NAC Magazine: Spring 2011

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Come, Creator Spirit Blest,

and in Our Hearts Take Up Your Rest

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Andrew Hart ‘12 Diocese of Little Rock Assistant Editors Kinneth Easter ‘13 Diocese of Nashville & John Mitchell ‘13 Archdiocese of Milwaukee & Charles Samson ‘13 Archdiocese of Saint Louis Layout & Design Assistant Luke Millette ‘12 Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Layout and Design

by Maryland Comp Photographers Matthew J. Grady ‘12 Diocese of Venice & Carmelo Morales ‘12 Diocese of Amarillo & Brian Buettner ‘13 Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

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Contents

Rector’s Corner Rev. Msgr. James Checchio 3 You Can Go Home Again: Returning to Rome

Rev. Dean Wilhelm ‘88, ICTE S’11 4 The Lenten Day of Recollection 5 Congratulations, Monsignor Hanefeldt! 5 Lenten Station Churches: A Roman Catholic Tradition

Simon Carian ‘13 6 Following Jesus: Installation of Acolytes

8 Gathered for a “New Pentecost”: Spring Retreat Robert Rodgers ‘14 10 Second Cycle Focus: Church History Rev. Michael Bruno ‘10 11 Life at the College 12 Apostolate Focus: Santa Dorotea Home Visits

Rev. Mr. Francis Marotti ‘12 14 Competition and Formation: Clericus Cup 2011 Mario Majano ‘12 16 The Cultural Treasures of Rome Rev. Michael Novajosky ‘10 17 A “Spiritual Re-Fit”: the Casa Santa Maria Rev. Sean Kilcawley C’11 18 Circle of Friends: Ambassador Francis & Mrs. Kathleen Rooney

Michael Prescott II 19 Institutional Advancement Mary Di Donato 20 Economo’s Corner Rev. Msgr. Daniel Mueggenborg 21 Save the Date: 2011 Umiltà Awards Back Cover

FRONT COVER A mosaic in the College’s Assumption Chapel of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.

A marble sculpture in the Cortile degli Aranci depicts the Deposition from the Cross.

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Inside

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Acolyte Installation

10 Spring Retreat

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Clericus Cup

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Home Visits Apostolate

Station Churches

of tHe

boArD of goVernorS

pontificAL nortH AmericAn coLLege cHAirmAn Most Rev. John J. Myers ‘67 Archbishop of Newark

Vice cHAirmAn Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt ‘73, C’76 Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

treASurer Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane ‘88, C’89 Bishop of Venice

SecretArY Most Rev. Patrick J. Zurek ‘75 Bishop of Amarillo

A detail of the stained glass window in the College’s North American Martyrs’ Chapel.

Most Rev. Walter J. Edyvean ‘65, C’71 Auxiliary Bishop of Boston

rector Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ‘92, C’97

Vice rector Rev. Msgr. Daniel Mueggenborg ‘89

ASSiStAnt Vice rector Rev. John Costello ‘89

Superior, cASA SAntA mAriA Rev. Msgr. Francis Kelly ‘64, C’02

eXecutiVe Director for inStitutionAL ADVAncement Mrs. Mary Di Donato

Most Rev. Robert H. Brom ‘64 Bishop of San Diego

Most Rev. Thomas G. Doran ‘62, C’78 Bishop of Rockford

Most Rev. Bernard A. Hebda ‘89 Bishop of Gaylord

Most Rev. John M. Kudrick Bishop of the Eparchy of Parma

Most Rev. William F. Murphy ‘65, C’74 Bishop of Rockville Centre

Most Rev. Richard E. Pates ‘69 Bishop of Des Moines

Most Rev. Glen J. Provost ‘75 Bishop of Lake Charles

Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan ‘65, C’71 Archbishop of Santa Fe

Most Rev. Michael J. Warfel Bishop of Great Falls-Billings

His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl ‘67 Archbishop of Washington

RECTOR’S CORNER Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ‘92, C’97 Diocese of Camden Rector

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ach spring, excitement builds at the Pontifical North American College as we joyfully anticipate the upcoming priestly ordinations of our fourth year men. This year, thirty-eight new priests will be ordained for the service of the Church from this College.

Another twenty-three priests will finish their studies at our historic graduate house, the Casa Santa Maria, and return home for pastoral assignments by their bishops.

The faculty has worked hard to prepare these men for ordination and pastoral ministry, but in reality, they have worked even harder themselves, aided by the Holy Spirit who is their primary Formator. The faculty has as our primary goal the creation of a culture promoting personal and liturgical prayer, providing time for more intense theological study and the promotion of community life. Such a culture aims at fostering in the College a sense of unity, true care, and love amongst brothers, as we grow in our understanding of our priestly identity and live as joyful, beloved sons of the Father. Wouldn’t that reflect the image of the Apostles gathered around the Lord, an image which this community and every other seminary is mandated by the Church to mirror? The house councils of both the seminary and the Casa Santa Maria, as well as the Student Activities Committee, work to support this goal.

In praying with his priests in the Diocese of Rome during Lent this year, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on St. Paul’s address to the elders of Ephesus in the Acts of the Apostles. He focused on two important characteristics of the priesthood, namely, service and faithfulness. “One cannot be a priest part-time,” said the Holy Father. “We are always priests with all our soul and with all our heart. . . . Being an ambassador of Christ . . . is a mission which penetrates our entire being.”

