Formation - A Day in the Life

8/10/2010

First, it’s been a while since I’ve put up a blog post – that’s due in part to the fact that for the first part of the summer, I have been busy with a parish summer assignment here in Italy – and also to the fact that internet access was a little more sparse there. So, you have my apologies!

Part of the summer routine for a diocesan seminarian usually includes some kind of parish ministry. This is true even of seminarians studying at the NAC, although they don't usually return home to the USA during the summer after completing First Theology.

And so, for several weeks in June and July, I was assisting at the parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo in Capodimonte, Viterbo. The parish is located in a very small town on the shores of Lago di Bolsena, in the Lazio Region of Italy, about 2 hours from Rome.

One day of the youth program we went on a mini-retreat/ exploration time on a hill overlooking the area. It was called the hermitage of St. Francis, and the kids really enjoyed the afternoon.

During my time, I found that the Italian parish is very different from the American parish in many ways, including the way things are structured, what programs exist, and how they are organized. This obviously reflects the cultural differences found between the two countries. Something that is very important here in order to be an effective minister of the Gospel is to become familiar with and attentive to local customs and culture, which in many ways is specific for each little town. I’ve also seen firsthand and learned more about cultural Catholicism, and the challenges that it can bring to parish ministry.

Part of the summer youth program was helping with the summer youth program, including catechesis (in Italian, of course).

Nevertheless, there are some things that are universal to parish life. Over the past several weeks I've found my self participating in various aspects of parish life. Some are similar to what the other seminarians are doing back in the States on their parish assignments – visiting hospital patients, bringing Holy Communion to the homebound, assisting at Masses at the parishes. Much of what I have been doing has been working with people, and not necessarily through structured programs as one would in the States, but also meeting people around the town, on the lakeshore, etc. The town is small enough that most of the locals know each other (in fact, most of the people are at least distantly related!) and it makes this kind of ministry possible.

A Group shot of the summer youth program, in front of the Rocca Farnese, the town landmark and a fortress where Renaissance Popes would vacation.

Another big part of what I did this summer was helping with the summer youth programs, called GREst (Gruppo Raggazzi Estive) – which is similar to a Vacation Bible School program in the USA, but with two separate age groups during different weeks, from 4-9 and 10-15. The program consisted of catechesis, music, dance, skits, crafts and other activities as well.

One of the activities of the youth program were a variety of games and activities.

It was a great joy to spend time with so many of the youth of the town. There were also a different program that we did with the teenagers as well.

The experience in the Italian parish has also helped me to vastly improve my Italian language skills, since almost all of my interaction with others happens in Italian. Most of all, I would say that the experience of Italian inculturation has helped me to appreciate the Italian culture, and appreciate even more the way we do things in an American parish. Certainly I’m learning the ropes of parish life what it means to be a parish priest. And after this experience, I’m glad to be returning to serve in the USA!

My pastor, me, and another seminarian from the diocese of Viterbo, Italy on the lakeshore of Lago di Bolsena.

Posted at 6:46 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

6/20/2010

The Closing of the Year of the Priest

In June, on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Benedict presided over the closing of the Year for Priests.

All year the Holy Father's addresses talked about topics related to the priesthood. There have been some profound meditations and insights, as well as challenges issued to priests and to the people of the Church. We would all do well to remember all of these words of the Holy Father, to meditate upon them, and not let them simply pass away like the latest news report. Rather, through praying with his words and marinating in Benedict's teachings, priests, seminarians, and the whole people of God can transformed more and more into who we are called to be.

Living and studying in Rome provided a refreshing break from finals to attend the celebrations with priests and seminarians from all over the world.

A different kind of Papal Event

Studying at the NAC, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to attend numerous papal lilturgies and events throughout the year. This one, however, was completely different from any other that I’ve been to. There was a sense of peace about Rome, especially at the Prayer vigil and Mass.

A shot of St. Peter's as priests (all those white albs) gather for the closing Mass of the Year of the Priest.

