Mary's Birthday Hike

Mary’s example teaches us about beginnings.
 
At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel delivered the news to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son. Luke tells us that she was “greatly troubled,” but her response immediately became the model for responding to God’s will—“let it be to me according to your word.”
 
Mary’s role in the seminary is a prominent one. We celebrate her in a special way each Saturday, beginning the weekend by praying the Rosary as a community, but our devotion to her goes far beyond a Saturday morning ritual.
 
We have entrusted ourselves to her and we turn to her frequently: our weekly formation talks begin with a Memorare, we pray the living Rosary daily, after adoration we sing a Marian hymn, meals begin with the Angelus, we have a soccer tournament in her honor, and the center of our time here—the chapel—is named for her: Mary, Mother of the Church. These are not customs or titles devoid of meaning. They direct us toward her and remind us of her desire to care for us.
 
We turn to Mary because she is our mother and we are her children. She has given us the perfect example of faith and guides us on our own journeys. Mary is the model of faith because she touches something fundamental in the experience of all those who seek the Lord—the healthy response to God’s will.
 
My own discernment of the priesthood really only began when I turned to Mary. I was struck with fear when I first considered the seminary, but Mary’s presence was consoling. My discernment changed on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe, where she famously said: “Do not fear. Am I not here who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?” I entrusted myself to her and she has continued to guide me. I know many others have had similar experiences, following Mary’s example for beginnings.
 
Last week, on Mary’s birthday, 50 seminarians, 3 priests, and 1 dog traveled to Catoctin Mount Park for a 4-mile hike. It was our first excursion with this group of men—a new beginning in many ways as we settled into the year. The temperature stayed in the low 80s and the wilderness provided a reprieve from our home in the noisy city. It was capped off by a Frassati-esque conference on loving those in our lives we do not choose: our families, our Bishops, and our brother seminarians. 
 


The seminarians in formation at a given time make up a unique group brought together by God himself. Loving these people is a yes to God’s will—an echo of Mary’s Magnificat. Our devotion to her is both an overarching theme of our formation and a common thread that connects each day. May we always be under Mary’s shadow and protection.