A Firm Foundation: Benedictine spirituality for the diocesan priest
Several years ago, an alumnus of Conception Seminary College called me up to share his experiences after attending the Institute for Priestly Formation Program in Omaha. After unpacking some of his experiences, he told me that his priest-formators said that diocesan priests should cultivate a “monastic heart.” Of course, as a monk, a priest, and the Director of Spiritual Formation, I was very interested in what they said. I’ve always thought of Benedictine Spirituality as a solid spiritual foundation because it is a specific and focused way of living the Gospel.
Everyone faces challenges in trying to remain committed to their vocation and pursue God. Priests, though, face many unique demands and challenges today. For the sake of my role in seminary formation, I’m always asking two questions: How can we best prepare our seminarians for priesthood? How can and does our Benedictine Spirituality guide and support our seminarians once they become diocesan priests?
At Conception Seminary College, we seminary formators, want seminarians to see the great gift and calling of the Diocesan Priesthood. However, we also want to prepare them for the difficulties and be realistic for the challenges. In Pastores Dabo Vobis, Pope St. John Paul II writes about a “type” of the first seminary, where he reflects on Mark’s Gospel when Jesus calls the Twelve and gives them their mission. Mark recounts, “Jesus went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons” (3:13-15). Pope St. John Paul II highlighted this important part of the disciples’ formation, “To be with Him”— it is Jesus “accompanying His disciples” for the sake of their vocation. He writes: “After calling them and before he sends them out, indeed in order to be able to send them out to preach, Jesus asks them to set aside a “period of time” for formation. The aim of this time is to develop a relationship of deep communion and friendship with himself. In this time they receive the benefit of a catechesis that is deeper than the teaching he gives to the people (cf. Mt. 13:11); also he wishes them to be witnesses of his silent prayer to the Father (cf. Jn. 17:1-26; Lk. 22:39-45)” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 42).
Elsewhere, Pope St. John Paul II wrote about the need for “training in holiness”—an idea that fits together with Jesus accompanying His disciples: “This training in holiness calls for a Christian life distinguished above all in the art of prayer. We well know that prayer cannot be taken for granted. We have to learn to pray as if we are learning this art ever anew from the lips of the Divine Master himself, like the first disciples: “Lord, teach us to pray!” (Lk 11:1). Prayer develops that conversation with Christ which makes us his intimate friends: “Abide in me and I in you’ (Jn 15:4)” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 32). I think these ideas capture much of the vision of spiritual formation at Conception Seminary College: Being with Jesus, accompaniment, and training in holiness.
Four key principles of our Benedictine Spirituality impact and shape the seminarians as they prepare for the diocesan priesthood, they are 1) Silence, Peace, and Environment, 2) Spirituality of the Word, 3) Ora et Labora (Balance in Life), and 4) Community Life.
Silence, Peace, and Environment
Our environment significantly shapes and influences our behaviors, practices, and overall direction in life. When guests arrive on Conception’s campus, they often remark: “This is a peaceful place.” The monastic community’s rhythm of prayer and discipline of silence helps sanctify the space and order it toward God. The rural location of our campus, the green space, beautiful views, and walking trails help foster a closeness to the land that helps remind us that creation is a wonderful and beautiful act of God. Freed from many unnecessary noises and distractions, the seminarians enter into the space, living in the beauty and breathing the fresh air, which inevitably affects them during their time here. There are periods, especially in the morning and evening during the day, for the cultivation of silence, but also extended periods when the seminarians enjoy Days of Recollection and retreats.
The hope is that these experiences of Benedictine Pax creates within them a listening heart—a heart that is willing to listen to God’s voice in the silence, in Sacred Scripture, and in one another. The environment provides the time and space to be reflective and get in touch with one’s heart. We want the seminarians to be comfortable with this silence so that when facing the demands of priestly ministry and the noise and chaos of the world, they can learn to focus on what they can control and turn the rest over to God, thus experiencing, again, this profound stillness in their hearts. The priest needs to be comfortable in being alone and still, knowing what truly refreshes his spirit and being docile to the action of the Holy Spirit.
