I was recently reading an author who made the claim, “Twenty years ago, the culture was flat. Today it’s flattened.” The claim struck me as true. The digital age has turned us into a horizontally-focused population that seeks outward, not upward solutions; we look to commerce, total politics, and TikTok activism. If we were flat in the early 2000s, we are flattened now. This generation of teenagers never knew a robust, vertical age. They only ever knew flatness.
A flattened age strikes me as a hopeless age. That is, an age in which the passion of hope and the theological virtue of hope have been squashed. In such a world, our desires are dulled and sensitive appetites confused. Our wills no longer stretch toward our highest good: God. God is unattainable. Or nonexistent.
That’s the bleak news. The good news? There is much cause for hope. God exists, forever and always. Union with him in heaven may be a future and difficult good, but it is attainable. By grace, it is within reach, and we can have confidence in reaching it, because we are brought there not by our own strength but by the strength of a God who desires us. Don’t just look outward: Look up!
There is nothing that says a flattened world must remain flat. The remedy to flatness is verticality: trees and mountains and valleys. The remedy to a hopeless age is hope. In this issue of Roman Echoes, following the Jubilee Year of Hope called by Pope Francis, we share with you moments that have caused us to “look up,” to thank God for his goodness, and to anticipate the joy of heaven.
We pray for you in this Jubilee Year, and we ask your prayers as well, that as Saint Peter says, “although now for a little while [we] may have to suffer through various trials... [we] rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as [we] attain the goal of our faith, the salvation of [our] souls.”
May God keep you close.
Editor-in-Chief
Kyle Lang ‘26, Diocese of La Crosse
Contributors
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kyle Lang ‘26, Diocese of La Crosse
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Graham Fassero ‘27, Diocese of Richmond
Brendan Finnegan ‘27, Archdiocese of Hartford
PHOTO
EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER
Steven Lang ‘26, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER
Christopher Tillotson ‘27, Diocese of Worcester
Administration
of The Pontifical North American College
RECTOR
Rev. Msgr. Thomas W. Powers ‘97
VICE RECTOR
Rev. Michael Pratt ‘11
CARL J. PETER CHAIR OF HOMILETICS
ROMAN ECHOES FACULTY LIAISON
Rev. Peter John Cameron, OP
SUPERIOR, CASA SANTA MARIA
Rev. James J. Conn, SJ
DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Rev. Edward Linton, OSB
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Mark Randall, CFRE
For more information about The Pontifical North American College, subscription questions, or to learn about ways you can financially support “America’s Seminary in Rome,” please contact Mark Randall, CFRE, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement.
Tel: (202) 541-5411 Fax: (202) 470-6211
Email: pnacdc@pnac.org Website: www.pnac.org
This publication is written, edited, and photographed by the seminarians of The Pontifical North American College.
COVER: Kaleb Mitchell '26, Jamie Severson '28, and Brett Rotz '27 (Helena) hike the Camino de Santiago.
Photo Credit: Jamie Severson '28 (Helena)
THIS PAGE: The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
BACK COVER: Palm Sunday procession.
RECTOR’S CORNER
I
once heard it said that the white collar of the priest against a black shirt or cassock is itself a reminder to us of what his role is: to bring light into the darkness.
Dear Friend of the Pontifical North American College,
On the day of my priestly ordination, my dad asked me if he could give me a piece of advice. (That was interesting, because he had never asked my permission to give advice before!) Of all the advice he could have given me at that moment, he chose hope. “Always preach hope,” he said. “People need hope from their priests.”
Pope Francis chose Pilgrims of Hope as the title of this Jubilee Year. To be a pilgrim is to be one who is “on the way.” It is interesting that the primitive etymology of spes hope is linked to pes foot. Only when one sees oneself as a journeying pilgrim in this world can one be a person of hope, because hope is the mysterious pull on the pilgrim towards the goal of heaven and eternal happiness in God. The pilgrim does not go on without hope.
Whenever visitors come to the College and there are many! they tell me that the seminarians give them great hope. They give them hope because when they see and meet them, they believe the truth that God still calls men to the priesthood, that good men still respond “yes” to that call, and that God is providing and will continue to provide shepherds for his Church.
I once heard it said that the white collar of the priest against a black shirt or cassock is itself a reminder to us of what his role is: to bring light into the darkness. The men of this College are eager to bring light into a dark world and to give people hope through their ministry and their preaching. They look forward to telling their future parishioners that God is the reason and the motive for our hope and that the Risen Christ, who “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8), is truly alive and acting in their lives.
Hope finds its supreme witness in Mary, the Mother of Jesus. And so, it is essential for us as Pilgrims of Hope to walk with Mary during this journey of life. She walked with hope to visit Elizabeth, she walked with hope looking for her lost child, she walked with hope on the way to Calvary, and she walks with us every step of the way.
Be assured of our prayers for you and your family, and thank you for your support.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Thomas W. Powers ‘97
Rector
A portrait of His Holiness Pope Francis hangs in the refectory of the College.
Painted by Dr. Mark Faldzinski, DVM.
Requiem Aeternam
THE EDITORS
On Monday, April 21, His Eminence Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis in these words:
Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to service to the Lord and His Church.
He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalized.
With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.
Many seminarians and priests from the Pontifical North American College attended the Easter Sunday Urbi et Orbi, Pope Francis’ last public appearance, in which the Holy Father exhorted us:
Sisters and brothers, especially those of you experiencing pain and sorrow, your silent cry has been heard and your tears have been counted; not one of them has been lost! In the passion and death of Jesus, God has taken upon himself all the evil in this world
and in his infinite mercy has defeated it. He has uprooted the diabolical pride that poisons the human heart and wreaks violence and corruption on every side. The Lamb of God is victorious! That is why, today, we can joyfully cry out: "Christ, my hope, has risen!"
The Gloria of the Easter Octave was accompanied by mourning, as the world prayed for the repose of the soul of the Supreme Pontiff. Many of us were privileged to be able to pray before the mortal remains of Pope Francis and to attend his funeral.
By the time you receive this issue of Roman Echoes, a new pope will have been elected. The next issue will be dedicated to Pope Francis, the events of the conclave, and the new Holy Father. With this issue, we encourage you to join us in praying for the late Holy Father, the new Holy Father, and the Church throughout the world. In this Year of Hope, may the words of Saint Paul, quoted by Pope Francis in Spes non confundit which inaugurated the Jubilee, ring true in our lives:
Since we are justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing in the glory of God… Hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us (Rom 5:1-2, 5).
Relationship, Love, & Preaching
THOMAS JOHNSON ‘26, DIOCESE OF GREAT FALLS-BILLINGS
This year’s Carl J. Peter Lecture was given by Reverend Richard Veras (New York), Director of Pastoral Formation at Saint Joseph’s Seminary and College in Dunwoodie. Father Veras spoke about the intersection between the ministry of preaching and “The Radiation of Divine Sonship.” He began by quoting Evangelii gaudium, “What is essential is that the preacher be certain that God loves him.” There is something distinctive in each of us as God’s creatures loved into existence. Father Veras referred to the loving relationship between God and the priest as “sonship.” But, like all love, sonship cannot be static. Sonship overflows, or “radiates,” into the priest’s fatherhood toward those to whom he ministers. Preaching in this way, the priest brings his love for God wherever he serves. God’s love for each of us is unique, and each of us has a relationship with God which is likewise unique. Because of this, each preacher will deliver homilies differently. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and God calls us on purpose regardless of how well or poorly suited we are—or think we are—for the task at hand. Father Veras reminded us that Moses had a speech impediment and Jeremiah was very young; nevertheless God called them, not despite these qualities, but in a sense, because of them.
