DePaul University Via Sapientiae De Andrein Vincentian Journals and Publications 1963 Volume 33: 1962-63 Follow this and additional works at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/andrein Part of the History of Religions of Western Origin Commons Recommended Citation Volume 33: 1962-63. https://via.library.depaul.edu/andrein/23 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Vincentian Journals and Publications at Via Sapientiae. It has been accepted for inclusion in De Andrein by an authorized administrator of Via Sapientiae. For more information, please contact [email protected]. nelt VOLUME 33 PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI-OCTOBER, 1962 NUMBER 1 NEW LONE STAR VANGUARD Toward the end of the summer, the priests who now serve the laity new hospital, St. Elizabeth's; the workmen were busy taking down the of Texas were trained in seminaries building which had housed the old "Hospital Zone-Quiet Please" signs; staffed by Vincentians. hospital, St. Therese's, was lying va- St. Therese's hospital was undergoing The Catholics of Louisiana also have cant. The sisters, aware of our prob- a change. From a place of quiet and benefited from the works of the Vin- lem, kindly offered us the use of the restfulness it was becoming a place centians. Bishop Odin was the sec- building. So, thirty-nine future Vin- of hurry and restlessness. By the be- ond Archbishop of New Orleans; he centians are going to school in a hos- ginning of September the business of was the spiritual guide for the many pital. turning a hospital into a high-school Catholics of the area during the diffi- With a few exceptions the students was complete: St. Vincent's, the minor cult times of the civil war. The Vin- will find that their home is not too seminary for the vice-province of New centians now conduct three parishes in much different from most other semi- Orleans, was open for business. the city of New Orleans. naries. The kitchen, like those of the :,The new seminary is just one more With the creation of the vice- seminaries in Montebello and Le- sign of the tremendous part that the province of New Orleans, the necessity mont, is staffed by a community of Vincentians have played in the history of a minor seminary to serve the Mexican nuns. If the quality of the *of the Catholic Church in the South. needs of the province became apparent. meals prepared by the nuns at Monte- The first Mass celebrated in Houston, The minor seminary in Cape Girar- bello and Lemont is any indication, Texas, was offered in the cabin of deau simply could not fill the needs there will be few complaints about food Father John Timon, C.M. This was the of two provinces. For years the semi- at the new seminary. The chapel, the beginning of a long and fruitful rela- nary had been overcrowded and with center of the life of the seminary, tionship between the people of Texas greater numbers coming from the is located on the second floor of the and the Congregation of the Mission. South the situation would have be- building. When the student goes up to Father Timon later became the first come impossible within a few years. the third floor he will find one of Prefect Apostolic of the Texas Re- Plans for a new seminary were begun the things which makes his seminary public; he was succeeded by the Rt. almost immediately. different from the other minor semi- Rev. John Odin, C.M., who was ap- The new seminary would not be naries-here each student has his own pointed Vicar 'Apostolic of Texas in ready until September of 1963; but room. 1841. The history of the Catholic the need was more urgent than that. On the fourth floor of the building Church in Texas is filled with the As has happened so often in our his- ,are the priests' quarters. The faculty names of Vincentians. In more recent tory, our problem was solved by the of the seminary will live here and years the community has staffed and kindness of others. The sisters of the cared for seminaries. A good part of Incarnate Word had just completed a Continued on Page 12, Col. 1) Page Two The De Andrein AN EIGHTH GRADER AND HIS VOCATION Here it is World's Series time, nary also lent a hand. receive Holy (Communion. Scattered What do you suppose most boys of The week begins Sunday afternoon. throughout the day are other exer- twelve are thinking about? Baseball, The boys, a bit scared but smiling, cises such as visits to the Blessed of course! It is natural for a boy of accompanied by their parents, file Sacrament after meals, Rosary, spir- that age, full of energy, to be wrapped past the registration desks and are itual reading, Benediction and finally up in sports; for sports are made for greeted by the priests and seminarians. night prayers. These spiritual exer- youth. And the popularity of Little The parents are given a chance to, cises culminate Friday morning in a League baseball, with all its divisions, look over the Seminary and its grounds Retreat Day of Recollection. During makes it all the more natural that before leaving their sons. The mothers this morning they listen to sermons on a twelve-year-old should like that show their sons how to make a bed, the importance of such things as sport. since for many of them it is their prayer, study and sports in the life of But that isn't all that boys are first time away from home. Usually a seminarian. A sermon on how to de- thinking; they are thinking about there are a few who shed a tear or termine one's vocation, along with per- summer vacation, which they like very two as mother and father leave them sonal interviews with the priests in much, and school, which they don't like to return home. Now they are on their charge, gives them the help needed so much. Some boys think of something own-or are they? They soon find to make this important decision in else. They are probably altar boys that they have a Major Seminarian as their lives. The sudden shift from and when they serve Father's Mass their senior counsellor, as well as a home life to seminary life isn't easy each morning they say to themselves, few Minor Seminarians who assist and so there is always some fidget- "I think I'd like to be a priest." Or him. He will be telling his group just ing in chapel but at least they taste maybe they have heard the stories of what they can and cannot do. How- the beginning of what later life ,vill missionaries and again they say to ever, he is not a monster who demands bring. themselves, "I think I'd like to do blind obedience but a friend who Although the spiritual life is the that." These boys are hearing the call wants them to have a good time and most important part of a seminarian's of God to be "another Christ." also accomplish the purpose for which life, it is not the only part; studies A boy in seventh grade knows little they came. He is willing to help play a major role. The Vocation Week of the life of a priest, and even less wherever he can. The day ends with boys get a cance to taste this aspect of the life of a seminarian. In the something that is commonplace for by the various classes held throughout new for morning he thinks he'd like to be a every seminarian but brand the week. Of course the schedule does priest but that thought often changes these boys; from the time they say not compare with that in a Minor in the afternoon when he is on the night prayers until after breakfast the Seminary, yet there are classes in ball field. He may easily separate the next morning they must keep absolute Latin and English. Other classes on two activities, the spiritual and the silence. Imagine that! Mother never the life of a Minor Seminarian, the bodily. Thus, he is puzzled; he wants dreamt of such a thing. works of the Vincentian priests, etc., to be a priest and serve God, yet he The week follows a regular schedule present the classroom atmosphere. really doesn't know if he wants to with enough variety to occupy the A high degree of intellectual ability leave the world; further, he doesn't energy of a twelve-year-old. The boys is one of the requirements of a voca- fully know what "leaving the world" are taught that the most important tion to the priesthood. This ability is or means. What should he do? acts in the life of any seminarian necessary so that the student can priest are his spiritual exercises. This The first piece of advice that any- cope with the long years of intensive one would give him would be to pray is best emphasized by actually living to God that He may give the neces- such a life; thus, each morning they training. The use of achievement tests sary light to know what to do. The say morning prayers, attend Mass ind (Continued on Page 4, Col. 3) next best thing for a boy who is con- templating the priestly life is to at- tend a Vocation Week. A Vocation Week is designed for young boys who believe they have a vocation but would like to have a glance at the life of a seminarian.