RomanEchoes FEBRUARY 2017
VOLUME 21: ISSUE 2
T H E P O N T I F I C A L N O RT H A M E R I C A N C O L L E G E
EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW
A NEW BOOK DETAILS THE HISTORY OF THE NAC FROM 1955-1979
8 Living Doors of Mercy 12 Spanish Apostolate Class 18 U.S. Church History 28 Byzantine Liturgy
Contents 12 8 Features 8 Closing of the Year of Mercy While the Year of Mercy has come to an end, the mercy of God continues through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
10 New Man Show
12 Spanish Apostolate In recognition of the growing need to minister to Spanish speakers in the U.S., a unique apostolate in Rome offers a chance to prepare priests for just that.
14 Papal Consistory 16 Lector Installation 2
The Pontifical North American College
18 U.S. Church History The heroic story of NAC alumnus Fr. Aloysius Schmitt and his ultimate sacrifice for God and country.
20 An American Martyr 21 Converts Studying in Rome 22 Mass of Thanksgiving in Rome 23 George Weigel Lecture
28 Byzantine Liturgy Fr. Ron Barusefski brings the Eastern Liturgy to the College.
30 The American College in Rome 32 Alumnus Theological Education 34 Casa Santa Maria 36 Bible in a Year
Cover Image: The North American College sits newly completed overlooking Vatican City in 1953
28 18 Updates 5 Rector’s Corner 37 Economo’s Corner 6 NAC Voices 38 Institutional Advancement 7 Changes to Faculty 24 Snapshots
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Secretaries to the Rectors Coworkers in the Lord’s Vineyard With the vital assistance provided by the secretaries to the Rectors, the College continues its mission of forming priests.
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Contributors EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robert Duck ‘18, Diocese of Tulsa
MANAGING EDITOR Christian Huebner ‘19, Archdiocese of Washington ASSISTANT EDITORS Joseph Heschmeyer ‘18, Diocese of Kansas City, KS Joseph Boustany ‘19, Diocese of Lafayette LAYOUT & DESIGN MANAGER Tyler Johnson ‘19, Archdiocese of Seattle LAYOUT & DESIGN EDITOR Christopher Boyle ‘19, Archdiocese of Boston PHOTOGRAPHERS Leo Song ‘18, Diocese of Rockville Centre Zach Brown ‘19, Diocese of Toledo
Administration of the Pontifical North American College RECTOR Very Rev. Peter C. Harman ‘99 VICE RECTOR FOR ADMINISTRATION Rev. Kerry Abbott, OFM Conv. ICTE ’14 VICE RECTOR FOR SEMINARY LIFE Rev. Brian P. Christensen ‘99 ACADEMIC DEAN AND ROMAN ECHOES FACULTY LIAISON Rev. John P. Cush ’98, C’15 SUPERIOR, CASA SANTA MARIA Rev. Msgr. Fred Berardi C’82 DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION Rev. James M. Sullivan, OP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Mark Randall, CFRE For more information about the Pontifical North American College, subscription questions, or to learn about ways you can financially support “America’s Seminary in Rome,” please contact Mark Randall, CFRE, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement. Tel: (202) 541-5411 Fax: (202) 722-8804 Email: pnacdc@pnac.org Website: www.pnac.org This publication is written, edited and photographed by the students of the Pontifical North American College
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The Pontifical North American College
An Advent wreath stood outside the doors to the chapel, watched over by Our Lady of Humility
Rector’s Corner Firmum Est Cor Meum Semper
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e know the North American College motto, “Firmum Est Cor Meum: Steadfast is My Heart” strives to instill the need for fidelity and persistence in those who accept the vocation of serving the Church as her priests. We also know that the challenge of preaching the Gospel involves not only fidelity, but docility to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to preach in every age those truths which, unchanging in themselves, are to be received in particular cultures, places, and times which do change. This reality was made particularly clear in my recent reading of Msgr. Stephen DiGiovanni’s latest work on the history of the College, Aggiornamento on the Hill of Janus. Msgr. DiGiovanni’s book is a fascinating read for anyone familiar with the College. He is very honest about the struggles in forming priests after the Second Vatican Council: the swirling culture of the 1960’s and 1970’s demanded that formation be re-tooled to address the new pastoral challenges facing the newly ordained. One particular struggle was that the formators to whom this challenge was entrusted were themselves trained by the system that they needed to reinvigorate. Our human nature reminds us that change is never easy. It can be threatening and frightening. Add
to that the cultural realities of a time when authority was often questioned or ignored, and one gets some understanding of the often-difficult climate of formation work on “the Hill” in those years. But the book also highlights something tremendously encouraging to me: that God has always met His people in their challenges when they come to Him with humble trust in His will, and that from—not in spite of—those challenges, He continues to lead the Church. Certainly the apostles knew this from the very first day of their work after the Ascension of the Lord. They had to trust His words, “I will be with you always to the end of the age.” The benefits of those challenging years are blessings to this community still today. To those who struggled through them and remained faithful when the ground was sometimes shaking under their feet, we owe a large debt of gratitude. The formation the men receive today is more personally oriented, their academic work more ordered to the reality of the people they will serve, their pastoral experiences richer and more varied, and their preparation to preach the Gospel more refined. This is in no way to say that formation before the Council did not serve the Church well, but rather that it needed
to be directed to address the time and place to which the men were sent. I am happy that our work is still being examined, reshaped and focused on every seminarian who passes through the College. The challenges today include a changing Catholic demographic, men becoming pastors more quickly after ordination, and the reality that less can be taken for granted regarding the average Catholic’s practice or knowledge of the faith. Certainly these are challenges. But in it all, we ask to be steadfast in the truth that Christ is with us always, if we seek to build up His Church. I am grateful that you see the pressing need to make the formation of priests a priority for your own prayer and good works. Our Heart is steadfast…always!
Very Rev. Peter C. Harman ‘99
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VOICES OF NAC
Paragraph 136 of the Program of Priestly Formation says that there “is a reciprocal relationship between spiritual and intellectual formation. The intellectual life nourishes the spiritual life, but the spiritual also opens vistas of understanding, in accordance with the classical adage credo ut intelligam (‘I believe in order to know’).” With that in mind, we’ve asked: “What’s something that you learned in class this year?” “During our U.S. Catholic Church seminar it has been incredibly interesting to learn of all the many peoples that came together and all the challenges they had to overcome to give us the Catholic heritage that America enjoys today.” Brandon Guenther ’19 Diocese of La Crosse (Studies at Santa Croce)
James Glasgow ’20 Archdiocese of Washington (Studies at the Angelicum)
“Something particularly interesting in class this year has been our professor (Fr. Blankenhorn) teasing out hidden assumptions—typically philosophical—in various different theologians. He argues that a large number of problems in theology, in part, are due to the metaphysical view claiming causality to be univocal, and not analogical. For myself then, a very fruitful question has been this: do I approach prayer with a hidden assumption of univocal causality?”
“In studying the theology of Joseph Ratzinger I learned that the Church is centered on Christ and that we as members of the Church are unified with one another and with Jesus Christ through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. This ecclesial communion finds God as its foundation and so the Church is not only the instrument of salvation but it is also the object of salvation as well.”
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Vinhson Nguyen ’18 Diocese of Phoenix (Studies at the Gregorian and the Augustianum)
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Christian Smith ’20 Diocese of Bismark (Studies at the Angelicum)
“I've learned a lot about some fundamental things usually taken for granted about the Sacred Scriptures: the process of describing their inspired status, the importance of context and the original languages, and the drama of the Kings leading up to the exile in Babylon.”
The Pontifical North American College
“As an archeologist painstakingly brushes away dirt so as to carefully expose an artefact, so exegesis seeks slowly and never too hastily to bring out the riches of Sacred Scripture so as to contemplate and admire them in all their many dimensions and implications.”
