Who is at IPF today:
• 168 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 18 priests and seminarians in the 30-day retreat
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue their morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality. The men will learn will learn more about the biblical motivations for celibacy, as well as the complementarity between marriage and celibacy.
Today is day 3 of the 30-day retreat for the nine priests and nine seminarians here for the Spiritual Exercises.
Who is at IPF today:
• 168 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
• 18 priests and seminarians in the 30-day retreat
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue their morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality. The men will learn will learn more about the Church's teaching in regards to affective maturity and same sex attraction.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will learn about the importance of supervision in the life and health of the spiritual director.
Today nine priests and nine seminarians here for the Spiritual Exercises, 30-day retreat have their second day of orientation, focused on ebb and flow of consolation and desolation within the life of prayer.
Who is at IPF today:
• 168 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
• 18 priests and seminarians in the 30-day retreat
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians enjoy a one-day silent retreat. The Day of Prayer is built into the schedule to draw the men back into the intimacy with the Trinity that serves as the theme of the summer.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will learn about the "do's" and "don'ts" of spiritual direction in the seminary.
Today nine priests and nine seminarians here for the Spiritual Exercises, 30-day retreat have their first day of orientation, focused on housekeeping details and the basics of relational prayer.
Who is at IPF today:
• 168 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
• 18 priests and seminarians in the 30-day retreat
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue their morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality. The men will learn will learn more about what to do, and what not to do, when they are in spiritual desolation.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will learn about the "do's" and "don'ts" of spiritual direction in the seminary.
Today nine priests and nine seminarians arrive for the Spiritual Exercises, 30-day retreat. There is a welcoming orientation meeting this evening, with more pronounced orientation beginning tomorrow.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue their morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality. The men will learn will learn more about compulsive use of social media and how to grow in interior freedom.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will learn about the historical growth of spiritual direction in the seminary system, as well as the nuances of the role of the spiritual director within the seminary.
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Ephesians 4:17-24 ... ask the Lord to show you how "present" you are to the people who are in your midst. Do you live in the present moment? What draws you out of the present moment?
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, the men will learn more about healthy ways to deal with loneliness. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about their identity as good shepherds.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will grow in their ability to focus on the "heart" of spiritual direction: the actual spiritual experience within the directee.
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Psalm 23 and Psalm 139:1-16 ... ask the Lord to show you "all your ways" with which He "is familiar" (Psalm 139), especially in those moments when you find yourself in "the dark valleys" of loneliness. How do you typically respond? Do you "turn in" and seek to deal with loneliness on your own or do you "turn toward" the Lord to seek Him in the loneliness?
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, the men will learn more about the importance of relating to the Lord temptations as soon as they are aware of them. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about their identity as spiritual physicians.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will grow in their ability to focus on the "heart" of spiritual direction: the actual spiritual experience within the directee.
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Psalm 119 and Psalm 139:1-16 ... ask the Lord to show you "all your ways" with which He "is familiar" (Psalm 139), especially in those moments when you find yourself tempted. How do you typically respond? When do you attempt to resist temptation? Immediately? or after some time when it's more difficult?
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, the men will learn more about the importance of applying the Rules for the Discernment of Spirits during spiritual desolation. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about their identity as spiritual fathers.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will grow in their ability to focus on the "heart" of spiritual direction: the actual spiritual experience within the directee.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, the men will spend their second day in a row learning more about how anger and resentment impacts their spiritual life. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about their identity as celibate spouses.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will grow in their ability to focus on the "heart" of spiritual direction: the actual spiritual experience within the directee.
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
John 11 ... as you prayed with Lazarus yesterday, do the same today. Ask the Lord to reveal the places of anger or resentment within your heart that He needs to come "into." Visualize yourself as Lazarus ... be in the tomb ... feel the tomb ... hear Jesus command the stone to be rolled away ... watch Jesus enter the tomb, your tomb. Let Jesus "come into" he places of your life that need healing.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, they men will learn more about how anger and resentment impacts their spiritual life. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about their identity as beloved sons of God, the Father.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will grow in their ability to listen closely to actual spiritual experience within the directee.
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
John 11 ... ask the Lord to reveal to you anything you're "holding on to" from the past that prevent your freedom. Ask the Lord to show you what is "binding" you in unfreedom, just as Lazarus was bound by burial cloths in the tomb.
Out of town for a wedding today; however, these three homilies are a perfect fit for where the guys are at IPF. Enjoy the encore of "Attitude + Posture = Communion."
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, they men will learn more about how vulnerability can become a place of encounter with God. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about it is primarily their personal responsibility for their own formation toward priestly life.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will learn how to develop more of a contemplative attitude in spiritual direction.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, they men will learn more about how Saint Joseph is the model for their chaste celibacy. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about the unique characteristics of priestly identity.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will learn how to foster a contemplative attitude in direction so that both the director and directee are able to pay attention to the movements of God essential for spiritual direction.
