Br. Benedict Maria in the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary church

Brother Benedict Maria has begun his theological studies in Florida. He sends his greetings to us and reports that he is now well-situated at the St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary. In addition to the excellent food, he has been appreciating its “beautiful campus of 70 acres just for the seminarians.” Its grounds are divided into three sections: the Library and Administration; the Church, Classroom and Residence; the small convent of four nuns who work at the seminary. The Library and Church sections are separated by a large pond with a high fountain in the center. Br. Benedict has learned that “some seminarians apply their fishing skills at this pond.“ Beyond its use for fishing and its attraction for a great variety of birds, the pond is also surrounded by a meditation path incorporating large bronze Stations of the Cross. 

Stations of the Cross on the campus

His program includes four courses this semester: Fundamental Theology, Fundamental Moral Theology, Pentateuch and Church History. He is liking them all, he reports, though he has not identified a “favorite,” noting it is still only one week into each course. The community at the seminary is quite large, with about 100 seminarians currently in formation. There are fourteen priests teaching various courses, assisted by about ten of lay professors. Benedict had the benefit of already knowing some people there, such as Fr. Thomas Pulickal who teaches at the Seminary, and who concelebrated Mass for his Solemn Profession. Br. Benedict remarks that he feels a particular affinity to the three seminarians who are from the Jesus Youth Ecclesial Movement: “It is this movement through which I had my faith encounter about fifteen years ago in India.” In fact, there is a vibrant Jesus Youth community not far from the seminary. In addition to these connections, Benedict is grateful for the “very friendly group” that fills the seminary, a diverse community of seminarians from about 15 dioceses, including most of the dioceses of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

The seminary library

In addition to the friendships and fraternity in the community, Br. Benedict stresses one thing he has already observed: “Fr. Rector (Fr. Alfredo Hernandez) and the other priests who help him in running the seminary really care about their seminarians and are very effective in witnessing their pastoral care for their flock.” He has been impressed with “all the homilies and conferences I have heard so far,” which he has found to be “excellently delivered, thought-provoking, and spiritually enriching.”

St. Mary’s Chapel at the seminary

We who remain here at Portsmouth for our Rhode Island winter, perhaps a bit jealous of the warm Florida weather we are missing, wish him all the best and keep him in our prayers as he progresses through his studies.