Rev. Mr. Trevor Tibbertsma ’17 Archdiocese of Melbourne (Studies at the Biblicum) iStock.com
New Faculty and Faculty Changes Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk
Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk ’05 leaves the College after five years of service. Upon ordination to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orange in California, he continued canon law studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University while residing at the Casa Santa Maria, earning a licentiate in 2007. For the following four years, he was assigned as a parochial vicar at St. Joachim Parish in Costa Mesa while serving as adjutant judicial vicar in the Diocesan Tribunal two days per week. He returned to Rome in the summer of 2011, assuming the role of Official
Fr. Luke Sweeney
Fr. Luke Sweeney ’01, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, joins the College as a spiritual director. While in the seminary, he received his BA in History and Philosophy from Fordham University and STB from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. After completing a STL from the John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family in Rome, Fr. Sweeney served in Sacred Heart Parish in Newburgh, New York. He has served for 6 years as Vocation
in the Discipline Section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. That fall he began as an adjunct spiritual director at the North American College. He also undertook doctoral studies in canon law at the Gregorian University, completing them in 2015. His bishop having recalled him for service in his diocese of incardination, Msgr. Doktorczyk returned home after Christmas 2016. He is assigned as Judicial Vicar and is in residence at St. Polycarp Catholic Church in Stanton, CA. n
Director for the Archdiocese of New York where he oversaw the NYPriest.com Campaign - “The World Needs Heroes” and was a board member of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. He has also served as the Vice Rector at the Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Queens, NY where he assisted college and philosophy seminarians as they discern their own vocations in life and in the Church. n
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ROMAN ECHOES 2017 • VOLUME 21: ISSUE 2
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LIVING DOORS
OF MERCY
Closing Mass for the Jubilee Year of Mercy outside of St. Peter’s Basilica. inset Deacon Michael Friedel ‘17 (Springfield in Illinois), practicing the Sacrament of Reconciliation with Fr. John Cush ‘98 (Brooklyn).
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The Sacramental Gateway to the Heart of Christ R E V. M R . P E T E R A S C I K ’ 1 7, D I O C E S E O F C H A R LOT T E
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ast December in Rome, we watched as Pope Francis pushed open the Holy Doors in St. Peter’s Basilica, inaugurating the Jubilee Year of Mercy. As the pope entered the empty church, behind him followed cardinals, bishops, and priests in a long procession down the nave to the altar. It struck me that day that this was a beautiful image of what the pope does for the People of God: he opens wide the doors to Christ and the whole church enters through them. During the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has urged us again and again to open the doors of our hearts to the mercy of Christ. This year, my deacon classmates and I have begun final preparations for ordination the priesthood. One of the most important areas of preparation is in hearing confessions. It is in this mystery of sacramental reconciliation that mercy and repentance meet. Confession is the door to the mercy of Christ. In order to learn how to be effective ministers of His mercy, we have a series of training sessions for hearing confessions. These include talks and reflections on the theology and pastoral practice of confession,
as well as a chance to role-play confessional scenarios with each other and with priests on the faculty. The Jubilee Year of Mercy has been the perfect backdrop for learning about this ministry of mercy.
is, and how eager He is to forgive us if we give him the smallest chance. I have also been moved to reflect on how humbling it will be as a priest to be an instrument of Christ’s healing and forgiveness.
Confession is something that every Catholic has experienced – but only by himself or herself. In our confession
Our instructors have stressed to us that in order to be a good confessor one must first be a good penitent. And it is indeed this personal experience of confession, of our own need for and experience of God’s infinite patience and mercy, which helps us to understand how we are called to serve others through the ministry of confession.
Crowds gather for the closing of the year of mercy in St. Peter’s Square.
practicum, we have the chance to peer behind the curtain for the first time and see what goes into being a good confessor. Even though it is only practice, I have been surprised by how moving it is to listen to someone honestly recounting his or her sins to a priest. It has been an opportunity to reflect on how full of compassion God
The Holy Doors at St. Peter’s have been closed, and the Church’s observance of the Jubilee Year is over. Yet Pope Francis reminded us at the closing mass for the Year of Mercy that: “Even if the Holy Door closes, the true door of mercy, which is the heart of Christ, always remains open for us.” Preparing for the priesthood during this Year of Mercy has provided many opportunities to reflect on how the sacrament of confession is the gateway to the heart of Christ, and it is the priest’s role to keep this door of mercy always open. n
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A group of New Men chant, in harmony, a narration of how a typical NAC lunch occurs.
The New Man Show: A NAC Tradition • • • •
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BY C L AY TO N FO R N E R ’ 2 0, A R C H D I O C E S E O F ST. PAU L A N D M I N N E A P O L I S
ntertainment never seems to be in short supply when you pay attention to the world around you, but there is a particular flavor to humor within a seminary. While NAC seminarians come from all walks of life (law, sports, engineering, farming, teaching, and plumbing, to name a few), at this point in our formation we
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have all studied a similar curriculum in philosophy, are currently studying theology together, and we share a house in a foreign country. Combine our diverse experiences with the common language that all seminarians seem to share, and you will find yourself watching the New and Old Man shows.
• • • •
The New and Old Man Shows take place on Thanksgiving weekend as a sort of family get together...
The New and Old Man Shows take place on Thanksgiving weekend as a sort of family get together, but that is to start with the end. It begins like this: relatively recently-acquainted classmates vote for someone to direct the show, the previous New Man Show director takes the newly-elected director out to dinner to answer questions and offer advice, and then the show is left to the new director, and the only sure thing left is the Thanksgiving deadline. My classmates who knew that I impersonated Muppets characters and quoted Brian Regan elected me to be the director. Initially, I was scared, but the fear soon passed when I realized that I had fifty odd classmates to work with on this project.
Justin Weber studied meteorology prior to seminary, and he offered to do a weather report. The finished product would contain a host of biblical references and everyone in the audience laughing. The process began with a wonderful brainstorming session that showed what a great pool of ideas we had at our disposal. These ideas would gradually get distilled down to a packed sixty minutes of fun for the whole house. At that meeting, Matt Miller introduced the idea that became our breakout number: a parody of the song “Tradition,” from Fiddler on the Roof, which highlighted various classes and groups within the seminary.
A "Thank You Notes" style sketch, made popular by the Tonight Show features two classmates impersonating the voice of Will Frei ’20 (Charleston).
I was encouraged further by the many people who responded to an email asking for them to tell me all their gifts. Many of the guys responded heartily, but a couple stand out in my mind; particularly, Justin Weber and Edward Dannemiller. Justin Weber studied meteorology prior to seminary, and he offered to do a weather report. The finished product would contain a host of biblical references and everyone in the audience laughing. Edward happened to email while I was in the middle of taking stock of everyone’s talents and his email could be summed up by saying that he was willing to help in any way I needed, but that he could bounce a golf ball on a golf club fifty times. Brilliant! I emailed him immediately asking him if he could bounce and walk at the same time, to which he replied in the affirmative. This peculiar gift added a
special note of hilarity to one of our sketches. I was privileged to see the generosity and giftedness of my classmates who put in much work amidst our already heavy schedule, and I am glad that I could assist in bringing some levity to my brothers. n
A parody of the Fiddler on the Roof song, "Tradition" featured many musical talents.
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GOD SPEAKS IN ALL
LANGUAGES
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NAC students find a place to gather and worship with Spanish speaking children and young adults.
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The Humble Language of the Lord
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J E F F H E B E RT ’ 1 8, D I O C E S E O F L I T T L E R O C K he events of the Christmas season are some of the first things that God speaks in the life of Jesus. In Him, God speaks to us in the language of a human life. It seems fitting that Jesus’ life among us would begin with all the joys and the fears of His migrant holy family. One minute, mysterious men from the east leave gifts fit for a king. The next minute, a heavenly angel from God warns that a king wants the Baby dead. Jesus’ life seems to have participated in the wide range of human joy and struggle since infancy. He had not uttered a word, but Jesus spoke our language well with His infant Life. He spoke our humanity all the way to the Cross. He speaks it now at the right hand of the Father. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit made the disciples speak in languages unknown to them. The people present could hear the Gospel proclaimed in their own languages. The Lord speaks to His people. God humbled Himself to speak to us in the Son’s divinely human life, and then He humbled Himself to speak that same life in our own languages through the Church’s life. I am starting to think that God is a talker.
means opening our hearts to the language of the people’s lives. For many of us, that means opening our hearts to speak in languages not our own, to speak in the languages with which the people speak to God. The Basilica Santa Maria in Trastevere hosts the children and young adults for prayer and catechism.
