As someone who has walked the halls of the old Moreau Seminary and eagerly anticipates the transition to the new facility, I am thrilled to share the exciting changes and what they mean for the formation of future Holy Cross priests and brothers. The new Moreau Seminary promises not only a modern space but also a transformative environment where the five dimensions of formation—human, pastoral, intellectual, spiritual, and communal—will flourish in new ways.
At the core of our human formation is the development of virtues and interpersonal skills essential for effective priestly ministry. The refectory, upper and lower recreation areas, and the seminary lounge will continue to be crucial in fostering socialization and communication skills. Here, we will engage in mutual support and dialogue crucial for a lifetime of personal growth and community life. The new seminary design embraces these elements, ensuring ample space for recreation and renewal. As articulated in the 2023 Program of Priestly Formation (PPF), “The seminary is a school of human virtue, of growth in honesty, integrity, intellectual rigor, hard work, and tolerance, where the common good is built with solidarity and discipline—all leavened by humor and healthy enjoyment.” Our new facilities will be a testament to this vision, creating an environment where virtues are not only taught in mind but lived out from the heart.
The heart of our spiritual formation lies in living out the communion of God and Church. The updated chapel space will remain a sacred space for daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and Eucharistic Adoration, enhancing our commitment to prayer and spiritual communion, according to the Holy Cross Constitutions. Though the updates to the chapel will be minor compared to the rest of the building, these updates (e.g., to the light system, which formerly made noise when powered on) are aimed toward our fostering an “intimate and unceasing union with God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit,” as emphasized in the PPF. This spiritual focus will be central to our formation, inviting seminarians and brothers into deeper reflection and devotion, vital for our future as ministers in the Church.
The intellectual journey of our seminarians and brothers will be enriched by the new library and classrooms, where we will engage in rigorous theological studies alongside lay students. The facilities will support a quest for deeper understanding and knowledge of and sensitivity to God’s self-revelation throughout time and space. As highlighted in our formation guidelines, intellectual formation is about seeking “an ever-deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries.” Our updated classrooms will be designed to foster this pursuit, encouraging critical thinking and theological inquiry within a community of scholars.
Pastoral formation is where theory meets practice; rubber meets road! The new seminary will feature enhanced spaces to process ministry placements and cultivate practical skills, preparing us to become true shepherds of souls. The design of the new seminary will facilitate these experiences, integrating our lives in ministry with academic and spiritual training. As we prepare for this transition, we remember that “the whole training of the students should have as its object to make them true shepherds of souls after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our new facility will be a launchpad for future priests and brothers to serve the Church and the world with compassion and zeal.
This new living space will become a locus for ongoing formation and communal life—one which will be a space of shared history for future generations of Holy Cross religious. I look forward to the enriching experiences that the new Moreau Seminary will offer and am grateful for the opportunity to witness and participate in this new chapter of our mission. As we prepare to embrace these changes, I am reminded of the word companions—those who break bread together—a symbol of our shared journey that derives its meaning from the Eucharist. As such, and in the spirit of our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC, I am excited about the new opportunities for growth and formation that await us.
Ed Donnelly, C.S.C.
Published 28 August 2024
Top to bottom renderings: Refectory, Library, & Living space
