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Prayer: My New Language

Many of the priests at school tell me that prayer is similar to learning a new language. They say this because it takes a lot of practice and discipline to finally understand how the Holy Spirit wants us to pray. My prayer life before the seminary was not the greatest if one were to ask me. The only time I would pray was at Mass, where I would not pay the most attention either. One of the biggest reasons for me entering the seminary is to take something out of my spiritual direction meetings and entire seminarian experience as a whole. The most important thing I would want to have is a better prayer life. In just one and a half semesters of college seminary, I can say that is starting to come true.

Some things that are starting to become routine for me are the recitation of the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Being in the seminary has taught me the importance of these prayers to achieve peace and strength for oneself and others, especially in today’s world. Another practice of mine has become the Stations of the Cross, mainly on Tuesdays and Fridays, which are the days of the sorrowful mysteries. Having daily Mass and multiple classes on salvation history has helped bring to light God’s most love filled act for His children, which was the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the Cross. A result of the benefits of seminary life has led me to a sudden fascination and deeper sensation brought about by practicing the stations of our Lord’s greatest act of love. All of the desire’s I have now to continue in my prayer life would not have been possible if it was not for the guidance of my spiritual director and formatters. They were even able to break through to me on the importance of mental prayer and alone time with Christ in the chapel or Church, where He is truly present in the Flesh and Blood that beats to the pulse of Heavenly Love for mankind. To anyone interested in the seminary, I can assure you that there is so much care and attention put in by the community that one grows successfully in all pillars of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation.

Matthew Pluta

Matthew Pluta

2nd College
Matthew Pluta attends The College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at St. Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.
Matthew Pluta

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