Author Topic: A building that speaks of God (Read 13263 times)

Nishant · « **on:** January 20, 2015, 09:47:46 AM »

A recent update on the progress of the new seminary. Would you consider sending your son to this seminary, or would somewhere else be first preference?

Bishop Fellay speaks in the video above of the ambitious plans the Society has in the years ahead. Anyone here from Virginia? From the website,

Quote

Our Move

Our numbers have increased. The building we are currently in is at full capacity. We can no longer accept all of the young men who seek entrance. Seminaries around the world are closing because of lack of students. Our seminary is only increasing in size ...

Enclosed in over 1,000 acres, three times the size of our current property, the new St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary will stand overlooking the property with the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop. It is located in Buckingham County, Virginia, 30 miles south of Charlottesville and 75 miles west of Richmond.

The design of the new seminary was chosen to help the priestly formation. The architecture, drawing much of its inspiration from great Romanesque churches, provides a structure that is simple and yet austere and stable – a pillar representing the Faith of all time and standing as a firm sign of Hope in the chaos that envelopes the world. It is here that young men will come and hear the inspirations of God leading them to greater union with Him and preparing them to be sent into the world.

http://www.newseminaryproject.org/learn/

Ladislaus · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2015, 11:27:31 AM »

I still think that this is a colossal waste of money. They could EASILY have just expanded the seminary in Winona; it's a very fine property that they got for very cheap.

Also, the only reason that Winona doesn't have the capacity for the seminarians is because now they admit "Minor Seminarians" there, something that they didn't do until relatively recently. For a few hundred thousands dollars they could slap a new wing onto the dorm section of the current structure and accommodate another 20-30 people.

Wessex · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2015, 01:22:37 PM »

Very much a break with the past considering the amount of redundant church property. We could of course have said the same about Econe which created its own flurry of excitement at the time but both projects to me are a reflection of the wealth of a few benefactors and not necessarily an indication of a sincere need to aspire to the priestly state on the part of an unusual group of young men. The SSPX is certainly designing a new kind of priest which may have more to do with its own continuity than that of the Church. The experiment of tradition goes on and we are given a choice .... and some nice incentives ..... to choose from an increasing number of alternative paths.

Matto · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2015, 01:23:54 PM »

What are they going to do with Winona after the new seminary opens?

Green Scapular · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2015, 01:55:36 PM »

They looked at ALL other options before deciding to build, as building was something Bishop Fellay hoped to avoid. Please listen to this interview before making the "they should have done X, Y, or Z" type of comments.

http://stas.org/en/media/video/new-seminary-interview-bishop-fellay-1719

As for Ladislaus' "just build another wing" comment, that would add more sleeping spaces, but it would not have added more room in the chapel, more seats in the refectory, more space in the conference room, or more classrooms. The cost to expand all those spaces was in the millions, and how could they carry on a seminary life in the midst of a years-long construction project? It was not at all as simple as "adding a wing".

Nickolas · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2015, 02:40:01 PM »

And so the disneyland romanesque style seminary building appeal begins anew, fresh with a new PR campaign. I found it interesting they rounded up an OSB priest and brother (who is an architect) to deliver the appeal along with a smiling Bishop Fellay. The video has all the marks of Mr. Sestak who, by the way, reserved himself the primary commenter spot on the video. A video production, if you will, complete with music that is meant again to draw the senses. I am so tired of the SSPX PR campaigns. This one will likely work well among the laity of the SSPX as more and more, folks willingly follow the pull of the senses. (Wanna buy a ticket for a Mercedes Benz?)

The message this time:

* A "good solid building" can help to inspire the seminarian.
* Formation of a priest is through the "senses"
* A seminarian is formed by the walls around him.
* The building is needed to "speak to the seminarian on a daily basis".
* The new building is necessary to "enable the seminarian to talk to God".

Selling the project through the senses, because the priest if formed through the senses? I can't get there. Certainly a seminarian, a cook, a college student, a tractor operator, needs his senses to hear, see, speak, learn. It seems though the new SSPX is depending more on the message of the senses, the flesh, to develop and lead folks and less on the Holy Ghost, and foundational teaching delivered without compromise. I think of several videos of Bishop Williamson teaching at the seminary in Winona. Solid teaching, full of wisdom. I don't see it in the PR campaign here.

To the extent that we don't know where the money so far has come from, how much has been spent, how much money the SSPX has anyway, in other words, no accounting for funds, it is dubious project at best and a con job at worst. Just two short years ago, the SSPX was on the verge of giving all of their newer building to the local diocese and Bishop Fellay said he had every intention to proceed forward to make the practical agreement happen.

