This afternoon, a Sunday afternoon, my classmates and I returned from a retreat at the White House, a Jesuit retreat house south of Saint Louis. Our retreat was short, at only two days in length. But it was relaxing. There was a good deal of time to reflect on how things have changed in my life as the academic year has progressed. When talking to people about seminary life, I often come off sounding like a regular college student. There is a whole dimension to seminary life than goes beyond dorm life and college courses. It is an experience that changes one's life in profound ways that are difficult to express. These retreats help us to order our thoughts about God, the priesthood, and our own calling in life. Just as importantly, they helped us relax before final exams start in just over a week.

Our class visited the White House back in October. The place is beautiful. During our October visit, weather conditions conspired to make the experience especially amazing. I took many photos, some of which are on the blog entry from back in October.

This visit was perhaps more spiritually and mentally fruitful than photographically fruitful, but I did get a few pictures:

The recent freezes devastated trees all over the St. Louis area. But trees are rebounding now and some green leaves are appearing again.

Some of the shrubbery are blossoming as well. Oh, how I wish I knew something about trees and plants. What is this thing, anyway?

I really wanted to get a detailed, sharp picture of this flower which I'm told is an iris. This one turned out o.k., I think.

This is the chapel on the White House grounds.

The retreat house overlooks the Mississippi River. While relaxing on the lawn I watched as barges pushed cargo upstream and down.

I have more pictures and perhaps more to say about the retreat. For anyone who's never made a retreat, I highly recommend it. Even if it's just a few days in silence and solitude to ponder on your path in life. It can be a meaningful experience. I may post part of my prayer journal online, if I decide that is prudent.

I love my Fridays this semester. No classes and few responsibilities at the seminary. Today I took full advantage of the schedule and the nice 75 degree weather for bike ride. The seminary is in the suburb of Shrewsbury, which is on the western border of St. Louis City. I rode south from Shrewsbury to the Mississippi River and then northward along the river toward downtown. Eventually I arrived at the Arch Riverfront and then hopped on the nice, new paved bicycle trail that runs along the Mississippi north of the arch. All in all, I rode 31 miles... a long ride for me these days.

On previous rides along this same route I took pictures of the Arch and other scenic things. This time I thought I'd take a few snapshots of less popular things you might not recognize. But all I had was my cell phone, and the cell phone camera is just not that good. Anyway, here's a trip to the riverfront.

This is Eads Bridge, just north of the Arch.

This is the Lewis & Clark statue along the riverfront. The water's high right now so it's almost underwater.

This is what that same Lewis & Clark statue looks like when the water's at a normal level. This picture was taken last year some time.

This "Union Electric Light and Power Company" building is just north of the arch. I believe it's still operational, as some newer equipment is nearby. This is in an area filled with abandoned, empty warehouses. The trailhead for the Riverfront Trail is just behind this building. This trail is sandwiched between the Mississippi River, the levee/flood wall, and the plethora of junkyards, barge loading docks, and miscellaneous industrial complexes. But because it's near the river it's not interrupted by traffic. It's been recently paved and is very nice. The trail goes on for miles from the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis to the Chain of Rocks bridge, where it crosses into Illinois. I've not ridden it all the way to the bridge, yet. But some day I'll get that far up the trail.

The flood wall that the trail follows is decorated with painting, sculptures, and signs. It appears they are installing "rest areas" where there will probably be park benches and so on. This is an area that's improving quickly.

This is what the trail generally looks like.

This is a shot of some cruddy looking tank that's near the path. St. Louis is full of stuff just like this.

Anyway, for my friends and family back home... I thought I'd share something a little lighter and less theological. This bike ride seemed appropriate, even if the photos weren't so great.

One thing about being a seminarian is that you're watched. There are detailed peer review procedures and the faculty keep their eyes on us every day. It's all to help weed out any problems. I know for certain, as a seminarian in formation today, that if a man makes it to ordination there are no problems with his life or personality that have not been addressed in some way. The process is thorough. In seminary, you learn a lot about yourself and how others view you. It's been an educational and humbling experience thus far.

Today was special for me in several ways. First, today is my second anniversary as a confirmed Catholic. Secondly, my dreaded "evaluation" meeting was tonight. At this meeting the seminary staff and I gather in a room while they point out anything I need to work on, explain what I'm doing well, and so on. Most importantly, they inform me whether or not I am to be advanced to the next year of studies and formation.

I am happy to report that the meeting went very well. The staff has happily recommended me for advancement to Theology I.

You can see where I was 1 year ago today and two years ago today (my Confirmation Day).

Thanks be to God!

The word "triduum" refers to three days of prayer, usually in preparation for a feast. The most common use of the term is to refer to the preparation for the remembrance of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. This year, as a seminarian, I flew home to Bismarck and served as an acolyte (an altar server) for the Triduum at my home parish, Christ the King.

The Triduum is a powerful liturgy. It begins on Holy Thursday, when we remember the Last Supper. At the Last Supper, Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Priesthood. On Holy Thursday we also recall Christ's Agony in the Garden and subsequent arrest. To symbolize this, the sanctuary (the area of the church where the altar is located) is stripped of all decoration in a solemn ceremony after the Mass. The effect is powerful. You can see in the picture below the altar is missing the white cloth, the candles are missing, as are any other decorative items.

But the most important thing missing from the sanctuary is Jesus Christ Himself. As Catholics, we believe Christ's words at the Last Supper. He really is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine after the words "This is my body" and "This is the cup of my blood" are said by the priest. The Eucharist, that is Jesus under the appearance of bread, is kept in the tabernacle.

Christ is not present in the sanctuary during this time of the Triduum. Ponder that absence of Christ. Here we see the tabernacle doors open, revealing the emptiness:

On Good Friday, we remember Christ's death on the cross. We remember our sinfulness and that Christ had to die for our sins in the ultimate act of charity. The Mass is not celebrated. Instead, a communion service is held. The services are usually short and understandably very solemn.

On Saturday night, the Easter Vigil is celebrated. We finally celebrate the resurrection of Christ with a Mass. Christ is again present in the sanctuary. On this joyous occasion, many people join the Catholic Church via Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.

Easter Sunday is when most people attend to the celebration of Easter. They walk into the Church and see it transformed with flowers and other decorations. The altar cloth, the candles, and Christ Himself are returned to the sanctuary:

Happy Easter! Christ is risen, alleluia!