Roman Echoes 2019 – Volume 23, Issue 4

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VOLUME 23: ISSUE 4

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

On the Blessings of 2018-2019 SPECIAL SECTION: 2018-2019 Annual Report 11 Annual Report 32 House Jobs 34 Battle of the Bands 36 Rev. Robert Y. Blyman

Contents 32 18 Features 6 Faculty Departures

11 Annual Report

A Review of the Past Year

29 Climbing the Holy Steps 30 Science and Theology

32 House Jobs

34 Battle of the Bands 35 Classical Concert

36 In Memoriam Rev. Robert Y. Blyman

37 Holy Week in Poland

Seminarian Jobs at NAC

We are pleased to introduce our 2018-19 Annual Report. This is an effort to share with you, our readers, an overview of the past academic year. It was an amazing year, full of challenges and blessings. Thank you for your continued support and your help through prayer. May God bless you!

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37 35 Updates 5 Rector’s Corner 8 Snapshots

10 NAC Voices 39 Institutional Advancement 31 ICTE 38 Economo's Corner

From the Editor

Let us pray God gives us gratitude for the blessings received, as well as fortitude for the challenges of another year of our Lord!

Time is a notoriously thorny philosophical concept, which we measure in all sorts of sentimental and practical ways. Among the more practical ways are calendars, though no one calendar is sufficient. This year’s academic calendar meant that the College’s Closing Mass and Banquet fell on the eve of Pope St. Gregory VII’s feast in the liturgical calendar. Visiting his remains in the year 2018 of our Gregorian calendar (named for a later Pope), I was struck by the famous words inscribed below his remains: “Dilexi iustitiam et odivi iniquitatem propterea morior in exilio” (I loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile). A bit somber, yes, but awesomely resilient, especially considering the glorious legacy that medieval saint left us. As we take leave of one class and prepare to welcome the New Men, let us pray God gives us gratitude for the blessings received, as well as fortitude for the challenges of another year of our Lord!

Nathanael Anderson, '20 Archdiocese of Washington, Editor-in-Chief

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Contributors EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nathanael Anderson '20, Archdiocese of Washington MANAGING EDITOR Nathaniel Glenn '20, Diocese of Phoenix ASSISTANT EDITOR Seth Lemaire '21, Diocese of Lafayette LAYOUT & DESIGN EDITOR Andy DeRouen '20, Diocese of Lake Charles ASSISTANT LAYOUT & DESIGN EDITOR Madison Hayes '21, Archdiocese of Anchorage

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. Adam Y. Park ‘05 ACADEMIC DEAN AND ROMAN ECHOES FACULTY LIAISON Rev. John P. Cush ’98, C’15 SUPERIOR, CASA SANTA MARIA Rev. James J. Conn, SJ DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION Rev. Edward Linton, OSB 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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LEFT: Madison Hayes ’21 (Anchorage) had an opportunity during his Christmas travels to take a picture and say a prayer to Our Lady of Paris in the Notre Dame Cathedral before the devastating fire.

Rector’s Corner Much to be done this summer!

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hope this finds you enjoying summer. Most of us relish this time of year. It is time to be outside, it is a time for vacation and relaxation. It is a time to reunite with family and friends. It is a time that we look forward to each year.

While summer brings some longed-for break, it is not without its important activity for our men and our house.

You might assume that since the seminarians are not in formation at the Seminary campus or in residence at the Casa Santa Maria as of this writing, that not much is going on with our North American College family, but that is not the case this summer.

On our campuses, work which we cannot do during the year must take place now. And there is much to be done this summer! A large project to replace the roof and drainage on one of the wings of the Janiculum building is well underway, as is a project to strengthen the outer wall of the Southeast corner of our campus which over the years has leaned inward significantly. While that might be quaint for a tower in Pisa, it must be fixed to secure our property!

Our students who have finished their second and third years of formation are currently in the United States, most of them in parishes in their home dioceses. These experiences put them in touch with the environment in

which they will, please God, minister for the rest of their lives. These summers, in addition to offering the joy of being “at home” again after a long time, are crucial confirmations that God is calling them to be a priest and to be at work in His vineyard.

Please join me in praying that these are fruitful months of pastoral experiences for them and that God confirms their vocation with the people they encounter.

Our men who have finished their first year with us are in apostolic assignments in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Holy Land. They are involved in missionary work, parish life, language study and assisting pilgrims. This summer provides a unique opportunity and opens their understanding of the larger world and the Church’s work in it.

Over forty young men are getting excited to come to Rome and will soon begin Italian language study in Assisi, Siena or Verbania. This is quite an exciting time, and I urge you to pray that they know peace as they take up a new chapter in their lives, a long way from home, seeking to serve the Lord in his Church. May God grant them safety and peace of soul as we welcome them to our home.

Our most recent priests, finishing their seminary training or graduate studies

in Rome are just now beginning their new assignments in their dioceses.

We wish them well, and we have confident trust that their experiences as a part of our family here have prepared them well to serve Christ and his Church in joyful, faithful witness to the Gospel.

So, while it is summer, it is still full of activity. In the midst of it all is still some well-deserved time for rest and relaxation for students, faculty and staff alike. I hope that the summer includes this for you and your family as well. All of this activity is possible only because friends like yourself see the value in training priests and future priests at the heart of the Church in Rome. Your generous support allows us to assure that the work we are about moves forward!

Blessed Summer,

Very Reverend Peter C. Harman, STD ’99, Rector

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Departing Faculty This year the community of the Pontifical North American College will say goodbye to some of the priests and sisters who have made this seminary a true house of formation, as well as a welcoming home base for visiting Americans in the heart of Rome. We send our prayers with them as they begin their new assignments in God’s vineyards.

From Left to Right: Rev. John McDonald '07 (Birmingham), Rev. Daniel Hanley '05 (Arlington), and Msgr. Fernando Berardi '77 (New York) enjoy a quick picture together immediately before the 2019 Closing Mass and Banquet.

Msgr. Fernando Berardi

Rev Msgr. Fernando Berardi, ’77, Archdiocese of New York served as the Superior of the Casa Santa Maria from 2014 to 2019. We are very grateful for his years of service to the College and we wish him the very best of luck and our prayers as he moves to his next assignment as pastor of the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament in Staten Island, which was the location of his very first assignment after his ordination!

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Rev. Daniel Hanley

Rev. Daniel Hanley, ‘05, Diocese of Arlington, served the College as the Director of Admissions from 2014 to 2019. His passion for seminary formation and zeal for the priesthood will be missed in the College community. Upon his return to his diocese, he will spend time working full-time on his dissertation for his doctoral degree in the field of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas while in residence at Saint Rose of Lima Priests' Retirement Villa in Annandale, Virginia.

Rev. John McDonald

Rev. John McDonald, ’07, Diocese of Birmingham, served as the Carl J. Peter Chair of Homiletics during his time at the College, from 2016-2019.

His many stories and southern hospitality will be missed by many at the College as he returns back to his diocese to serve as the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Anniston, Alabama, which has a large school that serves students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade in high school.

Rev. Lawrence P. Herrera, SJ

Rev. Lawrence P. Herrera, SJ (Society of Jesus, California Province) has been an integral part of this seminary community since 2012. Serving as a Spiritual Director. Fr. Herrera has also given tremendously to the College as a professor of Classical and Biblical Languages for classes accredited by the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. We will always be grateful for his spirited conversations, his learned ways, and his colorful homilies. Fr. Herrera will return to California for priestly ministry closer to his family.

From Left to Right: After their joyful years of service Sisters Mary Christa Nutt, Sean Marie Striby, and Gianna Marie Savidge receive some words of gratitude, as well as a few bouquets of flowers hidden behind Fr. Harman.

Sister Mary Christa Nutt, RSM

The glint of warm sunlight coming through the window is a sign that Fr. Herrera is departing to return to California this summer.

Sister Mary Christa Nutt, RSM, the Coordinator of the U.S. Office for Visitors to the Vatican and the local Superior for the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan in Rome, has been an important part of the College’s community for many years since her arrival in Rome in 2005. In addition to her work at the Visitors’ Office, Sister Mary Christa had served for several years as an instructor for seminarians who needed to complete prerequisite philosophy classes here at the College, as well as offering a seminar to students in the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Sister Mary Christa will be returning to Alma, Michigan to begin a new mission as the local Superior of the convent in the RSM Motherhouse as well as being involved in the continuing formation of her Sisters.

Sister Sean Marie Striby, RSM

Sister Sean Marie Striby, RSM, has graciously been of service to the seminary and Casa Santa Maria communities as an infirmarian. Her endless patience and kindness to so many since her arrival in 2013 will not be forgotten. Sister Sean Marie will take on the responsibility of forming new Sisters in her religious community as the Postulant Mistress in Alma, Michigan.

Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, RSM

Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, RSM, a second-year novice for the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, was a friendly and helpful presence in the U.S. Office for Visitors to the Vatican this past academic year. Sister Gianna Marie, a trained medical doctor, will make her first vows this year and then return to the U.S. to be part of her community’s health care apostolate. n

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Snapshots

Rev. Gregory Crane '19 (Bismarck) delivers the annual toast to the College on behalf of the fourth-year class at this year's closing banquet.

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A yellow rose basks in the Roman summer sun near the College's Immaculate Conception Chapel.

Rev. David Schunk '10 (left) and seminarians from the 4th Central hallway at the College bond over an opportunity for a challenge at Rome's 'escape room' experience on a evening out in the city.

Entertainment for the annual Rector's Dinner was a hit! One of this year's performances highlighted Patrick Agustin '20 (Washington), John Bilenki '22 (Baltimore), James Glasgow '20 (Washington), Max Carson '20 (Des Moines) and Enan Zelinski '20 (Madison).

From Left to Right: Clayton Forner '20 (Saint Paul-Minneapolis), Joseph Caraway '20 (Lake Charles), Zachary Jones '22 (Sioux City), and Rev. Stephen Schumacher '19 (St. Loius) all compete for the NAC's fastest man on the College's sports day.

The Pontifical North American College

Visiting guests pour into the outer hall of the courtile for the Rector's Dinner.

On a Saturday pilgrimage adventure, John Pankratz '21 (Great Falls-Billings) prays through the intercession of St. Margaret of Cortona, whose town is just a short train ride away from the College.

Scaffolding covers much of the College infrastructure during the summer months as repairs and maintenance continue.

From Left to Right: Rev. Gregory Crane '19 (Bismarck) and Rev. Tyler Johnson '19 (Seattle) take a look at their class photo where they will be remembered at the College after they depart this summer.

Center: New Man Alex Fry '22 (Dallas) stands with thousands of pilgrims as he follows the Palm Sunday procession in St. Peters square with Pope Francis.

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VOICES OF NAC

“And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

(Luke 8:15)

With this verse in mind, what has been one experience this year that has helped bear fruit in your life and helped you to grow in your formation?”

“In preparation for ordination to the Diaconate, my classmates and I were asked over the course of the year to write personal reflections on each of the three promises made at this ordination: perpetual celibacy, obedience to our bishops, and prayer for the Universal Church especially through the Liturgy of the Hours. This opportunity allowed me to prayerfully deepen my understanding of these promises, and experience a more profound freedom which I believe will serve as rich soil for the seed of the Sacrament of Holy Orders which I will, God-willing, receive in Rome this coming October.”

Christopher Marbury, ’20 Archdiocese of Denver

“Beginning our homiletics practicum in this second year of my formation has helped me to bear the fruit of preaching the Word of God. I have learned that preaching the Word is unique to each person, since each person must transmit the Word through his own personality. Through these practica, I have begun to learn how I can best preach in a way that objectively presents the Word and yet, subjectively do so in a way that represents my true self.”

Joseph White, ’21, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

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“Three years ago, as a seminarian, I had the opportunity to visit Cologne, Germany with some classmates. On Sunday, we went to a church with an English Mass. It broke our hearts when they announced that there would be no Mass that weekend because they could not find a priest. This year, as a priest, I returned to Cologne and concelebrated that same English Mass. The hunger this community had for the Eucharist was truly inspiring and humbling, especially given how easy it is to take regular Masses for granted in so much of the United States.”

“It is a surreal and humble blessing to live just a stone’s throw from the Basilica enshrining the bones of St. Peter. In my first year here, Peter’s strong presence is a constant reminder to return to prayer and ground myself in the Lord’s personal, loving call, 'Follow Me,' which has brought me here, and in the boldness of Peter’s faith, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God… To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…' which guides me as I seek to know and love the Lord more and more.”

John Bilenki ’22, Archdiocese of Baltimore

Rev. Stephen Logue ’18, Diocese of Harrisburg

“As a deacon, prayerfully preparing homilies and preaching has transformed my spiritual life and formation. This time of prayer and ministry gives me the opportunity to meditate on the Word of God in a new way and with a new purpose in mind: to break open the meaning of Sacred Scripture in order to aid souls in their growth as disciples of Christ.

It has been a challenge at times, but certainly a challenge that brings me great joy and meaning in my ministry as a deacon as well as my future ministry as a priest.”

Rev. Andrew Schwenka ’19, Diocese of Lincoln

2018-19 Annual Report

FROM THE RECTOR As we look back on another year of priestly formation, I am happy to introduce the 2018-2019 Annual Report. I know that you enjoy hearing from the students as they reflect on the aspects in which our program shapes them in many ways for future priestly ministry at home.

This has been, as you know well, a difficult year for the Church in the United States, with the revelation of past misconduct which clouds the light of the Gospel.

Our men feel this as much as anyone. Our program remains one of integrity and virtue, and challenges our seminarians to know what is expected of them in their ordained life by demanding that they live it now.

The growth of this year has been one by trial in many ways, but one, which none of us would have desired, can be seen, please God, as helping all of us desire to serve the Church as priests for the right reasons only, to serve as did Christ. The Church needs the generous and faithful souls of our College for its future, and we need you to help us carry out their work. Thanks for sticking with us. You make what we do possible.

Very Reverend Peter C. Harman ’99

Reverend Peter C. Harman, STD ’99, Rector A N N UA L R E P O RT 2 0 1 8 -2 0 1 9 • A N N UA L R E P O RT 2 0 1 8 -2 0 1 9 • A N N UA L R E P O RT 2 0 1 8 -2 0 1 9 • A N N UA L R E P O RT

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The priest is called to be a living image of Jesus Christ.

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Human Formation Spiritual Formation Academic Formation Pastoral Formation

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Human Formation:

New Priorities in the Eternal City Enan Zelinski ’20, Diocese of Madison At the Mass in which my diocesan brother Tim Mergen ’20 and I were received as candidates for Holy Orders, our late Bishop, the Most Reverend Robert Morlino, said in his homily that we were being sent to Rome to “study theology, yes, but even more to be formed by the experiences and culture of life in Rome.” What he meant was that beside our studies, our daily experiences of Rome would also form and shape us at a human level.

The most unexpected grace of moving to a foreign country for several years of my life has been the seemingly basic challenges of everyday life. Especially for someone who comes from a large family, moving to Italy and into a house of relative strangers was not easy to manage. Everything was new, and the adjustment was chaotic.

Never mind the jet-lag and heat of Rome in July, the separation from almost every support system or convenience that I was accustomed to back home was hard to accept.

Things that were assumed and regular parts of life such as family, friends, English communication,

Walgreens, a car, or a self-renewing cellphone plan were suddenly over 5,000 miles and a several hour time difference away. It was a profoundly humbling experience to realize how much I relied on exterior support systems, convenience and encouragement, and to see how insecure their absence made me feel.

There were times that all of these differences were a struggle for me to embrace, but as I look back over three years of life here in Italy, I see many ways in which God used the absence of these comforts to draw me closer to Himself, and to seek relationship with Jesus Christ as the central foundation of my life.

The benefit that comes from such an upheaval is that it offers the opportunity to reprioritize the diverse aspects of human life, beginning with a life focused on Jesus Christ.

This is the ultimate goal of what in seminary we call “Human Formation:” to strive towards a virtuous human life founded on and in imitation of Jesus Christ, whose humanity is perfect. Having lost true and perfect integrity through Original Sin, those

of us who are preparing for Priesthood work toward a life which sees the necessity of Christ as its true foundation. This is why we spend time in seminary focusing on the ways God is forming and redeeming our person at every level. This process is not something accomplished on our own, nor is it completed by the time ordination rolls around. It is God who works in us throughout our lives, encouraging us and correcting us when we look to produce security and comfort instead of looking for Christ.

The frequency that these reminders are needed – especially for me – is embarrassing and humbling. My duties and responsibilities still distract my attention from Christ, and I’m sure the experience of moving to Italy will not be the last time Jesus has to shake me to remind me that I need to rely primarily on Him. But, redemption and perfection are a life-long process, and I see the unexpected graces of these past three years as a small way that Christ is reminding me that, even in great discomfort, he is still working to redeem me and make my humanity more like his own.

Rev. Kevin Chalifoux '19 (Burlington) delights the audience with a piece by the 20th century Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich.

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There is one common interest that ties us all together: the pursuit of holiness in the vocation that Christ has called us to.

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Human Formation Spiritual Formation Academic Formation Pastoral Formation

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Spiritual Formation:

“If you knew the gift of God…” (John 4:10) Rev. Will Nyce ‘19, Diocese of Arlington Ordained ministry, like all the sacraments, is pure gift. It cannot be bought; it is not earned; it is received, not taken. Like any friendship, it is shared life which makes ‘gift giving’ simply an external sign of the more foundational love between friends.

