Religious Vocations Supplement
Pray, play, study and community: A day in the life of Bishop Bruté Seminary
Father Robert Robeson, right, rector of Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, teaches a class on Catholic beliefs and practices on Dec. 1 at Marian University in Indianapolis. Most of the students in the class are seminarians. Marian provides the intellectual formation for Bishop Bruté’s seminarians. Human, spiritual and pastoral formation for the seminarians takes place at the seminary. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)
By Sean Gallagher
Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein established Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary just six years ago.
But in that relatively short time, it has moved from its first home in St. Francis Hall on the campus of Marian University in Indianapolis to the former Carmelite Monastery of the Resurrection, approximately one mile south of Marian.
It has grown from a handful of college seminarians for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to an enrollment of some two dozen seminarians from eight dioceses. In the process, it has filled its current home to capacity.
The seminarians take classes in philosophy and theology at Marian University, and receive human, spiritual and pastoral formation at Bishop Bruté.
Father Robert Robeson has served as Bishop Bruté’s rector since its founding. He is currently assisted by vice rector Father Patrick Beidelman; director of spiritual formation, Jesuit Father Thomas Widner; and associate director of spiritual formation, Benedictine Father Jonathan Fassero.
The seminarians’ busy days often begin with Mass and Morning Prayer. Breakfast usually follows. And then, Monday through Friday, most seminarians are off to Marian for classes.
But life at Bishop Bruté isn’t just praying and studying. The seminarians take turns doing kitchen duties. And when they have free time, they will sometimes play a pick-up game of football on the seminary’s spacious grounds at 2500 Cold Spring Road.
Although Bishop Bruté has grown steadily over its six-year history, it will need additional housing in future years to allow it to continue to grow.
At a recent meeting of the board of directors of the Catholic Community Foundation, vicar general, Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, announced that archdiocesan leaders are starting to discuss ways that such an expansion could be funded.
(For more information about Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, including ways to contribute to its growth, log on to www.archindy.org/bsb.) †
