Gratitude From the Gianicolo
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R E V. M R . J OS E P H M O M I N E E ‘ 2 1 , D I O C E S E O F TO L E D O
n the evening of April 15, 2021, the student movie lounge at the College was full as seminarians and priests gathered for the showing of the virtual event that replaced the 2021 Rector’s Dinner. These thirty minutes during the showing of the video were marked by a lot of laughter and joy, reflecting the unusual experience of watching yourself and your brother seminarians and priests in a video presenting our day-to-day lives. The video was able to take ordinary moments of our day (chanting the Regina Coeli, playing basketball, and studying, for instance) and, through them, show how God is present in our lives and our formation. The video, Gratitude From the Gianicolo, provides a great insight into what life is like here at the College. In a typical year, the Rector’s Dinner capo would work with many other seminarians for months in preparation for welcoming our benefactors to the College to provide an evening expressing our gratitude. Three years ago, as part of my house job, I worked for the seminarian who was that year’s capo; this was the first time that I had
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is when we live as the men we are in God’s grace. This continuously came to my mind as we prepared Gratitude From the Gianicolo. The video gives, I believe, an authentic witness to this integrity by its insight into our lives. It has reminded us at the College that the parts of our day that can seem to be most ordinary, are, in fact, witnesses to the integrity of the handiwork of God.
Ben Pribbenow '23 (Green Bay) records video footage for Gratitude From the Gianicolo. You can watch the full video at www.pnac.org/gratitude.
a part in planning the annual Rector’s Dinner. The faculty member who was leading us in preparing for the dinner that year was Fr. Daniel Hanley. A few weeks before the Rector’s Dinner was to take place, during a meeting in which we went over some of the final details, Fr. Hanley said something that has stuck with me ever since. He told us that the most important witness to the integrity of our lives at the College
It was an incredible gift to help show this integrity of what God is raising up in the life of the Church in the United States. Throughout the filming of the video, I was reminded of God’s handiwork by the witness of my brothers in this house. In their generosity to use their gifts for this video, these seminarians and priests have given witness to me of the integrity of what it means to live as the men we are in God’s grace. I pray that this video has given you an insight into what God is bringing about in our lives. If you have not seen the video, it is available for viewing at www.pnac.org/gratitude. Please know how grateful we are for your generosity and dedication to the mission of the College. n
The idea for the Rector’s Dinner was first proposed by the Honorable Thomas Melady who served as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See from 1989–1993. It was formally initiated in 1991 by His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O’Brien, who served as rector of the College from 1990–1994. The Rector’s Dinner is attended by various guests including alumni, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Vatican Curia, and members of the American and European business worlds. The Rector’s Dinner provides the opportunity to gather to celebrate the mission and promote the cause of priestly formation. Each year the Rector’s Award is given in recognition to those who have been influential in the life of the College and have helped advance its mission.
The Pontifical North American College