God humbled Himself to speak to us in the Son’s divinely human life, and then He humbled Himself to speak that same life in our own languages through the Church’s life. Today, we live in a country which finds many migrant families speaking different languages. They have joys and fears like Jesus’s family had. Many of us live in churches which find many of these families speaking Spanish. In my own diocese of Little Rock, the majority of all our Catholic faithful are Spanish speakers. As at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit compels the Church to proclaim the life of Jesus in the language of the hearer. As men preparing for ministry, we know that participating in that proclamation
The North American College helps us do just that. Fr. John McDonald provides a course which highlights what many immigrant families and their children experience. It covers topics ranging from the history and culture of Central and South American countries to the discrimination and exploitation that immigrants experience when they arrive in ours. Fr. McDonald’s course introduces us to the lives of millions of people in our pews and in our towns. At the parish of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Fr. José Brosel Gavilá provides the opportunity for us to teach sacramental preparation in Spanish. We have the option to practice preaching our homilies in Spanish, and every Thursday one dinner table is “Spanish only.” While these experiences begin to form us well for ministry, there is no substitute for living with the people and, together with them, experiencing their joys and their fears. I suppose that is one reason why the Son of God does it. I am sure He speaks Spanish very well. n ROMAN ECHOES 2017 • VOLUME 21: ISSUE 2
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His Eminence Cardinal Blase Cupich ’75, poses for a photo at the NAC consistory reception with guests.
Three New Scarlet Shepherds • • • •
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BY R E V. M R . T I M OT H Y A N A STOS ’ 1 7, A R C H D I O C E S E O F C H I C AG O
n the evening of November 20th, a crowd of Italian parishioners gathered at their parish, San Bartolomeo all’Isola, the only church on the small Tiber Island in Rome. They came together to receive their new pastor: an American.
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In a beautiful evening prayer liturgy, His Eminence, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, was received by the Italian parishioners of San Bartolomeo and he became their pastor. This simple yet meaningful liturgy was the culmination of three days of celebrations that saw Cardinal Cupich and two other American prelates raised to the College of
• • • •
This simple yet meaningful liturgy was the culmination of three days of celebrations that saw Cardinal Cupich and two other American prelates raised to the College of Cardinals.
Cardinals. The two other American prelates were Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark and Kevin Farrell, former Bishop of Dallas and current Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. In ceremonies that reach back into the centuries of our Church’s history, these three men became members of the clergy of Rome. In an important way, they took on the role of advisor to the Holy Father in the governance of the Universal Church and along with this, took on a most supreme honor of being a participant in the election of his successor.
His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Farrell is congratulated by guests after the consistory.
This was an important day for the Universal Church, but also an important day for the local churches that each Cardinal is from. For Cardinal Blase Cupich, this was a momentous day for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Political leaders from Illinois, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Governor Bruce Rauner, hundreds of members of the Catholic Extension Society, and a great many lay faithful from the Archdiocese came to support their shepherd who has done so much in such a short amount of time. He has
been working tirelessly to revitalize parishes in a time of pressing financial and personnel needs. He has been seeking to make sure that parishes collaborate with one another to share their diverse resources. His endless ministry has not gone unnoticed, and the Holy Father has recognized his work along with the work of Cardinal Joseph Tobin and Cardinal Kevin Farrell, bringing hope to the faithful of Church in the United States. The Consistory has especially been a blessing for the men at the Pontifical North American College. Following the Consistory on the morning of Saturday, November 19th, Fr. Peter Harman and the men of the Pontifical North American College hosted a reception for the newly appointed Cardinals in the halls of the College. Bursting at the seams with guests from all over the country, the seminarians were privileged to witness the joy of the American Church, celebrating the accomplishments of three men who
Newly elected Cardinal Archbishop Joseph Tobin greets guests at the NAC consistory reception.
have greatly witnessed to the Gospel. The relationship between the NAC and the American Church is a crucial one. For over a century we have prepared men for priesthood in the United States and in turn have made it our goal to pray for and support our home dioceses. Our college is a home away from home for the American bishops and it has always been a great honor to support them in their episcopacy and during these important milestones in their ministry. n
Seminarian Bobby Phillips ’19 (Savannah), serves refreshments at the NAC consistory reception.
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The new men (class of ’20), pose with Rector Fr. Peter Harman ’99 (Springfield in Illinois), Bishop Paul Tighe, Adjunct Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and His Eminence Cardinal James Harvey ’75 after the lector installation.
Approaching the Altar, One Step at a Time
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• • • •
BY N AT H A N I E L G L E N N ’ 2 0, D I O C E S E O F P H O E N I X
n January 15th, I received the ministry of Lector along with my first year classmates in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. This formal step was the first ministry we had received together as a class, and it was an affirmation of our discernment and also a further phase in our preparations for priestly ordination. For each of us, receiving
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• • • •
the liturgical office to proclaim the Word of God is a moment to reflect upon its impact on our own lives and also to anticipate the impact our proclamation will have on the lives of others. It is certain that every man who knelt before the bishop and received the Scriptures is himself the product of a biblical culture. We have grown up hearing the Word proclaimed every
The new men (class of ’20), take some time in prayer before receiving the ministry of lector.
Sunday at Mass, and many of us were taught Bible stories at home or in catechism classes. During our time in formation, we have been instructed how to pray with the words of Scripture and we have cultivated its depths in our hearts through the daily recitation of the Psalms. Therefore, when we received the Scriptures in our hands that day, we were purposefully continuing the reception that informs every day of our lives. This lived continuity is further shown in the education that occupies our time here in Rome. All of us are now beginning to study the Scriptures intensively in our classes at the universities, and many of us are in the midst of learning the biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek.
The words we have heard throughout our youth are now being deeply illuminated by a faithful study of Scripture. Our classes are explicitly teasing out the biblical teaching we have heard from the moment of our baptism, when the words of life were spoken over our heads and we were anointed into Christ’s office of prophecy. Therefore, it is now our turn to hand down the Truth that we have received from others. Taking on the ministry of Lector is our chance to enter into the transmission of the Word that flows to every time and every place. While for now we may only read in a chapel at the seminary, we know that one day it will be from pulpits all over our country. Next year, we will begin
practicing homilies together in small groups, aware that very soon our homilies will no longer take place in front of only a few friends. Instead, they will instruct those Christians who sow the Gospel through faithfully living their own lives in the world. We therefore hope that our own ministry will be worthy of the lengthy tradition we have received. Perhaps we too will one day proclaim the Word to those who accept their own priestly vocation and follow in our steps. At least we hope, through the grace of God, to continue the biblical teaching that we received symbolically on our knees that day. We humbly ask that God’s Word be our strength and our light along the way. n
THIS FUTURE SEMINARIAN IS COUNTING ON
YOU.
Remembering the College in your will or estate plan is an excellent way to make sure America’s Seminary In Rome is able to serve seminarians and priests well into the next century. A variety of options are available, including Charitable Gift Annuities with attractive rates. Contact us today to learn more.
Mark Randall, CFRE Executive Director, Office of Institutional Advancement 202-541-5403 or mrandall@pnac.org
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Fr. John Cush ’98 (Brooklyn) teaches U.S. Church History in one of the NAC student classrooms.
U.S. Church History Coming Alive
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• • • •
BY JA M E S D OW N E Y ’ 1 9, D I O C E S E O F D E S M O I N E S
ne of the many classes we take on campus at the North American College is U.S. Church History. This class is important to our understanding of the unique history we share as Catholics in the United States and gives us the opportunity to engender greater appreciation to those
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who gave their lives for both God and country. Last December, the United States commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although that day lives in infamy, it also witnessed Fr. Aloysius Schmitt, a NAC alumnus, follow Christ as a priest, chaplain, and war hero: by laying down his life for his friends.