As a deacon (and not yet a priest at the time of writing this), I have the privilege of knowing that when I am called to serve. It is a gift from my best friend, from the one who ordained me: Jesus.

I say this because it is the goal of all the spiritual formation which we receive here at the North American College: to be open to the “gift of God” in the sacrament of Orders given through the hands of the bishop and the promise of obedience—that is to say, in faithful friendship—to him.

Like the Samaritan woman at the well, receiving this gift requires a right faith, pure intention, and a thirst for God, but the intimate conversation with the Lord through our years here in seminary helps draw these realities out of us.

The past week, I had an very memorable Saturday: after the

usual morning struggle to sanctify the day by studying and working on a paper for class, I had the privilege of assisting—along with many other deacons, seminary faculty and friends—at the priestly ordination of our classmate Martin Amaro.

Gathered with his bishop in a chapel of Saint Peter’s Basilica with his two sisters, some close family, and the palpable prayers of friend and family present and distant, it was an incredibly moving experience. Bishop Anthony Taylor spoke beautifully about God’s provident care for Martin through his (long) journey to the priesthood from Little Rock to Mexico to Rome.

After that sacramental service, I was able to give myself to the ministry that I have been ordained to do: serve at table. Once a week I help at the meal for men offered by the Missionaries for Charity in their house near that Vatican. I always come away joyful, not only because the sisters and volunteers are delightful people, but also because of the grace which I see active in these men. They can be a tough crowd. But thanks to the constant

charity shown them at that meal, they pray (no matter their confessional background) to Jesus, Mary, and their guardian angel. Then they listen to the gospel before the meal and sing a hymn. Some even come early to pray the rosary in the chapel—incentivized by early seating in the mess hall.

Back at the seminary, after some leisurely fraternal conversation at dinner in our refectory, I was prompted by loving obedience once more, to pray before going to bed—struggling to worthily fulfill my promise to “pray the Liturgy of the Hours with and for the Christian people.” In those final moments of prayer, I gave thanks to God for how he has opened my heart to receive his gift: worship in Spirit and Truth flowing from the sacraments into friendship with Jesus. God so quickly transforms the sweat of our service to his will, of our diaconia, to a gift of living water…if only we knew this gift of God at every moment of the day! Our Christian service is itself a gift, what a privilege—given to us all through our baptism—to be called to receive from the altar of the Lord.

Seminarians from the Theology II class pray the Mass at the Church of San Gregorio Maggiore in Spoletto, Italy, where they spent a fraternal weekend together.

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As we grow in the knowledge and love of God, we become better equipped to communicate the mysteries of faith.

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Human Formation Spiritual Formation Academic Formation Pastoral Formation

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Intellectual Formation:

Becoming Familiar with the Truth Rev. Benjamin Petty ‘19, Archdiocese of Washington One of the most essential gifts we receive as human beings is our capacity to know and understand.

To develop oneself intellectually “is a fundamental demand of the human intelligence by which one ‘participates in the light of God's mind’ and seeks to acquire a wisdom which in turn opens to and is directed toward knowing and adhering to God.” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 51, quoting Gaudium et Spes, 15) Intellectual development is about becoming truly wise. The wise man is not simply the one who has read more books or had more experiences, but the one who has become intimately familiar with the truth. He and the truth have become such good friends that they can quickly recognize each other even in midst of a vast crowd.

This is especially important for the priest. Priests are called to be shepherds, which is not the first job that comes to mind when you say the word ‘intellectual’. But, when Jesus the Good Shepherd reminds us, “I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” If we are to lead others in the way of Jesus, we must have the

wisdom to recognize him. Therefore the study of theology, is one where “the future priest assents to the word of God, grows in his spiritual life and prepares himself to fulfill his pastoral ministry.” (PDV, 51) The College provides us with many different avenues to pursue this study comprehensively. Our academic studies are at the core of our daily work as seminarians. Attending one of three different universities with students from around the world gives us an appreciation for the breadth and depth of the Church’s cumulative reflection on the mystery of faith.

The College also provides supplemental in-house seminars, reading groups, and lectures that complement and strengthen areas particular to us as a North American College, like U.S. Catholic history or ancient language classes offered in English. These help to fill in the gaps and smooth the transition from our studies at home to those in Rome.

Finally, we are formed in our community life. Comparing our different classes, discussing tough questions over a meal, or trying to distill all we have learned into one

clear thought when we preach, are where our studies come together.

We all have to be able to articulate a concept well enough to pass an exam, but real familiarity with the truth comes when we try to see how it all fits together in the light of the challenges we face back in our home dioceses.

The intellectual pillar of formation is about more than just academics, it is a key component in developing an authentic pastoral spirituality. As I approach my own ordination, I have come to appreciate more and more the need for the true wisdom which comes from such an integration. I join in the invocation of the Holy Spirit made by many of our professors at the start of their lectures: “O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Will Frei '20 (Charleston) prepares for final exams at his regular carrel in the Randal Riede, C.F.X. Library.

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In the work of pastoral formation a seminarian learns and practices how to hand on the riches of the Church's Tradition and accompany the people of God.

THE FOUR PILLARS OF PRIESTLY FORMATION

Human Formation Spiritual Formation Academic Formation Pastoral Formation

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Pastoral Formation: My Life for My Flock Rev. Jerome Krug '19, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City One of the many beautiful murals in our Immaculate Conception Chapel is of the Good Shepherd surrounded by his flock. If you look at him closely, he is tired from working hard. He is worn and dirtied from being fully engaged in the care of his flock. He is even carrying a sheep upon his shoulders while the others gather around him and follow him. Yet you can also see his strength, determination, and confidence; he knows what he is about. His ability to give Himself for his flock is no coincidence and it doesn’t come free of cost. He has finely honed his capacity to put his flock first and has freely chosen to take on great personal tolls in doing so. You can almost hear him say, “My life for my flock.”

As men who are being formed for the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, we are engaged in various means of preparation which are divided into four pillars: Human Formation, Intellectual Formation, Spiritual Formation, and Pastoral Formation.

The first three are largely focused on “input” into the candidate for Holy Orders. The Human, Intellectual, and Spiritual Pillars are focused on the

man and his growth as a person, as a disciple, and as a leader. The Pastoral Pillar, in a manner of speaking, is the “output” pillar of priestly formation.

It is in the work of pastoral formation that the candidate for Holy Orders learns and practices how to hand on the riches of the Church’s Tradition, the witness of his own personal walk of discipleship, and how to faithfully and tenderly accompany the People of God in their walks of faith. In other words, pastoral formation teaches the man how to let his heart, his thoughts, his intentions, and his entire life be conformed to the Good Shepherd.

The first step to becoming a shepherd after the heart of the Good Shepherd is to be one of the sheep, a member of the Lord’s flock, who has personally experienced his faithful and steadfast care. It’s only after having been loved

by Christ, having caught eyes with his gaze, and having heard his voice calling our names can we begin to learn how to lay down our lives with him for his flock, to love his flock as our own. Having experienced a profound and personal encounter with the Lord Jesus is the foundation which then allows a man to hear a

vocation, a personal call to love the Church as Jesus loved the Church. The priest is a man who has responded to this call to lay down his life, to love his brothers and sisters as he himself has been loved by Jesus. This laying down his life comes by choosing availability and service as his first priority. He exceedingly avails himself for the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession.

He devours the Word and then is himself consumed by it so that he can teach with words of life. Following Jesus, he draws close to the poor, to the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. In short, he loves with the same love by which he has been loved.

“My life for my flock.” This is the quiet prayer, the deep hope of every man seeking to give his complete “yes” to the call of the Good Shepherd. We have no illusions about the magnitude of the call or about our human frailty and weakness. It is only a total reliance upon the love of the Good Shepherd that makes this radical gift of self a possibility. We know the voice of the Shepherd and we know it is only with him and because of him that we can say, “My life for my flock.”

The large image of Jesus the Good Shepherd in Immaculate Conception Chapel is the first image seen by priests as they leave the sacristy and enter the sanctuary for Mass.

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2018-19 STUDENT Seattle Spokane Yakima Portland

Crookston Helena Great Falls-Billings

Baker City

Fargo

Bismarck

Boise Rapid City Sioux Falls Sioux City Santa Rosa Oakland San Francisco San Jose

Reno Sacramento Stockton Monterey

Cheyenne

Salt Lake City

Lincoln Denver

Fresno

Colorado Springs Pueblo

Wichita

San Bernardino

Gallup

Orange San Diego

Kansas Ci

Salina

Dodge City

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Omaha

Grand Island

Tulsa

Santa Fe Amarillo

Oklahoma City

Lubbock

Dallas

Phoenix Tuscon

Where do our seminarians come from?

This past year, nearly 100 dioceses were represented by 209 men in formation at the Seminary, plus another 73 priests at the Casa Santa Maria for graduate studies. During their years here in Rome, a deep sense of community is fostered, embracing the diversity of experience and knowledge that each man holds.

