Phase III: A Symbol of Hope

Last year, as a new seminarian, I was full of anticipation and excitement for pursuing God’s will in my life. I was ready to begin my first year and follow the Lord wherever he wanted to lead me. As I was starting my time in seminary, I was asked to write for the blog on the parallels between the start of the construction of the new wing and my entrance into seminary.

While everyone here was anxiously awaiting the opening of the new wing, I was anxiously awaiting the surprises to come in seminary as I began my preparation for priesthood. My entire first year I experienced a strong visual parallel in the building of the new wing, and the process of God’s construction in my own heart as I began my formation. When we left for the summer, the new wing was almost complete, but I had much more to go.

Upon our arrival back this year, the new edition was ready to finally hold life! Now, the seminary feels complete and is able to hold the most seminarians it ever has. Fifty-one of us share this wonderful house, and are enjoying all the benefits of the bigger refectory and the Comstock Conference Room. 

The seminary was buzzing with excitement the day Cardinal Wuerl came to open the newest edition. We were all excited and ready for the opening Mass, dedication, and dinner to follow. Having the new and bigger refectory has given us the ability to host more people at the seminary and the new conference room is equipped with all the necessary features for our formation. It will be the home of many formation nights, conferences, workshops, and study sessions for my remaining years, and for many years to come. It truly completes the house at St. John Paul II Seminary. 

For me though, the completion of the new wing is a strong symbol of hope that God will bring to fulfillment the work he has begun in me (Philippians 1:6).