• • • •
In 1939, Fr. Aloysius requested to serve as a military chaplain and received his commission as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy.
Father Aloysius was born in St. Lucas, Iowa in 1909, the tenth and final child of the descendants of German immigrants. Growing up on his family’s farm, he showed a propensity towards the life of faith. This devotion eventually lead him to seminary, first in Iowa and then, in 1932, at the North American College in Rome. During his four years in the Eternal City, Schmitt witnessed the rise of Mussolini and Hitler. Fortunately, Fr. Aloysius was ordained to the priesthood in 1935 and returned to the Archdiocese of Dubuque before war closed the College’s doors in 1940. In 1939, Fr. Aloysius requested to serve as a military chaplain and received his commission as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy. By late 1941, he found himself assigned to the battleship U.S.S. Oklahoma to join up with the Pacific fleet in a bay on the south side of the island of O’ahu: Pearl Harbor. On December 7th, 1941, Fr. Aloysius had finished the ship’s morning Mass when air raid sirens fired up. Seconds
The infamous attack on Pearl Harbor left the U.S.S. Oklahoma devastated after several torpedoes struck it portside.
Few honors were spared in acknowledging Fr. Aloysius as a hero. He was posthumously awarded the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Bravery and a Purple Heart. A destroyer, as well as a chapel at his undergraduate alma mater, Loras College, were dedicated to his memory. A plaque at the North American College’s Mausoleum in Campo Verano also commemorates his sacrifice.
Fr. Aloysius Schmitt was ordained to the priesthood on December 8, 1935 and began serving as a military chaplain in 1939.
later, the Oklahoma was struck portside by a series of torpedoes. He and the men with him made for starboard as water flooded in through the Oklahoma’s pierced side, causing the battleship to begin to roll and capsize. They discovered a small porthole above the water line which they were able to squeeze out one man at a time. Father Aloysius stayed inside to help. When he was the last man left, he attempted his escape, but became stuck. Rather than spend precious seconds, he told the men to push him back in, because more sailors had made their way into the room behind him. Back inside, Fr. Aloysius continued helping men escape until the rising water submerged the room. He saved the lives of twelve men at the cost of his own.
Among the effects found in Naval recovery operations were Fr. Aloysius’s chalice and prayer book, still marked for the Immaculate Conception, his feast and anniversary of ordination. Until recently, however, the remains of an estimated 388 unidentified sailors, among them Fr. Aloysius Schmitt, could not be identified.
Fr. Aloysius continued helping men escape until the rising water submerged the room. He saved the lives of twelve men at the cost of his own. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Defense began a new effort to identify the Oklahoma’s crew using modern genetic techniques, and in September of 2016, Fr. Schmitt’s surviving family were informed that he had been found. In October, his remains returned to the Archdiocese of Dubuque and he was interred in the chapel at Loras College with full military honors. After seventy five years, Fr. Aloysius Schmitt was laid to rest. n
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An American Martyr W I L L I A M BA N OWS K Y ’ 1 9, A R C H D I O C E S E O F O K L A H O M A C I T Y
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or the faithful, the lives of the martyrs serve as an example of courage and faith. They serve as a reminder of God’s love and an example of giving your life for Him and others. Yet in the comparatively young history of the Church in the United States there had never been a recognized martyr born in the United States. So when on December 2nd of 2016 Pope Francis declared that Fr. Stanley Francis Rother, a priest and missionary from Oklahoma, had died a martyr, it was not just important for the Church in Oklahoma, but for all the faithful in the United States.
Fr. Stanley Rother is the first declared martyr to have be born in the United States.
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Fr. Rother was born in Okarche, Oklahoma in 1935 and died in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala on July 28, 1981. From farmer to priest, from missionary to martyr, Fr. Rother’s life is one that is an example for the faithful. In a special way, however, his life can also serve as a reminder of the special relationship that a pastor has for his flock. This is seen in his life, and in a 1980 letter in which he wrote, “The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” His life was dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of his people, even amidst political turmoil and violence in the country of Guatemala in the 70’s and 80’s, a time when many foreign priests were killed and whole dioceses abandoned due to the dangers. He helped build a hospital, supported the local Catholic radio, and helped to translate the New Testament into the local Mayan language, Tz'utujil. He is an example to priests and seminarians of an intense love and desire to serve. It was an intense love, not just for God but for His people. He had a shepherd’s heart. His love for his flock is something that should be admired and emulated. While forced to return to the United States in early 1981 with his name circulating as a target on a death list, he knew he needed to be with his people. So as Holy Week approached in 1981, he returned to Guatemala to celebrate the holy season with his flock. The shepherd could not
Photo Credit: Archives of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Fr. Stanley returned to Guatemala knowing the danger, famously writing, "The shepherd cannot run."
run, and he gave his life, bettering the physical, emotional, and spiritual lives of his people. His is a life that has served as an example and joy for many priests and seminarians in the state of Oklahoma. He was their martyr, their saint, someone to whom they could look for a life to emulate and from which to draw courage when it seemed that their struggles were too much. Now with great joy, they can share his life, that of the first martyr born in the United States, with the American church. Here is a martyr who can serve as an intercessor during struggles, a life that teaches a vital lesson about the central identity of the priest. Now the people of Oklahoma can share with the universal Church the life and lessons of the shepherd who did not run. n
Converts Studying in Rome DREW OLSON ’18 , DIOCESE OF MADISON
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ore than ten years ago, back in high school theology class, I was given a simple assignment to memorize eight verses from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen through nineteen. Memorizing this passage, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it,” changed my faith forever. From then on, that Rock grounded my faith. That foundation Christ laid in the apostle Peter led me, a Protestant, to conversion. A few years later, I entered the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Then that same Rock, buried among the stones beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica, led me as a seminarian, to Rome. It was here that Luther was scandalized by the decadence of Christ’s Church, but five hundred years later, I see only hope. Sin scandalized Luther when he arrived in Rome: sins of others, sins of “churchmen,” and his own sins as well. Luther’s formal separation from the Catholic Church five hundred years ago simply manifested that sin already existent in the hearts of man and the world. Sin separates, which is why the desire to overcome sin in my own life drew me naturally, or rather supernaturally, toward unity with Christ and His Church. The possibility of conversion in our own lives helps us view the world with hope. The Catholic Church gives us this hope by viewing man as redeemable not just exteriorly, but interiorly. Conversion
does not just mask my sinfulness, it heals it. Instead of scandal in Rome, my conversion helped me see hope. Hope for unity among all Christians. For nowhere else in the world can one experience greater Christian unity, not even in Jerusalem, the religiously divided city of our Lord’s Passion. Here, in Rome, Saint Peter’s Basilica, with its enormous size, seems to swell in order to make room for all Christians inside, and for those who may not fit, the arms the enormous colonnade reach out to embrace the rest. Here, in Rome, Christian unity takes physical visible flesh in the office of the papacy and the man who holds it. Here, in Rome, people from around the world come to celebrate the same single
sacrifice of the Mass in perhaps more languages than in any other city on the planet. Here, in Rome, I have found this hope through conversion, and have made it my prayer that our Christian family may no longer be divided. I would ask every Christian to join in this prayer over the course of this year. Healing our own hearts, reaching out to those in our own communities, and sharing the truth and joy of unity that we already know here in Rome are ways in which we can promote unity within the Christian faith. Every single one of us needs conversion to become more like Christ. Through our own interior conversion we can keep the hope alive that one day we may be one. n
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Mass of Thanksgiving in Rome R E V. J OS E P H G RA DY ’ 1 7, A R C H D I O C E S E O F D E N V E R
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hen a man is ordained a priest, the tradition is to say a first Mass the next day together with family and friends, usually at the newly ordained priest’s home parish. Of course, given different circumstances, not every first Mass is in a home parish, so the Church offers the opportunity to celebrate this Mass in any community of particular importance to the new priest. Unlike most of the seminarians at the NAC, I was a transfer student with a slightly different vocational path, which caused my ordination to be scheduled not in June, but rather on December 27th, 2016. While most seminarians took some time away from the College over Christmas break to relax from studies, I boarded a plane to Denver for a different mission. When I arrived in Rome, four years ago, I had lived in Denver all my life, and hardly knew a soul in the Eternal City. As I began to find my way in this new world, one place I landed was the parish community of Santa Maria alla Navicella, an eighth century basilica, built on a hill overlooking the Colosseum. The backdrop of the main altar has a Byzantine-style mosaic as old as the Church featuring Mary with the Child Jesus on her lap. Yet, despite this ancient setting, I quickly learned that the parish community was like any in America: a whirlwind of
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ordered the basilica be closed and placed in braces for the next six years to avoid damage to the ancient structure. So the parish community has packed itself up, and found a new home at San Pietro in Vincoli for its Sunday evening Mass, just on the other side of the Colosseum.