Father Veras reminded us of the love that God is, saying, “God has power, but God is love.” Our love for God, which extends to love of neighbor, must be particular to each relationship where we find God in others. All homiletics comes back to the homilist’s distinct relationship both with God and the congregation, because, as Saint John Henry Newman put it, “Nothing that is anonymous will preach.” n
House and Bell Blessings
THE EDITORS
Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.”… Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. —Psalm 118:3, 26
Our halls and chapel have been ringing with a newfound joy after two special blessings. In January, Monsignor Thomas W. Powers ‘97, Rector of the College, walked every hallway and blessed each room, concluding with Solemn Vespers.
And in March, Monsignor Powers blessed a new bell, a gift of the Ordination Class of 2022. The bell was cast by the Marinelli Pontifical Bell Foundry, which also cast this year’s Jubilee bell. The back contains images of the “Sons of Thunder,” Saints James and John, the unofficial patrons of the Class of 2022, since every major event during their first year was marked by rain. The front of the bell contains three inscriptions traced back to medieval monks: Deum verum laudo, Plebem voco, and Tonitrua fugo (“I praise the true God,” “I call the people [to prayer],” and, “I flee from thunder”).
Give praise with crashing cymbals, praise him with sounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord! Alleluia! —Psalm 150:5-6 n
top to bottom: Rev. Richard Veras (New York) delivers the Carl J. Peter Lecture.; Rev. Msgr. Thomas W. Powers '97, Rector, incenses the new bell.
God Giving Himself to Me in Scripture
NATHANIEL BOYD ‘29, ARCHDIOCESE OF OKLAHOMA CITY
“Grant that as they meditate constantly on your word they may grow in its wisdom and faithfully proclaim it to your people.” This line is from the prayer that was said over my brothers and me during our installation as lectors. And though I received many graces that day, this line sums them up. During that Mass and many times since, God has revealed to me how many graces I have received from meditating on Scripture over my life, even though, many times, I was unaware of it in the moment. I have discovered a new appreciation for the gift of Scripture, which I had been taking for granted. Seeing more profoundly how Jesus has spoken to me through his words in Sacred Scripture, I have an even deeper desire to ponder his words, so that, by recognizing Jesus in my own life, I can bring others to encounter him as well. n
Hearts Open to the Gospel
CARL BERNER ‘27, ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER
When our apostolate team arrived in “Prima Sezione” for our first meeting with the inmates in Regina Coeli prison, we encountered an unexpected group of men. Those who had volunteered to attend our English-language catechesis lessons were mostly Muslim men from Western Africa. We quickly discovered that not only did some of the men not believe in Christ, they had not even heard the Gospel before. We set aside our plans and began to walk through the basic message of the Gospel from the beginning. The weeks went by, and the men kept coming. I will never forget the response of one inmate as I explained that Christ—the Son of God— was unjustly imprisoned and put to death for our sins. I could see in his eyes that God was granting him the gift of faith in the Messiah who understood his isolation and his suffering. Not long after, he would express to us his desire to be baptized. Lesson learned: If we are willing to preach the Gospel, God will open hearts to hear it. n
Curious College Students
CHRISTOPHER DIXON ‘28, DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS
At this year’s College Night, I ministered to students from Saint John’s University in New York. The students of Saint John’s are religiously diverse: Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and the occasional Catholic. They were excited to come to College Night and were impressed at the young age of the seminarians. Over the course of the night, their feeling comfortable around us and their lack of Catholic religious background led to curiosity. The students asked about social and moral issues, gluttony, and the power of the saints’ intercessory prayer. For me, this was a joyful occasion to share the truth of the Catholic faith to others who were receptive to hearing it. It was a welcome practical application of my seminary studies. Indeed, as soon as we had finished discussing one question, the students immediately launched into another one. Our witness to the faith gave the students hope, and, in turn, their curiosity gave me hope. n
Bowling King Pin
REV. MR. MAX VETCH ‘25, DIOCESE OF RAPID CITY
A privileged title I held last year was that of the “Sports Capo.” I was to promote human formation through fraternity and healthy recreation by putting on various sporting events and maintaining our sports facilities. That meant that the Pope Saint John XXIII Bowling Alley—recently renovated through the generosity of Norm and Darlene Ferenz—was my territory. With the help of several other men in the house, I put together a huge bowling tournament involving most of the house, with a bracket—in the style of March Madness—posted in our refectory, showing single elimination rounds leading to one final victor. Last year, I lost in the finals, falling just a few pins short of the “NAC’s King Pin” trophy. This year was a different story. After a close game against Thomas Kollasch ‘26 (Sioux City), I found myself signing my name on “NAC’s King Pin.” It was a great night of fraternity for the community, and I am grateful for the chance to compete with my brothers. n
Fair Verona
REV. JAMES BARON ‘11,
COORDINATOR
OF INTELLECTUAL FORMATION
Can an artist today improve upon the art of the Renaissance? Did sacred art end with the Baroque period? The artists of Verona-based Progetto Arte Poli would answer “No” to both questions. The Masters were great because they found new expressions for eternal truths. This is the vocation of the sacred arts. We saw this first hand in February, when ten seminarians and priests visited Progetto Arte Poli’s liturgical art studio on a field trip to Verona. There, talented craftsmen keep alive this vision of sacred and liturgical art by restoring masterpieces and fabricating new ones with ancient techniques. Our excellent hosts showed us the design and fabrication process for stained glass, mosaics, and bronze casting. They even gave us some hands-on experience. Their wonderful hospitality included a tour of the city, its four ancient basilicas, the ancient Roman arena, and some great Veronese food. It was a feast for body and soul! n
Adventure Beyond the Danube
KEVIN KELLY ‘28, DIOCESE OF AUSTIN
This past winter, four seminary brothers and I visited rural Hungary for a group hunting expedition. Our targets were the European red deer, a large species of deer that puts America’s whitetail to shame. We cozied up in a cabin, keeping warm with a classy little stove which we kept aflame during the trip. As for the hunting, we were each led by a Hungarian guide into the surrounding hunting grounds. My guide did not speak English, so creative hand signals and nods had to do. In the evenings we would find a blind in which to sit and wait, while in the mornings we would stalk on foot, keeping our eyes peeled for any movement. I came across my deer during a morning stalk—an entire herd ran out in front of us, and my guide, very expertly, yelled at them! They all stopped in their tracks and stared us down. I quickly took aim and took my shot. It was a successful hunt, and we returned to Rome with 120 pounds of some of the best venison I have ever had. n
top to bottom:The Progetto Arte Poli studio. Photo Credit: Fr. James Baron '11.; Keven Kelly ‘28 (Austin) with his prize. Photo courtesy of Kevin Kelly.
Living in the Lenten Tension
BRETT ROTZ ‘27, DIOCESE OF HELENA
There is something primordial about looking forward to new life and opportunities during the springtime. As the dark cold of winter begins to fade away and the days grow longer and warmer, we anticipate this change with expectant longing. Growing up, I always knew spring was coming because I would hear my mom remark that the trees were beginning to “burst into bloom,” and I was anxiously anticipating opening day for my Seattle Mariners. But for Christians, springtime means a pilgrimage through Lent, where we encounter a tension between looking forward to and anticipating new life in the Resurrection of our Lord, and recognizing and remembering his preceding death. Christ was stretched out in his triumph on the Cross; this tension pulls us forwards and backwards. It is an important experience because it keeps us grounded in the reality of the here and now of what the Lord wishes to do in our lives.
At the Pontifical North American College, we spiritually move through these days with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We also physically move through these days by attend-
ing Mass at churches within the Eternal City in the tradition of the “station churches.” During this time, we remember the great Roman saints—many of whom have had churches built upon significant places from their lives—in order to marvel at the good work the Lord has done in those who ran the race before us.
