Another beautiful, holy place (Not a gloomy monastery)

When most of us think of religious life, we think of a demanding, austere lifestyle locked away in a murky monastery somewhere, don't we?

I've gotten a couple chances this year to get a glimpse of this lifestyle in a closer and more personal way then before.  The first was visiting the convent and order where my paternal grandmother studied for several years hoping to become a nun before having to leave for medical reasons.  The second is through taking my oldest son to a weekend program at the seminary for our area in Yonker's, NY - St. Joseph's Seminary at Dunwoodie.

What I have seen through these experiences is that these living, breathing communities are every bit as challenging, enjoyable and vibrant as any other kind of vocation.  The seminary is truly one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever visited.

 

Perhaps you already expected a seminary to look like that.  How about this - a recreation center with basketball, swimming, weights, table tennis, pool,...  It's hard to have a healthy mind without a healthy body, right?

What is the point of this?  Simply this.  The world needs more people who understand the value of sacrifice and who are willing to commit themselves to a cause larger then their own self interest.  But sacrifice in this sense only means "giving what you cannot keep to gain that which you cannot lose" (Jim Elliot, 1949).  When we commit ourselves entirely to the work the Lord has laid out for us, he has a way of compensating us far beyond that which our meager efforts could ever hope to earn.  If you feel Him calling you to something big, be it a religious vocation or something else, don't be afraid to answer.  You'll be glad you did.

For more on the beautiful and peaceful architecture of Dunwoodie, see the full album.