This weekend, the whole Church celebrates the First Sunday of Lent, and as we begin this holy season, I want to share some thoughts on the intersection of seminary formation and our Lenten journey: the idea of integration, defined as “the bringing together of separate things.” 

Seminary formation has four dimensions: human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral. Successful, quality formation of men for the priesthood is integrated when it balances all four dimensions and trains its men to do the same after ordination. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explains, “Without attention to integration in all stages of formation, the overall goal of formation, configuration to the heart and life of the Lord Jesus, cannot be achieved” (Ratio Fundamentalis, 115). In other words, good personal habits, attention to studies, prayer life, and presence in ministry should be understood as interconnected, with no single dimension (or dimensions) overwhelming the others. 

In the same way, our Lenten journey requires its own integration of the three practices of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All three are wonderful in themselves, but a balanced, whole, or complete Lent seeks to integrate or bring all three together as much as possible. For example, you may have decided to cut down on your screen time by putting your phone in a drawer (fasting), so put a Bible or a Rosary on your nightstand instead (prayer). If you are fasting from Starbucks or Dunkin’, add some almsgiving by donating what you would normally spend on coffee to the parish or a charity of your choice. 

Each of us has unique gifts that lend themselves to one Lenten practice or another, and some prayerful reflection on how you understand yourself can help reveal a path toward a more integrated Lent. Seminarians frequently meet with mentors and spiritual directors, who assist them in achieving integration in their preparation for the priesthood. 

Finally, I want to share the quote from above, with a few changes… “Without attention to integration in all practices of Lent, the overall goal of Lent, configuration to the heart and life of the Lord Jesus, cannot be achieved.” Because that’s what it’s all about - looking more and more like Christ! 

Please know that I am praying for you, especially during this Lenten season! I ask that you keep my brother seminarians and me in your prayers as we continue our semester and our formation. I will be returning to Resurrection Parish for the Triduum and I look forward to being with you again! 

Lenten blessings! 
Seminarian Matt