Please join in praying for our new priests to be ordained this spring and summer, as well as the priests returning home for pastoral ministry after concluding their advanced studies. All of them desire and aim to be the type of priests described by Pope Benedict as they lay down their lives in service of Christ and His Church. Your prayers, added to those of others and of course to their own, along with their continued cooperation with the Holy Spirit, will help these men to personally live out the sacrificial offering they make at the Altar each day for the rest of their lives.

I thank you for the continued prayerful and sacrificial support that you offer our College as we strive to more fully mirror that Apostolic community gathered around Christ. Continue to pray that we may always be firmly rooted in faith and love, under Peter, with and for Christ! Please know of our daily prayers for you, too – our bishops, priests, deacons, religious, family and friends – who give so generously to support us in this noble apostolate of priestly formation. We rely on your continued prayers and generosity and are so very grateful. Enjoy this edition of the Magazine, which our students put together to share more fully with you what these past few months have been for us.

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You Can Go Home Again: Reflections on Returning to Rome

by Rev. Dean E. Wilhelm ‘88, ICTE S’11, Diocese of Austin

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he author Thomas Wolfe wrote a novel entitled You Can’t Go Home Again. However, I beg to differ.

Since leaving the College in 1988, I have always considered Rome to be my second home. Consequently, I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to return and participate in the Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE) this semester. There are so many daily reminders of my time of formation here.

For instance, whenever I am in St. Peter’s Basilica, I am transported back to April 14, 1988 – the date of the diaconate ordination of my class. I instinctively pause and offer a prayer for all of my classmates, including my only deceased classmate, Reverend William Finch. We recently celebrated Mass near the Tomb of St. Peter, and I vividly recalled the first time I was there in September 1984, when we gathered as a class for our first Mass after arriving in Rome – a tradition the College still continues today.

Rev. Michael Wensing C’85, Director of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education, celebrates Mass assisted by Rev. Dean Wilhelm ‘88 in the crypt of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, near the Tomb of St. Peter.

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Perhaps the greatest effect Rome had on my priestly formation was instilling in me the sense of the universality of the Church. Meeting people from all over the country and the world was fascinating for me. I made many friendships with seminarians and others that have continued throughout these years. I have visited them in their home countries and they have come to visit me in Texas. These experiences have provided me with the context for seeing and understanding the Church as being something bigger than my own parish or diocese. It has also afforded me the ability to feel very much at home with the multicultural complexion of the parishes and ministries in which I have had the honor of serving.

I am thankful to have this opportunity to return to Rome and participate in the Institute. The other priests are very inspiring in their dedication and commitment to priesthood. The seminarians here at the College are also a source of great inspiration and hope for me.

The quality of the ICTE presentations and classes has been very stimulating as well. All of these factors – combined with the setting in Rome – will enable me to return to parish ministry in Texas with renewed zeal and enthusiasm.

Over the years, many people have asked me what was the greatest benefit I received from studying in Rome. For me, the answer has been and always will be crystal clear.

While I may have forgotten many things I learned here, there are two things I learned that will never be taken away from me. First, I learned what the Catholic Church is at its heart; second, I learned to love that Church. For this reason, every time I return to Rome, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude, and I feel very much at home.

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the lenten Day oF reColleCtion the College and a priest of the Diocese of Rapid City, led the community in prayer over the weekend. In his reflections, Rev. Christensen shared spiritual and pastoral thoughts on the nature of priestly sacrifice. He encouraged the students to allow their seminary formation, especially during Lent, to prepare them to become sacrificial victims. “Be like Christ, priest and victim,” he exhorted, “whose confident, humble self-giving is the conviction to which all priests are called.”

Rev. Brian Christensen ‘99, a pastor and the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Rapid City, led this year’s Lenten Day of Recollection.

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he weekend of March 12-13 saw the return of the North American College’s annual Lenten Day of Recollection. Reverend Brian P. Christensen ‘99, an alumnus of

Rev. Christensen’s reflections are the result of rich pastoral experiences. A native of Long Island, he served in South Dakota as a pilot in the United States Air Force and later entered priestly formation for Rapid City. While at the College, he completed academic studies at the Gregorian University and the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Rev. Christensen currently serves as the Diocesan Vocations Director and is pastor of three rural parishes on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

Congratulations, monsignor haneFelDt!

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he Pontifical North American College congratulates Reverend Monsignor Joseph Hanefeldt ‘84 (Omaha) on recently being named a Chaplain to His Holiness Benedict XVI, which also confers on him the title “Monsignor.” Having joined the College’s faculty in 2007 as a resident spiritual director, Monsignor Hanefeldt was named the Director of Spiritual Formation in 2009.

“I was completely surprised when Monsignor James Checchio informed me that I had been named as a Chaplain to His Holiness,” Monsignor Hanefeldt said. “I am honored and grateful for this recognition by Archbishop Lucas of Omaha and the College’s Board of Governors, and humbled by their affirmation and support. I thank the Lord each day for my vocation as a priest. It is a unique opportunity in priestly ministry to be involved in seminary formation.

“As a spiritual director I often feel like I am receiving more than I could ever give. I will always be grateful for the privilege of being involved in the formation of future priests,

Rev. Msgr. Joseph Hanefeldt ’84, the Director of Spiritual Formation for the College, offers Mass in the College’s Assumption Chapel.

especially here at the College, where I myself prepared for priestly ministry. May Jesus Christ be praised!”

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A Roman Catholic Tradition: The Lenten Station Churches

by Simon Carian ‘13, Archdiocese of Santa Fe

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hen we hear the phrase “Roman Catholic,” it can be easy sometimes to overlook the word “Roman.” However, this word has an important meaning for those of us in the West: namely, that we belong to the Church which was founded by Jesus Christ upon the Apostle Peter and his successors, the Bishop of Rome.

