Pastoral Formation

2020-2021 Annual Report

Rev. Patrick Agustin ’20 (Washington) is assisted in the Mass by deacons Rev. Mr. Nicholas Morrison ’21 (Washington) and Rev. Mr. Patrick Costello ’21 (Green Bay) at the U.S. Naval base in Naples, Italy.

Pastoral Formation:

Bringing Christ to the World

Rev. Mr. Patrick Costello ’21, Diocese of Green Bay

The Gospel of Matthew is the only Gospel that ends with the words of the Lord Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” This great commission is a call that echoes strongly in the hearts of seminarians; we desire to respond to the love of Christ for us by bringing that message of divine love to the world.

In a normal year, seminarians are busy all over Rome and beyond in living out this great commission. We are normally active in a wide variety of apostolates including evangelization of visitors to Rome and ministry to Catholic pilgrims; work with the poor, homeless, and elderly alongside religious communities like the Missionaries of Charity and the Little Sisters of the Poor; teaching catechism and sacramental preparation for children; prison ministry to English-speaking prisoners in Rome; campus ministry to the many American college students studying abroad; parish work in the city with American, Spanish, and Italian communities; and military ministry to American Catholics serving the nation at Navy and Air Force installations in Italy. The restrictions of the past year have presented real challenges to our ordinary way of doing apostolic work. Since such work is crucial to the pastoral formation of future priests, we have had to be creative in finding ways to keep that apostolic spirit alive. Since the conditions have prevented most in-person ministry, some apostolates have had to shift to the work of prayer for their people. We have always prayed before, during, and after apostolic work, but when prayer is your main work, one realizes more fully that everything depends on the Lord. In addition, the apostolates of Aviano Air Force Base and Santa Maria in Monserrato have provided catechetical videos, while St. Patrick parish, Christendom College, and St. Francis International School have been able to engage in online teaching and faith-sharing ministries.

The apostolate working with Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples, Italy, has been blessed to complete the year with both remote and in-person ministry. The entire fall semester was carried out virtually. Ministry felt different, but we were still able to maintain relationships by teaching catechism remotely on Sundays, giving reflection talks, leading online Bible study, virtually hosting Catholic family trivia night (a big hit!), and even presenting a day-long Confirmation retreat with the students together at the base while we remained at the College. Nothing could compare with the great joy of finally returning to the base in-person in the spring semester and spending time in the presence of the Catholic community there.

Christ’s words in Matthew 28 do not admit that our great commission ceases when conditions get difficult; rather, we know that even while facing large obstacles, Christ will still be with us to the close of the age. Such obstacles this past year have reminded us of the fundamental reality that it is always his grace that brings any good apostolic work to fruition.

Joseph Brodeur '24 (Providence) serves a meal for his fellow seminarians in the refectory.