Brother Benedict Maria with Most Rev. Stephen Parkes, Bishop of Savannah and
Very Rev. Alfredo I. Hernandez, Rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Just like most students enrolled at institutions of higher learning, our Br. Benedict has returned home for a week-long break coinciding with the Sacred Triduum, followed by the joyous celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord which begins the Easter Season, or Paschaltide. However, unlike college students who study in the cooler/colder northern climes of New England and head to the Florida beaches for their break, Br. Benedict has departed his seminary in Florida and headed north. Having completed his in-house monastic studies, as well as the required year of philosophy, he finds himself now immersed in three years of theological studies which will bring him closer, deo volente (or ‘God-willing’) to his long hoped-for and prayed-for vocation of the holy priesthood. During his first semester at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton, he has taken courses in the Pentateuch, Fundamental Moral Theology, Fundamental Theology and Church History. In addition, Brother says, “I am taking Spanish with a tutor.” 

 

 

The Candidacy Mass: 
The Mass of Candidacy celebrated in seminaries around the world
signifies and confirms that the young men presented are indeed candidates for the priesthood.

At the end of this, his initial year, he will be instituted in September into the Ministries of the Lectorate and Acolyte, to be followed by formation as a transitional deacon. His presence during the Palm Sunday and Holy Week liturgies has made us realize how deeply we miss him and his never-fading smile in the house. He has resumed some of his duties right where he left off in January. Please pray for his safe travels back to Boynton and for continued success in his studies.  Godspeed, Brother Benedict. 

 

 

The class gather for a photo
 

Photographer: Seminarian Mr. Dylan Mckay