A different church has been assigned to each day of the Lenten season. This spiderweb of basilicas and churches forms a traditional pilgrimage route that the Pope would have followed centuries ago as he visited and prayed with the faithful across Rome. For us at the College, we enter this pilgrimage in a special way by serving Masses, welcoming pilgrims, and steadfastly praying as we traverse the city each morning. Each day of Lent points towards the liturgical high point of the year, the Paschal Triduum, when we pray through our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. In this way, Saint Augustine’s description of God as “ever ancient, ever new” truly comes to life. n
clockwise from left: Andrew Beine '28 (Milwaukee) lectors at Santa Sabina. Rev. James Baron '11, Intellectual Formation Coordinator, distributes ashes to Justin Seidleck '27 (Washington).; Rev. Msgr. Thomas W. Powers ‘97, Rector, celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at Santa Sabina.
In the Sight of Our Foes: From the Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
HOMILY DELIVERED BY REV. MR. JOSEPH DOHERTY ‘25, DIOCESE OF VENICE IN FLORIDA
Picture yourself in these three battle scenes: First, you are marching with Charles Martel against the Moors at the Battle of Tours in 732. Second, you are riding with Joan of Arc against the English siege at the Battle of Orleans in 1429. Third, you are standing on the battlements with the Americans against the bombardment by the British Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.
In each instance, you can almost feel the tension in the air—the anxiety of who will live and who will die. The brave are ready to take an arrow or a musket ball in order that others may live.
Yet a few moments ago, in the responsorial psalm, we prayed with the psalmist to the Lord:
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
In the face of a savage enemy, how can this make sense? Foes like these do not play by the rules. They do not abide by timeouts. There is no pause button, and they take no prisoners. In fact, they may be hell-bent on our destruction.
Yet rather than our being terrified by the approaching enemy, the psalmist speaks of the Lord as spreading the table before us. This is not the first time we hear this, and it will not be the last time: God has spread the table before us in salvation history and we can be confident that he will do so again. In the desert, God provided water from a rock and manna from heaven. When hostile armies attacked, God provided miraculous victories. When we were a world in need of salvation, God himself came to our rescue in the Incarnation.
In his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Jesus faced his enemies and ours. Under the very noses of the enemy, Jesus filled the banquet table with his own Body and Blood in an eternal banquet. In his great victory over sin and death, he has given himself in the Eucharist which we receive today.
You and I are chosen. You and I are his. Our heads were anointed in Baptism and again in Confirmation. Your cup and mine overflow with graces, blessings, and challenges.
With the cured leper, let us remember to give thanks to God. While our own foes certainly exist—in the form of anxiety, fear, hubris, despair, sloth, and more—do not be afraid.
Do not be afraid.
God will provide. He spreads the table before us. He is with us.
And finally, with Saint Mother Cabrini, let us look forward to the day of our own commissioning when we leave these Italian shores to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people of the United States. n
Pilgrims enter the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
Walking by Faith: A Winter Journey on the Camino de Santiago
JAMIE SEVERSON ‘28, DIOCESE OF HELENA
During our Christmas break, three seminarians of the Diocese of Helena decided to hike the Camino de Santiago together. Kaleb Mitchell ‘26, Brett Rotz ‘27, and I wanted to pilgrim age on the Way of Saint James so that we could pray for our diocese, grow in fraternity with one another, and do some thing difficult together.
In contrast to the bustling summer months, December is a quiet, serene, and often rainy time on the Camino. However, the Lord blessed us with sunshine almost every day. We en joyed the quiet time to reflect and even met some friends who were also spending Christmas on the Camino.
Among these characters was a friendly Korean man who relied on Google Translate to speak with us, a vivacious old
All of them, in different ways, were seeking God by walking in the footsteps of Saint James.
We arrived in Santiago de Compostela with blisters, sore bodies, and full spirits. It was a great opportunity to pray for our diocese and to give thanks to God for our pilgrimage here on Earth. n
top to bottom: Helena seminarians on pilgrimage. Photos courtesy of Jamie Severson '28.
Just in Time
KYLE ROHAN ‘28, DIOCESE OF GREEN BAY
In that moment, I knew we would not make it in time.
We had been walking for hours in the hills and highways of eastern France. Nick Vande Hey ‘27 (Green Bay), Matthew Kehoe ‘27 (Milwaukee), Kyle Lang ‘26 (La Crosse), and I were hiking a marathon-length pilgrimage from Geneva, Switzerland, to Annecy, France, to see a great saint—Francis de Sales.
There was just one problem: The basilica housing the tomb of Saint Francis was scheduled to close before our arrival.
“Let’s ask our guardian angels to somehow keep the basilica open until we get there,” said Nick. We agreed and said a prayer, yet uncertainty loomed. Had we walked the past twelve hours simply to find a locked church?
We arrived exhausted. As we approached, a shout broke from my lips. The angels had done it!
And indeed, they had done so perfectly, for inside the unlocked door we found a nun with keys in hand preparing to close for the night. Could we pray for a few minutes? Of course. So we prayed, giving thanks to God for this small revelation of his great love for us, for the saints who inspire and pray for us, for our guardian angels who deserve great devotion, and for the gift of this life of pilgrimage. n
Wisconsin seminarians on pilgrimage. Left to right: Matthew Kehoe '27 (Milwaukee), Kyle Lang '26 (La Crosse), Nick Vande Hey '27 (Green Bay), Kyle Rohan '28 (Green Bay). Photo courtesy of Kyle Rohan.
Mary, Jesus, and the Flight to the Peripheries
ANDREW CHASE ‘26, ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
Just after Christmas, a friend and I traveled through eastern Hungary to the town of Máriapócs, a small, Hungarian Greek Catholic village that is by most standards “peripheral.” What drew us there was the story of its Marian icon. In 1696, a folk icon of Mary and Jesus began weeping. The Greek Catholic faithful of the small wooden church were overjoyed to have been chosen for this miracle. But the Austro-Hungarian emperor thought it more fitting for the miraculous icon to be displayed in Vienna, so he had it seized. The memory of Mary’s weeping still hung over the villagers, so they made a replica to place within their church. Then, a few years later, the replica itself began shedding tears.
When my friend and I got to Máriapócs, we were traveling between towns, so we had our luggage with us. Inside the church, one of the priests approached us, speaking Hungarian. At first, we thought he was trying to kick us out for bringing a suitcase into the church. When he realized that we did not understand, he borrowed a parishioner’s phone to translate. After he had tried Ukrainian and then English, we realized that he was asking whether we had a place to stay— he thought we were refugees from Ukraine. It was as if the priest knew that the village was still hosting Mary and Jesus in their flight to Egypt, and wondered whether we were stragglers traveling with them. n
top to bottom: Saint Michael the Archangel Greek Catholic Church in Máriapócs.; Wooden Church with Emmanuel Pilgrimage House beyond.
Photo Credit: Andrew Chase '26 (Baltimore)
“Verso l’alto”
MICHAEL ANCTIL ‘27, DIOCESE OF RICHMOND
In some free time at the end of our finals period, three of us embarked on a pilgrimage following the second missionary journey of Saint Paul in Greece. It was a blessing to be with brothers from my class on such a spiritually enriching trip. The Scriptures came alive, as we read and reflected on the passages from Acts that corresponded to our locations.
As we stood atop a high butte in Meteora in the center of Greece, praying Vespers together as the sun set, I recalled how, two days earlier, we had stood at a much lower elevation at the river outside of Philippi, where Paul had baptized Lydia and her household (Acts 16). There, too, we had prayed together, standing along the gentle river where Paul had mediated grace as a priest. In the simple waters of Baptism, God elevates man to the highest heights beyond what he could achieve on his own. By giving of ourselves to God and his plan in our lives, we will receive back more than we could ever imagine on our own. The hope of God does not disappoint; through a deep friendship with him we will live beauti ful lives now and be with him in the next. n
Graham Fassero ‘27 (Richmond), Thomas Crowley ‘27 (Lansing), and Michael Anctil ‘27 (Richmond) on their pilgrimage to Greece. Photos courtesy of Michael Anctil.
