In the Beginning...

My purpose in writing this blog is to inform all of those that I know and love of the happenings in my days here at Saint Meinrad School of Theology. I am only beginning this endeavor a few weeks later than expected (due to the drastic change in my schedule and the gradual process of getting accustomed to my new environment) and yet I feel overwhelmed because of all of the things I want to let you know about my life.

First of all, I am doing well and really enjoying it up here. This type of life is very hectic at times because of classes, meetings, mandatory sit-down meals, mass, liturgy of the hours, spiritual directions, sports, and meeting new friends but I have felt closer to God here due to the daily connection I have to the sacraments and general encouragement from the community to always put prayer before all else. I am in a very nice room with a view into the courtyard and private bathroom which unfortunately has had both a leak from the ceiling and a crack in the floor of the shower (don’t worry everything is good now). 

They call the location of the campus “The Hill” because it is the highest part of the city with many hill around it. This location provides for beautiful landscape to go on a scenic run or prayerful walk. Classes have been very challenging but it makes me concentrate more on my study habits so that I keep up in the classes. This is the first time I have been taught by priest and it has been very beneficial to see them in action. The seminary is run by Benedictine monks founded by St. Meinrad in the mid- 19^th century. Interestingly these specific monks are the ones that founded Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas.

I feel like this is the first time in a while I have been freed from a lot of responsibility that I am use to due to the fact that I am a first year student (I know this will change shortly) so I am taking full advantage of Basketball (Tuesdays & Fridays), Volleyball (Mondays), Soccer (Sundays), and the occasional ultimate Frisbee games. Do not worry I have a couple of golf courses to choose from around here so I can still get my golf fix. There are around 140 seminarians here on “The Hill” and it took me a while, due to my normal college experience, to realize that everyone here is trying to become holy in their own special way and everyone is open to help and to be helped.

Last but not least my phone situation! Walking up to St. Meinrad for the first time from the guest house (500 yards away) two things happened as I was watching my phone. First, half way to the seminary my time jumped up an hour because, little did I know, I had just walked into the eastern time zone because the seminary is built on the line that separates the eastern and central time zones. Come to figure out everything at the seminary follows central time. Secondly, I am pretty sure the monks have a device set up in the seminary to block cell phone service because from the guest house (Full service on my cell phone)  I lost one bar every 100 yards I walked until I had none left when I reached my room. Needless to say I am learning the spots in the seminary where I have service which are few and far between.

To end I wanted to let you know that there is still more I want to write about my first few weeks but for the sake of getting something up while at the same time not overloading everyone one with information this will have to do.  I will try to post something every few weeks while also putting up some reflections I have written. I hope all are doing well! I am praying for everyone and please pray for me!!!

Much Love,

William

p.s.-- if there are any special intentions to pray for please let me know and I can get the community here to pray for it as well