I. Object of the Seminary.
"Ye see your calling." 1 Cor. i. 26.
The seminarist who desires faithfully to fulfil his duties, and to advance in the graces of the seminary, never forgets that the object for which he has gone there is to become a holy priest, and to acquire the virtues and the knowledge necessary to the Lord's ministers.
"Let seminaries be instituted for the education of the clergy in piety, religion, and ecclesiastical discipline."-Council of Trent.
This general object of the seminary includes the following particular objects:—
1. That he should reform within himself the false maxims of the world by the principles of the faith.
"Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." Eph. v. 8.
2. That he should cleanse himself from his sins and their miserable remains by penitence, especially that of the heart.
"Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance." Luke, iii. 8.
"A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Ps. li.
3. That he should become a perfect Christian by exercising himself in piety and the practice of virtues.
"Exercise thyself unto godliness." 1 Tim. iv. 7.
4. That he should acquire the ecclesiastical spirit.
"We have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God." 1 Cor. ii. 12.
5. That he should apply to the study of the ecclesiastical sciences.
"Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine." 1 Tim. iv. 16.