However, though members of this Roman Catholic Church, many Catholics remain unaware or unfamiliar with the beauty, history, and traditions of the Church in the city of Rome itself.

I know this, because this was my experience. Sure, since being “plunged” into the waters of baptism as an infant, I had been “immersed” in the liturgical life of the Roman Rite. Sure, I had a deep devotion to the Holy Father himself. But an understanding of the city of Rome itself and knowledge of the Church there, with its particularities, traditions, and practices, I did not have. That is, not until coming to Rome to attend the North American College and, specifically, not until falling in love with the ancient practice of visiting – more precisely, of making pilgrimage to – the Lenten Station Churches.

The Station Church practice goes back to at least the fourth century. At various times of year and especially in Lent, the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, gathered together with his priests, deacons, and the city’s faithful and processed with them to that day’s designated statio (Latin for “post”), the Station Church where that day’s Eucharist would be celebrated.

Today, the North American College continues this tradition, following the designated order of churches which has been fixed since the end of the fifth century. Every day during Lent, a veritable army of seminarians and priests sets out from the College, rosary in hand and – very often – umbrella in the other. Fellow pilgrims to Rome, residents of the city, university students, and more gather together with the students of the College for the celebration of the Eucharist. Following the Mass, there is an opportunity for private prayer and thanksgiving in the church before the students head out for morning classes.

An early departure from the College is often necessary to allow for enough time to arrive at the day’s Station Church and prepare oneself for Mass.

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The fruits of this Lenten practice are many. For example, as one imagines the Roman priests and people gathered in unity with their local bishop (the Pope!) around the Altar of the Lord, one cannot help but

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Students find the morning walk to be a chance to pray or converse with fellow seminarians.

A good representative of the Station Churches is the one appointed for the Friday after Ash Wednesday: the Basilica of Sts. John and Paul. How often have we heard at Mass the invocation of “…Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian…,” without knowing much about those for whose intercession we ask? Visiting their Station Church, one learns they were Roman centurions who were martyred for their faith in Christ in the middle of the fourth century. The actual house in which they lived can be seen in the excavations under the basilica, and one can even pray at the very spot on which they were martyred. The relics of the saints themselves are preserved in the main altar. Through the Station Church, then, one not only comes to know about John and Paul, but one comes to know John and Paul themselves.

grow in reverence and respect for one’s own bishop.

Another fruit, hinted at above, is that by participating in the Lenten Station Churches, one certainly learns to love the city of Rome and the particular Church therein. As a sign reads at the College: Roma est ministrorum sacrorum altrix ac magistra praeclarissima — “Rome herself is the finest nourisher and teacher of holy priests.” Thus it is not without good reason that Blessed Pope John Paul II used to exhort seminarians, “Learn Rome!” Participating in the Station Church devotion is an important part of this education.

Rev. Msgr. James Checchio, Rector of the College, offers Mass each year on Ash Wednesday in the opening Station Church of Lent, the Basilica of Santa Sabina.

Rev. John Sheridan ‘10 (Youngstown) imposes ashes on William Appel ‘14 (Arlington) on Ash Wednesday.

And this is just one of the Station Churches! There is a different one every day, of which just as much can be said. What a blessing and an opportunity! Yes, through the Station Churches, one “learns Rome.” Above all, one learns to love Rome. As we return home, God willing, to serve in our dioceses as ordained ministers, these sentiments – this love and devotion for our Mother Church in Rome – will remain with us and help to form our identities: as Roman Catholics and as Roman Catholic priests.

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Following Jesus: the Institution of Acolytes I

n a spirit of joy and thanksgiving, the Pontifical North American College community gathered in the Immaculate Conception Chapel on Sunday, March 6, to celebrate the institution of fifty-three men of the second year class in the ministry of Acolyte. His Eminence James Francis Cardinal Stafford, Major Penitentiary Emeritus of the Apostolic Penitentiary and Archbishop Emeritus of Denver, was the principal celebrant for the Mass and presided at the Rite of Institution. Many family, friends, and visiting American priests from around Rome joined the College community for Mass and the subsequent brunch.

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The ministry of Acolyte today serves as a preparatory step in priestly formation and designates one as set aside in a special way for service at the Altar of the Lord. Each new Acolyte is charged with assisting the priest and deacon in the liturgy, especially in the celebration of the Mass, and may, if needed, also serve as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. The new Acolytes are also expected to deepen their understanding of the spiritual meaning of their liturgical service, reflecting upon how this service will prepare them for service as a deacon and priest.

In his homily, Cardinal Stafford thanked the Acolytes for their generous response to the Lord’s will working in their lives. He reminded them of the duties of the Acolyte in ancient times, including the important task of bringing the Eucharist to those who had been absent

Cardinal Stafford is Major Penitentiary Emeritus of the Apostolic Penitentiary, as well as an alumnus and long-time friend of the College.

As instituted Acolytes, the seminarians will have the privilege and responsibility of serving at the Altar.

Daniel Ulishney ‘13 (Greensburg) is presented with the paten by Cardinal Stafford, as Peter Van Lieshout ‘14 (Rochester) and Ryan Stenger ‘13 (Covington) look on.

