In great catholic seminaries, school year ends on June 29, Saints Peter and Paul day which is the day chosen for ceremonies of ordination. It is the strongest moment in year, stronger than Christmas and Easter. It is the day when those who have thought and studied for long years are going to receive the mission to celebrate the mass and quit the seminary for function in a parish. At Poitiers in 1960, they are about a half dozen.
During the long ceremony of ordination which takes place in the cathedral, the rites surrounding the ordination of new priests are in the center. But previously there are also minor orders and the important step of sub-diaconate where the seminarist takes the vow of chastity.
For me, the intention did not change. After the summer holidays, I will go in to Angers 's dominican noviciate. I have at first a meeting with the superior of the seminary who was planning to make me do the military service by going before the call. I announce him thus my decision.
I had also to visit the bishop of Poitiers. He receives me without sitting in a large richly old-furnished hall. He has some words dubitationing on my religious vocation, adds that he regrets almost to not have sent me in Paris and finishes laughingly a bit: "I didn't say it to you." (exactly « Je ne vous ai rien dit. ») The interview ends by his benediction which I receive, according to the custom, a knee earthen and kissing his episcopal ring.
I reported the conversation to my director of conscience who dispelled my fears: It is the normal obstruction of hierarchy.
My plan is now known of everybody. I spent a day in the convent of Angers during the vacation of Easter. I see for the first time the novices' master and talk with him in his room. I certainly also had a first visit of the building but, except the long two travels in bus, my other memories on that day stay a bit blurred.
with the cathedral
in top-left part
P. M.
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