Padre’s Points to Ponder – Guest Edition – 7/17/26
In just a few weeks, Seminarian Thau and I will be ending our summer assignments here at All Saints. Because I am in what is now called the Pastoral Synthesis stage, I will be returning to All Saints in December, while Thau will continue his seminary formation, before he receives a new assignment for next summer.
We are welcoming an incredible number of new Atlanta seminarians to the program this year. Once we complete the new seminarian poster, you will see that we will have grown to around 70 seminarians! This is the largest group for Atlanta seminarians that we have had in many years.
So what does seminary formation look like? Of course, prayer is an important part. In seminaries, we attend daily Mass, and pray the Liturgy of the Hours (a set of psalms and prayers that is prayed by clergy throughout the world) together as a community. Holy Hours and days of recollection and retreat help us grow spiritually, with help from our Spiritual Directors, who we meet with often.
Seminaries are also accredited universities. Major seminaries, such as Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans (where Dcn. William and Thau attend), or St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida (where I attend, and where Fr. Sean graduated from), are graduate universities that offer master’s level degrees. Seminarians take classes starting with philosophy, and then progress into theology and liturgical practice.
In addition to class and prayer, we also put our faith into practice in pastoral assignments, which involve working with the local community. This includes teaching in parishes and schools, but also ministering in places such as hospitals and hospices. What we learn and experience in these areas helps us prepare for the reality of priestly ministry.
Finally, fraternity is a major part of seminary. Getting to know and befriend brother seminarians is an important part of the years spent learning and studying together. Priesthood, and even seminarian, life is not one meant to be lived out as a lone wolf. Having friends and trusted brothers to rely on and ask for advice is critical for successful and peaceful ministry. Many of these friendships will last into the priesthood.
Thank you for all your emails, encouragement and prayers. If you are curious about discerning the priesthood, or the religious life, I’m always happy to answer any questions at deaconchrystian@allsaintsdunwoody.org. Please continue to pray for seminarians, especially those just beginning their formation.
In Christ,
Deacon Chrystian Bis