Mr. Trossbach entered formation at St. John Paul II Seminary as a freshman, and he will graduate this spring. As his college years come to an end, he reflects on his seminary experience. “There is an appointed time for everything…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 Kayaks and philosophy papers, sports tournaments and adoration, adventures and resting at home: all this is “life abundant” (cf. Jn 10:10). “Who gets to live like this?” Fr. Seith would say when we began our retreats. As a graduating man looking back on the four most formative and full years of my life, the only possible response is incredible gra ..read more

Hail, Cross, of hopes the most sublime! Now in this mournful Passion time, Improve religious souls in grace, The sins of criminals efface. – Vexilla Regis Good Friday is a remarkably different day. It is quiet and still – even in a busy city like DC. There is a sense of solemnity permeating the air, sensible to both believers and nonbelievers. All of creation rests in anticipation. Something is not right. In fact, something is terribly wrong. Nevertheless, there is a great sense of peace and surrender. At 3 o’clock, the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion begins. The altar is stripped bare, the ..read more

“To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of others.” John Paul II stressed the importance and necessity of the family, and it’s no wonder that graduates of St. John Paul II Seminary as well as family and friends say, “It’s a joyful place,” and “It’s like a family.” This family atmosphere is especially visible when we celebrate Thanksgiving on Taylor Street every year. This Thanksgiving feast takes place a week before the big day. After we pray the Angelus and Grace before meals, Fr ..read more

Every year, John Paul II Seminary hosts the Ride for Vocations in southern Maryland. Starting with Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in La Plata, various routes take riders 21, 50, 70, or 100 miles through the countryside. The ride is a way both to offer prayer and sacrifice for vocations in our diocese and to enjoy fellowship and recreation with other seminarians, priests, and laity. This year, the ride took place on October 9th after being postponed because of Hurricane Ian. Up to a few weeks before the ride, I wasn’t sure I would be able to participate. Through the donation of a bike from a gene ..read more

O God, I lately learned you loved me long Poured out upon my life gratuity In heartbeats, leaves and flowers, stars and song, The world a sonnet that you wrote to me. Its lines I saw in friendship’s shining eyes And threads of lives that crossed beyond my sight. I love with speech that all too quickly dies My skill despairs of ever speaking right. You love me day by day, my life a word, A stone set in the palace of the king. The plan unseen, the poem faintly heard And humble days with angels’ music ring. You weave the image where I rest my heart: A thread within a greater master’s art. The fir ..read more

Over Thanksgiving I visited my grandfather in New York. I don’t get to see him as often as I’d like, so it was a special time. He showed us his new room in the facility, pointing out different items and the meanings they have. Between a crucifix and a photo of my grandmother, was a statue of St. Joseph. He handed me the heavy bronze statue of St. Joseph standing behind the Holy Child. St. Joseph had his arms on the child’s shoulders, simultaneously exalting and shielding Him. St. Joseph stood as a protector. How can a man protect God? How could the care of the Son of God be entrusted to Josep ..read more

We are extremely blessed and thankful to be built up by the strong familial brotherhood here at St. John Paul II Seminary ..read more

We enter the quiet darkness of the night with the light of Christian hope ..read more

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