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Consider why is it that the Father chose Mary and Joseph to be the parents of Jesus. They were chosen ... specifically chosen. It was Joseph who was chosen to be the model of what it means to be a man, a father. It was Mary who was chosen to model what it means to be a woman, a mother. Jesus had Mary and Joseph as His models. Who are your models? Who has influence in your life? Who are you striving to be like?
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, they men will learn more about how their identity comes from God and God alone ... none of the ways they define themselves otherwise actually "define" them. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about Saint Igatius' "Examen Prayer" — a time-honored tool helping the men live in communion with God.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will further define the distinctions of spiritual direction.
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Return to Isaiah 43:1-7 ... steep in this Scripture passage like a tea bag steeps in water ... ask the Lord to reveal to you (1) who you are in Him and (2) how you attempt to define yourself through other means.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians continue their two new classes. In the morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, they men will learn more about their soul, both from a psychological and theological perspective. In the afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, the men will learn more about "monasticism of the heart," a term used here at IPF describing how the heart of the diocesan priest is always with and available to God and God alone.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors will further define the distinctions of spiritual direction.
"The faithful expect only one thing from priests: that they be specialists in promoting the encounter between man and God. The priest is not asked to be an expert in economics, construction or politics. He is expected to be an expert in the spiritual life. With this end in view, when a young priest takes his first steps, he needs to be able to refer to an experienced teacher who will help him not to lose his way among the many ideas put forward by the culture of the moment. In the face of the temptations of relativism or the permissive society, there is absolutely no need for the priest to know all the latest, changing currents of thought; what the faithful expect from him is that he be a witness to the eternal wisdom contained in the revealed word. ... In reality, we grow in affective maturity when our hearts adhere to God. Christ needs priests who are mature, virile, capable of cultivating an authentic spiritual paternity. For this to happen, priests need to be honest with themselves, open with their spiritual director and trusting in divine mercy."
— Pope Benedict XVI
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians enter to a new stretch for the summer. Today they begin two new classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning class, focused on celibacy and sexuality, teaches the men the relationship between daily discernment, growth in virtue, and their integration of celibacy and sexuality. The afternoon class, focused on the spirituality of diocesan priesthood, teaches the men the unique "identity" of diocesan life, as well the unique components of the spiritual life of a parish priest.
Today the priests in the seminar for seminary spiritual directors start their first day of class. Today the priests will come define what spiritual direction is and what it is not.
"The faithful expect only one thing from priests: that they be specialists in promoting the encounter between man and God. The priest is not asked to be an expert in economics, construction or politics. He is expected to be an expert in the spiritual life. With this end in view, when a young priest takes his first steps, he needs to be able to refer to an experienced teacher who will help him not to lose his way among the many ideas put forward by the culture of the moment. In the face of the temptations of relativism or the permissive society, there is absolutely no need for the priest to know all the latest, changing currents of thought; what the faithful expect from him is that he be a witness to the eternal wisdom contained in the revealed word. ... In reality, we grow in affective maturity when our hearts adhere to God. Christ needs priests who are mature, virile, capable of cultivating an authentic spiritual paternity. For this to happen, priests need to be honest with themselves, open with their spiritual director and trusting in divine mercy."
— Pope Benedict XVI
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
John 15:1-16 ... as you leave the weekend and return to a new week, what's your attitude toward the "ordinary" rhythm of life? As you pray with John 15, ask the Lord for the grace to do everything with Him this week, so as to transform the ordinary into extra-ordiary.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians are off. During the summer they are traditionally free on weekend, encouraged to experience parish life within the Archdiocese of Omaha as they are led. They gather at 9:00 PM for an orientation of the week followed by Night Prayer.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors continue their weekend of prayer before they start class tomorrow. Let's keep the 12 priests in prayer as they experience their weekend retreat.
"Sacred Scripture (cf. Genesis 1-2) tells us that the family, work and holidays are gifts and blessings to help us to live a fully human life. ... In our day, unfortunately, the organization of work, conceived of and implemented in terms of market competition and the greatest profit, and the conception of a holiday as an opportunity to escape and to consume commodities, contribute to dispersing the family and the community and spreading an individualistic lifestyle. It is therefore necessary to promote reflection and commitment which aim at reconciling the needs and schedule of work with those of the family. They must also aim at recovering the true meaning of celebration, especially on Sunday"
— Pope Benedict XVI
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 56 priest spiritual directors serving as spiritual directors during the seminarians' 8-day silent retreat
• 12 priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors
What are they doing today?
