by Father James Patrick Kelly

Veteran Glenmary Brother Terence O'Rourke is majoring in Psychology at Xavier University, Class of '68. When he goes back to the missions, he'll be a college man, a much more effective apostle. The renewal at Glenmary started with its General Chapter in 1965 and the overhaul is being felt all over.

The desire for renewal in the Society began before the Second Vatican Council, but the Council helped it grow. By the time the Society's 1965 General Chapter had arrived, the restlessness and the dissatisfaction with pat answers caused the Society to put itself through a searching self-examination. Many changes resulted, especially in the field of education.

Exit: One Seminary

Before the Chapter, Glenmary had its own Theological Seminary for students looking forward to the priesthood and its own "Apostolic School" for the training of Brothers. Both schools had well-trained teachers and good courses, but now Glenmary believes it has something better. Classes at the Theological Seminary have been suspended and students and some of the faculty have transferred to St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana, where Glenmary has joined its resources to those of the much larger Theological Seminary there, thus obtaining all the advantages of a truly top-notch library and the intellectual stimulation of a much larger body of students and professors. This school, conducted by the Benedictines, has trained many diocesan priests and many religious in the Midwest for the past century. Its staff of many fine professors has been augmented by the Passionists moving their faculty and students to St. Meinrad also. Thus, Glenmarians have such outstanding men as Father Barnabas Ahern, C.P., and Father Aidan Kavanagh, O.S.B., for their professors.

At the same time, the special Glenmary orientation toward the small town and rural apostolate has not been lost. Students became increasingly aware of Glenmary's specialized apostolic work through special courses, actual experience in Glenmary's mission parishes, and in their Novitiate and Pastoral Training Program.

College-bred brothers

The moving of the theologians to St. Meinrad left more room at Glenmary for Brothers in training. The number of students in the program has increased, as well as the number and variety of  courses. But instead of taking the larger number of subjects at Glenmary, the Brother attends classes at Xavier University, or one of the other schools, training institutes, or business colleges in the Cincinnati area. Each studies what best fits his abilities and best fits him for the particular work he will be doing in the Society. Because a Brother does so many different kinds of work, there must be a greater variety and individuality in his training than in that of a seminarian. But whatever course of studies he follows, he seeks to get those degrees and certificates which are usual in his specialty. He prepares to be a well-trained and competent member of the apostolic team.

Pre- Theologians to Glen Ellyn and Fairfield

The Glenmary college students in the past were scattered around in as many as seven different seminaries and schools. This year they have been consolidated in two places: Fairfield, Connecticut, and Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Formerly, Glenmary seminarians were merged into the larger student bodies to which they happened to belong, with little sense of identity as Glenmarians. Now all have their own identity and group.

At Glen Ellyn, near Chicago, where forty Glenmary students attend Maryknoll College, a large, excellently staffed Catholic seminary, they live on the campus, but under their own Glenmary priest superior. It is a Glenmary community within a Maryknoll community. The advantages of having their own identity and spirit are combined with the benefits of a large, fully accredited school with its excellent library and faculty.

The approach at Fairfield is not the usual one. The eleven seminarians attend classes with lay students and compete with them for honors in the main stream of campus life. They participate in sports, dramatics, debating, etc., as they work for scholastic degrees. They live in a noble old home near the campus. Rules are few. They emphasize consideration for others; allow for self-expression: "1 know what is making a man click from what he puts up on his walls: the clippings, the photos, the ideals which currently capture his vision," says Father Murdock, the Rector. In such a warm, home-like atmosphere, it is easy for young men to truly know one another and the priests who lead them.

During the college years, each seminarian spends two summers gaining mission experience. This is in accordance with the recent decree, "Ecclesiae Sanctae" which asks that experience be a part of the training program.

Senior Members

Priests need to keep abreast of the times too and to improve their theoological education. All Glenmary priests are being encouraged to upgrade their training by attending seminars and special courses. Important talks are made available through a tape circulation program. Scheduled theological discussions are held in each mission area. This activity encourages current reading.