21 minute read
The Identity of a Spiritual Father
Rev. Mr. Joshua Nehnevaj '22 (Seattle) incenses Rev. Joshua J. Rodrigue, '02 (Houma-Thibodaux), Director of Spiritual Formation, at a celebration of Evening Prayer in the Immaculate Conception Chapel.
Fathers Are Not Born, But Made
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After 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
Rev. Mr. Joshua Nehnevaj '22 (Seattle) incenses Rev. Joshua J. Rodrigue, '02 (Houma-Thibodaux), Director of Spiritual Formation, at a celebration of Evening Prayer in the Immaculate Conception Chapel.
Francis explains: “Fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person” (7).
When asked, many seminarians have responded that the identity that resonates most often within their hearts is spiritual fatherhood. It speaks to the depth of their vocational desire to share with others the love and insights they have received in encountering Christ through their prayer and study. Because seminarians are not bachelors, they desire to give of themselves in service to the Church, to provide for the fullness of the spiritual life to those entrusted to their pastoral care. They want to live out Jesus’ proclamation: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10). After years of receiving formation as seminarians, they are finally able as priests to accept responsibility for the spiritual lives of others, finally able to become spiritual fathers themselves.
I have been blessed to accompany seminarians on their journey towards spiritual fatherhood over the past fifteen years as a spiritual director. I offer guidance in times of uncertainty, hope in times of fear, reassurance in times of discouragement, and I see the seminarians’ initial fears and doubts that come with being “an expectant father,” yielding to the eventual assurance and confidence that comes from Christ’s unfailing help in caring for souls. These have truly been a source of great fulfillment in my own experience of spiritual fatherhood and are the fruits born from the gift of chaste celibacy.
Reflecting upon my own formation, how can I not express gratitude to my own spiritual director during my time as a seminarian here at the College? He helped to shape me as a spiritual father and spiritual director for those entrusted to my care. However, I must admit, I owe much of my formation in spiritual fatherhood to the good example of my own father. After my ordination, I gave my father a copy of our College’s Manual of Prayers as a gift and inscribed in the inside cover: “The seminary may have taught me how to be a good priest, but you have taught me how to be a good father.” I am hopeful that the current formation offered at the College and the Lord’s grace will provide both good priests and good spiritual fathers for the People of God. n
clockwise Very Rev. Peter Harman '99 (Springfield in Illinois) welcomes Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly following his meeting with the Holy Father Pope Francis.; Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore offers a memorial Mass for Count Enrico Galleazi on the altar dedicated to the Count at the Assumption Chapel.; Accompanied by Archbishop Lori, Mr. Kelly presents Fr. Harman with a first-class relic of Blessed Michael McGivney. A model of diocesan priesthood and sanctity, Bl. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 to promote fraternal charity.;The delegation pays homage to Count Galleazi, the only person buried on campus.
A Storied Partnership Continues on the Janiculum
REV. MR. LOUIS CONA ‘22, DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE
When Blessed Michael McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in the basement of St.
Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882, little would he have imagined his Order growing into the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world. Neither would he have imagined its special partnership with the North American College, which was reaffirmed this past fall with the visit to the College of a delegation led by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly.
A central aspect of the Order’s charitable and fraternal mission includes ongoing support for the formation of seminarians and priests through financial, pastoral, and spiritual assistance. The development of the College’s new campus on the Janiculum Hill, for example, depended in large measure on the help of the Knights through their Special Delegate in Rome, Count Enrico Galeazzi. A Knight of Columbus himself, he not only served as a diplomatic aide between the United States and the Holy See, but also as the College’s chief architect and engineer. To this day, Count Galeazzi is honored at the College with a portrait in the Founders’ Parlor for his pivotal role in the construction of the Janiculum campus, and he remains the only person buried within the College.
