Catholic Studies and Saint John Vianney College Seminary (SJV)
BuildingUp the Kingdom Together
Mutual sharing is a common theme in talking about the partnership between Catholic Studies and SJV. A major in philosophy is required, but 95% of today’s SJV men double major in Catholic Studies. That close partnership has grown organically since the mid-90’s, through the tenure of four rectors of SJV: Fr. (now-Bishop) Peter Christensen, Fr. William Baer, Fr. Michael Becker, and Fr. Jonathan Kelly. It began with a single class co-taught by Dr. John Boyle and Fr. Christensen for SJV men, grew to include integrated classes and the Rome program with other Catholic Studies students, and eventually to the usual path of a double major. The USCCB guidelines, Program of Priestly Formation , includes a liberal arts requirement and as SJV Rector Fr. Jonathan Kelly explains, “Catholic Studies is exactly what the documents in seminary formation are about: a holistic and integrated liberal arts education that presents the Incarnation as the foundation of the human person.” THE HUMAN SIDE OF THE CHURCH “It’s good for everybody,” says Dr. Boyle. Seminarians studying alongside students discerning other vocations shows “the fullness of the Church, its breadth and richness.” The fruit can be seen in “lifelong, warm, and appropriate friendship between former classmates. I’m always hearing about priests officiating weddings and baptisms for their friends’ families.” SJV Formation Advisor Fr. Colin Jones ‘14 agrees: “The Catholic Studies community offers our men some of the most impactful, transformative relationships they have at St. Thomas, second only to the fraternity they have here at SJV.” For Fr. Marcus Milless ’10 , pastor of St. Helena’s in South Minneapolis, Catholic Studies helped him feel more integrated into campus life at St. Thomas. Seeing other “students who were striving to live out their faith in a beautiful way gave me hope that I wouldn’t be alone in helping build up the Kingdom of God and that there would be lay people there to help me in this great endeavor.” Fr. Milless still stays in contact with Catholic Studies friends that include a professed sister, laypeople dedicated to their home and parish life, a brother in mercy ministry, and a spiritual director. “I found true and authentic friendship.”
By KATHRYN WEHR, LOGOS JOURNAL MANAGING EDITOR
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Dr. Erika Kidd teaches an 8 o’clock class on the Virgin Mary to a group that includes many seminarians from Saint John Vianney College Seminary (SJV). “The comradery of the seminarians brings joy and levity to the classroom,” she says. “It is a blessing to witness their love for the Church and their vocational discernment. Their example encourages each of us to be attentive to how the Lord is leading us.” “I appreciate their willingness to ask questions and even challenge me on occasion,” says Dr. Bob Kennedy. “I would like to think that their experience in Catholic Studies classes helps to move them from what they know in the abstract to what they live in person.”
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