Early Ordination, Story of Hope
REV. MR. MITCHELL SCHUMANN ‘26, ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON
On December 28th, Rev. Mr. Mitchell Schumann ‘26 (Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston), was ordained to the transitional diaconate nine months earlier than anticipated. We are grateful to Deacon Schumann for sharing his inspiring story with us.
ROMAN ECHOES (RE): Can you tell us about your early ordination?
REV. MR. MITCHELL SCHUMANN (MS): Sure. In 2023, the summer after our first year in Rome, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It had already metastasized and spread throughout her bones pretty much everywhere in her body. The doctors said it was not curable. Treatable, but not curable. At the time she was diagnosed, they said maybe many years, but what does that mean? You don’t know.
Nothing has really worked in terms of treatment, so it has been a slow decline. But she has always kept a great attitude. It has been impressive to see her faith life strengthened and how, when she goes to chemo, she is helping others.
Back in October, doctors said they were hoping she could make it to April. I realized that if I got ordained with [my classmates] at Saint Peter’s, it would be too late. With help from my spiritual director and the PNAC, I reached out to Cardinal DiNardo’s office about moving my ordination ahead to Christmas, and everyone was incredibly supportive.
RE: What were those months of preparation like?
MS: It was a lot of work, but in the end it was liberating. It eventually comes to a point where you have to ask, “Am I committed to serving the Lord the rest of my life? Am I willing to lay down before the altar and do that?” Reflecting on it, you think back about where you’ve been. It’s a liberating experience to say, “Yeah, Lord, I do want this, because I have seen the many ways you have been working throughout my life.”
It has also been hard to be on the other side of the world while mom is suffering. There’s a real sense of entering into the Lord’s sacrifice by saying, “There’s really nothing I can do for Mom, except to be here for the Lord.”
Scenes from the ordination of Rev. Mr. Mitchell Schumann ‘26 (Galveston-Houston). Left: Rev. Mr. Bryce Baumann ‘25 (Dallas), Rev. Mr. Schumann, and Rev. Mr. Will Robbins ‘25 (Beaumont).
RE: Take us to the day of ordination. What are some moments that stand out?
MS: My diocesan brothers were there. There was great fraternity and fun. Much of my family was there. A lot of my friends who came are not practicing Catholics, and for them to see such a beautiful liturgy was great. Several priests from around the diocese and some of my friends from law school and past parish assignments also came.
The Cardinal’s homilies are always insightful during ordinations. He reflects on the promises and focuses on being there for the Church and being “concerned about the things of the Lord,” as Saint Paul says. There was a sense that I was being asked to undergo a radical reorientation.
RE: I imagine you were able to share some beautiful moments with your mother throughout the week of the ordination. Is there something that stands out?
MS: I remember back when I was discerning, I had started feeling that real tug towards the priesthood but hadn’t told anyone other than my spiritual director yet. We were on the phone, and mom said, “Well, maybe go into teaching or something.” And I go, “I think I’m being called to the priesthood.” Mom stopped and said, “I always knew it.” And I’m like, “Why didn’t you tell me that?! I could have saved a lot of time here!”
I think for Mom, ordination week was the culmination of things she had seen in me for a long time. She was very happy and very proud.
I was proud of her, too. Mom, my stepdad, and my dad brought up the gifts. Mom couldn’t hold anything. She has to have one hand on her cane and the other on my stepdad. Seeing her make her way up the aisle was a testament to how she has been fighting cancer, not shying away from suffering, but doing it with as much joy as you can have.
Getting to spend Christmas with my family was powerful. We don’t know whether she’ll make it to my priestly ordination. It’s possible—the Lord can do what he will. But it’s not likely based on what the doctors say and what I’ve seen. I was grateful that we were all able to be there to celebrate it.
RE: How was it returning to the College as a deacon?
MS: A lot of people ask, “Do you feel different?” Not really. You know, it’s not like a magic change happens—it’s deeper than that. But as I reflect on it, there really is something different. You are given the strength to go and to do the ministry, to exercise the office. It’s pretty awesome. n
HOLY DOOR
In the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the frescoes, statues, and mosaics around a church were referred to as the “Bible of the Poor.” Since most people could not read, they would step into a basilica and learn of sacred mysteries by looking up and around. Each of the holy doors of the four papal basilicas opened for the Jubilee year are great examples of such a “Bible of the Poor.” Here, we offer short reflections on each.
The Crib and the Cross
REV. MR. BRYCE BAUMANN ‘25, DIOCESE OF DALLAS
The wood of the crib can never be separated from the wood of the Cross. This Holy Door of the Papal Archbasilica of Saint John in the Lateran, commissioned for the Jubilee Year of 2000, features the baby Jesus in the arms of his mother Mary as she stands beneath the foot of her crucified Son on the Cross. As Venerable Fulton Sheen beautifully reflected in his work Life of Christ, “Everyone else came into the world to live; he came into the world to die.” Jesus’ birth was marked from the beginning by his mission to redeem the world, culminating in his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
The Latin inscription, rendered into English as “Christ yesterday, today, forever,” encourages us in this Jubilee Year of Hope that the same Christ who died for our redemption over two thousand years ago still offers to us new life from his Cross. Yes, Jesus came into this world to die, but with his grace we can rise anew in this life and, we pray, in the next, always with the prayers and example of his Mother at our side. n
I Stand at the Door and Knock
KYLE LANG ‘26, DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE
Artist Vico Consorti cast the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican in 1949. The door contains sixteen bronze panels, each with a different scene and Bible verse. It begins not with an 'entrance' but with an 'exit', with the bad news: Adam and Eve have sinned and are cast out of Eden. Immediately, it moves to an 'entrance', the good news of the Incarnation. Christ enters Mary’s womb after the angel Gabriel’s Annunciation and her acceptance. After tracing scenes from the life of Christ, the panels end with our future hope: Christ will return. On that panel, above a scene of Pope Pius XII opening the Holy Door for the 1950 Jubilee are the words from Revelation 3:20, Sto ad ostium et pulso. The full verse reads, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.”
Christ is standing at the door of our hearts, and he knocks! May we open our hearts to him this Jubilee Year of Hope. n
Our Mother’s Loving Hand
REV. MR. NICHOLAS MONNIN ‘25, DIOCESE OF FORT WAYNE-SOUTH BEND
What strikes me about the Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major is the right hand of the Blessed Mother on the central panel. Mary's bronze hand shines within the relief of the door, and it speaks to Mary’s role as Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major was built following the Council of Ephesus, at which Mary was proclaimed Mother of God. Now, on the Holy Door, we can see Mary gesturing to her Son, offering him to us, with her gleaming hand. This spotless hand of Mary reminds us of her Immaculate Conception and recalls how she lovingly offers the Savior to the world.
Mary’s hand also beams in response to the pilgrims who travel to the Basilica. Many stop and grab hold of her hand as they pass by, recognizing her as their own mother. In this way, Mary is the Mother of the Church. She gives a guiding hand, which supports and leads her children.
Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are invited to remember Mary’s indispensable role in our pilgrimage towards the Lord. We have hope because Mary never fails us with her prayers and with her offer of a sure path to meeting her Son. n
The Hope Through Which We Pass
REV. MR. MICHAEL NORIEGA ’25, DIOCESE OF AUSTIN
Passing through a door leads us into a specific place. Passing through the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls leads us into the basilica where Christ is present in the Eucharist and where the witness of Saint Paul is magnified. It is striking that one image on this Holy Door is the crucifixion. After all, was it not the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross that broke the veil between heaven and earth, reconciling us back to the Father?