In a unique way, the College offers a broad view of the Universal Church, not only in Rome, but within the community itself.

Las Cruces El Paso

Fort Worth Tyler

San Angelo

San Antonio

Austin Victoria

Laredo

Corpus Christi

Brownsville

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R E P R E S E N TAT I O N St. Cloud St. Paul-Minneapolis

Duluth Superior

Burlington Portland Ogdensburg Pittsburgh Gaylord Green Bay Boston Manchester Erie Springfield Youngstown Syracuse New Ulm Grand La Crosse Rochester Albany Fall River Saginaw Rapids Winona Buffalo Hartford Madison Milwaukee Scranton Lansing Detroit Bridgeport AltoonaKalamazoo Dubuque Johnstown Allentown Cleveland Brooklyn Chicago Toledo Rockford Des Moines Metuchen Greensburg Ft. Wayne Gary Trenton Davenport Joliet Wilmington South Bend Steubenville Newark Peoria Harrisburg Lafayette Columbus Arlington Camden Springfield Kansas City Indianapolis Cincinnati - St. Joseph Philadelphia Paterson WheelingSt. Louis Covington ity Baltimore Charleston Richmond Evansville Louisville Jefferson City Belleville Washington Lexington Owensboro Raleigh Springfield-Cape • Honolulu Girardeau • Fairbanks Nashville Knoxville Charlotte • Juneau Little Rock

Marquette

Lake Charles

Norwich New York Rockville Centre

• Melbourne, Australia

Charleston

• Perth, Australia

Birmingham

Alexandria

Providence

• Anchorage

Memphis Atlanta

Shreveport

Worcester

Jackson

• Sydney, Australia • Pembroke, Canada

Mobile Baton Rouge Biloxi Pensacola-Tallahassee

New Orleans Beaumont Houma-Thibodaux GalvestonLafayette Houston

• Sandhurst, Australia

Savannah

St. Augustine

• Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles • Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

Orlando

• St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

St. Petersburg

• Eparchy of Syro-Malankara

Venice

Palm Beach Miami

KEY:

State Borders Diocesan Borders Diocese with students attending (shown in red) 21

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The Personale Side of the College Joseph Mominee ’20, Diocese of Toledo Most of those who live and work at the North American College only glimpse a sliver of its substantial history. We seminarians live at the house for a fast four or five years and then return to the United States or Australia to offer our lives in priestly ministry. The priests on faculty might stay for a few years longer than the seminarians, but they too know that life in Rome is a temporary part of what the Lord has asked them to offer in their lives as priests of God. There is, however, one group of people at the North American College that sees, understands, and appreciates a much larger part of its history. The staff members, or in Italian, personale, often remain part of the North American College community much longer than any of the priests or seminarians do. The personale takes care of the daily needs of those of us who call the College our temporary home. From electrical work, maintenance repair,

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cooking, cleaning, secretarial work, and general upkeep of the College, the personale are an indispensable part of daily livelihood in Rome.

To celebrate the personale members of the NAC community, on May 3rd of this year the North American College honored those members of the staff who have offered 25 years or more of labor at the North American College or at the Casa Santa Maria. We began lunch that day with some words from Father Harman and Monsignor Berardi directed to these twenty members, thanking them for their dedication to the North American College and to the Casa Santa Maria. The seminarians then expressed our own gratitude to these men and women whose work is often behind the scenes.

Over my time spent in formation at the NAC, but particularly after considering this lunch on May 3rd, I have had a great gratitude to God for being able to get to know many of the members

of the personale. I have been able to hear their stories about their families’ lives in Italy, and to hear first-hand about their memories of this College and of many of the past seminarians and priests on faculty over the years.

Those we celebrated for their 25 years or more of service to this house will joyfully recall “Monsignor Dolan” or will jokingly give us a hard time about the long-lasting tradition of having hamburgers, in Italian “i hamburger,” for American dinner on Thursday nights.

All of these members of the personale that I have spoken with over my three years here have a deep thankfulness to this College for what it has meant to them both in their day-to-day livelihood and in their spiritual lives. I know that for myself but for all my brother seminarians of this house, we share in a thankfulness to God for those who in so many ways make it possible for us to spend our years of formation in Rome.

left: College personale stand to be honored in the refectory at the May 3rd pranzo (lunch) held in their honor. center: The Rector's Secretary Lory Mondaini is always ready to greet visitors to her office. right: The kitchen personale exchange congratulations at the honorary luncheon.

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Scuffed to Buffed on the Streets of Rome Alessandro Calderoni-Ortiz ’21, Diocese of Tulsa There is a man beset by medical expenses who regularly sits by the sidewalk some steps from the College’s entry. His name is Mariano and he is one of many beggars in Rome. He has been faithfully coming to his spot for a longer time than I have been in Rome. Every so often, on my way back from school or an errand, I will stop by and chat with him. One day, however, when talking about his situation, he blurted out to me, “non posso lavorare,” that is “I can’t work!”

As I made my way back to the College, his words struck something inside me. It bothered me to hear him say that. He meant to say that he cannot work because no one will hire him. I asked him further questions regarding his difficulties finding a job. Whatever the case, he was equating employment with work, two things that are usually the same though not always equal.

Not everybody who looks for employment will end up hired.

However, the reality is that everyone can work, no matter his condition, and there is always work, big or small, to be done by us in this world. This is because God created us in His Image and Likeness. By making us in His Image, the God who created everything in the universe made us capable of sharing in that work. Man is universally called by God to work, which is why we find fulfillment in work. As the popes have always taught, there is dignity to human work, even manual labor. Persons who are limited by mental or physical conditions can still work according to their own capacity. A person who is bedridden can pray for the needs of the world, and I think that, in the eyes of God, such work of prayer is just as dignified as paid work.

So, later that same day, I was inspired to do something for Mariano. I thought,

how many pedestrians and tourists stroll past him every day, walking with black shoes in need of polishing? I asked a couple of the brothers at the College, always willing to help those less fortunate in Rome, if it would be a good idea to propose a small shoe-shining business to him. After positive feedback, I went to offer this proposal to him. He accepted it, so I brought him a few supplies and taught him how to do it.

He has been running his small shoe-shining operation for some months now. Though it is simple work, it seems as if Mariano has found much meaning and joy in doing it. Plus, he provides a good service for all those who approach him and his little shoe-shinning workshop. Most importantly, this small venture has helped me to communicate to him how he, too, like the rest of God’s children, is called to work.

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The North American College thanks the many gracious benefactors who helped make such improvements possible. Your faithfulness to and love of the College is, in essence, faithfulness to and a love of its mission: the formation of priests after the Heart of Jesus Christ. May God bless you and reward you for your generosity!

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Re-upholstered seating and many other updates in the Corso Auditorium will ensure that the facilities will remain a worthy venue for guest lecturers, as well as the regular conferences and plays held at the College.

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Renovation and Restoration: Ready for the Future In order to effectively serve seminarians and priests year after year, the North American College is regularly taking steps to maintain and improve its vast physical plants—the Janiculum campus, the original Via dell’Umità campus (the Casa Santa Maria and the USCCB Visitor’s Office), as well as the Casa O’Toole, the home of the Institute of Continuing Theological Education. Through the generosity of many faithful benefactors, the College was able to complete a host of repair and improvement projects during the 2018-2019 formation year. These projects will serve our community for decades to come!

Janiculum Campus • Added a new water line to the Campo Sportivo area • Installed new pavers, curbs and safety lighting around the Campo Sportivo

• Cleaned and restored the Reredos in the Immaculate Conception Chapel • Upgraded the lighting that illuminates the Mosaic of Our Lady in the Immaculate Conception Chapel • Renovated the guest lavatories and flooring in the Piano Corridor adjacent to the Refectory • Established a strategic plan for our archives, including new cataloging software and storage equipment • Replaced the safety rails in the Immaculate Conception Chapel cupula • Completed the renovation of the Wall Apartments, Cloisters, and Corridor • Implemented a new online “portal” to facilitate admissions, maintenance requests, guest requests, and travel notifications • Completed the renovation of the stage, lighting, seating, wall covering, and flooring in the Corso Auditorium

• Completed the restoration of the Immaculate Conception Chapel chiostrino and frescoes • Installed quick, push-bar exit devices on several doors in case of emergency • Repaired gymnasium power supply due to unforeseen water damage • Renovated an anteroom of the Library to create additional reference material room • Installed new handrails at the main entrance (portineria) • Restored the entry doors and roof of the Casa O’Toole

Casa Santa Maria Campus Additional renovations to common access areas, gates, corridors and terraces were completed this year, following a four-year major renovation that included new electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and redesign to provide en-suite 80 student rooms.