Santa Maria alla Navicella offers a thriving parish life that Fr. Joseph Grady has been a part of since his arrival in Rome.
people coming and going, and a schedule full of activities and friendly faces. Each week, I have the great joy of going to Santa Maria alla Navicella as part of our seminary apostolate program, working with the local youth group, helping with the community’s Mass on Saturday evenings, and sharing life. And so, returning to Rome as a priest, the first thing I wanted to do was celebrate a “first Mass” for what has now become my “home” parish. For years now, the city of Rome has been working on a new metro line, which, unfortunately, is now being built directly beneath Santa Maria. Last August, the city government
Coming back to Rome, though, and offering Mass at the new location for this community that I have come to know and love, I did not feel that I was missing out on anything. It may sound cliché, but it is true: the Church is not the structure, but the communion of people that lives and moves and has its being in a particular time and place. The Church is the continuation of the presence of Christ throughout history, and whether you’re in an eighth-century basilica, or a brand new parish in Denver, that presence continues in the same way. n
Fr. Joseph Grady offers a Mass of Thanksgiving in the ancient basilica.
Catholic Evangelization in the New America D O M I N I C RA N K I N ’ 1 8, D I O C E S E O F S P R I N G F I E L D I N I L L I N O I S
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he morning of November 9th, hours after the U.S. election results had rolled in, was a strange day to be attending class at a university in Italy. While we Americans were discussing the result with a mix of bewilderment and strained hope, the rest of the class was also raptly talking about the new president-elect of the United States. Some of them awkwardly congratulated us, not quite knowing if his election was good or bad, some debated the implications for their own countries and economies, and some inquired about where his election left the Church in our country. We could only guess at what the future held, and I think many of us are still in that boat, but our way forward as Catholic Americans isn’t nearly as obscure as what Trump’s presidency holds for our country. It was for this reason, and on this topic, that George Weigel addressed us less than a month later. Trump’s election, he began, gives the Church some breathing room to continue the fight for human dignity, and to uninhibitedly express her faith in her works and services. However, his winning our election was a “reaction, not a renewal.” In other words, today the foundations of a true, good, and human, culture or country (that moral truths can be known by reason and revelation, that man has an inherent instinct for justice, that the state exists to serve society, not vice versa, and that only virtuous people can be truly be free) continues to be eroded and attacked. Trump’s election
George Weigel giving a fall lecture at the North American College
doesn’t signal a reversal in that movement but rather a misguided reaction in line with the anthropological root of all this cultural unraveling; the assumption that man is merely the sum of his individual wishes, “a twitching bundle of desires.” Having exposed the problem, we Christians are then pointed towards our answer to this “cultural tsunami”, and it is quite simply the New Evangelization, to be, in the words of Pope Francis, a Church “permanently on mission.” Our culture no longer transmits the faith, therefore we must be all-in Catholics, or not at all. Every Christian at the moment of their baptism – a date we would do well to know and cherish – is tasked to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel,” therefore that date, and every day following, requires us to see the entirety of our lives as mission territory, as places where we must
bring Christ. And where do we find the strength and courage to do that? In our baptism itself, in the sacrament of reconciliation – which empowers us to face our failures and begin again, above all in the Eucharist – our daily “food for the journey,” nourishing us for that constant counter-cultural and cultural-transforming life. Christ has made us into God’s children, liberating us from sin and uniting us in truth, hope, and love, as members of His body. Our baptismal vocation is precisely to bring all into Christ’s fold, into unity and eternity with Him. In centering our own lives on Christ, we find the answer to the questions that continue to surround a Trump presidency. For if we live for Christ, we are witnesses to the truth, thereby challenging and inspiring our culture towards it, bringing about the conversion of our world no matter the odds, setting, or current political situation. n ROMAN ECHOES 2017 • VOLUME 21: ISSUE 2
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Snapshots
Seminarian Justin Golna ’20 (Wheeling-Charleston), offers a toast at this year’s Immaculate Conception banquet.
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Deacon Kevin Valle Diaz ’17 (Newark) and seminarians Martin Amaro ’19 (Little Rock) and Jeff Hebert ’18 (Little Rock), pose for a photo at the NAC’s annual Oktoberfest party.
Fifth-year and Casa Santa Maria priests, faculty, and seminarians celebrate Mass for All Souls Day at Campo Verano, a large Italian cemetery, where the NAC has a mausoleum.
From left: Joseph Furnaguera ’18 (Newark), Fr. Peter Harman ’99, Rector (Springfield in Illinois), Archbishop Patron Wong, the Vatican Secretary for Seminaries, and Billy Burdier ’18 (Providence), pose next an image Our Lady during the Immaculate Conception banquet.
NAC seminarians attending the Pontifical Gregorian University sing Christmas carols for the staff and students after classes.
The Pontifical North American College
Seminarians Alan Martineau ’18 (Worcester), Jesus Mariscal ’18 (Yakima) and Joseph Squillacioti ’18 (Orange) hand out gifts during the NAC’s annual Christmas party.
Seminarians pose after the annual Thanksgiving Morning ‘Turkey Trot’ 5K. From left: Tim Mergen ’20 (Madison), Dennis Nakkeeran ’20 (Boston), Joseph Hastings ’20 (Memphis), Will Frei ’20 (Charleston), Scott Miller ’20 (Sioux Falls) Joseph Caraway ’20 (Lake Charles), Patrick Augustine ’20 (Washington), Ivan Torres ’20 (Las Cruces) and Jonathan Fincher ’20 (Tulsa).
Fifth year priests sing a parody of the 60’s song “Hit the Road Jack” for Thanksgiving dinner entertainment. From left: Fr. Sean Grismer ’16 (Rockford), Fr. Garrett Ahlers ’16 (New Ulm), Fr. David Kidd ’16 (Toledo), Fr. Joseph Hamilton ’16 (Sydney), Fr. Paul Haverstock ’16 (St. Paul and Minneapolis) and Fr. Robert Boxie ’16 (Washington).
Seminarians face off during the Spaghetti Bowl football game between the ‘new men’ and the ‘old men’ during Thanksgiving weekend.
The NAC choir led by their director Leon Griesbach perform for faculty, students and guests during the NAC’s annual Advent concert.
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(Left to Right) Rector Fr. Peter Harman ’99 (Springfield in Illinois) Maria Soggiu, Anna Sirocchi, Lory Mondaini, and Vice Rector for Seminary Life Fr. Brian Christensen ’99 (Rapid City). inset clockwise Lory Mondaini, Maria Soggiu, and Anna Sirocchi
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Coworkers in the Lord’s Vineyard
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JOSEPH BOUSTANY ’19, DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE he process of seminary formation, in its essence, is a very beautiful dichotomy. On the one hand, it is very complex—there are many moving parts. On the other hand, however, it is very routine—it consists of the same basic schedule and structure each day. Priestly formation can become so routine, in fact, that the seminary institution becomes something like a home and the daily schedule becomes a way of life naturally flowing from a man’s deep love of Christ. It would be a pity, however, if seminary life were so routine that one failed to acknowledge the underlying structure that made it possible. Since 1984, Lory Mondaini has been working in the Office of the Rector at the Pontifical North American College as the rector’s secretary. With her in the rector’s office are Anna Sirocchi and Maria Soggiu, both of whom worked in the College’s business office prior to assuming their current roles six and eight years ago, respectively. By the world’s standards, the daily tasks of these ladies are ordinary: correspondence, seminarian paperwork, planning and assisting with the annual Rector’s Dinner, etc.