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Rev. Mr. William Ruelle ‘11 (Bismarck) and Rev. Mr. Joseph McQuaide, IV ‘11 (Wilmington) assist Cardinal Stafford at the offertory of the Mass.

from the communal Eucharistic celebration due to illness or imprisonment. His Eminence also spoke of the etymological origins of the word “Acolyte”, noting that the Greek akolouthein is often used in the New Testament to describe the disciples as those who “follow” Jesus.

In light of these reflections, Cardinal Stafford encouraged the new Acolytes to continue to deepen their own identities as followers of the Lord. “By your presence in the seminary, you have already indicated your response to the call Jesus gave to his disciples in the Sermon on

Douglas Marcotte ‘13 (Indianapolis) and Thomas Macdonald ‘13 (Boston) process forward to be installed as Acolytes.

the Mount,” he said. “As such, you must always be committed to the never-ending process of being converted into a holy community, especially as one called to embody forgiveness.”

With Cardinal Stafford, the entire College community congratulates the fifty-three new Acolytes and pledges its promise of prayers for them. In the words of His Eminence, may the particular intercession of Our Lady of Humility always strengthen “the privileged grace, which is yours, of service in the community of Jesus!”

The newly-instituted Acolytes of the Class of 2013 pose with His Eminence James Francis Cardinal Stafford and Rev. Msgr. James Checchio, Rector of the College, following the Mass and installation.

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gathereD For a “neW penteCost”: the spring WeeKenD retreat

by Robert Rodgers ‘14, Diocese of Cheyenne

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e need a New Pentecost because we need a New Evangelization.” Such was the assertion of Mr. Ralph Martin, a theologian and evangelist who led a weekend retreat at the North American College this March. An assistant professor of theology and Director of Graduate Theology Programs in Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, he is also the President of Renewal Ministries, an organization devoted to Catholic renewal and evangelization.

Mr. Martin drew from his extensive knowledge and experience of the New Evangelization to impart to us a message of renewal which recent popes have been encouraging for decades. The retreat was centered on three “rediscoveries” of the Holy Spirit’s renewing activity in the Church, recognized by Blessed Pope John Paul II: the universal call to holiness, the Church as a communion of love, and the charismatic dimension of the Church.

“The New Evangelization seeks to reawaken the call to holiness within every person,” Mr. Martin said. Living out the love of God and neighbor is the path of holiness that the saints have trod on their way “from baptism to the Beatific Vision.” Holiness, he insisted, is not reserved for a group of religious elite, but is the vocation of all the baptized and, ultimately, is the only path to heaven.

Proclaiming this Gospel message is urgent – not simply a matter of enriching lives but of saving souls. Part of our own mission as priests and future priests is to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Christ and to foster communities of prayer and holiness. Mr. Martin

The participants of the “New Pentecost for a New Evangelization” Retreat pose for a picture with (center) Mr. Ralph Martin and Rev. Msgr. Joseph Hanefeldt ‘84, the College’s Director of Spiritual Formation.

emphasized the role of the laity as integral to this work.

In fact, he said that it is the work of the leadership in the Church to awaken the baptized laity to their calling to become saints, which is the true meaning of the universal vocation to holiness.

A renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church is necessary for this renewal of holiness – a “New Pentecost for a New Evangelization.” The Holy Spirit is the principle agent of evangelization, and through His activity within the faithful, the conversion of hearts to Jesus Christ will be accomplished. In the end, “What we really have to offer the human race is Jesus Christ,” Mr. Martin said. Through the experience of this retreat and through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are now more ready, willing, and able to share this pearl of great price with the world.

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seConD CyCle FoCus: the ChurCh in theology anD history

by Reverend Michael Bruno ‘10, Diocese of Brooklyn

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ddressing the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI commented, “Undoubtedly, the Church’s life and ecclesial activity have always been determined, facilitated or made more difficult by the various historical contexts.” Each day I am reminded of this fact as I walk past the fourth-century Lateran Basilica where five Ecumenical Councils took place, which houses a fifth-century Baptistery and whose ninth-century bell can still be heard today.

Indeed, the study of the history of the Church is more significant than ever in a culture influenced by materialism and positivism and often ignorant of its own historical origins. Facing this challenge, the Holy Father remarked in that same address, “The Church…has at heart an authentic historical culture.” It is within this context that I have been studying theology for the past two years at the Lateran University. When I began discussing various second cycle programs with my bishop, the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, I kept returning to the Lateran’s catalogue and its licentiate program in ecclesiology with a specialization in Church history. This connection between the theological study of the Church itself and Church history is symbiotic. The Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Priestly Training actually identified this relationship, noting that, like Canon Law, “Church history should take into account the mystery of the Church” (Optatum Totius, 16).

The Ecclesiology-Church History program at the Lateran has a twofold goal: namely, to ground the student in a wellrounded study of the history of the Church, including its beliefs, traditions, and missionary activity; and to challenge the student to explore the historical sources of the Church’s theology, life, and activity. To do this, the program supplements its classes with hands-on experience at some of the

numerous resources available in the Eternal City, including research at the Vatican Secret Archives, the archives of the Vicariate of Rome, and even the collection of rare works at the Lateran University. Through courses in dogmatic theology and church history, one also studies an array of theological topics and their context within Church history. Sources here in Rome have allowed me to research and write about the origins and development of my own diocese during the mid-nineteenth century from the perspective of the Holy See. Currently, I am completing the final revisions of my thesis on the Scholastic concept of history and its contemporary theological repercussions.

Overall, it has been a rewarding and fruitful two years at the Lateran. I have tremendously enjoyed my study of theology and the historical identity and context of the Church, which, as Lumen Gentium reminds us, “is destined to extend to all regions of the earth and so enters into the history of mankind.”