Saint Paul spoke frequently about the Cross of Christ—“In him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the Blood of his Cross” (Col 1:20). Through the cross, “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). Through the Cross, man receives hope for attaining eternal life by the merits of Christ’s sacrifice. The Crucifixion is the door to the Father opened for us by Christ, allowing us to pass from earth into heaven, filled with hope. n
Jubilee: Freedom and Hope
GRAHAM FASSERO ‘27, DIOCESE OF RICHMOND
And the Lord spoke to Moses: “Sanctify the fiftieth year: Proclaim liberty in the land to all her inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you. Each man shall return to his own land, and each man to his own family. This is your year of Jubilee” (Lev 25:10-11a).
Every fifty years at the end of the summer, the ancient Israelites were to sound trumpets to announce a holy year, a year in which slaves would be liberated, laborers would rest, debts would be forgiven, and the impoverished would reclaim their ancestral homes that had been sold away. It was a year of freedom and a year of hope.
Thirteen hundred years later, Christ announced the fulfillment of the Jubilee by quoting from the Book of Isaiah, which, in Greek, says literally, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, …to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim Jubilee to the captives and sight to the blind, to send forth the oppressed in Jubilee, to proclaim the year of the Lord” (Lk 4:18-19).
For Christians, Jubilee is about forgiveness, healing, freedom, and the Lord’s presence—all brought to us by Jesus Christ. Once
enslaved to sin, we are now set free; once laboring under guilt and dysfunction, we now find rest in him. God forgives us our debt, and we turn our pilgrim feet toward home, where our Father and all the family redeemed by Christ await our arrival.
Thirteen hundred years after Christ, following a period of wars and plagues, Pope Boniface VIII convoked the first Christian celebration of the Jubilee. In 1300, pilgrims flocked to Rome as a way of returning to their spiritual home. In return, the Pope proclaimed the “forgiveness of sins, and the fullest of graces” by “the mercy of almighty God.”
Since 1450, the Jubilee has ordinarily been celebrated every twenty-five years. In addition, occasional “extra-ordinary” Jubilees have been held outside of the ordinary cycle. The last was the 2015-2016 Jubilee of Mercy, when Pope Francis invited bishops around the world to designate a Holy Door in their cathedrals so that members of the faithful who could not visit Rome would have an opportunity for pilgrimage within their own dioceses. These doors give pilgrims a destination representing Christ himself: “I am the door: if anyone enters in through me, he shall be saved” (Jn 10:9a). n
PAPAL WRITINGS FROM THE LAST TEN
1875 Return from Exile
“We exhort each of you to utilize this occasion to acquire the grace of the Jubilee. If ever before, certainly now it is most necessary to cleanse your consciences from dead works, to offer sacrifices of justice, to produce worthy fruits of penance, and to sow in tears so that you may reap in joy. Charitable works of all kinds should be exercised more fervently in a Jubilee year.”
Pius IX, Gravibus Ecclesiae, Proclaiming a Jubilee, December 24, 1874
1900 Reawakening of Faith
“God alone is Life. All other beings partake of life, but are not life. Christ, from all eternity and by His very nature, is "the Life," just as he is the Truth, because he is God of God. … The whole object of Christian doctrine and morality is that "we being dead to sin, should live to justice" (1 Peter 2:24)—that is, to virtue and holiness. In this consists the moral life, with the certain hope of a happy eternity.”
Leo XIII, Tametsi Futura Prospicientibus, On Jesus Christ the Redeemer, November 1, 1900
1925 Missionary Activity
“Men must look for the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ… We firmly hope that the feast of the Kingship of Christ, which in the future will be yearly observed, may hasten the return of society to our loving Savior.”
Pius XI, Quas Primas, Introducing the Feast of Christ the King, December 11, 1925
Top to Bottom From the Archives: Seminarians of the College at the 1950 Jubilee.; A brick from the 1975 Holy Door at Saint Mary Major.; A pamphlet describing the 1950 Jubilee Year.
TEN JUBILEE YEARS
1933 1900th Anniversary of the Death and Resurrection of Christ
“From the fearful and afflicted conditions of these times may men raise their souls to the hope of that eternal happiness to which Christ the Lord called us, by his blood which he shed and by the great benefits he has bestowed.”
Pius XI, Quod Nuper, Extraordinary Jubilee, January 6, 1933
1950 Return to Christ of Those Separated from Him
“We may hope that those who meditate upon the glorious example Mary offers us may be more and more convinced of the value of a human life entirely devoted to carrying out the heavenly Father’s will and to bringing good to others…. It is our hope that belief in Mary’s bodily Assumption into heaven will make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and render it more effective.”
Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, Defining the Dogma of the Assumption, November 1, 1950
1975 Reconciliation
“The Easter Exultet sings of a mystery accomplished beyond the hopes of the prophets: in the joyful announcement of the resurrection, even man’s suffering finds itself transformed, while the fullness of joy springs from the victory of the Crucified, from His pierced heart and His glorified body.”
Paul VI, Gaudete in Domino, On Christian Joy, May 9, 1975
1983 1950th Anniversary of the Death and Resurrection of Christ
“We are close to all the painful wounds of contemporary humanity, and we are close to all the expectations, hopes, and joys of our brothers, to which the Risen Christ gives meaning and value.”
John Paul II, Urbi et Orbi, Easter 1983
2000 Christ Yesterday, Today, and Forever
“The door of hope is always open to every sinner.”
John Paul II, General Audience, August 30, 2000
2015 Mercy
“How wonderful is the certainty that each human life is not adrift in the midst of hopeless chaos, in a world ruled by pure chance or endlessly recurring cycles! The Creator can say to each one of us: ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). We were conceived in the heart of God, and for this reason ‘each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.’”
Francis, Laudato Si’, On Care for our Common Home, May 24, 2015
2025 Pilgrims of Hope
“Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love."
Francis, Spes non Confundit, Bull of Indiction for the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, May 9, 2024
VOICES OF NAC
What is your favorite quote from Scripture or literature about hope?
“There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savor the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.”
—Psalm 27:4
Brendan Parlett ‘26, Archdiocese of Washington
“For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach.”
—J.R.R. Tolkien
Ronan Ostendorf ‘28, Diocese of Charlotte
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
—Jeremiah 29:11
Brian James ‘27, Diocese of Worcester
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
—Psalm 23:1
Rev. Justin Echevarria ‘24, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”
—Hebrews 6:19
Rev. Mr. Robert Williams, ‘25, Diocese of Tulsa
From Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025
“Since we are justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing in the glory of God… Hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” —Romans 5:1-2, 5
Spes non confundit. “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5). In the spirit of hope, the Apostle Paul addressed these words of encouragement to the Christian community of Rome. Hope is also the central message of the coming Jubilee that, in accordance with an ancient tradition, the Pope proclaims every twenty-five years. My thoughts turn to all those pilgrims of hope who will travel to Rome in order to experience the Holy Year and to all those others who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local Churches. For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the “door” (cf. Jn 10:7, 9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as “our hope” (1 Tim 1:1).
Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross: “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life” (Rom 5:10). That life becomes manifest in our own life of faith, which begins with Baptism, develops in openness to God’s grace and is enlivened by a hope constantly renewed and confirmed by the working of the Holy Spirit.
Sustained by this great tradition, and certain that the Jubilee Year will be for the entire Church a lively experience of grace and hope, I hereby decree that the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican will be opened on 24 December 2024, thus inaugurating the Ordinary Jubilee.