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DONOR PROFILE:

Dennis and Lynne Jilot Mark Randall, CFRE – Executive Director OIA

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Dennis and Lynne Jilot celebrate with Cardinal James Harvey ’75 and Fr. Peter Harman ’99.

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An initial gift of support to the College can be prompted by many things.

But it is usually through a personal invitation to “come see” that engages benefactors so meaningfully that they are moved to invest in our noble work of priestly formation.

Such is the case for Dennis and Lynne Jilot, natives of Wisconsin and current residents of Reno, NV. They were invited to attend the annual Rector’s Dinner at the College by their close friends, Tim and Steph Busch. “We read about the NAC, and were greatly impressed by its mission and formation of seminarians from all over the United States,” said Lynne.

At the Rector’s Dinner and during future visits to the College, the Jilots have been moved by the joy and spirit of the students – so much so that they chose early on to become financial supporters of the College mission.

“When we reach the doors of the NAC, and feel it's spirit and enthusiasm from within, we know that even in these times of turmoil in the Church, it is not a time to be disheartened - but a time to be more faithful to that which

we know is truth,” they remarked. “What better way and what better place for seminarians to grow closer to the Lord as they deepen their commitment, get to know themselves more, overcome their fears, face their challenges, and learn to trust in the special calling they've been given than this unique and amazing national seminary.”

But it was an introduction to a loyal alumnus of the College, Cardinal James Harvey ’75, that led the Jilots to make an extraordinary gift earlier this year. Being from Wisconsin himself, Cardinal Harvey and the Jilots became close friends quickly. “We were immediately drawn in by his personality and hospitality, and over the course of the last few years, have grown to know this humble, gracious servant and call him a special friend,” said the Jilots of Cardinal Harvey.

As former Prefect of the Papal Household, Cardinal Harvey has remained close to the College since his priestly ordination in 1975. He is a frequent visitor to the seminary and is generous with his time for students and faculty alike.

Last year, the Jilots approached the rector, Fr. Peter Harman, about making a significant gift to the College in honor of Cardinal Harvey. After much discussion and prayer, Mr. and Mrs. Jilot recently announced a $1 million gift to establish the James Cardinal Harvey Household Fund. Their extraordinary gift honors both Cardinal Harvey and the future students of the College. The dedication plaque reads in part, “Mindful of the daily resources needed to ‘keep a house in order’, the Fund will be used to maintain, renovate and enhance the critical living areas of the Seminary campus – truly the Roman Household of all who live with us.”

Dennis and Lynne Jilot are wonderful examples of how philanthropy is truly about people giving to people, gratefully so. As the Jilots explain, “We are so grateful to be part of the NAC benefactor community, and those who pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen and renew seminarians as they continue their studies and prepare to serve God in so many ways!”

Above: Dennis and Lynne Jilot with members of their family and Cardinal James Harvey on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.

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The Class of 2019

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2019 Rev. Scott Allen, Diocese of Orange Rev. Martín Amaro, Diocese of Little Rock Rev. Richard Aubol, Diocese of Saint Cloud Rev. Andrew Auer, Archdiocese of St. Louis Rev. William Banowsky, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Rev. Brad Berhorst, Diocese of Jefferson City Rev. Rhodes Bolster, Diocese of Nashville Rev. Joseph Boustany, Diocese of Lafayette Rev. Christopher Boyle, Archdiocese of Boston Rev. Michael Buck, Diocese of Melbourne Rev. Stephen Buting, Diocese of Milaukee Rev. John Calabro, Diocese of Paterson Rev. Michael Carlson, Diocese of Charlotte Rev. Kevin Chalifoux, Diocese of Burlington Rev. Gregory Crane, Diocese of Bismarck Rev. Joseph Cwik, Archdiocese of Washington Rev. Ralph D'Elia, Diocese of St. Petersburg Rev. James Downey, Diocese of Des Moines Rev. Matthew Faucett, Diocese of Green Bay Rev. Scott Foley, Diocese of Davenport Rev. John Gancarz, Archdiocese of Hartford Rev. Nicholas Ginnetti, Diocese of Steubenville Rev. Brandon Guenther, Diocese of La Crosse Rev. Edouard Guilloux, Diocese of Arlington Rev. Shane Hewson, Diocese of Tulsa Rev. Ethan Hokamp, Diocese of La Crosse 28

The Pontifical North American College

Rev. Christian Huebner, Archdiocese of Washington Rev. John Jang, Archdiocese of Sydney Rev. Tyler Johnson, Archdiocese of Seattle Rev. Peter Julia, Archdiocese of Portland Rev. Jerome Krug, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Rev. Chan Lee, Archdiocese of Newark Rev. Larry Machado, Diocese of Stockton Rev. James Morrison, Archdiocese of Washington Rev. Ryan Muldoon, Archdiocese of New York Rev. William Alexandre Nevitt IV, Diocese of Paterson Rev. Michael Nguyen, Diocese of Orange Rev. William Nyce, Diocese of Arlington Rev. Kyle O'Connor, Diocese of Richmond Rev. Benjamin Petty, Archdiocese of Washington Rev. Alfredo Porras, Diocese Worcester Rev. Mitchel Roman, Diocese of Gaylord Rev. Nathan Rueb, Diocese of Kansas City­—Saint Joseph Rev. Thomas Scherer, Archdiocese of Denver Rev. Andrew Schwenka, Diocese of Lincoln Rev. Stephen Schumacher, Archdiocese of St. Louis Rev. Joseph Sigur, Diocese of Beaumont Rev. Joseph Squillacioti, Diocese of Orange Rev. Spenser St. Louis, Diocese of Forty Wayne—South Bend Rev. Alexander Turpin, Diocese of Rockville Centre Rev. David Wheeler, Lexington Rev. Luke Wilgenbusch, Diocese of Nashville Rev. Brandon Wolf, Diocese of Bismarck

A Clumsy Crawl up The Holy Steps MARVIN SOTO NUÑEZ ’20, DIOCESE OF PHOENIX

J

“

esus walked up these steps when He was taken to Pilate,” my friends told me as we rode the metro to San Giovanni station. “Saint Helen packed them up and brought them back with her from Jerusalem.”

Sometimes you hear things like that in Rome, and it makes you wonder.

But then again, you don’t have to look very far before you run into an Egyptian obelisk in the middle of a piazza. The ancient Romans came, saw, and brought back mementos from their wars in Egypt. When the Christians took over, they put crosses on top of those obelisks, thus baptizing them.

The story of Saint Helen going to Jerusalem and returning with some steps doesn’t seem so far-fetched considering the history of the city.

mound of unreliable marble folds. It’s hard to kneel after a while and soon the ascent becomes an awkward crawl. I sense a temptation to get up and leave.

I’m distracted. I’m speeding through the rosary in pain. The beautiful frescoes which adorn the walls are not helping to lift my thoughts, consumed now with finding the quickest way up.

As I position my knees clumsily on the next step, I catch sight of a calm and prayerful elderly woman. Her eyes are closed and I can see that she is firm on her path upwards. She’s open and peaceful. That moment comes to all seminarians, that flash of understanding and recognition of a larger world where the lay faithful often do things better. I feel a secret surge of shame and decide to finish the steps quietly and without cheating.

The instruction continues, “This is the first time they’ve uncovered the steps in quite a while. We’ll be able to use them without the wood covering. It will be nice. Jesus walked up these steps!” In fact, this is the first time the boards have been removed in about 300 years. I will admit, I’m getting excited as we approach the famous Holy Steps, and I begin the process of evoking some awe before the wonderful. But then we get there and there they are, humble little steps with a few people kneeling quietly on them. “Wait,” I say, “we have to do this on our knees?” “Of course!” comes the response, with more than a hint of surprise at my ignorance.

“Pray a rosary; it will be a while”

Back home, as I rest my knees and take in the fresh air, I think about these little adventures. The tradition tells us that Jesus walked up these steps and we are rightly impressed by all these associations with his life. Jesus Himself encourages that impulse, but in a different direction. While the wonders of Rome are certainly a gift, it turns out that closeness to Him is available world-wide. Read Matthew 25:40. Surprisingly, our more immediate contact with Jesus is with the poor and needy. Pope Francis’ emphasis on the peripheries all of a sudden makes sense. It’s the same goal as the great churches of Rome and its relics: communion with Jesus. n

The Holy Steps were uncovered and accessible to pilgrims from Passion Week until Pentecost this year.

The first steps are easy enough. I land on them and try out some prayer postures. The years have not passed in vain through these revered steps, and the steady stream of pilgrims over the centuries have reduced them to a

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The Theology that Helps Makes Science Possible R E V. J OS E P H R . L A RAC Y ‘ 1 3, A R C H D I O C E S E O F N E WA R K

I

am a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, and I am also blessed to be a member of the Seton Hall University Priest Community. Founded in 1856 by then-Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley and named after his aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Seton Hall is fortunate to have 49 priests, almost all diocesan, with roles ranging from teaching and research to campus ministry and administration. In addition to the sacred sciences, priests have faculty appointments in academic units ranging from Chemistry & Biochemistry to Diplomacy and Education. These roles often require pursuing further studies.