Reverend Michael Bruno ‘10 (Brooklyn) is finishing a license in ecclesiology, with a specialization in Church history, at the Lateran University.

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Life at the College

Above Left: Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., the College’s Director of Liturgy, presides at the blessing of candles on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Above Right: James Mangan ‘12 (Lansing) performs in the Gregory and Linda Jewell Student Lounge during an Open Mic Night. Left: Anthony Dill ‘12 (Harrisburg) spins the “Penance Wheel,” to decide which Lenten penance the men on his corridor will adopt. A new penance was taken up each week. Right: Rev. Brian Christensen ‘99 (Rapid City) presides at Benediction following Solemn Vespers in the College’s Immaculate Conception Chapel on the Lenten Day of Recollection. Below Left: First-year students assist the kitchen staff in preparing the Mardi Gras banquet, hosted by the New Men each year.

Below Right: The weekly Stations of the Cross is an important Lenten practice for the College community.

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Left: Seminarians take a break from their schedule to enjoy some fraternity in the Gregory and Linda Jewell Student Lounge. Right: Aaron Nett ‘14 (Saint Cloud) takes a shot over Scott Jablonski ‘13 (Madison) in the annual three-on-three basketball tournament.

Left: Students pray a Rosary for Life by the crucifix on the Kardos Family Campo Sportivo. Below Left: The winners of this year’s Mardi Gras costume contest were [left to right] Daniel Ulishney ‘13 (Greensburg), Rev. Mr. Stephen Vrazel ‘11 (Mobile), and Rev. Peter Finney ‘10 (New Orleans).

Below Middle: Members of the College’s Choir work hard to ensure that every liturgy glorifies God through beautiful song.

Below Right: The corridor lounges offer a place to relax and socialize throughout the year.

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“Witnesses to Christ”: the Santa Dorotea Home Visit Apostolate

by Rev. Mr. Francis Marotti ‘12, Diocese of Kalamazoo

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eminarians of the North American College are blessed with the opportunity, through the Santa Dorotea Home Visit apostolate, to live an important aspect of the pastoral life of the parish priest. Visiting the people of God in their private homes is an important ministry, one which is always personal and often very beneficial. Our group of nine seminarians ventures out, usually in pairs, to visit people in the neighborhood of Trastevere and in the areas around the Vatican. This work takes place under the guidance of the parish workers of the Magdalena Aulina Institute, a secular institute of lay women which dedicates itself to this kind of service. They assist us in determining whom we should visit and in helping us to understand a bit about the particular background and situation of each individual.

Through this apostolate, we see a side of the city of Rome not often experienced by College seminarians: the everyday life of Roman families, the elderly, and the infirm. The visits to their homes generally involve listening, lively conversation, and sometimes sharing a coffee together. Through these small ways, we seek to build friendships, witness to the love of Christ, and show compassion to those of His flock who, more often than not, live very difficult lives. Yet, often we are blessed to be given back as much as we give. The welcome we receive is often overwhelming. We are humbled by the confidence and trust they show by telling us – very honestly – their sorrows, joys, and their thoughts about the Church and their faith. Through this ministry, we have already built many solid friend-

Sheldon Momaney ‘14 (Burlington) and Matthew Kraemer ‘12 (Fargo) visit a homebound Roman resident as part of their apostolic work.

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The men of the Santa Dorotea Home Visits apostolate. Rev. Mr. Francis Marotti ‘12 (Kalamazoo) is in the front row, second from the right.

ships, and it is humbling to see that our presence really uplifts those we visit.

we continue to have to go out into the city and be witnesses to Christ.

One of the most interesting aspects of this experience is hearing from the people we visit about the relationship which existed forty to fifty years ago between the North American College, the parish of Santa Dorotea and its youth oratory. Often, the people we visit (now much older!) reminisce about the times they would come to Sunday Mass at the College or play soccer with the seminarians. One person recalled, “We never wanted to go home!” Hearing such memories helps us to see what an impact our College has had and still can have on the city of Rome and its families. Our apostolic work has shown us just how much the historical presence of the College on the Janiculum Hill has meant for the people of Rome. That continued presence is a source of joy and comfort for many and a reminder of God’s continued action in the world.

We also understand better how pressing an obligation

There are challenging aspects to this apostolic experience, as most of those we visit live in situations which are difficult financially, spiritually or physically. However, their struggles present an opportunity for us to become more conformed to Christ’s Priestly Heart.

Certainly, our Lord Himself experienced many of the joys and sufferings of those whose homes He visited in His earthly life, and we are following in his footsteps by being present to His flock as best we can. Understanding their various difficulties, we sometimes leave their homes with heavy hearts. Yet we also recognize this as a call to greater love, penance and prayer. As priests, we will be called to offer up many sacrifices for the faithful out of love and a zeal for the salvation of souls, following the example of the patron of parish priests, St. Jean Marie Vianney. This apostolate allows us to begin this sacrifice here and now.

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Competition and Formation: Clericus Cup 2011

by Mario Majano‘12, Archdiocese of Washington

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t’s often heard from some in the North American College community: “Never would I have thought that at this point in my life I would be playing soccer this competitively again.” This spring, however, seminarians and student priests of the College will once again participate in an experience of competition, formation, and sportsmanship that has become a yearly tradition. For the fifth straight year, the North American Martyrs soccer team will compete in this year’s Clericus Cup, the annual soccer tournament which matches teams from the various seminaries around Rome.