By the Church’s standards, however, Lory, Anna, and Maria carry out invaluable work, assisting in the Lord’s mission to gain good and holy priests. “When I first started working in the rector’s office, I thought that I would just be flipping through paperwork,” says Maria, “but after some time, I realized that underlying each piece of paper is a soul. Thus, I am not just working with paper; I am working with souls.” The North American College secretaries are not only secretaries; they are essential parts in the preparation of priests for the Kingdom of God.
I thought that I would just be flipping through paperwork,” says Maria, “but after some time, I realized that underlying each piece of paper is a soul. Thus, I am not just working with paper; I am working with souls.” The mission of priestly formation is, without a doubt, a noble mission. It is a mission that is absolutely essential to the life of the Church. In speaking with each of the ladies, I immediately perceived their great humility and faithfulness. “I am not directly
completing the mission of the College,” said Anna. “I play only a small part in the mission, but it is a mission that I believe in.” Be it large or small, the role that these ladies play at the College is of utmost importance. They truly help to fulfill the College’s mission. In my opinion, however, I believe (and I pray) that this fulfillment is a two-way street—not only do they fulfill the mission of priestly formation through their work, but they are also fulfilled by their work. Thus, I concluded my conversation with Lory, Anna, and Maria with this question: “How are you fulfilled by your work here at the North American College?” The answers were clear. “Completely”, Anna responded. Maria expressed similar sentiments, saying, “I can feel the presence and the intervention of the Holy Spirit. There is a spirit of love and care. The NAC is not just another business. It is something bigger.” Finally, Lory reflected on her time at the College: “Over the course of thirty-three years, a lot has changed. What has stayed the same? The quality of guys. And I truly feel like a mother to them.” To Lory, Anna, and Maria: The Pontifical North American College family thanks you for your selfless and loyal dedication to the Lord’s work in priestly formation. Ad multos annos! n
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BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY
Fr. Ron Barusefski celebrates the Divine Liturgy every Saturday, giving students an opportunity to attend the sacred rite. inset Students gather to participate in the universality of the Church in a unique way.
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Orientale Lumen
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J OS E P H S I G U R ’ 1 9, D I O C E S E O F B E AU M O N T
he appointment of the Very Rev. Ronald Barusefski to the faculty of the College in Spring of 2016 has presented its students with a unique opportunity. A priest of the Ruthenian Catholic Church, Fr. Barusefski began celebrating the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at the College immediately upon his arrival. A weekly Divine Liturgy, celebrated on Saturday mornings and other important feast days of the Byzantine calendar, was inaugurated on the Feast of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God (Pokrov), October 1, 2016. Since its inauguration, dozens of seminarians at the College have experienced first-hand the Byzantine liturgy as it is celebrated by some 160,000 Eastern Catholics in the United States alone, heeding the call of the Second Vatican Council that the “rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern Churches should be known, venerated, preserved and cherished by all” (Unitatis Redintegratio, 15). The weekly celebration of the Divine Liturgy here at the College offers seminarians a privileged glance into the rich spiritual, liturgical, and theological tradition of the Christian East, ripe as it is with the theology of the Fathers, Scriptural allusions, and
liturgical hymns written by some of the greatest Byzantine hymnographers. The beauty of the liturgical chants, the fragrance of incense, and the icons of the saints draw the worshipper, body and spirit, into that participation in Trinitarian life which is the end of all Christian worship. By participation in the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, we are nourished by that tradition which is an integral part of the heritage of Christ’s Church.
An iconostasis now stands in the North American Martyrs chapel, symbolically linking heaven and earth.
This experience of the Divine Liturgy leads to a deeper understanding of the universality of the Church and all of her various rites. The liturgy bears witness to the faith of those Eastern Catholic Churches, like the Ruthenian Catholic Church, who as St. John Paul II points out, “in entering into catholic communion, did not at all intend to deny their fidelity to their own tradition, to which they have borne
The weekly celebration of the Divine Liturgy here at the College offers seminarians a privileged glance into the rich spiritual, liturgical, and theological tradition of the Christian East, ripe as it is with the theology of the Fathers, Scriptural allusions, and liturgical hymns written by some of the greatest Byzantine hymnographers. witness down the centuries with heroism and often by shedding their blood” (Orientale Lumen, 21). Esteem for and admiration of the Byzantine liturgy not only promotes communion with the Eastern Catholic Churches, but also encourages us future ministers of the Gospel to strive for the same Eucharistic communion with the Orthodox Churches. Although we are not currently in visible communion with the Orthodox, encountering the Byzantine liturgy can make us desire all the more deeply that all of us who partake in the Heavenly Mysteries may be granted “unity in the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit” (Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom). n
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The new college begins to take shape, completed in only five years.
The American College in Rome, 1955-1979 • • • •
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BY R E V. M S G R . ST E P H E N D I G I OVA N N I ’ 7 7, C ’ 8 3, D I O C E S E O F B R I D G E P O RT
he Pontifical North American College was born of the Church’s mission to share the riches of Christ and his Catholic Church to everyone on the planet, even to the wilds of the mid-19th century United States. Blessed Pope Pius IX expressed his idea to do just that by establishing a national American seminary in Rome,
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which he mentioned in a letter to Archbishop John Hughes of New York on New Year’s Day, 1855. The pope had great hopes for the Church in the United States. Under siege throughout Europe, and especially in Italy, Pius IX sensed the devotion, enthusiasm and promise of the Americans and the United States that could provide a
• • • •
At the very moment the Council began, the popular thought expressed in much of the Catholic and secular press was that a new American post-conciliar Church required a new priesthood.
safe haven for the Church. That same enthusiasm found expression again after World War II, with the dedication of the new seminary building on the Janiculum. Aggiornamento on the Hill of Janus is the history of the North American College during the subsequent years of 1955-1979. It compliments the lengthier history written by Father Robert McNamara and published in 1956: The American College in Rome, 1859-1955. This is the study of one seminary—the premier American seminary. The policies and programs designed and employed at the North American College influenced seminary formation programs in Rome, throughout United States, and the world before and after the Second Vatican Council. Those programs planted the seeds of the American Catholic Church of today.
The three decades covered by this study were socially and religiously contentious years in the United States. At the very moment the Council began, the popular thought expressed in much of the Catholic and secular press was that a new American post-conciliar Church required a new priesthood. The essence and work of that new priesthood was unclear. Neither was there any clear picture or guidance to devise a seminary program that could create such a new priesthood. The social and cultural movements of the time strongly influenced the young men entering the seminary, while the majority of the faculty members at the College were trained and ordained prior to or during the Council. There developed a disconnect between many of the seminarians and the priests assigned to form them. Aggiornamento on the Hill of Janus includes many long quotations taken
Bishop Martin J. O'Connor inspects the construction of the new college, built to house over 300 seminarians in single rooms.
from student and faculty writings, as well as from Vatican and American Church documents of the time germane to the College and to the formation of seminary programs. I thought it good to offer some basic summaries and descriptive narratives, but better to provide the opportunity for students, faculty, prelates, Vatican officials, religious sisters, and alumni of the North American College to express their thoughts in their own words, both during the period of this study, and today. Naturally, there is a certain “inside baseball” quality to this book, a fascinating study of one moment in the life of the American Church. It is the story of the American College and the Church in a changing world, striving to remain faithful to Christ and to His Vicar on earth, as described on the façade of the College: The young men who have come here from the distant shores of America, looking upon the Vatican Hill, strengthen their faith and love for the Roman Pontiff. n
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Institute for Continuing Theological Education
The College has been called home by countless priests who have been formed to the priestly heart of Jesus, some of whom have returned to continue that formation through the ICTE sabbatical program.
