10 minute read
A New Cardinal
A New Cardinal and a Longtime Spiritual Father
JAMES MORGAN ’22, ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON
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Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Washington pose for a photo with Wilton Cardinal Gregory C'80.
ho wants to share some calamari?” These are some of the first words I remember W,, hearing from Cardinal Wilton Gregory. I first met him when he came to
Rome in spring 2018 before being installed as the new Archbishop of
Washington. He started that visit by celebrating Mass for us and ended with a familial pranzo. His openness to sharing at the table mirrored his desire to share a spiritual meal with us around the Eucharistic table; these two desires came together in a way that expressed his spiritual fatherhood.
The elevation of Cardinal Gregory (C‘80), the retirement of Cardinal Donald Wuerl (‘67), and the episcopal ordination of Bishop Bill Byrne (‘94) have led me to pause and reflect on my own call to spiritual fatherhood. During my seminary formation, these two cardinals have served as my ordinaries, and for a summer I was assigned to Bishop Byrne’s parish. My experiences with these three men have helped me realize that the spiritual fatherhood of the priest cannot be reduced to just one concept. The Holy Spirit calls forth this fatherhood uniquely in each man and in each circumstance. While I am very different than these three men, I am grateful to have been formed under each of them.
When I moved to Washington in 2014 to be a missionary in southeast D.C., I was surrounded by historic African-American parishes. In fact, I am still a parishioner at Our Lady of the Assumption in southeast Washington. This community welcomed me like family and has been a huge support in my vocation. I shared in their joy as Cardinal Gregory was named the first African-American Archbishop of Washington and continue to share in that spirit of thanksgiving now that he has recently become the first African-American cardinal.
I am thankful for this historic moment in the Church and recognize its significance for our country. I am also grateful that a man who is a true spiritual father has been recognized by the Church. n
A Time of Learning and Preparation
REV. EDWARD LINTON, O.S.B, DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
COVID-19 forced the Spring 2020 Institute of Continuing Theological Education program to end early. Priests left Rome in mid-March, cutting their sabbatical short by a month. As the situation had not improved, the autumn programs were canceled, and the Casa O’Toole has been very quiet. Even so, I have been able to use this time for personal study and preparations for when priests can return to Casa O’Toole again.
Impressed by the efforts of priests to sustain their parishes during COVID lockdowns, I wrote an article entitled, “Liturgical Lessons for Social Media from Medieval Hermits” to be published by Homiletic and Pastoral Review in December. During the late summer, I spent several weeks in Modena, Italy, studying Italian. While in Modena, I was able to investigate several sites for future ICTE programing, as well. Since returning to Rome, I have assisted in the seminary as needed and am writing an article on the role of listening in preaching. I am looking
Rev. Edward Linton, OSB stands in front of the Casa O'Toole, home of the Institute of Continuing Theological Education (ICTE).
forward to welcoming a small cohort of priests for the spring 2021 sabbatical program which will begin with a quarantine in January!
Already ICTE is looking toward the future. In autumn 2021, three modules are being planned for September 6–October 1; October 4–October 22; and October 29–November 19. The autumn modules offer a lot of flexibility for busy priests to enroll in continuing formation. Each module is self-contained and may be taken on its own. Priests may also enroll in two or all three of the modules for a coherent program, as each module builds on the next. The overall theme of the autumn 2021 program will be “Listening to the Incarnate Word of God.” The modules will focus on theology, preaching, and art, especially the art of storytelling. Visit the ICTE website for more information.
The spring 2022 ICTE sabbatical program is scheduled for January 17–April 11. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land will be offered March 3–11, 2022, as an optional part of the program.
Despite the strangeness of these days, I give thanks for the ways in which God has continued to bless this time and has been at work. I look forward with hope and expectation to welcoming priests back to Rome, to the Casa O’Toole, for a time of learning and refreshment. n
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Interview with Michele Marconi
ISMAEL RODRÍGUEZ '22, DIOCESE OF DALLAS
Michele Marconi (left) sits with Ismael Rodríguez '22 (Dallas) in the new Economato office to discuss his relationship with the College over the years.
How did you first get connected with the College? My connection to the College is quite unique. I was actually baptized here in the Immaculate Conception Chapel by Rev. Richard Foley '56, who served as academic dean from 1969–1974. My mother worked at the time as an assistant to his secretary. Her first job at the College was secretary to the College’s librarian, Brother Randal Riede, CFX. Thus, growing up, I was always around the College. I attended school right across the street at the Instituto delle Suore Maestre di Santa Dorotea. Today, the sisters rent out rooms for parents of children hospitalized at the nearby Bambino Gesù hospital.