Usually, there are busloads of tourists waving and screaming and hollering for the Holy Father, he has become like a rock star. This gathering, however, was different. Here were thousands of priests from all over the world gathered with the Holy Father, and united in one mission: to bring the salvific mission of Jesus Christ to the world, and to be humble servants of the Most High. While everyone was excited to see and be with the Holy Father, there was also a reverence that came with the group.

Pilgrims listen attentively as they participate in the Vigil for the conclusion of the Year of the Priest.

One of the most moving moments for me was the prayer vigil, held on June 10, the vigil of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Every week at the Angelus for the last several months, I’ve heard the Holy Father say, “I’d like to invite all the priests of the world to come to Rome to celebrate the closing of this year for priests”, and thus, it was a very moving moment, when the Holy Father first appeared and gazed over the vast crowd of 15,000 priests. Priests of the world had responded overwhelmingly, and I can only imagine the great joy and satisfaction that Pope Benedict must’ve felt, as he gazed out, saw the crowd, and had a tear in his eye. It was truly beautiful.

Special moment, special graces

During the vigil, several people first gave testimonies about the impact of the priesthood and religious on thier lives - from families, priests, bishops, the current pastor of Ars, missionaries, and a contemplative religious sister. It was so beautiful; you can see and witness the beauty of authentically Catholic lives. It reminded me in some ways of World Youth Day.

Later, the Holy Father had an impressive time of questions and answers, from various priests from around the world. He answered, quite eloquently and beautifully, 5 questions from priests from around the world. I felt like he was speaking to me personally. And the truths he proclaimed were timeless: How to stay faithful to priestly ministry, how to pray & stay centered on the Eucharist, how to minister to people in today's world; questions about theological studies - and not being swept away with the current passe theological trends. He encouraged all to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I’d encourage anyone, but especially priests, to read through the transcript. (for Part I click here). It was a beautiful moment as thousands sat captivated by our ‘Papa’.

Pope Benedict gives a beautiful, extemporaneous catechesis on how to exemplify priestly holiness and service in the modern world at the Vigil for the closing of the Year of the Priest.

Another amazing moment was the time of silent adoration, as thousands knelt, captivated by the transforming presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It was silent… it was tremendous. Many people who have lived in Rome have told me that the only time they’ve heard it so quiet in St. Peter’s Square was the moment When John Paul II died, and all that could be heard in the piazza were the quiet sniffles of mourners. they also had adoration and benediction with the Holy Father. Kneeling in that square, surrounded by so many, the basilica illuminated was simply beautiful. I don't have the poetic language to express it - words can't replicate the feeling.

Seminarians look on from the seminarian section at the closing Mass for the conclusion of the Year for Priests.

The next day, a see of white albs invaded St. Peter’s Square and braved the warm June Roman Sun for the Mass with the largest number of concelebrants in history.

Some of the 15,000 priests from around the world gathered in St. Peter's Square for the closing of the Year of the Priest. It was the largest concelebrated Mass in history.

A shot of some of the 15,000 priests gathered for the closing Mass in St. Peter's Square. It was tremendous!

Again, the Holy Father’s words were profound. It was a tremendous gift from God for me as a seminarian to be there at this moment, to share it with the Church and the world, and to represent all those from the Diocese of Greensburg who were unable to make it the pilgrimage for the celebration.

Posted at 9:57 AM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

2/24/2010

Sant' Edgidio

Recently the college offered us a wonderful opportunity to learn more about how the poor of Rome are served. As I've mentioned previously, the many poor of the city make themselves very visible. Since we live here, and we are called to put our faith into action, it was great to learn a little bit more about the programs available in the city - that way we can bring greater assistance to people in need, as well as perhaps gain some pastoral insights into how such programs work for when we return to ministry in the States.

The Sant'Edgidio community is a lay movement founded in 1968 here in Rome. At the time, the founder was only 18 years old but felt he wanted to do something good for the world. Though he was Catholic and had read the bible before, for the first time he read the bible, and was transformed. Now the community works internationally with the poor, but also on initiatives of peace, justice and evangelization. Everything they do is based on prayer and love for the poor.