Earlier Cathinfo threads have spoken much about the Virginia seminary project, so perhaps this one can be blended into those by the moderator.

http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php?a=topic&t=24035&min=0&num=3

http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php/Not-to-be-insensitive-but-new-seminary-in-Virginia

http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php/25-million-to-raise-for-New-Seminary-in-Virginia

hollingsworth · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2015, 03:49:35 PM »

We never thought it would come to this- the SSPX's answer to the Trump Towers- expressing and radiating "stability" with dollars. My, my, how could we have spent even 10 years in this organization? Why couldn't we have seen through it all earlier? Really, I have no real issues with Bp. Fellay, except when he smiles. Since the SG smiles most of the time, I have problems with him almost unceasingly. The SSPX had one last opportunity to survive and go on in a manner which the Archbishop might have applauded, I think. That opportunity was lost. Alas, the cleric who gave them the last, best chance of survival was unceremoniously shown the door. Now I'm afraid the money lenders have their hooks into Fellay & Co. SSPX is no longer an extension of the Archbishop's mission. It is altogether a work of Bp. Fellay and the shadowy figures who now surround him.
I know some of you will take umbrage at my remarks. You will, perhaps, say terrible things to me. I will lose at least 30 seconds of sleep tonight. No matter, I have to say these things.

hollingsworth · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2015, 03:53:23 PM »

P.S. A am beginning to hate the cello.

JPaul · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2015, 07:49:01 PM »

Quote

Now I'm afraid the money lenders have their hooks into Fellay & Co. SSPX is no longer an extension of the Archbishop's mission. It is altogether a work of Bp. Fellay and the shadowy figures who now surround him.

A very astute, accurate, and cogent observation. Very Wessexesque. All that needs be said, in just a few words. Well done.

The Lord used to speak to His own through the walls of austerity and sacrifice.

Someone believes that He has adopted extravagance and more carnal means of communications as His new norm.

The old: Grace though suffering.

The new: Grace through extravagance.

Francisco · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2015, 11:32:48 PM »

Quote from: Nishant

A recent update on the progress of the new seminary. Would you consider sending your son to this seminary, or would somewhere else be first preference?<>

Somewhere else should definitely be preferred. Recommended is the OLMC Seminary at Boston, KY. In a few months the Bamboo Seminary of the SSPX-MC in the Philippines should be ready. People could also send their sons there.

Charlemagne · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2015, 12:31:55 AM »

"And Bishop Fellay saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good."

Centroamerica · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2015, 05:07:44 AM »

Quote from: Matto

What are they going to do with Winona after the new seminary opens?

Winona will become a retreat house.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2015, 06:12:16 AM »

Quote from: Green Scapular

They looked at ALL other options before deciding to build, as building was something Bishop Fellay hoped to avoid. Please listen to this interview before making the "they should have done X, Y, or Z" type of comments.

http://stas.org/en/media/video/new-seminary-interview-bishop-fellay-1719

As for Ladislaus' "just build another wing" comment, that would add more sleeping spaces, but it would not have added more room in the chapel, more seats in the refectory, more space in the conference room, or more classrooms. The cost to expand all those spaces was in the millions, and how could they carry on a seminary life in the midst of a years-long construction project? It was not at all as simple as "adding a wing".

Nah, let's not kid ourselves. I know that building VERY well; spent many years there and could navigate it in my sleep. Seating in the refectory was much more sparse than it needed to be, and the chapel could be reconfigured somewhat from the sideways choir sitting, and the seats in the choir area made more compact. There are plenty of classrooms and a classroom or two could have been added on as a new wing (along with more sleeping spaces). Also, reduce the number of Minor Seminarians. Minor Seminarians don't sit in the choir anyway. They could also have turned the basement bowling alley into more living space and an additional classroom or two. This could easily have been done for a couple million dollars at best, vs. 50 million.

No, this is clear empire-building. I also suggest that it's being built in anticipation of a huge influx of seminarians after +Fellay makes an agreement with Rome.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2015, 06:15:45 AM »

Quote from: hollingsworth

Really, I have no real issues with Bp. Fellay, except when he smiles. Since the SG smiles most of the time, I have problems with him almost unceasingly.

I agree. You can see in the eyes that the smile is fake, created for photo opportunities.

No, the seminary in Winona was very conducive to contemplation and quiet. Find some alternate arrangement, an out building, something for the Minor Seminarians, and you're good to go. Somehow it suited the Dominicans quite well before Vatican II, but it's not good enough for the SSPX.

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2015, 07:41:43 AM »

We are sick and tired of hearing about Catholic Church, seminaries, schools, nursing homes etc. all closing down.

It is great to hear that a "traditional" Catholic seminary is to be built and Winona will be used as a retreat house to help lead souls to Heaven.

Yes, we pray for Holy, humble celibate Priests.