Rev. Mr. Joshua Nehnevaj '22 (Seattle) incenses Rev. Joshua J. Rodrigue, '02 (Houma-Thibodaux), Director of Spiritual Formation, at a
Fathers Are Not Born, But Made REV. JOSHUA J. RODRIGUE ’02, DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION
12
The Pontifical North American College
A
fter a year transitioning to theological studies and formation along with adapting to life in Rome, our seminarians begin their second year of formation. The focus of their summer workshop and class retreat is on priestly identity. While an ordained man’s identity always finds its source in Christ as priest and victim, other facets of priestly identity, such as the priest as shepherd, spiritual physician, chaste spouse, and spiritual father, have emerged over the years to assist in living out Christ’s priesthood in the world today. An essential part of priestly formation is modeling and preparing a seminarian to become a spiritual father. In his apostolic letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), on the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being named the universal patron of the Church, Pope
