Rector’s Corner

It is an honor for me to be serving as the Rector of the Pontifical North American College. My primary goal is to be a spiritual father to the seminarians and a fraternal support to the community of formators. Please pray that I may do that worthily and well.

Dear Friend of The Pontifical North American College,

It would be hard to find a better view of the city of Rome than from the roof of the College. Standing on the sixth floor from atop the Janiculum Hill, one can admire the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and point out landmarks that have adorned this city for hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years. A wonderful view, indeed.

There is, however, another view from inside the College that is the best of all. It is the one from inside the Immaculate Conception Chapel where all of the seminarians and the formation team gather together every day for community Mass and to pray Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. For as truly awesome as the view from the roof of the College is, to see over one hundred seminarians turn their minds, wills, and voices toward God in worship and prayer is truly awe-inspiring. These men are here to be formed as priests with the heart of Jesus and to surrender their entire lives to him for the sake of his Church. A wonderful view, indeed!

In that sacred space, the men look to Christ in the tabernacle asking for the grace of perseverance and courage, and they look up at the majestic mosaic of the Blessed Virgin Mary, imploring her intercession and protection. They pray together as brothers, preparing themselves to say “yes” to God’s holy will in obedience and in a sincere gift of self. It is fitting that every four weeks they all pray these words from the Breviary, our common liturgical book of prayer: “Surrender to God, and he will do everything for you.”

It is an honor for me to be serving as the Rector of the Pontifical North American College. My primary goal is to be a spiritual father to the seminarians and a fraternal support to the community of formators. Please pray that I may do that worthily and well.

If you find yourself in Rome, please come for a visit to the College. We will be happy to show you the view from the roof; however, if you want an even more memorable and inspiring view, you may want to start in the chapel.

Thank you for your continued support, for which we are deeply grateful.

Rev. Msgr. Thomas W. Powers ‘97 Rector