Since Pope Pius XII, a close friend of Galeazzi, dedicated the new college in 1953, the Knights of Columbus have remained a faithful and generous supporter of the seminary. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly continued in this storied tradition with a memorable visit to the College on October 26, 2021. Archbishop William E. Lori, Supreme Chaplain to the Knights, also joined Mr. Kelly on his visit. The Supreme Knight visited the College shortly after meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican—it marked a moment of transition for the Order as past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson expressed his appreciation to the Holy Father and introduced his successor. Mr. Kelly in turn expressed the continued loyalty of the Order to the Holy See and the universal Church. The Supreme Knight’s visit to the College following his audience with the Holy Father reveals the high priority the Order places on priestly formation. The delegation’s visit to the College began with a memorial Mass for Count Galeazzi celebrated by Archbishop Lori at the Count’s altar in the Assumption Chapel. Following Mass, Fr. Peter Harman led a tour of the College. The group also visited the St. John Paul II chapel, where a stained-glass window is dedicated to Bl. McGivney. There, before this window, the Supreme Knight surprised Fr. Harman with a first-class relic of Bl. McGivney as a gift to the College. The relic now remains in the chapel beneath Bl. McGivney’s window, where students frequently sit to pray and ask for his intercession. The relic is of particular importance to the College because of Bl. McGivney's model of holiness and mission for parish priests.
The Supreme Knight’s visit concluded with an address to seminarians on the importance of spiritual fatherhood. Mr. Kelly urged all present to turn to St. Joseph as a model and guide. Citing Pope Francis’s Apostolic Letter on St. Joseph Patris Corde, the Supreme Knight highlighted the importance of developing a father’s heart so that, like St. Joseph, we can have creative courage and trust in the Lord. Steadfast faith and love for the Lord Jesus, which both St. Joseph and Bl. McGivney displayed so well during their lives, serve as the ultimate root of all fatherhood here on earth and the deepest motivation for the mission of the Knights of Columbus and their support for the College. n
He Did as the Lord Had Commanded Him
JOSEPH BRODEUR ‘24, DIOCESE OF PROVIDENCE
When he awoke, he did as the Lord had commanded him” (Mt 1:24). We hear these words written of our Lord’s earthly father in the Gospel of Matthew, telling us how Joseph always responded promptly and joyfully to the Lord’s call with complete trust and total abandonment to Divine Providence. Over the course of the holy year dedicated to St. Joseph, we have done our best to keep the image and example of this just man before our eyes, so that we can learn to love the household of God “with a father’s heart,” just as he did.
Every Wednesday—a day traditionally dedicated to the saint’s memory—one of the house deacons has led the community in a prayer to the head of the Holy Family, asking him to “fill the Church with men as husbands and fathers who seek to live faithfully, lead families humbly, and form children lovingly.” In this prayer, we also ask him to “intercede for us to our one Father in Heaven, that we may be worthy of the trust given to us who seek to be conformed ever more deeply to the Person of Jesus Christ.”
For the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19th, the whole College community came together to celebrate with the Sicilian tradition of the St. Joseph Altar—a three-tiered table replete with delicious baked goods (including over 100 zeppole!) and surmounted by an image of the holy patriarch. The table was then blessed and shared to remind us of
Members of the devotional group “Men of St. Joseph” pray together for the saint's intercession.
God’s abundant generosity. It also recalls the responsibility of all fathers to sustain their children with bodily and spiritual nourishment.
Around the same time, the College began a chapter of the Men of St. Joseph International—a parish-based men’s group that aims to help men foster their vocation to fatherhood through prayer and fraternity. This new Roman chapter likewise seeks to help us future priests grow in our identity as spiritual fathers. We also surround the Rector of the College—the father of our house—with prayers and protection as he leads us through this journey of formation.
