nac magazine: summer 2007

The PontificalNorth American CollegeM A G A Z I N E

SHEPHERDS AFTER

Summer 2007

HIS HEART

THE RECTOR’S CORNER 3

THEOLOGICAL STUDY

Peter Purpura ‘07 8

FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS 10

CULTURE: HOLY WEEK IN SEVILLE

Hector Lopez-Tejeda ‘09 12

THE APOSTOLATE:AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME

David Ruchinski ‘07 14

PILGRIMAGE: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL

Theodore Lange ‘09 24

NEIGHBORHOOD PROFILE: PIAZZA DI SPAGNA

Michael Novajosky ‘10 26

CASA SANTA MARIA

Rev. Stephen Doktorczyk ‘05 C ‘07 28

FRATERNITY: LEGIONAIRE WEEKEND

James Melnick ‘09 30

NAC IN MOVEMENT: NEWS AND UPDATES

Jaime Rivera ‘07 and Celso Batista ‘09 32

GOOD WORKS ABOUND: THE STRAKE FAMILY

Mary DiDonato 36

ECONOMO’S CORNER 35

D E P A R T M E N T S

CLERICUS CUP - Fernando Saenz ‘10 4

HONORING GREG JEWELL - Johnny Burns ‘10 9

DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART - Justin Kizewski ‘08 16

THE RECTOR’S DINNER 2007 18

SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE - Rev. Robert Barron 20

CARL J. PETER LECTURE: ARCHBISHOP TIMOTH DOLAN - Shane Deman ‘08 22

INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION - Rev. Bernard Camiré, SSS 29

INSIDE BACK COVER : MOST RECENT CAPITAL CAMPAIGN BENEFACTORS

F E A T U R E S

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editorial DirectorNicholas Vaskov ‘09

Diocese of Pittsburgh

Layout and DesignJordan Bauer ‘09

Archdiocese of Saint Pauland Minneapolis

Design AssistantRobert Wagner ‘09

Diocese of Arlington

PhotographersDavid Rivera ‘10

Diocese of Camden&

Seamus Griesbach ‘07Diocese of Portland

&Brian Soliven ‘10

Diocese of Sacramento

For more information about theNorth American College, or to

learn about opportunitiesfor memorial gifts, contact

Mary DiDonato at ourWashington, DC

Office of Development:

Tel: (202) 541-5411Fax: (202) 722-8804

Email: [email protected] visit our website at

www.pnac.org

FRONT COVER

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

in the College’s ImmaculateConception Chapel

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

18

424

Rector’s Dinner 2007

In the Footsteps of Paul

by Theodore Lange ‘09

Clericus Cup

by Fernando Saenz ‘10

22Carl J. Peter Lecture

by Shane Deman ‘08

16Devotion to the Sacred Heart

by Justin Kizewski ‘08

IN S ID E

SUMMER 2 0 0 7

CHAIRMANMost Rev. Edwin F. O’Brien C’76

Archbishop of the Military Services, USA

VICE CHAIRMANMost Rev. Richard E. Pates ’69

Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis

TREASURERMost Rev. John J. Myers ’67

Archbishop of Newark

SECRETARYMost Rev. Patrick J. Zurek ’75

Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio

Most. Rev. Tod D. Brown ‘62Bishop of Orange in California

Most Rev. Alexander J. Brunett ‘59Archbishop of Seattle

Most Rev. Thomas G. Doran ‘62, C ‘63Bishop of Rockford

Most Rev. Edward Cardinal Egan ‘58 C ‘63Archbishop of New York

Most Rev. Victor B. Galeone ‘61Bishop of Saint Augustine

Most Rev. John R. Gaydos ‘69Bishop of Jefferson City

Most Rev. Joseph E. KurtzArchbishop of Louisville

Most Rev. Henry J. Mansell ’63Archbishop of Hartford

Most. Rev. Francis R. Reiss C ‘84Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit

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

Most Rev. William C. SkurlaBishop, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys

RECTOR

Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ’92, C’97

VICE RECTOR FOR ADMINISTRATION

Rev. Msgr. Daniel H. Mueggenborg ’89

VICE RECTOR FOR SEMINARY LIFE

Rev. Peter McGuine ‘90

SUPERIOR, CASA SANTA MARIA

Rev. Msgr. Francis Kelly ‘64

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Mrs. Mary DiDonato

SStt.. PPaauull OOuuttssiiddee tthhee WWaallllss

Submitted as part of a NAC student photo contest by

Rob Lampitt ‘08, Diocese of Peoria

Rev. Msgr. James Checchio ’92, C’97Diocese of Camden

Rector

n Pope Benedict's Message for the World Day of Prayer forVocations this year, he highlighted that "God has always chosen

some individuals to work with him in a more direct way, in order toaccomplish his plan of salvation." What a joy it is to be involved inhelping the young men of the North American College "let them-selves be conquered by his gaze and his voice" and accept this invita-tion of our Lord. Whether it is in our chapel at Eucharistic adora-tion or liturgy, at their extensive apostolic works, at the challengingRoman ecclesiastical universities, or gathering with tens of thousandsof pilgrims each week to hear Christ's Vicar encourage us in ourChristian living or share with us his blessing, the men of this Collegeare regularly opening themselves up to the Good Shepherd's voiceand "getting caught in His gaze".

These men, the seminarians and priests at the Casa Santa Maria or in our wonderful Institute for ContinuingTheological Education, who are asked in " a more direct way" to be involved in the work of the Lord for His planof salvation, generously give of themselves in striving to take on the heart of the Good Shepherd Himself. Theresults are directly and happily seen each summer, as our fourth year seminarians go home to be ordained priestsin their home dioceses and begin their sacred ministry. This summer we have 36 men being ordained priests!

