Columbus Day

Today was my first time ever not having class on Columbus Day; it must be an East Coast thing. But anyway, there were a couple events noteworthy enough for a post.

Our vocations' director celebrated the inaugural mass in the new postulants' chapel. It is an attic room over the library that has had various uses over the years, but the rector decided to refurbish it so the postulants can have a private place to pray. (The Blessed Sacrament is always exposed in the shrine adjoining the seminary, but it is nice to have a more private space available as well). After that, we went hiking at Mt. Wachusett in central Massachusetts. One of the postulant's parents live quite near there, so we went to their home for an evening meal afterward before returning home for studies. 

The attic chapel

Ready for mass ad orientem

The Boston skyline from Mt. Wachusett

Group shot

Fall colors on one of the ski trails

Festum

Hodie est Festum Nativitatis Beatae Mariae Virginis! (This is my break from studying Latin).

In honor of the Nativity of Mary, we had a day off from studies and took a trip up to Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire. The family of an Oblate hosted a picnic for the postulants at their home on the lake. It was great not only to escape Latin drills but to have hiking, kayaking, swimming, tennis, and barbecue.

 

Domus magnus apud lacum (the large house at the lake).

Conflictio epica inter tamais et sciurus in dispensatoribus aviarius cibi (epic chipmunk vs. squirrel face off at the bird feeder).

Excitus super navigatione in caiac! (excited about kayaking!)

I might never have wanted to come back to the city, but a timely downpour got us on the road at the right time; late enough that I didn't having to make dinner (the postulants have assigned weekends to prepare evening meals) but early enough to eat it! One of the Oblate brothers was kind enough to do my job and prepared an excellent Italian-style dinner, and even had a birthday cake for Mary.