In my own meditation upon the life and virtues of my namesake, I have been continually struck by the priestly qualities of his chaste and generous heart—a man who made a complete offering of himself to the service of Jesus Christ each day. I have shared many of these reflections in weekly social media posts featuring some of the breathtaking altars I have encountered around Europe. It has been an inspiration to witness how faithful Christians across generations and cultures have expressed their loving devotion to our father in the order of grace.
“When he awoke, he did as the Lord had commanded him.” What greater praise could be given to a disciple of the Lord Jesus! What if that same statement could be said of every Christian man when his alarm went off each morning? It is my prayer that, supported by the example and intercession of good St. Joseph, this might become more and more a reality each day. n
VOICES OF NAC What is one way you have experienced or learned about spiritual fatherhood during your time at the College?
There is certainly a parallel between spiritual fatherhood and natural fatherhood, especially regarding time commitments and being present. It can be easy in this life to say “I’m busy,” and attend to some (often important) task—but at the risk of failing to attend to the person right in front of us. If we really love the people we serve, it is their priorities that come first over our own. Rev. Mr. Jakob Hurlimann ‘22, Diocese of Austin
One way in which I have learned about spiritual fatherhood is through the apostolates. Whether it be praying for the people that we could not be with last year, or walking with the people this year, we truly get to experience what it is like to accompany people. Accompanying people is one major aspect of spiritual fatherhood, and the apostolates truly provide us an experience of what spiritual fatherhood is like. Mike Mahoney ‘23, Diocese of Des Moines
You might associate with fatherhood, “leader,” “teacher,” and “protector.” These are great qualities for a priest, and I fully expected upon entering seminary that I would be improving myself in these roles. What took me by surprise was that seminary has made me a better son. I’m okay with relying on my Father for my needs. I think God wants me to know that being a good son makes a good father. I am a student of the Father’s love.
Samuel Hill ‘24, Diocese of Richmond
Since arriving in Rome, the New Men have learned a new language, become acclimated to new universities, made new friends, and integrated into a new seminary. Through these challenges, we were accompanied by the faculty and orientation team. These two groups exhibited genuine spiritual fatherhood in their actions during our first weeks in Rome. In their welcome, presence, and inclusion, they showed us that spiritual fatherhood is best lived by welcoming the stranger and being present. William Robbins ‘25, Diocese of Beaumont
Snapshots
Rev. Mr. Bradley Easterbrooks ’22 (San Diego) shares his experience as Navy Chaplain Candidate with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA and why he has chosen to serve God’s people in that way.
James Fangmeyer ’24 (Washington), wearing an Oktoberfest hat, leads entertainment for the annual celebration of the German Holiday. Bryce Baumann ’24 (Dallas) and Matthew Pohlman ’24 (Omaha), sing out some of their favorite songs for the community.
“That’s a great door.” Joseph Brodeur '24 (Providence) walks through a door while touring the library of the Casa Santa Maria. Together at the Thanksgiving Table: Left side: Nicholas Monnin ’25 (Fort Wayne-South Bend), Clint Johnson ’25 (Evansville), Dr. Mark Glafke. Right side: Zane Langenbrunner ’23 (Fort Wayne-South Bend), Mark Hellinger ’24 (Fort Wayne-South Bend), Tyler Underhill ’24 (Evansville), and Sam Anderson '23 (Fort Wayne-South Bend)
A Warm Drink on a Cold Day: Jimmy Muscatella ’24 (Rochester) raises his coffee mug as Matthew Prosperie ’23 (Houma-Thibodaux), Aaron Salvan ’24 (New York) and the rest of the seminarians enjoy watching the Spaghetti Bowl.
Joyful to be Welcoming Guests Again: Archbishop Jorge Carlos Patrón Wong, Secretary for Seminaries of the Congregation for the Clergy, stands with Bryce Baumann ’24 (Dallas), Isaac Oviedo ’22 (Tyler), and Rev. Zach Webb, director of seminarians of the Diocese of Dallas. Rev. Kenneth Malley ’97 (St. Petersburg), Nicholas Le ’22 (Atlanta), Daniel Scanlan ’23 (Venice in Florida), Joseph Doherty ’25 (Venice in Florida), and Christian Chami ’22 (Venice in Florida) smile between courses of Thanksgiving Dinner.
