Reflecting on my first year of seminary and the summer assignment at St Ann Parish in Edenton, I now see the wisdom behind the Church’s priestly formation process. People are often surprised by how long it takes a seminarian to become a priest. This year, I experienced how living the four pillars of human, pastoral, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions of priestly formation ought to take time. There is no need to rush. St. Ann played a vital role in shaping this path, especially as someone from the city. I recognized that my time in the seminary is not just for my personal growth but for the good of the entire Church.
Just as God walked with and unfolded his salvation plan to mankind, starting from the “happy fault” of our first parents in the Garden to “when things of heaven are wed to those of earth and divine to the human” through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, it is a process which can appear lengthy (Exulstet, Easter Vigil, Roman Missal 3rd ed., 2011). The Lord takes time.“God’s time is not our time” rings true (cf. 1 Peter 3:08). Israelites sojourned for 40 years and spent 70 years in Babylonian exile (cf. Numbers 14:34, Jeremiah 25:11). In the New Testament, Jesus lived 30 years before he ministered publicly (cf. Luke 3:23). It took about 300 years until the Roman Empire was converted. Conversion of hearts takes time. Conforming a man to Jesus is more than memorizing rituals or studying books.
I witnessed God’s work in my time at this beautiful rural parish.
The foundation of everything is being human. Knowing who we are and whose we are (1 John 3:1-2). Hence, this is arguably the most foundational of the four pillars of formation. Grace through discipline. Everything else builds upon one’s foundation as a person. This discipline is necessary for solitary life, a general expectation for priests. Rural life especially left nothing hidden.
Serving at this country parish involved simplicity of life. This included waking up early, maintaining a clean look, socializing and dialoguing with parishioners, facilitating maintenance projects, restoring sacred art, driving distances to and from, cooking and consuming meals, and maintaining a prayer life.
Overall there were many experiences of the highs with some lows of ministry. For instance, I recall the moments of exhaustion after a physically and socially taxing day, even as an extrovert. I was checking off a “to-do” list of office construction tasks, liturgical functions, and appointments. At times, the innate desire for family life was more present, however, my experience of this deep interior peace, even in the physical tiredness after a long day of bringing Jesus to the people brought overwhelming joy. As I shared with the pastor, I could not imagine a more peaceful life. I felt the fulfillment of sharing in the love of Jesus as a celibate.
In practicing the pastoral pillar of formation, we express God’s love for the people. It encompasses the big and small. At St Ann, this ranged from reverent celebration of the sacraments to helping replace the laminate flooring. The saying “my [consecrated priestly] hands are made for chalices and not callouses” would not apply. Unlike larger parishes, where work could be paid for, life in a rural parish means becoming all things to all people. My summer involved rolling up my sleeves with dedicated volunteers to figure things out.
This configuration to the Good Shepherd necessitates an intimate spiritual life (cf. John 15). It requires maintaining a relationship with God, especially in the Eucharistic celebration.
As Father Jairo reminded me time and time again, no one checks if a priest prays but a spiritual life is necessary to be a healthy priesthood. Unlike seminary, where there were mandatory holy hours, finding time to be in Jesus’ presence was a personal initiative even on days off. I fondly recall sneaking into the church after hours to reflect on the day and to pray the Liturgy of the Hours as the pews creaked beneath me.
Many aspects of ministry are impossible without a proper intellectual foundation. It is often considered the cornerstone, serving as a crucial reference point. Understanding and expressing the teachings of the Church compellingly and dynamically is essential. Like Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees, striving to live out the faith is necessary; the first step is recognizing our need for his grace (cf. Matthew 23:27-28). To authentically share the timeless teachings of the Church, one must be deeply rooted in the Word, Sacraments, and ultimately the reality of the flock. I found the questions around the dinner table, standing in the sun after Mass, and in conversation the best opportunities to share God’s Word. In those moments, the information and skills learned in my classes came to life. More formal lectures, like the two on the Eucharist, were helpful too.
There were many unforgettable moments during my time at St Ann. Some notable moments were praying in parishioners' homes during adoration, doing construction on the office, celebrating Mass by tobacco fields with migrant workers, and the scenic drives over the Albemarle Sound. All of which have left a lasting impact!
This time in rural North Carolina was a blessed end to this first year of formation. Each moment counts and this assignment in Edenton and Columbia further unveiled God’s goodness to me. His presence was also tangible in the genuine love of the people I met.
As God's plan for salvation took time, the process for a man to become an instrument of mercy takes time, too. I ask for your continued prayers for my brother seminarians and me as we discern our vocations. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
Anthony Pham
Seminarian
Diocese of Raleigh