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Barbour: An Evaluation for the Catholic Doctrine of Creation.” In light of recent Papal and Conciliar Magisterium, and given the scope of Fundamental Theology to cast its gaze not merely within the confines of the Catholic Church, but also to engage truth wherever it may be found, I strove to carry out a substantial study in the thought of the late Professor

The created world can only be understood through the God-given gift of reason, properly ordered. He who created the cosmos is logos—Reason, Himself.

My own doctoral studies in Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University began in the fall semester of 2017. I had previously earned the STL from the Gregorian in 2014 and served in my archdiocese for the three years in between. I am very grateful to His Eminence, Joseph William Cardinal Tobin, CSsR, DD, for the opportunity to dedicate myself completely to two years of doctoral research. I’ve also been blessed to have an encouraging and supportive doctoral advisor, Father Paul Haffner, an internationally recognized expert in the field of theology and science.

Ian Graeme Barbour, a prominent American theologian and physicist.

In my dissertation, I analyze Ian Barbour’s distinctive approach to the relationship of theology and science, largely unexplored in the Catholic tradition, according to fundamental theological criteria. My goal was to investigate the possibility for Barbour’s epistemic, metaphysical, and theological principles to enrich the dialogue and integration (to use Barbour’s terms) of the Catholic doctrine of creation with the natural sciences.

The title of my dissertation is “Theology and Science in the Thought of Ian

Many people still seem to think of creation and natural sciences as

The Pontifical North American College

somehow opposed, but I think it is very important for Catholics to know that faith in God the Creator was the prerequisite for the emergence of empirical science as we know it today.

It is noteworthy that given the splendid simplicity of the fact of creation, the most advanced ancient civilizations failed to grasp it. The HungarianAmerican scholar, the Reverend Stanley L. Jaki, O.S.B., diligently studied the history of science and noted the effect that pagan religion had on both the common-sense understanding of the natural world as well as the unsuccessful attempts to develop empirical science in ancient civilizations. Unlike the pagan religions of antiquity, e.g., ancient Egypt, Christianity never sought to explain the physical phenomena of the material world as a dramatic struggle between warring gods and goddesses, i.e., myth. The created world can only be understood through the God-given gift of reason, properly ordered. He who created the cosmos is logos—Reason, Himself.

My two years living at the Casa Santa Maria have been grace-filled.

And, thanks be to God, I successfully defended my dissertation on May 28, 2019. The Casa has provided the intellectual and spiritual environment for me to pursue my doctoral studies and also grow in my priestly identity.

Laudetur Iesus Christus! n

Institute for Continuing Theological Education

A Doctor of the Church, Napoleon Bonaparte and the Casa O’Toole REV. EDWARD LINTON, OSB, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION

S

ometimes people ask me, “What is the most interesting and beloved place you have visited while in Rome?” Certainly, the person inquiring expects me to answer by saying either, “Saint Peter’s,” “the Sistine Chapel,” or perhaps, “the Colosseum.” It is true, living in Rome has allowed me to become intimate with incredibly beautiful places such as these that bear strong witness to our Catholic faith. But the places that intrigue me most are places that I stumble upon, realizing only slowly their significance in the history of our faith.

These places often can’t compete with the stunning art and architecture of Rome’s more famous venues. It is only by sitting in them quietly and later reflecting upon them that one is able to discern their importance. If one is patient, it is often possible in these most unlikely places to encounter a more subtle piece of history relevant to our modern experience. I am thinking of places like the church of San Benedetto in Piscinula, or the church of San Giovanni a Porta Latina or, yes, places like our own Casa O’Toole.

Casa O’Toole, like the priests it serves during their sabbaticals, has seen a lot! The Villa was initiated in the late eighteenth century by Prince Pietro Gabrielli. He was descended from a distinguished line of saints, clergy and

even a knight, who, according to legend, was the first to enter the Holy Sepulcher when Jerusalem was taken by the Crusaders in 1099. Several Gabrielli ancestors became Benedictine Monks of the Monastery of Fonte Avellana in Umbria, the monastery of Saint Peter Damien (1007-1073). In fact, it was Saint Peter Damian who wrote the Vita to promote the cause of beatification for Saint Rudolfo Gabrielli, who succeeded him as Bishop of Gubbio. Saint Peter Damien, whom Dante placed in one of the highest circles of paradise in Paradiso, was named a Doctor of the Church in 1828.

Prince Mario Gabrielli married Charlotte Bonaparte, the niece of Napoleon Bonaparte. She was the daughter of Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother.

Villa Gabrielli, in fact, reached the zenith of its reputation while Charlotte Bonaparte was its compere. It became the center of a literary and intellectual circle which she convened. Villa Gabrielli became a must-see stop of Grand Tour travelers who were attracted by its incomparable view on the city.

Indeed, we can say that Napoleon’s niece established in this place the high standard for continuing education that ICTE promotes.

Today, hard-working priests, a bit tired from their active ministry, stumble upon Casa O’Toole, grateful to be here. Without a doubt, they are most immediately impressed by many other

Rev. Edward Linton took over as Director of the ICTE program this past year, accepting the duties of making priests on sabbatical at home on the Gianicolo, as well as serving as a formation advisor to some of the seminarians in formation.

incredibly beautiful Roman sites that are all around it. The Casa O’Toole simply cannot compete with them!

But having stumbled upon this place they experience the priestly fraternity, intellectual inspiration, and the outstanding views of the city that it offers. Slowly, they become aware of the history preserved on our home upon the hill. Then, most surprisingly, the Casa O’Toole becomes one of the most interesting and beloved places in Rome!

The American novelist, Francine Prose once wrote, “If we could be reborn wherever we chose, how crowded Rome would be, populated by souls who had spent their previous lives longing to inhabit a villa on the Janiculum Hill!” n

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“House Jobs” at the College Many hands make light work, and there is no shortage of either at the North American College. Seminarians usually receive a “house job” during their second year in formation. They continue in this or another assignment during the 3rd and often their 4th year of theology as well. While they vary in the level of commitment and in the talents required, all of them help develop hearts of service, and gain experience that will be helpful in future ministry. Below are some of the various roles that seminarians fill to serve the community at the College.

Patrick Augustin ’20 Archdiocese of Washington House Job: House Cantor and Choir Librarian “All house jobs - big or small, in front of the community or behind the scenes - provide a great service to the seminary. My first house job as the Assistant for Liturgical Programs entailed making photocopies of the Solemn Vespers program every week, whereas my current role as Head Cantor places me within the liturgy in a more public way. I value both house jobs because they afford me the opportunity to help my brothers pray and worship Our Lord, which is a great grace.”

Rev. Kyle O’Connor ‘19 Diocese of Richmond House Job: Corridor Deacon “There's always a generosity and fraternity among the guys on the hall, and that makes it really easy to be a hall deacon.

Like most guys at the NAC, I've lived on the same hall (2nd Convent) for all four years I've been here, and the community on the hall has always been a highlight of my time here. We didn't win the Hall Ball Championship (as we did in 2017), but it was a great year nonetheless.”

Christopher Trummer ‘21 Diocese of Springfield in Illinois House Job: Bike Shop and Woodshop Capo “Because I have a background in automotive mechanics, I was attracted to serving the seminary community by working in the bike shop. This house job has allowed me to serve to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty, the kind of work I grew up doing with my dad.

With all the reading and other deskbound work our formation requires, manual labor helps me ‘come down from the clouds’ a bit and offers a welcome break from my routine!”

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Levi Thompson ’20 Diocese of Lake Charles House Job: Infirmarian Capo “It is truly a gift to be infirmarian here at the college. My house job here at the College is actually to do a corporal work of mercy and care for the sick. It’s great to look out for my brothers physically, so that we can serve the Lord spiritually. And it is a skill that I hope to cultivate more in my future ministry.”

John Bilenki ’22 Archdiocese of Baltimore House Job: New Man Show Director “Directing the New Man Show was an awesome experience! It was incredible to see the diversity in talents and creativity in my class, from writing music and lyrics to videography to writing sketches and then more behind the scenes jobs like lighting and stage management. Their willingness to share their gifts and contribute to the success of the show really made it a group effort – truly a joy!”

Rev. Mr. Peter Gallagher ’20 Diocese of Camden House Job: Angelicum University Prefect “As representative from the College to the Angelicum, this job offered me the opportunity to work on communication and organization. These underpin the work of the parish priest to preach the Gospel well to all members of the Church, young and old alike!”

Paul Floersch ’21 Diocese of Omaha House Job: Pastoral Council 2nd Year Class Coordinator “As a pastoral council representative for the second year men, I am responsible for coordinating a small handful of events throughout the year for my class.