…I further decree that on Sunday, 29 December 2024, in every cathedral and co-cathedral, diocesan bishops are to celebrate Holy Mass as the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year, using the
ritual indications that will be provided for that occasion. For celebrations in co-cathedrals, the bishop’s place can be taken by a suitably designated delegate. A pilgrimage that sets out from a church chosen for the collectio and then proceeds to the cathedral can serve to symbolize the journey of hope that, illumined by the word of God, unites all the faithful.
Let us return to Scripture: “May we who have taken refuge in him be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered” (Heb 6:18-20). The image of the anchor is eloquent; it helps us to recognize the stability and security that is ours amid the troubled waters of this life, provided we entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus.
The storms that buffet us will never prevail, for we are firmly anchored in the hope born of grace, which enables us to live in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and death. This hope, which transcends life’s fleeting pleasures and the achievement of our immediate goals, makes us rise above our trials and difficulties, and inspires us to keep pressing forward, never losing sight of the grandeur of the heavenly goal to which we have been called.
“Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!” (Ps 27:14). May the power of hope fill our days, as we await with confidence the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory, now and forever. n
Holy & Easter Week
This year, we celebrated Holy Week in-house. His Eminence Gerhard Ludwig Cardinal Müller celebrated Palm Sunday. The Most Reverend John Joseph Kennedy, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, celebrated Holy Thursday's Mass of the Lord's Supper. Monsignor Thomas W. Powers ‘97, Rector of the College, presided over Good Friday's Celebration of the Lord's Passion. And The Most Reverend Paul Desmond Tighe, Secretary of the Section of Culture of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, celebrated the Easter Vigil.‘
Scenes from the Holy Week liturgies at the Pontifical North American College.
INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
ICTE has been committed to the ongoing education and formation of clergy since 1971. Three autumn modules are offered, as well as a spring semester. If you are a priest interested in ICTE as a sabbatical experience, please contact romeshabat@pnac.org.
Rome: A City of Encounters in Hope
REV. THOMAS ANDERSON, ICTE S‘25, DIOCESE OF SIOUX FALLS
On the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the ICTE priests were blessed to host His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization. That night, he said to us:
“I have to remind myself that I am not the Messiah. There is one Messiah, and he does not need saving. He will save us. It’s a kind of light-heartedness. You take things seriously, but someone has already been victorious…and he is alive.”
For many of my brother priests on sabbatical, the Jubilee Year of Hope was not the first thing on our radar. What most of us were looking for was rest. The parishes from which we came had taken their toll. For some men, hope had faded.
When Cardinal Tagle came, he reminded us that hope is not optimism—it is something more secure. Hope, he said, is grounded in our Lord Jesus. He went on:
“We need a sense of adventure and constant amazement at our calling
and our ministry…There’s always something to discover in the exercise of ministry.”
In Rome, we have been on a new adventure—to discover the Lord and to be amazed at our calling. From visiting the tombs of the Roman martyrs to seeing the churches of Saint Paul on our whirlwind tour of Anatolia, we have been witnesses to the reason for our hope.
We see him working in the souls of those serving the universal Church. “You are our brothers!” said the priests, bishops, and cardinals serving in the Dicastery for the Clergy after they had served us pizza and drinks. Throughout the spring, the various congregations— once such a “black box” to us—were revealed to be filled with people of great passion and compassion.
We see him, too, in the seminarians. One day, a young priest studying for his license pulled me aside and asked about marriage preparation. He had found many challenges in bringing his engaged couples to the Lord. “What do you do, Father?” he asked. And in that
moment, I rejoiced. The zeal and passion to serve are so obvious in the next generation of the Church. These are impressive young men who love the Lord and His bride.
And of course, we see the Lord in the sacraments and in prayer. We visited the station church of Santa Pudenziana—a church so ancient that it is believed Saint Peter himself celebrated Mass there. But nearly two thousand years later, as a crowd gathered around the altar in that ancient church, we witnessed a miracle: something more than a relic of a saint—the Lord himself appeared at the altar in the hands of the celebrating priest.
As Cardinal Tagle said, “Someone has already been victorious, and he is alive.”
Despite the real struggles of the Church throughout the world, we have confidence that the world cannot give. Our Lord is the reason for our hope. He reveals himself in many ways through the adventure of our sabbatical. n
CSM CASA SANTA MARIA
The Casa Santa Maria serves as a house of continuing formation and residence for English-speaking priests who are assigned to pursue graduate-level studies in Rome. Below, Rev. Michael Bissex ‘17, C‘25 (Rockville Center) reflects on Mahler’s Resurrection.
The Soul’s Upward Yearning
REV. MICHAEL BISSEX ‘17, C‘25, DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTER
Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, entitled Resurrection, is a powerful work that is not only relevant for classical music connoisseurs, but for anyone interested in Catholic Christian themes in art.
The first movement begins as a funeral march, crescendoing rapidly, culminating in a stern fanfare from the trumpets. This whole movement symbolizes the inevitability of death and impresses on the listener how frightening death can seem. Despite some themes of hope (the voices of the flute, violin, and harp), death has the final word.
The second movement represents the possibility that happy memories cannot be overcome by death. The beautiful Viennese dance played by the violins and cellos (a dance made famous to Americans, perhaps, by Maria’s and Captain von Trapp's dance in The Sound of Music) is nearly drowned out by the brass, who continue to play the role of the messengers of doom.
The third movement conveys what Mahler believes is the worst of the human condition: total despair. It is given to us in the form of a dance, but a dance that is eerie, a dance of mental and spiritual denial. The so-called “death shriek,” the peak of this movement and an expression of horror, depicts a wail of true hopelessness.
The fourth movement briefly expresses a sorrowful plea for release from such a hopeless existence but goes without a break into the fifth and final movement. This latter movement is essentially a “recap” of everything that has already been heard, both thematically and musically. Ending as it will in the ultimate high point of the resurrection, it begins at the ultimate low point: the death shriek. Replaying themes of despair, the fifth movement soon transitions into what Mahler calls the “March of the Dead.”
But suddenly there is a faint glimmer of sound that heralds the beginning of
something new. The finale of the fifth movement, the resurrection itself, powerfully transforms each musical theme and pattern of death and despair previously heard in the symphony. These pessimistic themes are reborn into the resurrection, transformed into joy and triumph. In thundering unison, the chorus sings in German: “With wings which I have won for myself in love’s fierce striving, I shall soar upwards, to the light which no eye had penetrated.”
As Catholics, Mahler’s Resurrection symphony historically captures our belief that Jesus truly did rise from the dead and death no longer retains its former sting. Approaching our faith with a robust wonder at the great gift that has been given to us—and the great gift for which we hope—the Resurrection symphony offers us a potent musical taste of the hope that is the basis of all that we do as sons and daughters of the Lord. n
ALUMNI
This year’s issue of Roman Echoes will include an alumni segment, which offers “words of wisdom” to seminarians about priestly ministry and shares insight with readers about the life of a priest years after departing the College. Rev. Msgr. Luke M. Sweeney reflects on the College’s alumni reunion.
Reunited in Hope
REV. MSGR. LUKE M. SWEENEY ‘01, ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
Our alumni reunion in Rome this past January was a grace-filled experience, reminding us that the Eternal City is not just a place of study but a spiritual home. Returning in the Jubilee Year of Hope deepened our connection to the friendships, formation, and experiences that have shaped our vocations.
Having studied in Rome during the Jubilee Year of 2000, I found this pilgrimage a beautifully new experience. We were blessed with three insightful guides who enriched our journey. First, Dr. Elizabeth Lev introduced us to a confraternity off the Via Giulia, whose devotions and charitable work helped renew the Church during the Catholic Reformation. Their story reminded
us that God’s grace is always at work, even in challenging times.