NAC Alumnus Continues Theological Education
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• • • •
BY R E V. PAU L R U T T E N ’ 0 2 I C T E ’ 1 6, D I O C E S E O F S I O U X FA L L S
few years ago, a priest in my diocese asked if had thought about taking a sabbatical, since I had just celebrated my 10th anniversary of ordination. He had come back from the Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE) at the Pontifical North
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American College and noted how beneficial it was to his ministry as a priest. Having studied at the NAC from 1998-2002, I was familiar with the ICTE program, but wasn’t sure I wanted to go back for it. I did a little research for other sabbatical
• • • •
There is nothing like kneeling in the tomb of our Lord and thanking Him for the gift of His life, death and resurrection and the opportunity to share in His priesthood.
programs, but every time found myself comparing these with what I knew of the NAC and life in Rome. The clincher was when I heard from Fr. Mike Wensing, a former ICTE director, about the ICTE residence at Casa O’Tool and how the program has evolved over the years. The ICTE program, like life at the NAC, provides an incredible opportunity to meet priests from around the world, while living in the heart of the Catholic Church. As I reflect on my time here, I am grateful for that priest’s suggestion and for Fr. James Sullivan’s direction of the program. I will also cherish the new priest friends I have made during these weeks. During the Year of Mercy, we went to the Holy Land to see the incredible holy sites while also interacting with beneficiaries of Catholic Relief Services. There is nothing like kneeling in the tomb of our Lord and thanking Him for the gift of His Life, death and Resurrection and the opportunity to share in His Priesthood. I also found myself back in Siena as we toured the various Gothic churches of Italy. I had studied Italian there as a New Man, and returning to that magnificent city gave me an opportunity to reflect on how God’s Providence has guided my life and will continue to do so. Of course, anyone can go to these holy places for rest and relaxation, but a sabbatical is more than just getting away. This is where the ICTE program is so essential. For many of us, our priesthood presents
The Casa O'Toole houses the priests who come to Rome to study and rediscover the breadth and beauty of the Catholic faith.
Australia and New Zealand reminded me of the broad spectrum and beauty of our faith. Being able to spend time with other priests, sharing the joys and struggles of the priesthood, is priceless. And having the privilege of concelebrating Mass with Pope Francis was a gift to be cherished for years to come. I was able to return to many of the churches I grew to love as a seminarian and offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in gratitude for all I have been given. Fr. James Sullivan, O.P. is the director of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education.
only a narrow view of the Church based on our assignments and our dioceses. Coming together with men from around the United States,
For those who have the opportunity to take a sabbatical and might be hesitant, I would encourage you to consider the ICTE program. You will be given a renewed appreciation for the gift that is our Catholic faith, lived so tangibly here in the Eternal City. n
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Casa Santa Maria
The priests of the Casa stand with Archbishop Patrón Wong, the Vatican Secretary for Seminaries.
House of Formation
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• • • •
BY R E V. J OS H E H L I ’ 0 9 C ’ 1 5, D I O C E S E O F B I S M A R C K
he Casa Santa Maria, or the “House on Humility Street,” as it is affectionately known, has sometimes had the reputation of being a place to eat and sleep. Admittedly, at times during its illustrious 400-year history that has been the case: Napoleon’s officers and horses, exhausted from the campaign through Italy, likely found respite
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under her arcades. Almost two millennia earlier, according to one legend, the Roman convicts inhabiting the “Prison of Virgil” beneath the Casa would have had little more to do than eat and sleep. There also was a brief period of time during World War II when orphans found much-needed food and shelter under Our Lady of Humility’s watchful eye.
• • • •
The new residents of the Casa Santa Maria gather for orientation meetings at the beginning of the year.
Colorful history aside, though, today’s Casa residents find much more than lodging. The House on Humility Street is a place of ongoing formation and fraternity for priests of Jesus Christ who are pursuing graduate studies in the Eternal City. Originally designed as a convent for noble women, the Casa has retained a sacred end ever since, passing through the hands of Dominican and Visitation Sisters before becoming a home to American (and now, happily, other) seminarians and clergy. It was the main seminary building for the Pontifical North American College’s first hundred years, and for the last fifty years it has been a home for priest students.
Originally designed as a convent for noble women, the Casa has retained a sacred end ever since, passing through the hands of Dominican and Visitation Sisters.
The Casa Santa Maria class of 2017
Today, the ongoing formation of priests unfolds in the halls, refectory, and chapels. While maintaining a spirit of prayerfulness and scholarship, the Casa also presents priests the opportunity and challenge of fraternal community. Living with a wide diversity of brother priests develops relational flexibility. Casa resident priests are also drawn to grow in virtues like priestly discipline and self-care. A flexible schedule allows a priest to set his own daily routine, while challenging him to make time for what is essential to his holiness, and to be accountable to himself, to his brothers, and to the Lord. All these virtues are a significant benefit when Casa priests return to their respective dioceses.
In harmony with its origins, the Casa is home to three wonderful communities of religious women who dedicate themselves to the service of the Church in various ways. This gives Casa priests the chance to labor in integral complementarity with some of our greatest coworkers in the Lord’s vineyard. The formative environment of the House on Humility Street finds a fitting place in the Church’s vision for priestly formation. The new Ratio fundamentalis, the Holy See’s guide for priestly formation, places great emphasis on the importance of human formation and fraternal accompaniment, as well as a renewed emphasis on ongoing formation. At the Casa Santa Maria, both newly ordained and veteran priests can grow in holiness and priestly identity by drawing encouragement, affirmation, strength, wisdom, zeal and even fraternal correction from one another. The priests of the Casa receive not only a place to eat and sleep, but to be ever more authentically configured to the High Priest, Jesus Christ. n
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The 2017 Alumni Reunion
SAVE -theDATE!
will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
June 20-22, 2017.
Invitations have already been mailed, but more information including hotel information and event highlights can be found at pnacalumni.org ROMAN ECHOES 2017 • VOLUME 21: ISSUE 2
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One New Year: Two New Podcasts R E V. G R EG G E R H A RT ’ 1 6, D I O C E S E O F AU ST I N
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Bible in a Year is a daily podcast designed to allow listeners to read the whole Bible in one year. In cooperation with Baronius Press, who gave permission to use the Knox Bible for this project, forty seminarians and priests from the NAC began recording each book of the Bible in Lent of 2016. Now, the podcast is well underway. Each seminarian or priest introduces himself as the reader of the book and then introduces the book itself by reading an excerpt from Inside the Bible, by Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J., to give the listener a historical and theological context for the book. The project has been endorsed by Cardinals Wuerl, Pell, Sarah, Tagle, and Nichols, who see the project as a response to Pope Francis’s encouragement in an Angelus address to read the Word of God by any means: “You can carry the whole Bible on your mobile phone, on your tablet. It is important to read the Word of God, by any means, but by reading the Word of God: Jesus speaks to us there!” This
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Catholic Bytes podcast, still publishing new episodes on Mondays and Wednesdays, listeners can now deepen their understanding of the Faith every day of the week. Catholic Bytes: 60 Seconds is available for download at www.catholicbytespodcast.com. iStock.com
n New Year’s Day, 2017, seminarians, student priests, and alumni of the North American College took up the challenge of the popes of the last fifty years, who, in their World Communications Day addresses, urged the Church to employ the new media in service of the Gospel by publishing two new podcasts.
Bible in a Year and Catholic Bytes: 60 Seconds are two new podcasts offered through catholicbytes.com.
is the only podcast of its kind, and you can sign up to receive these daily readings at www.catholicbytes.com. While seminarians and student priests were at work recording the Bible in Rome, several alumni of the NAC were also at work preparing a new catechetical podcast for the New Year – Catholic Bytes: 60 Seconds. Five of the most popular speakers from the original Catholic Bytes podcast have set out to make the excuse, “I just don’t have time to study the faith,” a thing of the past. Now published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, listeners can hear Frs. Conrad Murphy and Alec Scott from Washington D.C., Fr. Tim Furlow from Portland, Fr. Llane Briese from Atlanta, and Fr. Richard Hinkley from Houston distill 2,000 years of the Church’s tradition, history, and theology into sixty second gems. In addition to the original
The media through which the world interacts will always be changing, but the need of the human heart for the love of God remains the same. The desire to speak to the hearts of men and women today – in an avenue where they are listening and in a way that they can understand – inspired these new podcasts, and it has also borne the fruit of several other new media initiatives now available at www.catholiccastmedia.com. Check them out for yourself, and help us to spread the word about the ever ancient, ever new love of God! n
The latest news and photos from Rome. Over 10,000 fans and counting – join us!