In the city of Rome, they run several operations, including a soup kitchen that we visited (and which several of the NAC seminarians volunteer at as their apostolic work). In fact, that was the same soup kitchen where Pope Benedict came to eat with some of the clients on December 27th). We also talked about that visit as well - it was the first time in 300 years that the pope has not only visited, but also eaten at a soup kitchen with the poor! The community also have a hospital they support as well as many other programs for the poor, similiar to what Catholic Charities might do in our diocese. We also visited a facility where they offer food, clothing, education and medical assistance to illegal immigrants, legal immigrants, poor Italians, and gypsies. Because of their familiarity with each of these marginalized groups, we were given a little background and history on some of the groups, as well as insight into some of the social problems in Italy (some of the same ones exist in the States). The Church must always be the voice of the poor!

In all of their work, the community strives to love the poor and treat them as a brother or sister - their philosophy says that you would not give to the poor what you yourself would not wear or eat.

Sant'Edgidio's emphasis on prayer and on peace is evident. They started in the small church of Sant'Edgidio but have easily outgrown it. Their headquarters are still in that church and in the former convent which is attached to it. However, they also have custody of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of Rome's oldest and most beautiful churches. Because of this, the church is always full of people preserving a spirit of prayer. It is truly beautiful, and we were able to join them for their evening prayer. In 2000, for the Jubilee year, Pope John Paul II also gave the Church of San Bartolomeo to the community, and asked them to preserve the memory of modern martyrs (some of whom were members of their own community). I've already posted a blog entry about this beautiful church with profound meaning. The only other detail I have to add, is that the Icon at the front of the Church depicts, rather acurately, hundredes of martyrs of the 20th century and was written by a member of the community.

One last note I'd like to make is to clear up some of the rumors and prejudices that exist in Italy and in Rome about the gypsies, since there are many. In addition to seeing them around the city, we got to meet some of them at the house where they offer services. They are an ethnic group of nomadic people who left India in the late middle ages. For centuries, they have been made a scapegoat by people in many European countries. Nasty rumors often still persist in people's minds, even today. People used to think that they went around kidnapping and eating children, for example. Others say that they are only thieves and pickpockets. While this may be true of some, certainly it is no reason to judge and condemn a whole race of people, especially the poor who are already marginalized. They are no longer nomadic but live in camps outside of major cities, and we were told that walking into a camp was like walking into the third world. The Sant'Edgidio Community makes a real effort to overcome these difficult sterotypes and strives to love everyone as brothers and sisters, and to bring them to know Jesus Christ.

The whole experience, which I am still digesting, opened my eyes even further to the reality of poverty, and the great opportunity and obligation we have to work for peace and justice in the world, both through prayer and in concrete ways.

Perhaps we can all take a lesson from this wonderful community, and try in our own lives and in our own way to bring Christ to the world and to the suffering.

Posted at 1:51 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

2/18/2010

Lector Installation

Last month, Matthew and I celebrated a great milestone in our vocational discernment and formation - our installation as lectors in the Catholic Church.

The institution of lector is an important step in the journey towards priesthood. Older Catholics may remember the 'minor orders' on the path to priesthood before Vatican II - Porter, Lector, Acolyte, and Sub-Deacon. These rites were suppressed by Pope Paul VI in the 1970s, and today the Church calls people to serve in the 'ministries' of Lector and Acolyte.

"Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people" were the words said by Bishop Loverde as he installed us as lectors.

The task of the lector is not only to proclaim the Word of God at Mass, though that is the most obvious role. As lectors, we've been called and commissioned by the Church for a host of tasks in the church. In the rite of installation, the bishop exhorts the lectors:

'Dear sons in Christ, through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation and brought it to fulfilllment. Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted his Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. As readers and bearers of God's word, you will assist in this mission, and so take on a special office within the Chrsitian community; you will be given a responsibilty in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith, and prepare them to recieve the sacraments worthily. You wil bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet recieved it. Thus with your help men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life."

The ministry of lector is significant for us because it marks the next step on the way to Holy Orders. We are called in a special way to foster a deeper love for the scriptures in our own hearts and of those we meet. We've been challenged to 'meditate constantly' on the word of God, so that, as the bishop says in the rite, 'each day you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ.'

