Casting Out into the Deep J OS E P H WA P P E S ’ 2 4 , A R C H D I O C E S E O F ST. PAU L A N D M I N N E A P O L I S
25
TH YEAR
NACFACTS
ROMAN ECHOES
In normal circumstances, new seminarians would have the opportunity to come to Rome in July for “Early Orientation” before one month of Italian studies. Seminarians typically study Italian at language schools in Assisi, Siena, or Verbania. Following language studies, the “New Men” return to Rome to meet the rest of their classmates and begin “Regular Orientation.” The purpose of the orientation programs are to acquaint the men with life at the College and life in Rome.
The initial weeks brought a joyful welcome in which brother seminarians and faculty prayed with us, shared meals, and introduced us to our new life in Rome. 26
The Pontifical North American College
T
his summer was a time of uncertainty for us New Men preparing to begin our time at The Pontifical North American College. We waited to find out what the school year would bring— whether we would be able to obtain visas, have classes, or even if the NAC would be able to open. As I waited, though, I found peace beneath the anxiety: if God was calling my seminarian brothers and I to Rome, he would bring it about. The departure date brought excitement. Like St. Peter, I had been invited to “cast out into the deep” to follow Jesus’ call. I flew out on Wednesday, August 19th and arrived in Rome the morning of Thursday, August 20th. When I arrived, I sensed that I was home. I had arrived not only to the heart of the Church but also to a gracious welcome from faculty and returning seminarians and the chance to meet my classmates. While we had never met, we
already shared a deep bond through our faith in Jesus Christ and our commitment to lay down our lives to bring his love to the world. The initial weeks brought a joyful welcome in which brother seminarians and faculty prayed with us, shared meals, and introduced us to our new life in Rome. During this time of orientation, I often think of the thousands of young men who have gone before me on this Roman journey, casting out into the deep. Whether their journey was on a boat and took months, or on a plane and took hours, its purpose remains essentially the same: to respond to God’s radical love that leads men like myself to lay down our lives for his sake. I look forward with great excitement and hope to this opportunity to grow in love for God, the Church, and the brother seminarians who journey with me. n
Following the footsteps of thousands of seminarians who have gone before them for more than 160 years, the New Men solemnly process into the Immaculate Conception Chapel to mark the beginning of their time of formation at the College.