Beginning second from left, Matthew Ludwig ’24 (Washington), David Lee ’24 (Nashville) and Scott Fyall ’24 (Austin) take a mid-stride selfie in front of St. Peter’s Basilica during the 5k Turkey Trot, early in the morning. Members of the 2nd Hospital Hall (affectionately known as "Trailer Park") celebrate their "100% Hall Participation" award, for each hall resident having been a participant in the Turkey Trot.
A Week of Thanksgiving
REV. MR. PETER LUDWIG ‘22, DIOCESE OF LANSING
Thanksgiving in Italy! How is that possible? Do they have turkeys in Europe? Stuffing and pumpkin pie don’t seem like Italian cuisine. Nevertheless, every year, determined students and staff at the College seek to overcome the obstacles presented by geographical distance from the United States in order to properly celebrate Thanksgiving.
Rest assured, this U.S. holiday receives its full due here at The Pontifical
North American College.
Thanksgiving week at the College is very busy—Thanksgiving Day hall breakfast, Thanksgiving Day Mass, Thanksgiving Day dinner, New Man and Old Man show, and the Spaghetti Bowl are all packed into four days. My favorite event of the week is the hall breakfast on Thanksgiving Day. Each Thanksgiving, seminarians gather with the other members of their hall (about 20 guys) and make an enormous American breakfast. It is a time of fraternity and food, ranging from homemade cinnamon rolls to smoked bacon. This all-out breakfast tides us over until the traditional Thanksgiving meal in the evening.
As good as it is to enjoy an American breakfast, even better is the time spent with hall neighbors. I am blessed to live on the hall officially named “third convent” for its location and nicknamed “third cinema” for its propensity to watch films. So much has happened on this hall since I moved in almost four years ago. Most
Ad multos annos. After serving dinner, fifth-year student priests and fourth-year deacons raise their glasses to toast the community from which, after several Thanksgivings, they will soon depart.
of the men who welcomed me as a new man are now priests back in the U.S. God-willing, that will be me next year. New Men come and old friends go, but every Thanksgiving, we have a chance to appreciate the brotherhood we share on the hall.
Thanksgiving Day rolls on with a beautiful Mass and a full, proper Thanksgiving dinner—turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. It is everything an American could ask for in a Thanksgiving meal. Just two days later, the house gathers for an event known as the New Man and Old Man show. The event is divided into two segments. The New Men put on their show first and then follow the “Old Men” (those who have lived at the College more than 5 months). The entertainment lasts a few hours and involves music and a lot of good laughs. The Spaghetti Bowl follows the next day, when New Men and Old Men face off against each other in a game of flag football on Sunday afternoon.
Truly, there is much to be thankful for during Thanksgiving week at the College. It can be a tough holiday to spend away from family and friends in the U.S., but the amount of time spent together—with food, fellowship, and football—makes Thanksgiving week at the College a meaningful time for building fraternity. When I look back at my time here, I am so grateful for the many friendships forged with other men studying to be priests. I am thankful for the renewed opportunity during this final year of seminary to build new relationships and strengthen old friendships—even if it means celebrating Thanksgiving 6,000 miles from home. n
A First Thanksgiving Abroad
PETER FAIRBANKS ‘25, ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON
Before every Thanksgiving, the President of the United States proclaims anew the fourth Thursday of
November as a day set aside for
Americans to give thanks. This annual renewal makes the holiday unique in the national calendar by suggesting that the posture of thanksgiving is not automatic. There are always new blessings, events, and people for which to be grateful. The celebration of Thanksgiving does not simply happen—as anyone who has ever hosted Thanksgiving dinner knows.
