by Fr. Tommy Lane
Sometimes you might hear someone say “Seminary is not real life” or “Seminary is not reality.” I would respond to that by reminding us of today’s Gospel in which Jesus called the Twelve firstly to be with him and secondly to go out and preach. Seminary is the time to spend with Jesus preparing to be sent out to preach. Seminary is real life, this time of formation goes back to Jesus himself. Pastores Dabo Vobis §42 states,
“To be with him”: It is not difficult to find in these words a reference to Jesus’ “accompanying” the apostles for the sake of their vocation. After calling them and before he sends them out, indeed in order to be able to send them out to preach, Jesus asks them to set aside a “period of time” for formation. The aim of this time is to develop a relationship of deep communion and friendship with himself. In this time they receive the benefit of a catechesis that is deeper than the teaching he gives to the people (cf. Mt. 13:11); also he wishes them to be witnesses of his silent prayer to the Father (cf. Jn. 17:1-26; Lk. 22:39-45). In her care for priestly vocations the Church in every age draws her inspiration from Christ’s example.
Earlier in §2 Pastores Dabo Vobis states,
The Church’s work of formation is a continuation in time of Christ’s own work, which the evangelist Mark illustrates in these words: “And he went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons” (Mk. 3:13-15). It can be said that through her work of forming candidates to the priesthood and priests themselves, the Church throughout her history has continued to live this passage of the Gospel in various ways and with varying intensity.
St. Agnes whom we celebrate today had certainly spent time with the Lord and had been formed by him in a short time, being martyred in Rome at about the age of twelve on January 21st. When her virginity was under threat she chose to remain faithful to Christ. She is a powerful example for these times. She became one of the most widely honored Roman martyrs. At first a chapel was built over her grave and later a shrine where now stands the Basilica of St. Agnes outside the Walls. At Mass today in the Basilica of St. Agnes two lambs are blessed and are then given to the Benedictine Sisters of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere who will rear them until Holy Thursday when they are sheared and the Pallia will be made from their wool which the Pope will give to the new archbishops on June 29th.
St. Ambrose wrote thus of St. Agnes,
Today is the birthday of a virgin; let us imitate her purity. It is the birthday of a martyr; let us offer ourselves in sacrifice. It is the birthday of Saint Agnes, who is said to have suffered martyrdom at the age of twelve. There was little or no room in that small body for a wound. Yet she shows no fear of the blood-stained hands of her executioners. She offers her whole body to be put to the sword by fierce soldiers. She is too young to know of death, yet is ready to face it. Dragged against her will to the altars, she stretches out her hands to the Lord in the midst of the flames, making the triumphant sign of Christ the victor on the altars of sacrilege.
St Agnes, pray for us.
This homily was delivered in Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland.