The Role of Liturgy in Spiritual Formation
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.