Normally, I have a bad habit of not asking for help, but this job description has required a fair amount of delegation—in other words, constantly asking for help!

A great grace from this position has been learning how generous people are to help out when you make an individual request of them. A collection of generous yes's, well-coordinated, can amount to truly joyful occasions of fraternity and prayer."

Alessandro Calderoni Ortiz ’21 Diocese of Tulsa House Job: Library Student Assistant “Our dear librarians, the Dominican Sisters, organized a new section to our library, the Magisterial Documents library. Papal texts from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis are now being stored in a more accessible area, which has come very handy for us who study theology at the NAC. Re-shelving these has made me appreciate the beauty and greatness of the Magisterium, the Church's teaching office. Cruising through the new section, reading the titles, one quickly finds how the Popes of recent times—through their magisterial writings— have truly nourished the life of Christian faithful, as well as shed the Gospel's light on many areas of human society. I get to work primarily with books and Sisters, and few things, in my mind, are as fun and wholesome as working with books and Sisters.”

Rev. Stephen Buting ’19 Archdiocese of Milwaukee House Job: St. Lawrence Outreach Food Pantry “St. Lawrence Outreach has opened my eyes to the generosity of my brothers in the House toward the poor of Rome.

Their example inspires me to be more generous in my interactions with our friends on the streets.”

Timothy Mergen ’20 Diocese of Madison House Job: Assistant Master of Ceremonies “Serving as an assistant MC has been a tremendously rewarding and formative experience. Of particular importance has been the ability to interact with various priests to see how they carry themselves in preparation for and anticipation of the Holy Sacrifice. I am grateful to have witnessed the deep life of faith in these men and I hope to carry their example forward into my own priesthood.”

Grant Wilson ’21 Diocese of Springfield in Illinois House Job: Assistant Hospitality Prefect “The most interesting part of working hospitality was asking seminarians to help carry up the gifts during Mass. Some people were really willing to help, while others were more reluctant. It was great practice for finding volunteers in a parish.

You have to try different strategies, phrase the question different ways, and sometimes just play the numbers game.

But we always found enough volunteers.”

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The Battle of the Bands C H R I ST I A N S M I T H ‘ 2 0, D I O C E S E O F B I S M A R C K

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ne of the aspects of life at the College that always impresses me is how talented my brother seminarians are. It seems like every day I’m learning that one of them can do some amazing card trick or back flip or something equally unpredictable.

They all have past lives that they bring with them to ministry, and the old saying is true: “God calls all kinds.”

One way that this shows is in musical talents. During the College’s recent Classical Concert, Jonathan Vala ’20 (Sydney), who organized the event, remarked, “Music is something to be shared. We can practice in our rooms all we want, but it is totally different to play for other people.” As a fellow amateur musician, I can affirm that this is absolutely true. Playing live music is very life-giving for both the performers and the audience, and at the North American College there are always opportunities.

In order to showcase the musical talents of the house in a different way, this year the College hosted its first

Every show takes practice and little elbow grease to prepare the musical equipment before the evening.

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The lounge is filled to capacity as seminarians enjoy the entertainment and sing along to some standard tunes.

ever “Battle of the Bands.” It was held after the closing banquet, a time in which we celebrate all the blessings that God has given us over the year.

We also say goodbye to our brothers for the summer, because it is the last event of the year where we are together as a house.

Skynard and among others. While there was no official judging as is typical at a battle of bands, the men of the house—seminarians and faculty alike—were supportive, either by way of performing, participating in the audience, or by helping with sound equipment.

At the end of the academic year, the springtime weather in Rome is beautiful, so while studies call, the outdoors and plane tickets to our homes in the States battle for attention as well. The Battle of the Bands helped bring a little levity and to give a musical break to all of the demanding exams and distracting summer plans. Perhaps the best way to “fight the man” is with a little rock ‘n’ roll.

To me, it is clear that these men could be doing a lot of different things with their lives. Some are excellent performers and talented musicians.

God called them to something different, however. They will be His priests.

This doesn’t mean that they have to put all their talents aside, or that all they do is study, but it does mean that they try to excel in every aspect of life and to become a well-rounded person, and music is a part of that. They get to enjoy using all of their talents for God’s Church, and God’s Church is better for it. The Battle of the Bands is proof that the Church is young and joyful. Rock on. n

Groups were able to come together and to play a few songs of any genre for their brothers. Acts included covers from Ed Sheeran to Lynard

A Little Musical Mystagogy J O N AT H A N VA L A ' 2 0, A R C H D I O C E S E O F SY D N E Y

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his year marked the start of a new event in our College: the Classical Concert. While a great opportunity to encourage musicians in the house to pick up their dusty instruments again, and certainly a great boon for students and faculty alike, this evening ran deeper than just a moment of meaningless fun.

The Dutch theologian Vincent Brümmer notes tellingly how “Today… many of us intuitively assume that all thinking is aimed at (empirically) extending our knowledge, that human beings are mere knowing subjects and that reality is merely the object of knowledge”.

There is of course no issue in the extension of scientific knowledge (in fact, this should be encouraged!).

However, if reliance upon principles of empirical falsification and verification for certainty is embraced too jealously, we find ourselves falling to the notion that that which cannot be measured and proven is empty of any meaningfulness or significance whatsoever. We cannot come to truth except by passing through the gate of the scientist, perennially guarded by the gate-keeper of logic.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI states plainly against this contemporary tendency, which he designates the “contemporary self-limiting of reason”, that we can in fact find meaning aside from that which yields to the rigorous criteria of verification and falsification, and that this meaning may be as reasonable as any empirical science.

The adoption of an all-out rejection of the “non-provable” is to say that nothing meaningful can be gleaned from that which we know by our own human experience to be full of meaning: literature, language, culture and especially music.

Good music is not an ignorant escape from the “literally insignificant“, but a reaching of man for true meaning.

By music we feel ourselves able to graze the esse (being) lying far beyond the limits of the facere (doing), which contemporary society continually assures us is all that we can certainly know. A harmonious tonal concatenation, the reappearance of an emotionally charged leitmotif or that perfectly crafted recapitulation does so much more than merely entertain the listener: it becomes the means by which man approaches the veil that lies between ourselves and Transcendent Beauty itself, even if only for a moment.

It makes sense, then, that the Scriptures, the Mass and the mysteries of Christ’s

Maxwell Carson '20 (Des Moines) puts down the pick and plucks by hand to present a classical piece.

Rev. Alfredo Porras '18 (Worcester) doubles as flautist when the occasion calls for it.

life have stood for centuries as the muse par excellence of the Western musical corpus. One need not look far to find masterpieces such as Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Passion of Saint John and Rachmaninoff’s self-acclaimed greatest work, All-Night Vigil, to name a few. Composers’ perennial grabbling for transcendent beauty have led them, time and again, to consider at length the mysteries of God, and translate them into systems of sound. If successful, the composer thereby ushers us, the hearers, into the shroud of obscurity that surrounds these mysteries; not to resolve their mysteriousness, but simply to revel for a time in their mystagogy.

Religious themes haven’t captured the attention only of the Christian composer, however. Hector Berlioz’s The Infancy of Christ, Rimsky’s Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, and Wagner’s The Love-Feast of the Apostles are just some examples of explicitly Christian truth-content inspiring the creative process of even the most notorious atheist. I believe that their fascination therewith is no accident. Music cannot help but point us to something beyond ourselves, and that is far from meaningless. n

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In Memoriam: Rev. Robert Y. Blyman (1943-2019) LO U I S CO N A ‘ 2 1 , D I O C E S E O F R O C K V I L L E C E N T R E

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Seen here in 1998, Father Blyman gave counsel to hundreds of seminarians, and taught them about the psychological and pastoral issues they might encounter as priests.

On January 11, 2019 Father Robert Blyman was buried at the cloistered Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis.

It was here almost fifty years ago that Fr. Blyman’s vocation would take a new course that would forever shape his priesthood. As he would often recount, the Abbey was his anchor of stability amid the radical cultural changes of the late-1960s.

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few years after his ordination on May 30, 1970 Fr. Blyman, inspired by St. Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae, discovered a “vocation within a vocation” to serve the gift of life and promote human dignity. Taking up medical studies at the University of Michigan, Fr. Blyman would go on to deliver over 300 children, counsel countless married couples, and minister to those who were ill. He soon realized, however, that the greatest difficulties of humanity were not ailments of the body, but rather ailments of the soul. After switching medical fields, he earned his Ph.D as a psychiatrist, complementing his priestly ministry with an extended outreach to souls in need.

Fr. Blyman’s generosity of spirit and love for learning characterized his entire priestly life. His magnanimity of soul manifested itself when, upon learning that the College was in need of a House Counselor in 2017, he left retirement and moved to Rome. He willingly transferred to Rome even with serious medical difficulties out of his love for the Church and dedication to forming holy and healthy priests. Generations of seminarians and faculty members recall his joyful demeanor, great sense of humor, and passion for current events.

