Seminarians Share Summer Experiences

Pope Francis once cautioned priests and seminarians that without contact with the People of God, a man could become a good “theorist, a good theologian, a good philosopher” while losing the ability to “smell the sheep.” Drawing on one of his repeated metaphors, Pope Francis impressed upon them that closeness to the People of God is essential to priesthood. This closeness is important because, as he said in another address, priests should be “people capable of living, of laughing and crying with [God’s] people.” This past summer I was blessed to learn the “smell of the sheep” by living, praying and encountering each day with God’s people at Holy Family Parish in Luling.

It is difficult to describe a “typical” day in parish ministry at Holy Family because, especially in retrospect, the days seem filled not with routine tasks or ministries, but rather with the faces and stories of those people who I got to walk with this summer.

My days began with quiet mornings of prayer in the Church – mornings which were slowly graced as parishioners filled the pews, seeming to join me silently in prayer. After assisting at Mass, some days I went with Father Vincent or Deacon Jason to visit Ashton Manor, the local nursing home, and see Christ’s love reflected in residents’ faces in a simple hello and quiet conversation. Other days, I would travel with Mr. Merlin and Ms. Celeste to Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, diving into the mysteries of the daily readings with a group of men whose desire for the Lord only ignited my own.

One week, I had the joy of leading a group of children through Vacation Bible School with Deacon Coy, sharing the happiness of our faith by singing songs, making crafts and (most importantly) eating snacks! I also often helped (read: slowed down) a resolute group of women who made thousands of rosaries in anticipation of Bishop Fulton Sheen’s beatification and the Rosary Rally. 

Most days, I joined the dedicated staff of disciples working in the office, learning and laughing with Ms. Ariel, Ms. Patsy, Ms. Celeste and Ms. Marla as we worked to meet the needs of the parish. And that barely scratches the surface. I have not mentioned the afternoons spent praying the Peace Chaplet with a small but mighty prayer group; the inspiring group of men who met weekly for a Bible study; the countless families that invited me into their homes; the families I sat with as a loved one died; and so many others.

When I introduced myself to Holy Family at the start of the summer, I said that I was there to discern my vocation by walking with them through their lives at the parish. In short, to learn the smell of the sheep. Journeying with them through the highs and lows of life, I certainly learned the smell of the sheep – but that only brought me closer to the True Shepherd, Our Lord Jesus, who helped me better see my own vocation. 

Learn more about seminarian formation online at nds.edu.