Fifth Seminary Reflection

We had made it through stage two of our training. In the space of one year we had completed our “basic training” in the religious life and were ready to resume our formal education. As with military basic training, I felt we were thrown into the daily schedule with little preparation. We had no way of knowing what to expect. Some of us floundered for a while before adjusting, and some left, finding the rigors of religious life too overwhelming.

Holy Cross had isolated us from the rest of the world, with the exception of visits from our families and our visits home for Christmas and summer vacation. The novitiate isolated us even further. No family visits were allowed during our year in Pittsburgh. We did get out for walks on occasion and did have one visit to the Passionist Nuns, but otherwise seldom interacted with anyone not part of the monastic community.

We were introduced into religious life in a “hot house” environment, protected from all outside influences, seen as shielding us from the distractions of the outside world. I found the isolation difficult at times and would have preferred to compare ideas and consider things in their context.

I did gain a good understanding of the vows we took at the end of the novitiate. I knew what I was getting into and accepted it at face value. The life we were to live appeared quite strict, although we knew there would be some modifications once we resumed our formal course of study.

Although never stated directly, I had a sense from Father Augustine Paul that there were changes in the wind. Our way of life would probably be updated from the nineteenth to the twentieth century. I was optimistic about the possible changes.

It was my opinion that the most difficult part of our training was behind us. I was looking forward to learning about philosophy. I had little idea what the classes would be like but hoped to learn about the various philosophers through the ages and read what they had to say. I was ready for the next step and anxious to get on with our training. I felt lighthearted and looking forward to our adventures and the new learning which awaited us.