After attending high school at Instituto Nazareth, I enrolled at La Sapienza (Sapienza Università di Roma), and pursued a major in business and economics. During my course of studies, I returned to the College and was unofficially “hired” by Sr. Rebecca Abel, OSB, College librarian from 1996–2013, as a librarian assistant in 1997. After graduation, I was offered a job in the city, but Sr. Rebecca protested, saying, “Michele, you have to refuse this job offer and instead work here at the College.” She quickly got Msgr. Kevin McCoy (’81), then acting Economo, to make room for me in his department. My job duties would consist of managing the library finances and helping out with the student and accounting services. After I agreed to the position, my hiring was subsequently approved by the rector Msgr. Timothy Dolan (’76). I remained in this role until I was promoted to Project Manager in 2013 for the To Echo Christ campaign.
What does your new role as Economo consist of?
My job consists of continuing the work of the Economos who have gonebefore me. Of course, this looks a bit different now, since I am the first lay Economo in the College's history. My job duties include overseeing all the accounting and finances of the College; overseeing campaigns and major projects in consultation with the rector; overseeing upgrades and maintenance work, both on the Hill and Casa Santa Maria; overseeing our human resources department; and finally, overseeing operations at our development office in Washington, D.C.
What are some of the current projects that you're involved with here at the College? This past summer we recently completed the building of our new Economato offices, a new dining area for our employees, and the renovation of both the garage and an apartment room at that Casa Santa Maria. Currently, I’m overseeing the completion of our massive ten-year project, finalizing the Information Technology program and overseeing the completion of the kitchen. Finally, as always, we are continuing in our updating and maintenance of our two campuses as well.
Do you have any closing remarks? I just want to say that it’s a great honor for me to work for the College. Out of all the different jobs that I have had here throughout the years, what I miss the most is direct contact with the students. Back when I was working as a librarian assistant and helping out with student services, I always thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with the seminarians. Now, as Economo, my contact with them is limited, but I still appreciate the great work that both the faculty and the students do. Knowing that I help contribute, in an indirect way, to the forming of future priests gives me great satisfaction and joy.
Thank YOU!
Considering the “thanksgiving” theme of this issue, I couldn’t imagine writing about something other than our deep appreciation for our many supporters, benefactors, and investors who make our mission possible.
As others have written herein, The
Pontifical North American College has much for which to be thankful.
Over the past 161 years, the College has been abundantly blessed in fulling our mission. God’s blessings have manifested through the actions of people, who through their generosity and loyalty have ensured we are able to do this noble work.
In my role as the Executive Director for the Office of Institutional Advancement, I have interacted with thousands of benefactors, lay and clergy, who have shared with me their love for the College and the reasons they choose to financially support our work. This is no small point: donors today have a myriad of worthy apostolates to support. I often say to my team, “God has already provided for the financial needs of the College. It’s our job to invite those with the resources to join us in our work.”
Alumni have told me that spending four years of their formation in Rome was instrumental in shaping their holy priesthood.
Lay benefactors have shared their stories of visiting the College and seeing the joy and faith of our students; others know an alumnus of the College and want to help us form additional holy priests.
Trustees of foundations, responsible for distributing large sums to help support the Church, understand it is vitally important that the bishops of the United States have a school in Rome and have therefore underwritten important capital projects to help us better serve our students.
Of course, I echo the many sentiments of gratitude expressed in this issue of Roman Echoes. But specifically, I am thankful for the generous souls who respond to our invitation to support the College: the widow who sends a $5 bill and a holy card in a plain white envelope; our Cor Meum sustaining donors who give every month; our alumni who loyally support alma mater via our December 8th Annual Appeal every year; our individual and family donors who have underwritten major projects, most without ever asking for public recognition; those who support the annual Rector’s Dinner to make it such a successful event; and so on.
In addition to our genuine words of gratitude in this issue, perhaps the best way we can express our thanks is to share as much as possible the good news happening in Rome. That’s why this magazine, our Facebook page, Firmum Est e-newsletter, and other communications are important. I hope you welcome these efforts and see the fruits of your generosity.
May God continue to bless you abundantly for your partnership with us. And, thank YOU! n
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The view of the Cortile degli Aranci and Immaculate Conception Chapel on a wet Roman evening.