Today the seminarians wrap up their 8-day silent retreat. Today is the eighth and final day of the retreat. The retreat concludes around mid-day and the seminarians are "off" for most of the remaining weekend.
Today the priests in the Seminar for Seminary Spiritual Directors begin their weekend of prayer before they start class on Monday. Let's keep the 12 priests in prayer as they experience their weekend retreat.
"Together with a culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. To put it another way: people who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport. But this is being destroyed, in large part, by the elimination of the Sabbath rest day. More and more people work on Sundays as a consequence of the competitiveness imposed by a consumer society. [In such cases] work ends up dehumanizing people."
— Pope Francis, Pope Francis: His Life in His Own Words
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Psalm 62:2-3 ... ask the Lord to reveal your attitude to leisure, toward the weekend. Do you "rest" with God ... or is the weekend a pursuit of pleasure because you "deserve it?"
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 56 priest spiritual directors serving as spiritual directors during the seminarians' 8-day silent retreat
Today is the seventh day of the seminarian's eight-day silent retreat. Today is the last full day ... let's keep seminarians in prayer, as well as the spiritual directors. Tonight's retreat conference will offer encouragements in regards to the importance of remembering and gratitude.
"Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter for thanksgiving which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one's whole life: 'Give thanks in all circumstances'" (1st Thessalonians 5:18).
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2648
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Psalm 136 ... ask the Lord to take the lead. Ask the Lord to show you what you should be grateful for. Ask the Lord to remind you of everything that He has blessed you with.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 56 priest spiritual directors serving as spiritual directors during the seminarians' 8-day silent retreat
• 9 seminary professors in the Retreat for Seminary Faculty
Today is the sixth day of the seminarian's eight-day silent retreat. We're almost there ... so, let's keep seminarians in prayer, as well as the spiritual directors. Today also marks the conclusion of the retreat for seminary professors. Tonight's retreat conference will offer encouragements in regards to letting God lead in the process of healing and freedom.
"Whoever truly wishes to heal man must see him in his wholeness and must know that his ultimate healing can only be God’s love."
— Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth
— All quotes below taken from The Eucharist and the Healing of our Affection for Sin, Deacon James Keating, Ph.D. Click here to read the entire article.
#1: Put yourself in a position to be found
"Something greater than the mantras of self-help gibberish and post-modern syncretism is demanded if spiritual healing is to occur. An encounter must occur. We must be seized with the presence. … To receive the healing we must be in line with the truth about our interior state"
#2: Stay still
"With ever more accurate darts of love the Holy Spirit opens our consciences before God so that deeper and more effective healing can occur; at times his coming is so pure that it causes us to have pain and recoil at the level of intimacy God wishes his Son to achieve in our being."
#3: Give God permission
"It is this divine self-giving and the positive human response to accept such love that healing is known. Trust, vulnerability, rapt listening, integrity all precede the fullness of healing; otherwise God could incorrectly be seen as entering a magic relationship and not one of human freedom and fullness."
#4: Letting God in
"The healing of sinful affections may happen at such deep levels as to escape our capacity to articulate our real needs. God answers our groans, our sufferings, with the silent coming of the Holy Spirit ... instilling within the reality of Christ living his mysteries over again in our lives."
#5: Renounce lies
"Our groans, our pain, our need for healing is met by the silent power of love itself taking up residence within us. Our free ‘yes’ meets the free gift of the mystery of Christ’s Passover … thus in holy communion we are healed in peace, not with emotional upheaval or storm ... but as quietly as the epiclesis itself."
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
Ezekiel 36:22-28 ... ask the Lord to take the lead. Ask the Lord to guide you. Simply give the Lord permission to take you wherever He would like to take you.
Who is at IPF today:
• 169 seminarians in the 10-week Summer Program of Spiritual Formation
• 56 priest spiritual directors serving as spiritual directors during the seminarians' 8-day silent retreat
• 9 seminary professors in the Retreat for Seminary Faculty
Today is the fifth day of the seminarian's eight-day silent retreat. As requested yesterday, let's keep seminarians in prayer, as well as the spiritual directors. Yes, it has been a great retreat thus far. Tonight's conference will offer encouragements in regards to the importance of the lies we believe about ourselves and therein renouncing those lies so as to live in the truth of who we are in Christ.
"The enemy cloaks his lies in 90% truths."
— Ed Hogan, Ph.D.
"I am the way and the truth and the life …"
— John 14:6
"you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"
— John 8:32
IF YOU WERE THIS SUMMER TODAY YOU WOULD PRAY WITH ...
John 8:32 and then Romans, all of chapter 8 ... ask God to reveal the lies you believe about yourself ... and ask the voice of Truth, Jesus Christ, the speak to you about the truth of who you are.
