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Fellow seminarians at Cathedral Seminary House
of Formation, Douglaston, New York. |
I
find it difficult to believe that a year ago, almost to the date, I was
accepted by the Diocese of Scranton to be their newest and youngest seminarian.
Looking back, when they tell you that times flies in the seminary, they are
certainly not kidding. From the first day of morning prayer, to convocation on
the last day, and with the Pope visiting NYC, flying to Rome with other
seminarians, and all the other blessings in between, my first year has come to
a close.
The
transition from Honesdale High School to St. John’s University and Cathedral
Seminary was not as overwhelming as I originally expected. Starting from the
first day, we were out exploring New York City (Be careful, NYC is not
exclusive to Manhattan. The other New York seminarians will call you out on
that, in a friendly way of course). From going to a small town to the bustling
streets of Queens, I found I adjusted quite well. Of course I was homesick the
first two weeks, but after that I felt quite comfortable driving with friends
to get a late night Saturday snack, or roaming Times Square in December.
According to my new friends at the seminary, I was an honorary New Yorker.
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| Myself with other seminarians |
Not
only was I an honorary New Yorker and Diocese of Scranton Seminarian, but I
also was now a college student. The undergrads at Cathedral Seminary, with the
exception of a few, attend St. John’s University in Queens. The required major
is Philosophy, but you are free to double major or minor in other areas that
interest you (Keep in mind, whatever you choose, has to be able to be completed
in four years). The classes are a decent size with approximately thirty other
students in your class. Depending on class schedules and requirements you have
to fill, you may or may not have other seminarians in your class. So far, both
semesters of my first year I had at least one class without other seminarians.
Along
with academic studies, you also have a set schedule for prayer. The day begins
at morning prayer, bright and early, at 6:45 a.m. The next scheduled thing that
everyone has is evening Mass at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and evening prayer
in the chapel. After that, the set prayer schedule is over. This leaves time to
go back to your room to study, play pool in the common room, play sports in the
gym, and so on and so forth. After these activities around 10 p.m, Rob Dogal and
I would go to one of the four chapels to pray Night Prayer as seminarians from the Diocese of Scranton. This
was a great way to build fraternity and also unwind after a long day. That is
one of the best things about the seminary; you build such close bonds with the
other men that you truly feel like brothers.
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| Cathedral Seminary House of Formation |
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| Pilgrimage to Italy |
There
is also a lot of time for fun at the seminary. I was able to continue my interests in
music by being in the seminary choir, cantoring at Masses, and playing clarinet with
other guys there that play musical instruments. We also were able to attend
Vespers and Mass when the Pope came to NYC in the fall. The Papal events were
such an incredible experience, being a part of something so big and seeing how
alive the Catholic Church is. Then during spring break, myself and others from
the seminary went to Assisi and Rome, Italy on a pilgrimage. We got to have
authentic Italian cuisine, walk to Eternal City, tour the ancient churches, and
so much more! It was such a great experience that I know I’ll remember for the
rest of my life.
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Rob Dogal and I at the ugly Christmas sweater party
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Halloween gathering
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| Christmas Concert |
All
in all, my first year was, well, great! It went by extremely fast, but was
worth every second. I am excited to see what is in store for my sophomore year
at the seminary. Until then, I get to work,
relax, and enjoy time with family and friends.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Nicholas Jennings, a seminarian for the Diocese of Scranton, just finished his first year at Cathedral Seminary House of Formation, Douglaston, New York. He is from Honesdale, and is a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish. He loves to sing and spend time with his family and friends.