Papal theologian Reverend Wojciech Giertych, O.P., led us in a powerful reflection on the Eucharist, calling us back to the source of our hope. He reminded us that Christ’s sacrifice sustains us, and that the Eucharist is the heart of our mission. His words renewed our understanding of this great gift and our call to offer our lives in return.
Reverend Scott Brodeur, S.J., guided us to the tomb of Saint Paul and his place of martyrdom at Tre Fontane. Spending time in silent reflection on the epistles and walking in the footsteps of the great Apostle was a profound experience.
Standing where Saint Paul gave his life for Christ called us to unwavering faith and the hope that strengthens our ministry.
A Jubilee pilgrimage is an encounter with Jesus Christ, his Apostles, and the Holy Father. We were blessed to attend Pope Francis’s Wednesday audience and meet him as a group. These moments reminded us of divine providence at work, not only in our studies in Rome but also in the unexpected ways our itinerary unfolded, bringing blessings beyond our plans. Pilgrimages open us anew to the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministry.
This early Jubilee pilgrimage has inspired me to organize a parish pilgrimage to Rome this fall, inviting others to experience the call to deeper conversion at the Holy Doors, the inspiration of the Apostles and saints, and the blessing of the successor of Saint Peter. Our formation in Rome has given us reasons for hope in the Lord: in mind, heart, and soul. The Jubilee Year is the perfect time to share that hope with others, deepening our faith and strengthening our journey with Christ. n
OFFICE FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT OIA
The 31st Annual Rector’s Dinner
MARK RANDALL, CFRE • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Planning, producing, and hosting the annual Rector’s Dinner is an enormous project for both the Office of Institutional Advancement in DC, as well as the seminary staff in Rome. All the months of hard work is worth it, however, when every year we see the happy faces of our guests, who share the joy of our community.
This year’s Dinner, scheduled for April 30th, was projected to be even bigger than our sold-out event last year (480 guests!). With many more pilgrims coming to Rome for the Jubilee Year, interest in the Dinner was strong. At one point in the early spring, we had almost 100 people on the waiting list.
Our “Rector’s Award” honorees this year – Curtis and Michaelann Martin of FOCUS, and Sr. Raffaella Petrini of the Vatican Governorate – attracted many loyal friends and supporters who planned to attend and show their support.
The College community celebrated the Triduum and Easter together, graced additionally by being in St. Peter’s Square to receive the Urbi et Orbi blessing, in what would be Pope Francis’ last public appearance before his death.
We were saddened to learn of his death when it was announced on Easter Monday. With the Dinner just a few days away and the formal “novemdiales” (9 days of morning) under way, it became very apparent that we would not be able to hold the Dinner as planned.
Unwinding the Rector’s Dinner took some additional work:
• We quickly spread the word that the Cocktail Reception and Dinner at the College would not take place. Most guests were already enroute to Italy and planned to keep their itinerary. The
Rector’s Dinner is the historical anchor event of the week so most guests had several other events to attend around Rome. (We were sorry to learn later that some of our guests did not receive or see the several email notices we sent out, and we apologize for any inconvenience that may have caused.)
• All who participated financially in the Dinner were sent a copy of the Rector’s Album via postal mail.
• All ticket buyers, sponsors, etc. received a communication from our office, asking if they wished to receive a refund or treat it as a charitable contribution to the College. Gratefully, nearly all chose to support the College with their purchase.
Interesting fact: The cancellation of the Rector’s Dinner is a rare occurrence. The first was in 2005 when St. Pope John Paul II died a couple of days before the Dinner. And in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID.
I still traveled to Rome the week that the Dinner was to be held. Over 1,500 Americans were in Rome at various other events, and it was good to be with them. Everyone expressed great disappointment that the Dinner was not held, but they also understood our decision. Speaking with them was a good reminder that the bond between the College and our benefactor family is a strong and lasting one, even if we could not be together as planned.
We are already planning the 2026 date in April to honor the Martins and Sr. Raffaella. I hope you will join us in person. Grazie mille! n
For more information about The Pontifical North American College, subscription questions, or to learn about ways you can financially support “America’s Seminary in Rome,” please contact Mark Randall, CFRE, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement. Tel: (202) 541-5411 I Fax: (202) 470-6211 I Email: pnacdc@pnac.org I Website: www.pnac.org
For the Jubilee Year, we commissioned a medal rendering of Our Lady of Humility, patroness of the Pontifical North American College. Available as cufflinks or a pendant (necklace, charm, etc).
REV. PATRICK J. MCCORMICK ‘69, ICTE F‘10 (Atlanta) is happily retired in his original diocese of origin, Erie, PA.
REV. MSGR. RAYMOND B. BASTIA ‘74, ICTE F‘92 (Providence) retired to senior priest status on June 30, 2024, following forty-nine years of active ministry including as Vicar for Planning and Financial Services for the Diocese of Providence since 2006. He will continue to reside at the cathedral parish residence.
REV. WILLIAM F. BURKE ‘75 (Memphis) is retired. He will be celebrating his 50th Anniversary on July 19, 2025.
REV. THOMAS J. SAS ‘75 (Hartford) was named a Senior Priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford in February 2023. He reports that he is doing well, and is “on call” to help at parishes in various situations that arise like vacations, illnesses, or other occasions.
REV. KEVIN M. LAUGHERY, J.C.L. ‘83, C‘85 (Springfield in Illinois) is still pastor in Troy and Saint Jacob, Illinois. He continues as a tribunal judge. He writes the “Instruction” of the Sunday Missal Service of Quincy, Illinois, and compiles their ordo. He is on the Leadership Team of the Illinois Conference of Churches and is on the board of the
Metro East Interfaith Partnership. He is studying Bernard Lonergan’s books on the Trinity.
REV. KEVIN G. DONOVAN ‘87 (Hartford) was recently inducted into the Connecticut State Firefighters Hall of Fame, in recognition of 30+ years as a volunteer firefighter and Fire Chaplain. He continues to serve as pastor of Saint Dustan Parish in Glastonbury, CT.
Bishop Scharfenberger of Albany offered Mass in Orvieto in the chapel where the relic of the bloody corporal is preserved behind the altar.
Msgr. Thomas Powers, the Rector, receiving the Alumni check for $10,000, for the priest faculty's Christmas gift, during a reception in the Red Room at the Janiculum campus.
REV. MSGR. TERENCE E. HOGAN C‘91, C‘95 (Miami) is serving Vatican City State as International Coordinator of Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.
REV. JOHN P. CUSH, STD ‘98, C‘15 (Brooklyn) has published Nothing But You, Lord: Reflections on Priesthood and Priestly Formation through the Lens of Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire, 2024) and Your Faith Has Saved You: Homilies for Liturgical Year C: Sundays, Solemnities, and Some Feasts (En Route, 2025). He continues to serve as Editor-in-Chief for Ignatius Press’s Homiletic and Pastoral Review.
REV. RONALD G. FRIEDELL ICTE F‘98 (Dubuque) is enjoying retirement!
REV. AVERY E. DANIEL ‘00 (Atlanta) is parochial vicar at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Johns Creek, GA as of July 2024. He has been named chaplain of the Atlanta Catholic Committee on Scouting as of August 2024.
REV. CONRAD THOMAS MURPHY ‘15 (Washington) has published a book, Why Christians Can Wear Pants: Spiritual Lessons from Strange Stories in Papal History. The book is the product of Father Murphy’s podcast, for which he created short biographies for each pope in chronological order. This book compiles some of the best stories he learned and how we grow closer to Christ in light of these stories.