As we go forward to accept this challenge, the installing bishop (for us, it was Bishop Paul Louverde of Arlington, VA) handed us a book of the Gospels and said to us, "Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people."

Having recieved the ministry of Lector, we can now proclaim the scriptures in house liturgies and exercise our specific vocation to meditate and pray on the scriptures.

Our class poses for a picture after we had just been installed as lectors.

I think that this occasion can also serve as an opportunity for all of us to grow in our love of the scriptures!

Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul, pray for us!

Posted at 1:42 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

1/20/2010

Meeting the Holy Father

Pope Pius IX founded the North American College in 1859 to build a closeness between the priests, seminarians, and people of the United States and the person of the Roman Pontiff, between the Church of a rapidly expanding republic with hundreds of thousands, and later millions of Catholic immigrants and the See of Peter. Well, that closeness was again made tangible (quite literally) on January 9, 2010.

Pope Benedict took time to greet each person as he entered and exited the audience hall. Both of us got to shake his hand and venerate the office of Peter by kissing his ring. Here, it was Daniel's turn!

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the North American College and the Year of the Priest, as well as the annual alumni reunion, the NAC was able to arrange an audience with our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI!

More that 500 seminarians, faculty and staff, as well as alumni and some benefactors made our way to the Apostolic Palace for the audience, which was held above the loggia in St. Peter's Basilica. (The audience hall was the inside of the window from which it is announced 'Habemus Papam' when a new pontiff is elected, and where the pope gives his addresses 'ubi et orbi' (to the city and to the world) such as on New Year's.

Pope Benedict responds to our cheering for him at our audience in January 2010.

The experience was simply amazing.

It was out of concern for the Church in America, with so many Catholics so far from their homelands in a world where communication was much more difficult that Pope Pius IX decided to establish an American College in Rome. Since the college expanded to include the Gianiculum campus in 1953, literally under the dome of St. Peter's, every Pontiff (except John Paul I) has visited the college. Now it was our time to pay a visit to Pope Benedict XVI!

Pope Benedict XVI listens to the words that our Rector, Msgr. Checchio had to say, thanking him for his vision and leadership, and his witness, and especially for his words to the people of the United States, when he visited in April 2008.

During his address, Pope Benedict reminded us again of the profound words he had during his apostolic visitation to the United States in April of 2008, in particular about building a culture, particularly an intellectual culture, which is genuinely Catholic.

Pope Benedict then praised the college for helping to contributing to this culture in every age since its founding and urged us to continue in this tradition, saying that, "As Blessed Pius IX rightly foresaw, the Pontifical North American College in Rome is uniquely prepared to help meet this perennial challenge. In the century and a half since its foundation, the College has offered its students an exceptional experience of the universality of the Church, the breadth of her intellectual and spiritual tradition, and the urgency of her mandate to bring Christ's saving truth to the men and women of every time and place."

Pope Benedict XVI reads to us a statement on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the North American College, the Year of the Priest, and the annual alumni reunion.

He then challenged the college to "continue to produce wise and generous pastors, capable of transmitting the Catholic faith in its integrity, bringing Christ's infinite mercy to the weak and the lost, and enabling America’s Catholics to be a leaven of the Gospel in the social, political and cultural life of their nation."

Energized from such a blessed opportunity, we go forward in formation to strive to continue that mission, and thanking God for the many great gifts he has given us, including this opportunity to be so close to Peter.

For me personally, it was a wonderful day and certainly one that I will not soon forget. In addition to being so close to the Holy Father and being able to show my respect for the office of Peter by kissing his ring, I was very impressed by how Pope Benedict took his time, greeting each and every person who wanted to greet him or shake his hand.

I snagged this picture just after Pope Benedict walked by me and I got to shake his hand. He was so generous to stop for everyone!

Please continue to keep our Holy Father in your prayers as he faces bravely yet confidently the many challenges of our hurting world, and strives to bring Christ to all people.

You can read the Holy Father's full address to us here:

http://www.zenit.org/article-28002?l=english

If you'd like more information on the history of the NAC, Fr. MacNamara's book, entitled The American College in Rome, is to be recommended.

Posted at 1:53 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

12/19/2009

December 8th, 2009 - A Great Cause for Celebration

On December 8, 2009, the North American College Celebrated, with the rest of the world, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The feast, of course, celebrates the fact that God, in his plan of salvation, deigned to grant Mary a singular grace by which she was preserved from the stain of original sin, so that she would be a fitting and worthy vessel to bear the Son of God in her womb. This teaching of the Church, expressed in Elizabeth's greeting to Mary, 'Hail Mary, full of grace!" has always been believed by the Church - and was included in prayers from the early church, such as the Sub Tuum Praesidium, dating to 250. Though only solemnly defined as a dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854,the feast was celebrated in the liturgy well before that, as well as in art. I've seen several paintings in various churches depicting the Immaculate Conception dating to the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries - still hundreds of years before the proclaimation.

Why all this history? Well, Our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception was declared the patroness of the United States in 1847. The dogma was defined seven years later. Four years after that, Our Lady affirmed the title when she appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes saying 'I am the Immaculate Conception'. In that same year, 1859, Pope Pius erected the Pontifical North American College, and blessed it also under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception. Not only is December 8th a holy day of obligation for Catholics in the United States and many other places, its also a public holiday in Italy, and so classes were cancelled, stores closed, etc!

The Sanctuary during Mass, all lit up. The main focus of our chapel is the mosaic of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, surrounded by angels.

December 8th, as a major feast day in the Church, and especially this year is a worthy cause for grand celebration, especially at the NAC.

The Procession for the Mass of the Immaculate Conception begins, led by the thurifer and the cross-bearing acolytes. Matthew and I sang in the choir.

All the photos were taken from the NAC website.

The centerpiece of our celebration was, of course, the celebration of the Mass. In true NAC style, we pulled out all the stops (both literally on the pipe organ, and also figuratively). With a couple of cardinals, a handful of bishops, dozens of priests and hundreds of seminarians, it was a glorious day!

One of our deacons processes in with the Book of the Gospels, followed by a few other deacons and then the priests who came to celebrate the Patronal feast of the NAC, the Immaculate Conception.

The music was stunningly beautiful, with Mass parts sung in sacred polyphony (harmonizing chant), including the introit, and the alleluia and communion verses. Not to mention the chanted Gospel proclamation, the harmonized prayers of the faithful, the rich organ prelude and postlude, and the strikingly moving Communion meditation. All of the 'smells and bells' of Catholic liturgy done well truly lifted all our minds, hearts, and souls up to heaven in thanksgiving for the Lord's blessings on the College. Archbishop of Newark John J. Myers' homily gave us a bit of history (I learned about the Pope's first visit to US territory - in 1849 aboard the USS Constitution, 'Old Ironsides'! and many old stories of the college) but also encouraged and challenged all of the seminarians in our vocational call.

Archbishop Meyers elevates teh Chalice as dozens of priests and bishops concelebrate, and vigilant acolytes and deacons reverence the Eucharist with torches and incense.

After the liturgy, a marvelous banquet celebration the feast day, the sesquitenial, and the year of the priest ensued. For the patronal and sesquitenial celebration, important members of the colleges' board, as well of friends of the college - including several cardinals, bishops and archbishops all came. The US Ambassador to the Holy see also came, and many other distinguished guests.

While all of this pomp and circumstance was very nice, and even fitting for the celebration, the heart of the feast remains this: that we give thanks to Christ for his providence in providing this seminary for the people of the United States, and come before him in humble prayer asking his continued blessings and guidance as we move forward to do his will in our lives. Life in the seminary is about conforming one's heart to that of Christ, and that is what is most important for priestly formation. Indeed, Mary, who is the Immaculate Conception, and who lived intimately united with her son, knows best the way to lead us into his Sacred, pierced, priestly and Eucharistic heart.

And so, we dare to pray,

Mary, the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our nation and our college, pray for us!

Posted at 5:29 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

12/8/2009

Advent Day of Recollection - Come, Lord Jesus!

As part of our formation here at the seminary, in preparation for the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas, each year the seminary has an Advent day of recollection.

