Byzantine Catholic

Presence at the College

The Preparation of the Bread and Wine.

Celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The Great Incensation.

The Great Entrance.

Left: The Incensation of the Gifts.

Right: Rev. Ronald Barusefski C'16 distributes the Eucharist to Samuel Bass '22 (Austin).

Interview with Rev. Ronald Barusefski C'16

EDITORIAL STAFF OF ROMAN ECHOES

What do you think has been the greatest impact of the Byzantine Catholic presence at the College? It has always been my hope that in sharing all that is unique about the Byzantine tradition—the spiritual, liturgical, and historical dimensions of its patrimony—there can be a greater understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse contributions that my own Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church sui iuris makes to the Universal Church. I also hope that it will lead to continued interest in all twenty-four individual Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris, as most have eparchies and parishes in many areas of the United States. Some newly-ordained priests have already sought bi-ritual faculties in the Ruthenian and Melkite Catholic Churches.

How did the North American Martyrs Chapel become the Byzantine Chapel for the College? The North American Martyrs Chapel is ideally designed for Eastern services since it is the only small chapel where one can move around the altar. It originally served as an Eastern chapel for the College’s Ruthenian and Maronite seminarians from about 1975 to 1985. When I became a faculty member in 2016, Father Harman graciously allowed for its Eastern use once again. With the cooperative effort of the College and Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic, who serves as the Eastern Catholic representative on the Board of Governors, along with the

Left to right: Samuel Bass '20 (Austin), Rev. Ronald Barusefski C'16 and Rev. Mr. Lucas LaRoche '21 (Worcester) join for a photo after a celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

carpentry skills of a then second-year theologian, Joseph Sigur, a fitting worship area for the Divine Liturgy and other services was quickly realized.

What do you think is the significance of the College having a chapel for the Divine Liturgy and other Eastern services?

The presence of the Byzantine Chapel here at the College is a powerful witness of the Eastern theological concept of “unity with diversity.” There is a very holistic approach to Eastern worship that nearly overwhelms the senses, and this necessitates a proper ecclesial setting. Between the sight of the many icons, the smell of the incense, the hearing of the singing and chanting of the distinct music, and the taste of the Eucharist in the form of leavened bread soaked in wine, the faithful are taken out of their earthly existence to experience the heavenly. Seminarians have also noted the profound benefit of praying before the icons. What are some of your fondest memories of services held here in the chapel? Every time a student has approached me to learn how to be a server, lector, cantor, deacon, and even a priest concelebrant has been an incredibly humbling grace for me, and I express here my heartfelt gratitude to them all. Their dedicated efforts during these last five years have made the liturgical services much more impactful. Whenever the attending seminarians begin to sing the responses, it is always an inspiring experience. One particularly memorable moment for me was in presenting the Byzantine Chapel to the Eastern Catholic bishops and clergy from the United States who stayed at the College during their 2020 ad limina visit. It warmed my heart to see their pleasantly surprised expressions when they viewed firsthand the College’s commitment to Eastern worship.

What is the future of the chapel? I am glad to report that the icon screen and the other liturgical appointments will remain a very visible part of the College as they will eventually be transferred to the Byzantine Chapel at the Casa Santa Maria. The icon screen in particular will compliment and complete the worship area there, which already has beautiful icons adorning all of its walls. n