By Nicholas Esposito
In the fall, on the first weekend upon returning to the college seminary, the seminarians go on retreat to spend some time together as a community and to prayerfully prepare for the upcoming year in formation. Each retreat has a theme, and this year’s was “Rebuild My Church.” This retreat challenged us to look within ourselves and determine where we can grow. As I was reflecting on my life to this point, I began to realize the growth that one year in the seminary can produce.
Last summer, I experienced many graces, and many of these experiences would not have been possible if I did not place my trust in the Lord and allow Him to work through me. While I was on that fall retreat, one event in particular stood out as I was spending time in prayer. In the seminary, we are all given assignments outside of the seminary community – whether it be in a parish, a soup kitchen, other work with youth, the poor, etc. My assignment last spring was teaching a group of seventh-graders religion on Monday nights at a nearby parish. When I learned I would be given this assignment, I was a little hesitant, as I had never worked with the youth much in the past.
On the retreat, the monsignor who led the retreat made a very wise observation: 90% of the things we worry about do not happen, and the other 10% that does happen, we find the strength to do it. That was certainly the case with my spring assignment! Once I started, I really began to enjoy teaching the seventh-graders. I would look forward to finishing classes at the seminary on Monday afternoons and going directly to the parish to teach the young students.
Taking that experience from my seminary assignment, I then was able to have the confidence to speak to students at my home parish over the summer. During those weeks, I had the privilege to speak to each class in my parish’s summer religious education program. Every grade from first up to eighth provided me with a window into the lives of children and young adults today. Though it was not that long ago that I was in their shoes, it is easy to forget the struggles, challenges and temptations that young people face in today’s world.
One main aspect of priestly ministry is understanding the struggles people in all stages of life are facing. In order to be an effective minister to God’s people, one should be able to work with the different groups of people and assist them no matter their stage in life or the situation they are faced with. The life of a priest is not an easy one by any means, but we do the best we can despite any limitations. We make the effort to carry out God’s will as best we can, but in the end, the results of our work really belong to God.
Nicholas Esposito is second college at the College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University, South Orange.
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