Incoming first year theologians began the school year with an Intensive Spirituality Program (ISP) for three weeks from July 30 to August 18, 2007. It’s main objective is to prepare and initiate them into a new level of priestly formation, the theological studies. As what the Seminary catalog states “ The Intensive Spirituaity Program began in 1998 as a response to the desire of the Regents of Mount Angel Seminary for their seminarians to have a lengthier period of time to devote themselves to spiritual formation in preparation for the scientific study of theology” (Academic Catalog and Rule of Life, 144). It’s a period of spiritual reflection through conferences, silence and sharing in groups. It is also a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other as they begin their journey in their theological studies. Before immersing themselves into the atmosphere of silence, the retreants went to the coast for a three-day fellowship.The conferences during the course of the retreat included topics on: Obedience, Simplicity of Life, Liturgy of the Hours, Sacrament of Penance, Chastity, Eucharist, The Interior Life, Priest: Pastor and Mission, Theological Dimensions of Priestly Spirituality, and Lectio Divina. The speakers for the above topics were: Fr. Jerome Young, OSB, Very Rev. Richard Paperini, Fr. Paschal Cheline, OSB, Fr. John Cihak, STD, Fr. Paul Peri, Ed.D., Fr. Martin Grassel, OSB, and Dr. Elaine Park. The ISP concluded with the “Desert Time”, a day of silence in the Trappist Abbey and an evaluation with Fr. Paperini, the President-Rector.
