Rector, Mentor Brother

Rector, Mentor, Brother: Lessons in Spiritual Fatherhood from Fr. Harman

REV. CHRISTOPHER TRUMMER ‘21, DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD IN ILLINOIS

Despite being from the same diocese as Fr. Harman, prior to my arrival at the College in 2017, I had only met him on one occasion. A year before, during our diocesan summer gathering for seminarians, Fr. Harman visited and gave a short talk: “Tips on how to discern well in seminary.” I remember enjoying the talk and being impressed by him. I assumed that, with him being in Rome, I would probably see very little of him for at least several more years. That assumption proved false when just a few months later, my bishop asked me to study in Rome—Fr. Harman and I would be seeing much more of each other.

When I first arrived at the College, my initial impression was one that I suspect many New Men have: the College is a massive institution. Even in terms of its physical appearance, the seminary can be rather intimidating. For me personally, transitioning from a college seminary of 40 men to the College, which at the time housed over 200 seminarians, was no small adjustment. However, I was relieved to discover that despite its large size and prestigious reputation, there was a strong atmosphere of community, brotherhood, and even home at the North American College.

Throughout my years of formation here, I have learned that this atmosphere is not something that simply arises naturally and can be taken for granted. Rather, it exists in large measure thanks to our leaders, who set the tone of the community through their preaching, teaching, and above all, their example as priests. During his time as Rector, Fr. Harman has contributed greatly to the healthy atmosphere we enjoy. He has not been only a manager to this community of men—he has truly been our spiritual father, our pastor. His role as the community’s father and shepherd has been especially evident through all the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personally, Fr. Harman has been a great mentor to me during my time of formation here. With our many weekly diocesan or state fraternity nights, as well as various other trips together (especially hiking), I have had the privilege of getting to know Fr. Harman well. I have always been impressed at the way he manages to maintain his role as Rector while simultaneously being a true diocesan brother. In this balance I see a beautiful example of spiritual fatherhood. Fr. Harman knows how to build others up and encourage them, not by imposing or condescending, but by earning their sincere respect and showing them the joy of the Christian life. Simply by striving to live his own priesthood to the full each day, Fr. Harman shows others that the priesthood is beautiful and desirable. His priesthood is an invitation and not an assertion.

The most valuable lesson Fr. Harman has taught me and, I imagine, many others over the years can seem cliché, but it is absolutely essential: Be yourself. As a man, as a Christian, as a priest, as a pastor, even as a rector—whatever situation you find yourself in—be authentically yourself. Be the same person before God, before both your superiors and your subordinates, before your brother priests and friends, and before everyone you serve and encounter. If we have really experienced God’s love for us in Jesus, and if we are firmly rooted in our identity as beloved sons of God, then we have nothing to fear even as we are sent out to proclaim the Gospel in this world that can seem so hostile to it. If we strive to live out of our true identity in a consistent way then, with God’s grace, we will become spiritual fathers who genuinely help others encounter Jesus Christ. n

Rev. Christopher Trummer '21 and Very Rev. Peter Harman '99, Rector, will both return to their home diocese of Springfield in Illinois as brother priests.