The Role of Liturgy in Spiritual Formation

[Cardinal Mahony with thurible]The liturgy is essential in the formation of Christians and the Church, and thus, the celebration of the liturgy is at the core of Seminary formation. "The Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, the sacrament of penance, and other prayer opportunities form the seminary community into a concrete instance of the Church at prayer" (Program of Priestly Formation 268). The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart of the seminary day. The Liturgy of the Hours complements the Eucharist. Each month the sacrament of penance is celebrated communally. The sacrament is also available on an individual basis. Communal adoration of the Eucharist is regularly scheduled.

Preparing ministers for a multicultural Church, the inclusion of various languages and cultures in the celebration of the liturgy is normative. Liturgies are celebrated in Spanish one day each week. Members of the community are encouraged to bring their language, music and cultural traditions into seminary worship.

Under the direction of the faculty liturgy moderator and the music coordinator, community members prepare liturgies and exercise appropriate ministries and roles. The goal of seminary liturgical life is union with Christ our high priest in the worship of God the Father whose blessings are acknowledged and whose continuing sanctification through the Holy Spirit is invoked.