The day is an opportunity for prayer and reflection, repentance and preparation. This year the day of recollection was given by his Excellency the Most Reverend Samuel Aquila, the Bishop of Fargo, North Dakota. Bishop Aquila gave some great reflections for us that were very relevant not only to our personal preparation for Christmas during Advent– but also for our future lives of priestly ministry, God-willing. It was truly a blessed occasion to help us refocus on the meaning of this season and the meaning of Christmas, and how we can conform ourselves to Christ more closely.

Advent, one of my favorite liturgical seasons, is a time of preparation. As Catholics, we look forward to and celebrate three comings during the Advents season: first, the coming of Christ 2000 years ago in a the humble scene at Bethlehem. Secondly, we celebrate the coming of Christ in our hearts – at Christmas, and really, everyday in prayer and especially in the Eucharist. Lastly, we celebrate the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time, when he will come to judge the world.

So then, let us take advantage of this holy season of preparation for Christ's coming - by celebrating the sacrament of the Reconciliation; by re-familiarizing ourselves with the Old Testament stories which prepare the way for Christ; by remaining faithful to Advent meditations and traditions, such as our Advent wreaths. Let us take time out of our busy Christmastime schedules to reflect and be filled with joy and gratitude at the great gift that comes to us at Christmas!

Let us pray with Mary during these final weeks of her preparation to give birth to the Savior, so that at Christmas we may rejoice with her and with St. Joseph, the first human so set eyes on the fulfilment of God's promise, the shepherds, the Magi, all the angels, and indeed all of creation at the coming of our savior! Indeed, let us wait in joyful expectation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Posted at 12:23 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

11/6/2009

To Become a Master of Fifteen Minutes

First, an apology:

As all of you have noticed... I haven't been here much lately, and for that, I sincerely apologize. In the wide mix of things that I need to do here, blogging has been getting bumped toward the bottom of the list.

Everyone at home deserves better than that - and so I'm going to try to post more frequently. Dan has really been doing great in picking up the slack in my absence.

Second, something of some substance. As I said, things are a bit hectic here - we get pulled in a lot of different directions: prayer, classes, study, ministry work, other formation activities, and a little bit of leisure and fellowship.

This requires a lot of time management skills - something that I'll be the first to admit that I don't have. Fortunately, I've already heard some good advice from some of the other seminarians and faculty that I'd like to share:

1) "You need to become the master of fifteen minutes" - This is one of the hardest things for me to do. In my past experience, I've found it difficult to do anything productive with much less than an hour. So I need to learn how to fill the gaps between events here. Actually, most of this post was written in the little gaps between classes - so that's a start.

2) "You need to be 'rigidly flexible'" - This is a tip from our Dean of Academic Formation, and something that, if I can ever learn to master time in fifteen minute increments, this one will be rather useful. It simply means that I need to fit some activities, like study, in around everything else, but I need to be consistent in doing it.

Posted at 6:46 AM by Matthew Morelli | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

10/14/2009

Deaconate Ordination

Last week, on Thursday, October 8, 2009, Archbishop Carlson of St. Louis ordained 30 men from the Pontifical North American College to the order of deacon.

The majestic Mass, steeped in Tradition and filled with eloquently rich rites in a spectacular setting (Bernini’s Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica) and with magnificent musical settings, is one liturgy that I won’t soon forget.

Matthew and I had the priviledge of singing in the Ordination Choir.

The special significance, is, of course for the new deacons. But for those in formation, it also has a profound effect. God-willing, one day in the not-so-distant-future, that will be us!

Indeed, to finally see housemates coming to the first degree of Holy Orders, a pinnacle of their seminary formation, is an inspiring milestone (up to this point, we’ve only seen men ‘moving on' in formation).

Our diocese of Greensburg ordained its first permanent deacons in August. Hopefully, these ordinations can serve as a reminder to pray for all the ministers of the world, for our own deacons, and that many men would respond generously to the call to serve as deacons.

Posted at 1:39 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

10/12/2009

St. Damien of Molokai

It’s not everyday that there are new saints canonized, and studying in Rome presents us with the additional opportunity of being close by when these types of special events take place in the life of the Church.