Neither is the celebration of
Thanksgiving Day a given reality for Americans in Rome. The North
American College offers an expression of the annually renewed feast with perhaps the largest collection of
Thanksgiving festivities in the world outside of the United States and her military bases.
As a New Man, this Thanksgiving at the College was my first spent away from family and friends. Since the leaves do not change colors as much here in Rome, the lead-up to
Thanksgiving is marked instead by the preparations for a busy weekend. The festivities kick off at 6:00 a.m. Thanksgiving morning with the
Turkey Trot—a 5k run around the walls of Vatican City for seminarians, student-priests, and other friends. We
New Men won the award for most participation, which included a cache of American goods like Reese’s candy,
Budweiser, and A&W Root Beer.
After the runners hit the showers, each of the dormitory halls cooked breakfast together. We take the day off from classes.
After a beautiful evening Mass came Thanksgiving dinner. The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy to the Holy See, Mr. Patrick Connell, read President Biden’s Proclamation, in which the President reflected on our gratitude to “God, our nation, and each other.” Concluding the evening was a toast proposed to the United States, the singing of "America the Beautiful," and dessert—seventy pumpkin pies baked by members of the community.
The good eating and fraternity continued at Friday night’s New Man Dinner—an evening meal planned, executed, and enjoyed by members of the first-year class. Steak, macaroni and cheese, and apple pie brought a little bit of America to each of her sons far from home. Saturday evening saw the New Man and Old Man Show in the Auditorium, which featured hour-long collections of skits, videos, and songs we had been rehearsing for about a month.
The weekend ends with the annual Spaghetti Bowl—a flag football game between the New Men and the Old Men. I coached the New Man team, and a couple of weeks of practice gave me confidence in our chances. A hardfought game, however, saw the Old Men win their third-straight victory.
Thanksgiving Weekend at the College demonstrated how faith has influenced our country, and how our country in turn influences our lives of faith. The day set aside for giving thanks to God and country speaks to the religious ethos in our American traditions, and its celebration in Rome shows how we as Catholics love and serve the land from which we come. n
Peter Fairbanks ’25 (Washington), on right, shares a laugh with Ben Pribbenow ’23 (Green Bay) and the referees before the start of the Spaghetti Bowl.
All Souls' Day at Campo Verano
JACOB LIVECCHI ‘23, DIOCESE OF TOLEDO
On All Souls’ Day, the Church has the beautiful tradition of remembering those who have gone before us. It is a day to pray for and honor all the faithful departed. This day often includes the tradition of visiting cemeteries and tombs of loved ones.
At the North American College, we have a beautiful tradition of celebrating a special Mass in our mausoleum at Campo Verano—the largest cemetery in Rome. This mausoleum, located outside the walls of the city, holds the remains of both students and faculty members who died here in Rome. There are three levels to the mausoleum. The first level, and the only one in use, holds the remains of one bishop, six priests (including two rectors), and fifteen seminarians.
As head sacristan, I had the opportunity of assisting at this Mass in a particular way. My job was to bring and prepare the sacred vessels and vestments for Mass. To celebrate Mass in this place was very special. I stood in our mausoleum, surrounded by the bodies of those who had died as seminarians, many close to my own age, and I faced the altar as the light from the rose window colored the room.
On either side of me were the tombs of those who had died living the same life as mine. In this space, the finality of this life became very real to me. These brother seminarians who have gone before me remind me of my own final end and the necessity to always live in a manner fit for it.
Many of these brother seminarians offer a good example to follow. In particular, there is Servant of God Frank Parater of the Diocese of Richmond. After coming to Rome to study as a seminarian, he died at the age of 22 in 1920. His tomb and the tombs of many other seminarians offer us a reminder both of our finality and of the purpose of our study while we are here in Rome: to reach heaven and to assist others in doing the same. n
On the Feast of All Souls, members of the College pray for and with those who have gone before us: first to Rome, then to our heavenly homeland.
