all, may we find strength in Jesus Christ who gives us all that we need. 

"ALL FOR GOD AND FOR HIS GLORY. IN WHATEVER YOU DO, THINK OF THE GLORY OF GOD AS YOUR MAIN GOAL."                    St. John Bosco, Founder of the Salesian Congregation