Economo’s Corner Religious Charisms in Service to Priestly Formation R E V. K E R RY A B B OT T, O F M CO N V. , I C T E ' 1 4
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ne of the blessings we hope comes with reading the Roman Echoes is a glimpse not only into the North American College student communities in Rome (seminarians and priest-students on “the Hill” and at the Casa Santa Maria, as well as priests on sabbatical at the Casa O’Toole), but also a view into the work of the many lay staff members, diocesan clergy and women and men religious working together to build the Kingdom of God. These women and men labor tirelessly (and often unseen) to ensure that the College continues to provide a solid, orthodox, whole-person formation program. All the daily tasks associated with keeping the lights on, water flowing, and 400+ meals served, support the prayer-centered formation program which is the heart and soul of the College. In another article in this issue you will read about some of our lay staff: incredible professional women of faith without whom we could not provide a world-class experience for our students and guests. They are rarely in the spotlight, but are surely some of our brightest stars. My last few articles have mentioned our ongoing and never-ending building repair work (including the
recent rupture of two water lines), the multi-million dollar construction projects both at the seminary (our new gymnasium) and at the Casa Santa Maria (infrastructure and accommodations renovation). In this issue, with my heartfelt gratitude to our many generous benefactors, I would like to share my own testimony of what it means to me as a Franciscan to be privileged to serve at the College. To be sure, it is inspiring to cooperate in the formation of hundreds of remarkable men, striving to hear God’s voice in the midst of their prayer, studies, athletic adventures, apostolates, and interpersonal relationships. They are discerning the call to be God’s vanguard in our parishes. But how does a religious fit into a diocesan formation program? As a Franciscan, I am keenly aware of St. Francis’s example of love for the Eucharist and the parish priests who he knew made Holy Communion possible for the flocks they tended. He spent countless hours assisting diocesan clergy in their care of souls, as he cared for theirs. I believe St. Francis was well attuned to what today we call diocesan priestly spirituality: God’s call to His priests to be profoundly and lovingly grounded in the Gospel, and in the
land, life, and people of their dioceses, in union with their bishop. Our faculty and staff include five Carmelites, three Dominicans, three Jesuits, two Religious Sisters of Mercy, one Benedictine and five Franciscans. We bring the spiritualties of our founders and the charisms of our religious communities to the College in order to work with our Rector, Fr. Harman, and our diocesan priest faculty in forming diocesan priests in the image of Jesus Christ. What a privilege…and none of this would be possible without your faith-filled prayers and support. As we strive to care for our buildings, finances, and personnel, I cannot help see in them tangible evidence of your faith and prayers. Thank you! n
ROMAN ECHOES 2017 • VOLUME 21: ISSUE 2
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Institutional Advancement From the Student Perspective MARK RANDALL, CFRE • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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n addition to securing investment in our mission through fundraising, part of the mission of the Office of Institutional Advancement is to connect you – our benefactors, alumni, and friends – with the actual students studying in Rome. With over 300 seminarians and student priests as part of our community, there are many stories to share. And countless examples of why there is so much hope in the future of the priesthood. Our efforts are often aided by the students themselves, who are eager to share their experiences. Moreover, many of them have extraordinary talents that they bring to these efforts, such as writing, photography, technology, organizational planning, and of course, an amazing commitment to their vocation. This magazine is a good example. A group of seminarians work throughout the year to produce the quarterly issues. They write the articles, provide photographs, work with our graphic
designer, and so on. Their first-hand accounts of what is happening at the College, or their own personal journeys to the priesthood are genuine and provide a glimpse of their lives in the Eternal City. For 25 years, students have also been largely responsible for the execution of the annual Rector’s Dinner. While every student has a role during the evening of the event, it is a core team of captains or Capi, who work for months with the OIA and the staff in Rome to plan the Dinner. Attending the Rector’s Dinner (or spending any amount of time with our students on campus here in Rome) highlights the joy of our students, and why your contributions are so worthwhile. Which brings me to April 27, 2017: the 25th annual Rector’s Dinner! As many of you know, the Dinner provides the opportunity for us to welcome and thank our many benefactors and friends for their support throughout the year, to celebrate our mission, and to recognize
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those who have made extraordinary contributions to the College and the Catholic Church as a whole. We are delighted this year to honor former rector, Bishop James Checchio ’92, C’97, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Robert Weber of Hobe Sound, FL.
I hope you are able to join us for the special anniversary celebration, or to participate by offering a congratulatory acknowledgment in our Rector’s Album. Details are available on our website at www.pnac.org/rectorsdinner.
The students we serve today, and those we will serve in the future are themselves the good news we wish to share. I hope you will take advantage of drawing closer to their journey to the priesthood by reading every issue of this magazine, following our Facebook page, or even reaching out to a current seminarian from your parish or diocese. I know they will greatly appreciate your encouragement, prayers and continued financial support. n
NAC-WEAR NOW AVAILABLE! A new collection of polos, sweatshirts, jackets and more features the College coat of arms. Funds raised from the sale of these good benefit the Student Activities Committee (STUAC) – a group who organizes initiatives to enhance the student community within the College. The products can be viewed and ordered via our website: www.pnac.org/shop 38
The Pontifical North American College
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PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE RECTOR’S AWARD 1991
Cardinal William Baum Amb. William Wilson
1993
Catholic Daughters of America
Help us celebrate a quarter century of honoring distinguished friends of the Pontifical North American College at the 25th Annual Rector’s Dinner, Thursday, April 27, 2017
1994
Mr. William & Mrs. Joyce Ahrens
1995
Sir Virgil Dechant
1996
Cardinal James Hickey
1997
Cardinal John O’Connor
1998
Cardinal Pio Laghi Sir Daniel Donohue
1999
Cardinal Edmund Szoka
2000
Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy
2001
Cardinal Bernardin Gantin Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien
2002
Cardinal William Keeler Dr. James B. & Mrs. Joan C. Peter
2003
Cardinal James Francis Stafford Mr. Gregory C. & Mrs. Linda Jewell
2004
Archbishop John P. Foley Ambassador Thomas P. & Dr. Margaret B. Melady
2006
Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Avvocato Franco & Contessa Anna Maria Carolei
2007
Cardinal William Levada Mr. Paul & Mrs. Paulette Kardos
2008
Supreme Knight Carl A. & Mrs. Dorian Anderson
2009
25 th Annual Rector’s Dinner
Cardinal Justin Rigali Honorable R. James & Mrs. Suzanne Nicholson
2010
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan Honorable Francis & Mrs. Kathleen Rooney
2011
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke Mr. James & Mrs. Miriam Mulva
2012
Most. Rev. James F. Checchio 92, C’97, Bishop of Metuchen & Former Rector
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Weber, Hobe Sound, FL
2017 Rector’s Award Honorees For information on the dinner, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mark Randall at 202-541-5403 or mrandall@pnac.org
Cardinal Donald Wuerl Mr. John & Mrs. JoEllen Stollenwerk
2013
Cardinal Marc Ouellet Mr. Ken & Mrs. Karen Kenworthy
2014
Cardinal James Harvey Mr. Scott & Mrs. Lannette Turicchi
2015
Cardinal George Pell Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Baker
2016
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò Mr. Timothy & Mrs. Steph Busch
The Pontifical North American College Office of Institutional Advancement 3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20017-1194 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED1
For more information about the Pontifical North American College, subscription questions, or to learn about ways you can financially support “America’s Seminary in Rome,” please contact Mark Randall, CFRE, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement. Tel: (202) 541-5411 Fax: (202) 722-8804 Email: pnacdc@pnac.org Website: www.pnac.org “Like” The Pontifical North American College on Facebook to keep up with the latest photos, news, and events from our campuses in Rome. Fr. Harman leads the men in prayer before the annual Spaghetti Bowl tournament.
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The Pontifical North American College
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