The Martyrs have performed well in the Cup since its inauguration in 2007, when they made a quarterfinals appearance. In 2008, they reached the semifinals. Last year, in a field of sixteen teams, the Martyrs advanced to the championship match for the second straight year, only to lose again to three-time champion Redemptoris Mater, a seminary for members of the Neocatechumenal Way. This year, the Martyrs will battle to take home the championship for the first time.

The players realize that this event is no joke. The Clericus Cup is widely followed by those in Rome and attracts interest from many international media outlets, both ecclesial and secular. Fierce competition is something expected from any major international tournament, and this one is no different. Yet what makes the Clericus Cup special is the formative nature it also has for the seminarians and priests involved.

For those of us directly involved, the Clericus Cup gives us an opportunity to work together in a competitive atmosphere with all of its corresponding joys and struggles. In difficult or trying moments, we recognize the blessing we have in our brothers who struggle alongside us. We think of all those people whom we hold in our hearts and their intentions, and it gives us an opportunity to keep things in perspective and to spiritualize the necessary and rigorous training. This aspect changes everything.

The Clericus Cup provides many other benefits as well. The matches allow us to develop friendships with

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Mario Majano ‘12 (Washington) plays for the North American Martyrs. He also serves as the Team Manager, administrating the squad’s logistics and serving as liaison to Clericus Cup officials.

our opponents, who like us are preparing to serve the Church all over the globe. The Clericus Cup isn’t merely another tournament but is an event that builds up the bonds of the priesthood through sport. It is a great way for us to meet and interact with men from various parts of the world, men who share the same goal of leading holy lives in preparation for a good and holy priesthood. The Clericus Cup also provides an experience of fraternity and unity for the entire College community.

It is amazing to see how the competition not only edifies the players themselves but also inspires the rest of the College rallying behind them.

Perhaps most importantly, the Clericus Cup provides an opportunity for Martyrs players and fans alike to be an example of commitment and dedication. By giving it all on the field or by loyally rooting from the stands, we serve as witnesses to our faith in Christ and offer a glimpse of the Church in our countries. In the end, the Clericus Cup is more than just a venue for good soccer. It provides a preview of the future: young men devoting their talents and their lives to Christ and to His Church.

The Pontifical North American College M agazine

Beauty and Truth: Experiencing the Cultural Treasures of Rome

by Reverend Michael Novajosky ‘10, Diocese of Bridgeport

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n his poem The Divine Comedy, while passing through the realm of the prideful on Mount Purgatory, the Florentine poet Dante discovers scenes of humility “of white marble carved with so much art that Polycletus and nature herself would there be put to shame.” The first scene depicts the Annunciation, “and in the Virgin’s attitude imprinted were the words ‘Ecce ancilla Dei’ [Behold I am the handmaid of God ] as clearly as a figure stamped in wax. . . . [I]t did not seem an image, carved and silent,” but almost the event itself. Such is the experience and the true task of art: to provide a vision that probes into the depths of reality’s truths and leads to contemplation of God and the world.

The brief time of study and formation we student priests and seminarians receive here in Rome provides us with the opportunity to experience beauty in an extraordinary way. While Rome has many opportunities similar to those found in other cities, the Eternal City, as center of the Church and home of the Roman Pontiff, offers a historical context and cultural situation found nowhere else. Those of us assigned here desire to live vocations of holiness as diocesan priests and hope to serve the faithful in a secular world that at times can be less than beautiful. Rome offers the opportunity to experience beauty in history so that we might have the ability to share these experiences with others.

For example, we are afforded the opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel, where Mozart is said to have first heard Allegri’s “Miserere,” to see the splendid copy of Polycletus’ “Wounded Amazon,” to walk along the Forum while listening to Ottorino Respighi’s “Pines of the Appian Way,” or to meet one of the millions of pilgrims struggling to be holy in their own lives, as he journeys to Rome to physically experience his faith or find it for the first time. Rome provides the privilege of offering the Holy Mass in the Basilica meters from the spot where St. Peter made his final sacrifice, recalling images of his inverted crucifixion, and shortly afterwards hearing the words of the Pope, who still presides in the Chair of Peter today.

Rev. Michael Novajosky ‘10 (Bridgeport) is completing a license in patristic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

At the end of our time in Rome, these images, memories and cultural encounters will remain with us to be brought home to those who may never have the opportunity to pray before Michelangelo’s Pietà or receive a blessing from the Pope. Having experienced the beautiful and the sublime, we can assist others to see the beautiful experiences in their everyday lives and ultimately help them come to a deeper contemplation of God and the world — a contemplation that leads us to praise God, who is the Source of Good and Beauty.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s “The Triumph of the Chair of Peter” (1657-1666) in the Vatican Basilica of St. Peter is one of the many treasures Rome has to offer.

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The Casa Santa Maria: A “Spiritual Re-Fit” for the “Evangelical Battlefield”

by Rev. Sean Kilcawley C’11, Diocese of Lincoln

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pproximately one month prior to entering Saint Gregory the Great Seminary in Lincoln, Nebraska, I found myself cold, wet, hungry, and tired in the “backforty” of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. At the time, I was an infantry officer in the 101st Airborne Division and we were in the midst of a thirty-day field exercise. After days of sleeping on the ground, negotiating “wait-a-minute” vines during night movements, and eating “meals-ready-to-eat” out of plastic pouches, we were ready to move back to the barracks for a two day re-fit. A re-fit is a time when soldiers can relax a bit, eat hot food, reflect on past activities and make adjustments before re-entering the training exercise or the combat zone.