On Sunday, October 12, Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints – one of whom lived, worked, served, and died among a leper colony in the United States (Hawaii) – St. Damien of Molokai as he is often called.

St. Damien was a Belgian religious who was sent to do missionary work in Hawaii in the 1800s. Living with and sorking closely with the lepers, bringing order to chaotic living situations and stability to a people rejected by the world, St. Damien brought some hope and light into the darkenss.He eventually contracted leprosy himself and died from the disease.

Seminarians from the NAC had the opportunity to sing in ‘the people’s choir’ at the canonization Mass. The choir sings the Mass responses for radio and television broadcasts around the world. and its director was formerly a music director at the NAC. A different choir, the Sistine Choir, sings more rehearsed pieces for the liturgy. Other seminarians even had the priviledge of serving Mass for the Holy Father!

So as the Church officially welcomed 5 new saints into the communion of (canonized) saints, we were able to participate in a very special way. Additionally, some relics of St. Damien were brought to the College for veneration as we celebrated one of the first votive Masses in his honor this morning. What a blessing for us!

For the record, the other saints who were canonized were:

St. Marie de la Croix (born Jeanne) Jugan, French foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor; St. Zigmunt Szczesny Felinski, Polish archbishop who was exiled to Siberia and founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary; St. Francisco Coll y Guitart, Spanish Dominican and founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; St. Rafael Arniaz Baron, Spanish Cistercian and mystic who died at the age of 27 in 1938.

St. Damien of Molokai,

St. Marie de la Croix Jugan,

St. Francisco Coll y Guitart,

St. Rafael Arniaz Baron,

St. Zygmunt Sczcesny Felinski,

Pray for us!

Posted at 8:43 AM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Formation | Permalink | Email this Post

1 - 10

Manage Subscriptions	/_layouts/images/ReportServer/Manage_Subscription.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/ManageSubscriptions.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x80	0x0	FileType	rdl	350
Manage Data Sources		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/DataSourceList.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x20	FileType	rdl	351
Manage Parameters		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/ParameterList.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	rdl	352
Manage Processing Options		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/ReportExecution.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	rdl	353
View Report History		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/ReportHistory.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x40	FileType	rdl	354
View Dependent Items		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/DependentItems.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	rsds	350
Edit Data Source Definition		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/SharedDataSource.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	rsds	351
View Dependent Items		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/DependentItems.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	smdl	350
Manage Clickthrough Reports		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/ModelClickThrough.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	smdl	352
Manage Model Item Security		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/ModelItemSecurity.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x2000000	FileType	smdl	353
Regenerate Model		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/GenerateModel.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	smdl	354
Manage Data Sources		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/DataSourceList.aspx?list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x20	FileType	smdl	351
Load in Report Builder		/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/RSAction.aspx?RSAction=ReportBuilderModelContext&list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x2	FileType	smdl	250
Edit in Report Builder	/_layouts/images/ReportServer/EditReport.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/ReportServer/RSAction.aspx?RSAction=ReportBuilderReportContext&list={ListId}&ID={ItemId}	0x0	0x4	FileType	rdl	250
Edit in Browser	/_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XsnLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser	0x0	0x1	FileType	xsn	255
Edit in Browser	/_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser	0x0	0x1	ProgId	InfoPath.Document	255
Edit in Browser	/_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser	0x0	0x1	ProgId	InfoPath.Document.2	255
Edit in Browser	/_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser	0x0	0x1	ProgId	InfoPath.Document.3	255
Edit in Browser	/_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser	0x0	0x1	ProgId	InfoPath.Document.4	255
View in Web Browser	/_layouts/images/ichtmxls.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&DefaultItemOpen=1	0x0	0x1	FileType	xlsx	255
View in Web Browser	/_layouts/images/ichtmxls.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&DefaultItemOpen=1	0x0	0x1	FileType	xlsb	255
Snapshot in Excel	/_layouts/images/ewr134.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&Snapshot=1	0x0	0x1	FileType	xlsx	256
Snapshot in Excel	/_layouts/images/ewr134.gif	/Blog/adl/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&Snapshot=1	0x0	0x1	FileType	xlsb	256