REV. BRIAN KENNETH MACMILLAN ICTE F‘16, F‘17, F‘18, F‘19 (Halifax-Yarmouth) participated in the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Triennial Forum on Ecumenical and Interfaith dialogues. It was attended by members of the Episcopal Commission on ecumenism, members of bilateral dialogues, and diocesan ecumenical officers. The forum worked to produce a national strategy which will be presented to the CCCB plenary assembly this fall. Morning and evening prayer in various traditions was led by ecumenical guests. Daily Mass was celebrated in both Eastern and Latin rites.
REV. STEVEN MARCHAND ‘18 (Burlington) is now pastor of Saint Peter Parish in Vergennes, VT, and of Saint Ambrose Parish in Bristol, VT., effective January 2025.
REV. MITCHEL ROMAN ‘19 (Gaylord) is serving as a pastor for the first time. He hopes to come back to Rome for a parish pilgrimage this Jubilee Year.
REV. JUSTIN M. GOLNA, JCL, ‘20, C‘22 (Wheeling-Charlston) was appointed on November 15, 2024, as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. This is in addition to his assignment as Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Wellsburg, WV.
REV. JACOB A. MLAKAR ‘20, C‘24 (Charlotte) completed an S.T.L. in spiritual theology at the Angelicum in July 2024 and was appointed pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jefferson, NC and Saint Frances of Rome Catholic Mission in Sparta, NC.
After early Mass at the tomb of Saint Peter in the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. The Most Rev. Robert Deeley ‘73, C‘85, Bishop Emeritus of Portland in Maine and former Chair of the Board of Governors of the College.
DEATHS
Rev. Msgr. W. Dean Walz ‘54, ICTE F‘99 (Dubuque)—Mar. 12, 2025
Rev. Eugene Gunning ‘56 (Scranton)—Nov. 18, 2024
Rev. James Coriden ‘58, C‘61 (Gary)—Feb. 7, 2025
Rev. Donald Weber ‘58, C‘75 (Grand Rapids)—Oct. 18, 2024
Rev. Henry Cody ‘59 (Hartford)—Jan. 11, 2024
Most Rev. Richard Sklba ‘60, C‘65 (Milwaukee)—Nov. 21, 2024
Rev. Msgr. Russell Bleich ‘61 (Dubuque)—Jan. 10, 2025
Rev. James Schott ‘62 (New Orleans)—Oct. 18, 2024
Dr. Cecil Azar Lotief ‘63 (San Angelo)—Oct. 1, 2024
Rev. John P. Bergstadt ‘68 (Green Bay)—April 6, 2025
Rev. John Fanning ‘69, C‘79 (New York)—Oct. 10, 2024
Rev. James Walsh ‘69 (Cincinnati)—Jan. 29, 2025
Rev. Msgr. Daniel Scheel ‘70 (Galveston-Houston)—Dec. 1, 2024
Rev. Msgr. Raymond Balta C‘72 (Byzantine Pittsburgh) Dec. 1, 2024
Rev. John Sullivan ‘72 (Boston)—Oct. 13, 2024
Rev. Robert Busher ‘76 (Davenport)—Oct. 16, 2024
Rev. Lawrence Wrenn C‘76 (Hartford)—Dec. 14, 2024
Rev. Edward Weist C‘77, S‘95 (Cleveland)—Jan. 6, 2025
Rev. Msgr. Francis Schneider ‘83 (Rockville Centre)—Feb. 17, 2025
Rev. Gregory Ingels C‘87 (San Francisco)—Nov. 7, 2024
Rev. Msgr. James Kolp C‘88 (Youngstown)—Feb. 5, 2025
Rev. Msgr. David Gallivan ICTE F‘89 (Buffalo)—Jan. 9, 2025
Rev. Neil O'Connor C‘89 (Cleveland)—Nov. 14, 2024
Rev. Ronald Kurzawa C‘90 (Detroit)—Nov. 17, 2024
Rev. Msgr. Patrick Carney ICTE S‘92 (New York)—Nov. 6, 2024
Rev. Msgr. Richard Shea ‘92 (Bridgeport)—Jan. 22, 2025
Rev. James Boyd ICTE F‘96 (Brooklyn)—Jan. 20, 2025
Rev. Bernard Konda ICTE S‘97 (Anchorage-Juneau)—Nov. 12, 2024
Rev. Thomas Quinlivan S‘97 (Buffalo)—Feb. 5, 2025
Rev. Msgr. David Funk ICTE F‘99 (Columbus)—Jan. 18, 2024
Rev. James Logan ICTE F‘99 (La Crosse)—Oct. 18, 2024
Rev. James Lee ICTE F‘01 (Seattle)—Dec. 22, 2024
Rev. Joseph Bradley ICTE S‘02 (Owensboro)—Nov. 30, 2024
Rev. Patrick Christopher ICTE S‘02 (St Louis)—Nov. 3, 2024
Rev. James Ramsey ICTE S‘08 (Galveston-Houston)—Nov. 27, 2024
Rev. Robert Williams ICTE S‘08 (Detroit)—Oct. 28, 2024
Rev. Dennis Conway ‘17 (Dubuque)—Nov. 26, 2024
REUNION ATTENDEES
Msgr. James Anderson ‘78; Rev. Robert Beligotti F‘09, F‘18; Msgr. Richard Michael Colletti ‘78, S‘03, Most Rev. Robert P Deeley ‘73; Rev. James Dunfee ‘84; Rev. Bill Etheredge ‘83; Rev. Randy Fronek ‘05; Rev. Jon-Paul Gallant ‘78, C‘88; Msgr. Joseph Giandurco ‘87, C‘94; Mr. Francis Glynn ‘66; Rev. Albert Grasher, Jr. ‘86; Rev. David Hemann ‘85; Msgr. Charles Kosanke C' 92; Rev. James Ludwikoski ‘73 F‘09; Rev. Brian MacMillan F‘16,17,18; Rev. Sean McDonagh ‘82; Rev. John Norman ‘13; Rev. Jay Peterson ‘78, F‘08; Rev. Mark Ressler ‘76; Rev. Ernest G. Rush S‘13; Rev. John Sauer ‘85, C‘90, F‘19; Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger ‘73, C‘78; Rev. John Schultz ‘66; Rev. Jose Serna ‘00, C‘03; Msgr. Luke Sweeney ‘01; Rev, Joseph Weber F‘15
In the Vatican Museums with Dr. Liz Lev.
The Class of 1976 held a virtual Golden Jubilee celebration to mark their ordination as deacons in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception by the hands of former rector Bishop James A. Hickey. They were ordained on Thursday, April 10, 1975, and met on Thursday evening, April 10, 2025 (Friday morning, April 11, “down under.” Archbishop Charlie Balvo, Nuncio to Australia and New Zealand, was present and early-morning chipper.)
From left to right Rev. D. Terrence Morgan (St Augustine); Dr. Michael McKay (San Diego); Msgr. G. Warren Wall (Mobile); Rev. Mark Ressler (Dubuque); Chorbishop John Faris (Eparchy of St. Maron); Rev. Dwayne Thoman (Dubuque); Most Rev. Timothy Doherty (Lafayette In Indiana); Mr. John Trombello (Charlotte); Mr. Dan Rondeau (San Diego); Mr. Bob Wondolowski (Worcester); Most Rev. Thomas Gullickson (Sioux Falls); Most Rev. Charles Balvo (Holy See); Rev. Douglas Clark (Savannah); His Eminence Daniel DiNardo (Galveston-Houston)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Thank you for your participation in the Alumni Association of the Pontifical North American College! Please continue your support of the Association by paying your yearly alumni dues of $75 online at pnacalumni.org or mail a check to the Allumni Association.
PNAC Alumni Association c/o Msgr. Luke Sweeney 8 Carman Road Scarsdale, NU 10583