Spirituality of the Word
Key elements of Benedictine spirituality are the Psalms, which are chanted when we gather for the Divine Office, and the Sacred Scriptures, which are meditated on in the practice of lectio divina. The Word of God plays a pivotal role in the formation of the monk, both when gathered together in communal prayer, but also when praying alone in one’s room or the church. New seminarians attend the Holy and Life-Giving Seminar where they are instructed in the practices of mental prayer and lectio divina and are encouraged to persevere in praying in this way. Retreats throughout the year challenge seminarians to choose one Bible passage and “go deep” with it, meditating and listening attentively to what God is saying to them.
This foundational component of Benedictine spirituality hopes to form priests who are faithful to their daily prayer, well-acquainted with Sacred Scripture, and whose hearts are shaped by the Word of God. When parishioners desire to grow in their prayer life, our alumni will be able to help them because they learned to pray in this way from the Benedictine tradition that spans centuries. When truly shaped by God’s word, the priest will nourish his people through his preaching, because he will not merely be communicating “ideas,” but sharing his own personal experience of God’s love.
Ora et Labora (Balance in Life)
The most famous “motto” associated with the Benedictine Order is ora et labora (prayer and work). In the daily round of prayer and work, St. Benedict offers a Rule that is balanced and seeks to integrate well the activities of the day. The day is guided by the horarium, or daily schedule, a structure which encourages the monk, upon “hearing the signal for an hour of the divine office” that he “immediately set aside what he has in hand and go with utmost speed, yet with gravity and without giving occasion for frivolity” (RB 43:1-2). St. Benedict puts this strong emphasis on prayer but also emphasizes the times for manual labor (work). It is no surprise that diocesan priests are often busy with many demands placed on them. Nevertheless, they too need to learn to find a healthy prayer and work balance, which avoids such pitfalls as isolation or burnout. The seminarians learn to establish a Rule of Life and keep to it. Committing to devotions and practices that foster a healthy lifestyle and spiritual life is necessary even when prayer is dry or ministry challenging. While seminarians can often complain that they are very busy at seminary, their busyness now is training for when they will be on their own as priests. But, the support and witness of the monastic community works in such a way that the connection with Conception Abbey and Seminary College provides a relationship with a place and community. We see many ordained alumni who return to Conception for retreat and connect with their former spiritual director or favorite monks. Familiarity with this place and these people helps them stay connected and maintain proper balance and well-ordered life in priestly ministry.
Community Life
One of the prominent factors of monastic life is community life. The monks pray, work, recreate, and take meals together. The monks demonstrate what it looks like to draw unique individuals together for a common goal and to remain united in working toward bringing about this vision. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote, “The essential work of the seminary takes place in the context of community” (Program for Priestly Formation, 151). The monks model community life, but the seminary structure emphasizes sharing life together, serving one another, and building friendships the seminarians can rely on when they are ordained priests ministering in the parishes. Conception Seminary College encourages men to form a support system with men of communion who are willing to reach out to others in their own need, or thoughtful enough to reach out to others who may be in need. This fraternal life is not just intended for the priests to enjoy, rather, it forms a man who brings others together and forms intentional community within his parish. Such community encourages spiritual growth and lifelong friendships founded on faith in Jesus Christ. In this way, community and friendship both help a priest remain accountable to his priestly promises and integrate the human and spiritual formation dimensions, which are a necessary foundation for growth and happiness.
The Benedictine way of life and its spiritual tradition offer many benefits to the parish priest. If a diocesan priest is to flourish in the world and in serving God’s people, he will need to cultivate and maintain peace in his heart, be rooted in the Sacred Scriptures and draw life from his prayer and from the Word of God. He should find a healthy balance in life, build community, and be a man of communion—accountable to his brother priests and his parish community.
—Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB
Director of Spiritual Formation
