Bishop White Seminarians return, bishop celebrates welcoming Mass
Seminarians pray during the Bishop White Seminary Welcome Mass at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Spokane, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022. (Inland Catholic Photo/Grant Whitty)
Last week, new and returning seminarians across the West made their way to Spokane. This marks the beginning of the 57th academic year for Bishop White Seminary and the 14th year in the new seminary building which opened in 2009. This year marks a significant milestone as it will be the first year the seminary will operate the new propaedeutic year program, Cor Christi.
Bishop White Seminary forms men from six dioceses: the Archdioceses of Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, and the Dioceses of Boise, Orange and Spokane. There are 16 men enrolled in the college seminary, six of which are in Cor Christi.
To signify the beginning of a new academic year, Bishop Daly celebrated a special Mass of Welcome for the seminarians on Aug. 21. All seminarians occupied the front two rows of the cathedral pews and local 4th-Degree Knights of Columbus members led the procession and recession at Mass. In his homily Bishop Daly encouraged the faithful and seminarians:
“The path to holiness comes through humility, gratitude and generosity,” the bishop said. “Let us remember that we have been called to be followers of Jesus. Let us pray that we are truly disciples of Jesus in fact, not merely in name. Seek always the mercy and grace the Lord offers us.”
The congregation gathered in the cathedral's basement for coffee and donuts to socialize with the new and returning seminarians. The men at Bishop White started their academic year on Monday and have been on retreat this week.
