After looking forward to this time in my life for so many years, it’s hard to believe it's finally here. And not only is it finally here, but the first semester is already complete. The eight of us in the Propaedeutic stage here at Bruté moved into the castle in early August, two weeks before classes started and the Discipleship seminarians arrived. This gave us plenty of time to get to know one another before we were in the full swing of a seminarian’s daily life. This time allowed for the building of an aspect we wouldn’t know would be so important: community.

The first semester was filled with many planned activities that aided in this community building. These house-wide activities include fun at the lake, bonfires, our Halloween and Christmas parties, volunteering at the National Catholic Youth Conference, and going to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Other cultural activities have been for the Propaedeutic seminarians only, such as going to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and watching “A Christmas Carol” at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Beyond these planned activities, one other aspect has played a large role in all of us growing closer as individuals and as a community: many hours of conversations. Many of these conversations usually start with a “goodnight” and end after hours of authentic discussion.

Beyond the excellent community life, the Propaedeutic stage is filled with schoolwork and prayer. As we are taking general education and elective courses, the amount of schoolwork is less than that of the Discipleship seminarians, allowing us to focus greatly on our prayer life before the time-consuming Philosophy classes come next year. This time allows for us to establish and strengthen prayer as the basis of our life. And this prayer is rooted in the Eucharist, as is our whole day. 

Every single day we start with the holy sacrifice of the Mass. We also have an opportunity for an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament each day. In addition to these two, we also pray the official prayer of the Catholic Church: The Liturgy of the Hours.

Now with my first semester complete, I reflect back on all these great graces God has placed into my life. I am extremely thankful for my brothers here at the seminary, for my formation, and the opportunity to strengthen my prayer life, rooted in the Eucharist. I am thankful for the opportunity to live here, to grow closer to God, and to further discern His will for my life.

Please pray for our Bruté Seminarians. Find a printable version of this prayer card on our website.