Yesterday I happened across a posting over at American Papist showcasing two new, well-produced videos from St. John Vianney College Seminary (St. Paul, MN.)

I'm eager to share it because it shows what life in a college seminary is really like.

What isn't it?  It's not a "priest factory." It's not a place that's automatically going to make you a priest.

What is it?  It's a college... a real college campus.  It's a place where men can attend college and fully live the liturgical life of their faith (much more like in the previous generations of Europe than in the "ordinary" American college experience circa-2008.)  It's a place where they can be focused on their God and their love and service of fellow man.

Some great quotes from the young men in the video...

"The Holy Spirit works in you and makes you a man."

"When we grow in virtue, when we grow closer to Christ, we don't become less of who we are, but we become more of who we are."

The videos give you a full sense of what the experience is like - from beautiful worship to college studies to athletic activity to sacramental living, reflection, service and discernment.  It also tells the truths of the hardships that men discerning the priesthood face - in particular and admittedly, in their own words, the challenge of living celibacy and chastity.

Please join me in saying a prayer for the young men here and for the young men who may be good candidates to go to college here and for the growth of good and holy men to be our next priests and fathers.

Don't miss any of either video... and if either of them hiccups, just refresh this page and try again...