Newbie Seminarian Chaos!

I’d made similar prayers throughout novitiate, whenever we had to make a meal or had some kind of a challenging problem to overcome, and Our Lady never let me down. 

Welcome to article 3 of a weekly series on the formation journey of Br. Josh, MIC, a second-year seminarian at the Marian House of Studies in Steubenville, Ohio. It is the continuation of Br. Josh's previous column, "Novice Notes." Watch for a new column every Friday.

By Br. Josh, MIC 

Mayhem! 

It was my first day of seminary at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. The previous night, Brothers David, Michael, and I struggled to find required textbooks at our religious house’s library. I was the last to show up, so I only found copies of two required books, which left about 10 others unavailable to me. 

I didn’t have access to the Student Portal where all the assignments were given, but I heard from Br. Michael (who shares one of the same classes with me) that a Metaphysics assignment was due on Day 1, and it was only provided on the Portal. I didn’t have access to the assignment, nor the book it was based on. 

I was taking three classes on Monday and didn’t even know where the classrooms were, because that information was hidden in my locked Portal account.

Wise move
As some of us confused seminarians drove over to the campus, I made a wise move. 

“Beloved,” I prayed to the Virgin Mary, “I entrust this whole day to you, beginning to end, along with all the logistics that have to be figured out. May your pleasure be done today.”

I’d made similar prayers throughout novitiate, whenever we had to make a meal or had some kind of a challenging problem to overcome, and Our Lady never let me down. 

She didn’t change her pattern.

The helpful people at Admissions printed out a sheet with my class schedule, so I was able to find out where all my classes were and make it to them on time.  

The Metaphysics class was cancelled, so the assignment was not going to be due until Wednesday. The books I needed were all available to me at the bookstore, neatly packaged and ready through the campus’s Slingshot program. 

Some skillful and patient IT guys, particularly one named Jason, helped me get Internet access on the campus as well as opening up the critically important Student Portal. 

When I passed by the Tech Help Service area later that day, I saw a line of new students as befuddled as myself, waiting for help from the IT guys. Fortunately, Franciscan has very good men on the case.

I was able to find out what Professor Gage’s Metaphysics assignment was that same day, do the reading, write up his little journal essay, and submit it that night. 

Philosophy and Logic
I took two classes with Professor Alex Plato that day, one on the “Philosophy of the Human Person” and the other on “Logic.” They were well-presented. He had us memorizing a quote from St. Augustine defining wisdom, and he had us watching a Monty Python scene to dive into the subject of “logic.” 

There were intriguing documents linked on the online syllabus, such as readings from C.S. Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters,” from an atheist military chaplain, and from St. Anselm and St. Boethius. 

There was also a homework assignment for each of Dr. Plato’s classes, based on the readings. 

As soon as my tech issues were resolved and I had my textbooks, I got working on the homework reading and assignments. I managed to get all of Dr. Plato’s done that same day.

Fuzzy whirr
By the end of the day, my brain was a fuzzy whirr. I’d been working and studying without break since I left for campus at 8:30 AM. I sat at the supper table with my friends, eating some delicious chicken, rice, and refried beans prepared by a couple of the new novices, Alex and Nate. My brain remained intensely absorbed in the day’s work.

The problem was that, although my brain had had quite the workout, my legs had not. I’d exercised a lot on the elliptical the day before, but it didn’t strongly use all the same muscles I ordinarily exercise by running. Certain muscle groups in my legs were still full of energy. 

So, I went running. No rest for the weary!

Next: "The Book of Nature"
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JOEG

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