Sr. Mary Patrice

Interview with Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM

TAYLOR COLWELL ’23, ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON

What have you enjoyed most about serving as the College’s counselor? For me, it has been working with the seminarians. This is very meaningful and rewarding work that is also a good service to the Church. It is a privileged position to walk with these young men who are striving be good men and good priests. I love the Church and the priesthood, and to be able to serve in this way has been a gift.

I am extremely grateful for my time at the College. I will miss Rome and all of the people I have gotten to know here, but this is what you sign up for when you serve the Church—you get reassigned and you go where you are needed. I know there are always blessings in obedience, and I count on them.

What sort of growth have you tended to see among the men over the course of their time here?

What I tend to see is a growth in interior freedom, especially in areas where they struggle and want to be free to be authentically themselves. Some of the men I have worked with longest have grown more certain of themselves and of where they are headed.

What are some memories you will look back on from your time at the College? It has been interesting to be here during the COVID-19 experience. Especially during the initial lockdown, I was particularly grateful for our larger American community in Rome. It was nice to be part of that community

Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM departs the College after serving for three years as counselor.

and suffer through this together. At the beginning of this academic year, I was extremely grateful that all the men were able to come back. It was a difficult time, but I’m glad I was able to come to work and be of service.

What was it like as a woman religious to work as a seminary counselor? Do you think this gave you a unique perspective? At first, no one knew what to expect, but I can say now it has been a very positive experience. God’s providence did give me a sort of preparation because I grew up with all brothers. Everyone has been very welcoming, and working with the faculty has been a collaborative experience.

Absolutely, it gave me a unique perspective. If you think of your family, mom and dad pick up on different things—women do pick up on a lot of things especially in the area of interpersonal relationships, and this is an important perspective in seminary formation. Having a female counselor is a good way for women to be involved.

Could you describe your next assignment and what you are looking forward to most about it? I am being reassigned to our community in Washington, D.C., as our local superior there. In terms of my apostolic work, I will help train Catholic psychologists and do clinical work.

Having lived outside the United States for five years, I am looking forward to going back and being with my sisters there, being closer to our mother house, and being closer to my own family. I have really loved being in Rome and being part of the College community, but it will be good to go back, too. n