Above all else, Fr. Blyman will be remembered for his faith, perseverance through suffering, and witness to the priesthood. The medical difficulties, surgeries, and frequent hospital visits that characterized the later portion of his life configured him to Our Lord on the Cross.

As Fr. Blyman’s health declined over the year, I would often check-in to see how he was holding up. One day his breathing was so difficult that he had to be rushed to the hospital. I will always remember that on that day Fr. Blyman, between painful and abrupt breaths, clutched the crucifix on his rosary and said that he was ready to see the Trinity. It was a comment that revealed his great faith and hope, but also his good humor as he made the comment in reference to the exam for which all the first year seminarians were preparing for at that time.

With that quick comment he both lightened the mood and placed everything in its proper perspective.

In the end, this is why the North American College exists: so that we, and the people we will one day serve as priests, may contemplate the mystery of the Trinity for all eternity. Thank you, Fr. Blyman, for your love, sacrifice, and devotion to the priesthood and to the College.

Requiescat in pace. Tu es sacerdos in aeternam.

Holy Week in the Steps of Pope St. John Paul II ALEX KOWALKOWSKI ‘20, DIOCESE OF GAYLORD

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uring one of his Apostolic Journeys to Poland, Pope St. John Paul II remarked, “I am here among you as a pilgrim, dear Brothers and Sisters, sons and daughters of our common homeland. This is the sixth journey of the Polish Pope to his native country.

But each time I am invariably filled once more with profound emotion.

Every return to Poland is like a return to the family home, where the smallest objects remind us of what is closest and dearest to our hearts.” The Pope’s words and experience of his beloved homeland is something I could relate to this past Holy Week on my pilgrimage to Poland with 30 brother seminarians from the College.

Seminarians crowd in front of Calvary Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, where Pope Saint John Paul II's father entrusted him to the Blessed Mother after the death of his natural mother.

Fr. Daniel Hanley led and accompanied us men around various cities in Poland including: Kraków, Auschwitz, Częstochowa (the site of the miraculous image of Our Lady, Queen of Poland),

and Wadowice (the hometown of St. John Paul II).

Pope John Paul II mentioned in his address, “I am invariably filled once more with profound emotion.” For me, the feeling was very similar. During the weeks leading up to the pilgrimage, men of the seminary would ask, “Are you excited about your Easter plans?”

Each time, I would find myself unable to restrain a toothy-grin. It was this same grin which I couldn’t hide upon arriving in Poland on Monday of Holy Week, though it was my fourth time.

A large part of this joy came from being able to share the excitement and patriotism I bear for my own ancestral homeland with brother seminarians.

Although the feeling remains somewhat of a mystery, each time I return to Poland, I feel more grounded. Upon leaving, I have a sense of being “re-ordered” towards the goal: heaven.

Through my own experience, I wonder if others feel something similar when they return to their own ancestral homelands. If it is the case, I could not recommend more that they attempt to journey to their native country or even learn more about the heritage from which they descend.

In our contemporary world, particularly the United States, it can be easy to forget from whom or where we come.

I have wondered that if one were to learn more about or visit the lands of their ancestors, if greater order or peace would prevail in their lives. For me, I never had a great desire to visit

Fr. Daniel Hanley '05 (Arlington) offers up the Eucharist before the image of our Lady of Czestochowa.

Poland before studying in Rome as a seminarian. While some of my close friends in high school and college seminary enjoyed learning about their cultural heritage, I never understood its inherent value. Thanks be to God, it was having the gift of being able to travel to Poland for the first time with my parents two years ago, that I experienced true joy and happiness even when first stepping off the plane.

Although my other three trips were significant and unique in their own way, this most recent trip is one I will never forget as I was able to share my own love for Poland with the other men on pilgrimage. While not only enjoying the country itself, the encounter with God during those most holy days of the year was a true grace. At the end of our trip, Fr. Hanley commented that it was one of the most prayerful Holy Weeks he has experienced. I can heartily second that. n ROMAN ECHOES 2019 • VOLUME 23: ISSUE 4

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Economo’s Corner

“An ounce of prevention…

R E V. K E R RY A B B OT T, O F M CO N V. , I C T E ' 1 4

…is worth a pound of cure.”

Wise words that most people believe refer to their physical health. The truth is that when Benjamin Franklin first offered this adage to the world in 1735 he was urging his fellow citizens in Pennsylvania to adopt measures for communal protection against building fires.

Even so, Franklin’s exhortation could be applied to the vision that has informed our Rector’s strategic plan for many of the projects that have been undertaken and completed this year, and planned for next year, at both our Janiculum Hill campus and at the Casa Santa Maria.

Whether it be the installation of fire retardant materials used in the renovation of the Corso Auditorium, state of the art fire alarm and fire suppression systems in our workshops, our classrooms and our kitchens, or the replacement of water and weather compromised roofs and walls (just to name a few)—as costly as these enterprises may be—these costs

pale in comparison to the value of the lives, treasures, memories and future they protect. There is a more comprehensive overview of these 2018/2019 projects provided for you in another article in this issue of Roman Echoes.

As I conclude my fourth year as Economo, I never cease to be amazed at the vision of those that have gone before us whether it be in their articulation of our primary mission in service to God and His Church (the formation and education of good and holy priests), or the design and materials used to construct (in particular) the original buildings of the Janiculum Hill campus.

It is a magnificent incarnation of that vision that is entrusted to us to protect and build upon when one realizes that the seminary building was constructed soon after the conclusion of World War II in a post-war Italy that was struggling in so many ways. Yet those visionaries provided work to hundreds of our Italian neighbors, who used the finest materials available…brass

The latest news and photos from Rome.

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fittings for solid wood doors, beautiful brick, and mosaic tile.

My parents, who were children of the Great Depression, taught me to never take anything of hearth and home for granted, and Saint Francis reminds us to care for all aspects of God’s creation…all that comes to us from Him and for His glory. My deepest gratitude to all you visionaries, the centuries of benefactors, who allow us to care for our beautiful College (more than an ounce of prevention to be sure) so that we might proclaim the greatest cure of all, the Gospel of Jesus Christ! n

Institutional Advancement

Our U.S. H.Q.

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MARK RANDALL, CFRE • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ucked away on the third floor at the USCCB in Washington, DC is the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) for the North American College. While small in staff size compared to the dozens who work in Rome, the OIA nonetheless contributes a great deal to the mission of the College.

The OIA oversees all of the fund development, marketing and communication needs for the College; we provide a US-based point of contact and information for benefactors, pilgrims, bishops, and dioceses; and we serve as a liaison for the Alumni Association and the 4,000+ living alumni of the NAC. Our first development office was established in the mid-70’s by Deacon Patrick Kennedy, and overseen in later years by the late Msgr. Roger Roench ’58, and others. Since the tuition paid by bishops to send students to Rome does not adequately cover our budget, the College has always relied on the generosity of the lay faithful in the US, and our alumni, to help make our mission possible.

Today, the OIA team annually secures funding for the College via direct mail, grant requests, special events, and by close interaction with a host of major

From left: Andrea Malochee (Associate Director of Development), Mark Randall, CFRE (Executive Director), Lauren Hand (Advancement Operations Manager)

benefactors. Additionally, the OIA oversees the processing and acknowledgement of thousands of donations each year, and the careful recordkeeping of each invested gift. We also coordinate all of the estate gifts received from and those requested of our generous benefactors.

Since most of our friends will never visit our campuses in Rome, we work hard to “bring Rome, home” via our marketing and communications programs. The OIA oversees the College website and all promotional materials. We facilitate the production and mailing of our quarterly magazine, Roman Echoes, working with the student team in Rome. And, we maintain our social media accounts, monthly e-newsletters, media bulletins, and so on, to help our alumni and benefactors stay in touch.

The OIA also serves as a US-based point of contact for the College.

Despite the conveniences of email and reliable overseas phone service, some things are just easier within the same country code! We assist the Bishop’s Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican (which the College hosts in Rome) by fielding hundreds of emails and calls each year. The OIA also provides assistance to vocation directors, bishops, tour operators, and media each month.

And, our office works closely with the NAC Alumni Association by keeping current addresses for our alumni and helping plan annual reunions.

And finally, the OIA spearheads numerous special initiatives each year. For example, as the College approaches her 160th anniversary on December 8, 2019, the OIA will be rolling out a variety of projects in celebration of this grand milestone.

The OIA is over 4,000 miles away from our “home office.” While we often miss being in the daily presence of the seminarians and full community, each of us in the DC office feels blessed to work for such an extraordinary apostolate. Working directly with those who support this work – you, dear reader – is even more of a blessing. Thank you for your continued support! n

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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.

Prodigious scaffolding currently surrounds the College but water continues to spring from the courtyard fountain.

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