In many ways my time at the Casa Santa Maria has been a “spiritual re-fit.”

After spending four years as an associate pastor and high school teacher in Lincoln, the Casa Santa Maria has been a place to rest from the intensity of parish life, to enjoy the richness of Italian food and culture, to reflect on the first five years of my priesthood, and to prepare to re-enter active Rev. Sean Kilcawley of the Diocese of Lincoln ministry. In the past two years my will complete a licentiate in the theology of brother priests and marriage and family at the John Paul II I have enjoyed the Institute at the Lateran University this opportunities to spring. He will return to the Casa Santa make a pilgrimage Maria in the fall to commence doctoral to see the Shroud of Turin, to make studies.

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various personal and group retreats, to encounter the Holy Father in a private audience, and to simply rest in the Lord in the Chapel of the Casa Santa Maria or one of the many beautiful churches around Rome.

All of these are experiences that I will take home with me to share with the people of God. The most important part of the Rome experience for me has been to encounter and forge friendships with priests from all parts of the country at the Casa Santa Maria. These are bonds I am sure will last as we continue to share ideas and expertise with one another in the years to come. Likewise, at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Lateran University, I have had the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with priests from all over the world. This too has given me a new perspective on the universal Church and on pastoral care of the family as it is carried out in Italy, France, Spain, the Philippines, as well as in our own country.

As I look to the future, I will return home refreshed, enriched, and ready to re-engage on the “evangelical battlefield.” I pray that with the help of Christ my opportunities and experiences occasioned by the Casa Santa Maria will bear much fruit for the people of the Diocese of Lincoln.

The Pontifical North American College M agazine

A statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the gardens of the Casa Santa Maria.

Circle of Friends The Honorable L. Francis and Mrs. Kathleen C. Rooney

by Michael Prescott II, Office of Institutional Advancement

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ince its founding more than 150 years ago, the Pontifical North American College has played an important role for the Church in the United States of America. Long before President Reagan established full diplomatic ties with the Holy See, the North American College already served to represent the values and ideals of American Catholics in the heart of Rome. With the establishment of full diplomatic ties in 1983, the College began to be blessed by a special friendship with the many U.S. Ambassadors who have come to Rome.

This friendship is marked by a deep respect manifested in a sharing of life and faith.

This blessing of friendship is celebrated in a particular and outstanding way with Ambassador L. Francis and Mrs. Kathleen Rooney.

Francis Rooney is a graduate of Georgetown Preparatory School, Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center.

He is a member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and an Affiliate of the Augustinian Order. From 2005 to 2008, he served as the seventh Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See, appointed by President George W. Bush. He currently serves on the boards of several corporations in the United States and South America, as well as the Center for the Study of the Presidency. Furthermore, he has returned to the Advisory Board of the Panama Canal Authority. Prior to serving at the Holy See, Ambassador Rooney was a member of the board of St. Francis Health System and Chairman of the Board of Cascia Hall Preparatory School, both in Tulsa.

Kathleen Rooney, a Georgetown University School of Foreign Service alumna, dedicates her time to her family as well as civil and religious organizations. In addition to the North American College, the Rooneys have consistently devoted time and resources to various charities, universities, and Catholic institutions. They have also raised three children – Larry, Michael, and Kathleen.

Francis and Kathleen were introduced to the Pontifical North American College in the fall of 2005 when they came to Rome from Tulsa to serve at the embassy. At the same time a priest from Tulsa whom they knew, Monsignor Daniel Mueggenborg, came to Rome to serve on the faculty of the College. Upon visiting the College, the Rooneys had an opportunity to experience firsthand the priestly formation program in Rome. They met with the seminari-

ans, graduate student priests, and the College’s faculty. It was during this visit that Francis and Kathleen decided to become benefactors and valued friends of the College. Since that time, the Rooneys have supported a variety of projects aimed at improving the College. One such project was the renovation of classrooms at the seminary that were vacated when the Institute for Continuing Theological Education moved to the Casa O’Toole. This project played a vital role in providing more updated classrooms for the increased enrollment at the seminary.

Francis and Kathleen have particular affection for the mission and ministry which takes place at the Casa Santa Maria. They came to know some of the priests studying there and saw the personal transformation which occurred as these priests undertook the noble work of graduate studies. They attended Mass in the historic Chapel and joined the community for meals in the frescoed refectory. To assist with this ministry, they generously funded the installation of the modern heating and cooling system to add climate control for the main Chapel and sacristy.

When asked about the importance of the North American College, the Rooneys often cite the quality of the men studying there and the distinguished alumni who become significant leaders of the Catholic Church, making a positive difference in America and around the world. Francis described the foundation of the College, overseen by Blessed Pope Pius IX, as a forward-thinking decision that strengthened the bond between the Holy See and the Church in the United States. Kathleen and he both agreed that they “could never do enough to support the College.” As members of the College’s Council for Institutional Advancement, the Rooneys provide leadership and guidance in our development efforts and serve as active and enthusiastic ambassadors of the College among the laity.

By their personal witness and generosity, the Rooneys have contributed greatly to the mission of the Pontifical North American College. In 2010, they were awarded the Rector’s Award for their outstanding support of our work. We are grateful to both Francis and Kathleen for being such active members of our community of friends and alumni.

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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Mary Di Donato Executive Director of Institutional Advancement

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pring has finally sprung! I don’t think there’s a person out there reading this who isn’t thrilled to finally see an end to the harsh winter weather of the past several months. During those cold, snowy days, I had the pleasure of speaking with many of you and, somehow, the topic of weather always managed to sneak into the conversation. But now we can all rejoice and enjoy the sunnier, milder days of spring!

