East Triduum 2012

I spent my Holy Triduum in Raton, New Mexico at St. Patrick's-St. Joseph's Parish with a priest friend of mine.  I was able to help with the different liturgies of the triduum.  The Mass of the Lord's Supper was very inspiring for me.  At Mass, I reflected on the two institutions of Christ on that night.  The two are the institution of the priesthood and the institution of the Eucharist.  

(Aside)

As I am on the threshold between Philosophical and Theological Studies, there are a whole lot of emotions that I am feeling.  I am feeling sad that I will be moving away from Mount Angel. Oregon has become home for me these last three years.  I will definitely miss Mount Angel, Oregon.  I also feel very happy that I will begin graduate school studying Theology.  I will be moving to the city once again. 

The Good Friday service was moving.  The cross that we used for the veneration was the cross that was carried on pilgrimage by parishioners to the Sanctuario in New Mexico.  Friday morning I had to take off all the intentions that were nailed to the cross.  In the evening at 5pm, we prayed the Stations of the Cross at the cemetery.  Each station was prayed at a different grave of parishioners.  

Holy Saturday was full of events.  All day father and I ran through the Roman Missal making sure the Easter Vigil will run smoothly.  We had one baptism and six confirmation with first communion that night.  The mass lasted for three hours.  

On Easter Sunday, we had a marathon of masses.  We had two morning masses and then we had to drive thirty miles to another town in our vestments to celebrate another mass.  Our Easter meal was burgers and fries.   By that time, I was so pooped.  When we got home, I took a nap of fours hours.  

Today, Easter Monday, has been a whole day of rest.  I read more pages of a book I am reading "The Future Church" by John Allen.  

I will be flying back to Portland, Oregon tomorrow from Denver, Colorado.  These last few days has been busy but also prayerful.  I can't wait to be back at the seminary to finish my last few weeks and to start packing...

My Journey into 2012!

Hello everyone! I know that I haven't updated my blog in a while. The last time I updated it was during the summer break. Wow, that was almost 6 months ago. Don't worry, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.

It is now 2012 and I am entering my last semester of College seminary. At the end of the semester, I will earning a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelors of Arts in Religious Studies. Last week, we had our Annual Silent Retreat at Mount Angel Seminary. This year's retreat master was Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco. With his literature background, Archbishop gave us fresh looks at scripture passages and linked them with the theme. Although it was not explicitly stated, I think the theme was "Earthen Vessels". Overall, this retreat was much needed and was much refreshing.

During the retreat, I read the book "The Joy of Priesthood" by Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti. Msgr. Rossetti also gave me inspiring words of encouragement in my discernment to the Priestly life.

This semester, I am taking 17 semester credits to finish up. I will also be defending a senior capstone project. Currently the title of my paper is "Theosis and Liturgy: How the Liturgy leads to Deification." I am so excited for this semester and hopefully I will be continuing on to another seminary to complete my Seminary formation.