Of course, weather aside, there’s always a greater purpose to the calls I receive from our generous benefactors and alumni. Some people call, as someone did just yesterday, to say: “I was asked by a friend to support the College – where do I send a check?” Others who are familiar with the College call to ask how they can support us more effectively, and what our greatest needs are. Sometimes it’s even a call from an attorney to clarify the legal name of the organization, so that they might add the College to their client’s will. These calls are always music to my ears! The willingness of so many to support the North American College in any way they can is both remarkable and inspiring. So, I thought that since Spring brings with it many opportunities to honor others through charitable gifts – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, graduations, ordinations, etc. – perhaps I would dedicate this column to letting you know some of the many ways you can support America’s Seminary in Rome.

Did you know that, in addition to a gift of cash – as simple as writing a check or authorizing a charge on your credit card – there are many other ways to make a gift? Here are some other options: Matching Gifts Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations.

Most of these programs match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even double or triple the amount of your gift! Check with your company, or your spouse’s, to see if it offers a matching gift program that will match your gift to the North American College.

Bequests When you remember the North American College in your will, you will continue supporting our mission long after you’re gone. Your attorney can help you draw up the necessary papers. Our legal name is: The American College of the Roman Catholic Church of the United States.

Securities A stock portfolio is often among the most valuable assets you own—and one that can carry substantial capital gain, or appreciation in value. With careful planning, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains tax while supporting our mission.

Retirement Plan Assets Do you have money saved in an employee retirement plan, IRA, or tax-sheltered annuity? Each of these retirement plan assets contains income that has yet to be taxed. Your beneficiaries will owe the income tax at your death, totaling up to 35 percent, which may be reason enough to consider giving your loved ones less-heavily-taxed assets and leaving a portion of your retirement plan assets to the College instead.

Life Insurance Death Benefits Your need for life insurance changes as time passes, making way for a new opportunity for its use. If you no longer need the coverage to protect your loved ones, consider changing your policy’s beneficiary to support our mission.

In answer to those calls I receive, these are but a few of the ways you can help! In the future I’ll tell you of others. Please remember that any way you choose to support the North American College is greatly appreciated and helps to bridge the gap between the tuition and fees charged and the actual cost of educating a seminarian. You truly make a positive impact on the spiritual and priestly formation program we offer to over 300 seminarians and priests annually, and we are forever grateful to you for this!

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The Pontifical North American College M A G A Z I N E

ECONOMO’S CORNER Rev. Msgr. Daniel Mueggenborg ‘89 Diocese of Tulsa Vice-Rector

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ike many organizations and ministries, the North American College sets out every spring to prepare for a new fiscal year by establishing our budget. As part of this process, we balance a variety of key factors like enrollment, ordinary and extraordinary needs, and the exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar.

We are blessed with a good enrollment in the seminary, Casa Santa Maria, and Institute for Continuing Theological Education, but with this blessing there are always extraordinary needs to maintain the quality of the programs and the facilities at each campus. In the last few months alone we carried out works to waterproof our gutters, repair the courtyard in front of the Immaculate Conception Chapel, and renovate a terrace near the Kardos Family Campo Sportivo. At the Casa Santa Maria, we have reorganized work space in preparation for the expansion of community life and study space, and began the much-needed window replacement process. Some of these projects are a continuation of the Vision for the Future Capital Campaign while others are due to funding from the generous donations of friends and benefactors. Thank you for your generous support! As we look to next year, we already are preparing for many more works of maintenance, repair, replacement, renovation, and restoration.

In planning for the future, however, the exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar is probably one of the more serious challenges we face.

The exchange rate of the Dollar affects so much of our budget because our income is mostly in Dollars while our expenses are mostly in Euros. As the Dollar drops in value, so does our ability to cover our costs. For example, at the beginning of this fiscal year (July 1, 2010), the dollar was worth approximately 0.81 Euros. This spring that same dollar was worth approximately 0.68 Euros. That is a drop of more than 15% in value in just nine months!

Even without the poor exchange rate, we rely on the generous support of our friends and benefactors to help us maintain a balanced budget. Like any institution of higher education, tuition only covers a portion of the cost to educate and form seminarians at the North American College. With a lowered exchange rate, your generosity and support now become even more important.

Please remember to include the North American College as part of your regular charitable donations or consider including the College in your will or other planned giving decisions. We are able to maintain the high quality of priestly formation for The renovation of the terrace next to the Kardos Family Campo which we are known only because of your generosity. Thank you for helping us to prepare holy, dedicated, faithful, and zeal- Sportivo is one of the many facility improvement projects the College has ous priests for lives of service to the Catholic Church. been able to accomplish through charitable donations.

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The Pontifical

North American College 3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20017-1194

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 144 WALDORF, MD

For more information about the North American College, or to learn about opportunities for memorial gifts, contact Mary Di Donato at our Washington, D.C., Office of Institutional Advancement:

Tel: (202) 541-5411 / Fax: (202) 722-8804 Email: nac@usccb.org or visit our website at www.pnac.org

he t ve a S ate!

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Please join us on Friday, November 11, 2011 for the 10th annual Umiltà Awards honoring: His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston C’76, and a lay honoree, to be announced shortly

The Willard Hotel

The Willard – Washington, D.C. For information, call our Office of Institutional Advancement (202)541-5411