We are grateful for your generous and prayerful participation and support of our mission. Whether you assist byyour prayers, your sponsoring of a seminarian to be formed here, remembering us in your will, or by giving to ourcapital campaign, Vision for the Future, we could not continue with our Mission without your generous help.

This edition of the magazine is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart is a powerful, concretereminder to us of our obligation to make our own hearts more like that of Christ's. In that same message aboutvocations, Pope Benedict reminded those of us answering the call to follow Christ in the priestly life, of the sourceand completion of this call, "the heart of the believer, filled with divine love, is moved to dedicate itself wholly tothe cause of the Kingdom."

Through all our programs here at the North American College, our goal is to form faithful, holy, happy, and zeal-ous priests in the fashion our Holy Father prayed for in his message, "servants of divine joy: priests who, in com-munion with their Bishops, announce the Gospel faithfully and celebrate the sacraments, take care of the people ofGod, and are ready to evangelize all humanity." Enjoy this edition of the magazine, which our students provide foryou, so that you can get to know them and this wonderful institution of priestly formation more intimately. I knowwe can count on you to continue to support us in this mission by your prayers and financial support and for that,we are truly grateful.

- Rev. Msgr. James Checchio, Rector

I

‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’

RECTOR’S CORNER

3SUMMER 2 0 0 7

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

Putting OurPutting OurBest FootBest Foot

Forward!Forward!by Fernando Saenz ‘10

Diocese of Santa Fe

he Eternal City played host this year to the first everClericus Cup soccer tournament, a competition

between seminarians and priests studying in the variouscolleges, seminaries, and pontifical universities in Rome.With particular pride, the Pontifical North AmericanCollege formed its own team. Besides fraternity, the cele-bration of the bond that exists between men devoted to thepriesthood of Christ, the tournament was also devoted toevangelization as one of its chief goals. It's a type of evan-gelization that takes place as it should in any other dimen-sion of the Christian life: in the example of Christian char-ity and good sportsmanship that shows forth in the players,coaches, and fans.

But there were many other fruits as a result of our partici-pation, like the growth in fellowship among the seminari-ans at the NAC. Working together and helping one anoth-er improve in something as common as sports show us theimportance of helping each other grow spiritually and vir-tuously.

Because we all study theology at various universities, soc-cer practices and games provided a good setting to cometogether again, but this time as players and fans. Prayingtogether before and after all of our practices and gamesreminded us of our dependence on God in all we do.

T

Oppostie page top: Co-captain Jaime Gil ‘10 (Boise) plants a kick; Opposite page bottom: NAC seminarians and fans celebrate with their brothers after a victory.

5SUMMER 2 0 0 7

Soccer also provided us an opportunity for the exer-cise that is so important in maintaining our physicalhealth. It can be easy to get so deeply involved instudies, meetings, prayer, and other things, that a goodworkout becomes neglected. Our soccer practices andgames have enabled us to exercise the body in additionto the mind on a regular basis and in a group setting.

Connecting with other teams of seminarians andpriests from countries all over the world was undoubt-edly a blessing and gave us yet another taste of theuniversality of the Church. This is simply another oneof the remarkable benefits of studying theology inRome. It is not difficult to see many of the beautifuldifferences in nationality, culture, and language. But

most importantly, we can also see how what unites usis stronger than our differences, that as members ofChrist's body we are all sons of our heavenly Father.

In my own experience as a player on the PNAC team,I have been able to witness many of God's graces atwork in our participation. Having played soccer onlyone year before coming to the NAC, I was able toappreciate the skill which more experienced playersexhibited in their play, a skill that flows from theblessings bestowed on them by God. And since manyof us are new at playing soccer, it has been equallyimpressive to see the improvement among us.

Of course these movements of blessing and growth

CLERICUS CUP

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

parallel the Christian life, a life that I've seen lived in ourseminary environment. Seeing my brother seminarians liv-ing the life of love that Christ calls us to can be quite inspir-ing, and to see growth among them as a team gives me hopeand motivates me to imitate their good example.

Some of the friendships, experiences, lessons learned, andmemories that have come from our participation are unfor-gettable and will remain with us for many years to come.The Clericus Cup has been a blessing for us at the PontificalNorth American College and for the universal Church as awhole.

Right: Fernando Saenz ‘10 (Santa Fe) shares fraternity after a match;

Below: Co-captain Daniel O’Mullane ‘10 (Paterson)leads a time-out.

7SUMMER 2 0 0 7

s the fourth year men return to the College each September fromtheir summer of parish work and family visits, their conversations

typically center around two major topics, their imminent ordination to thediaconte and the field of specialization that they will begin during thenext academic year. Upon my return to the College last summer I waspleased to discover that I would be accompanied by two classmates in the three year study of canon law.

There has been a true consistency in the types of reactions that are provoked when people find out that I am studyingcanon law. The reactions include sincere condolences, words of encouragement, and often enough, sentiments of dis-appointment. On the one hand, they could perceive canon law studies as nothing more than the memorizing of eccle-sial laws and norms. On the other hand, they might see it as a discipline that represents an unfortunate element of theChurch that runs contrary to their understanding of ecclesial life. It has been reassuring to realize that these sentimentshave not matched my experience during my first year of studies as I have grown in appreciation for the role of canonlaw in the life of the Church.

As I reflect upon my motives and intentions for pursuing a priestly vocation, I am reminded once again of my desireto serve the People of God in a pastoral setting. I had always hoped that my priestly service would lead the faithful tothe salvation offered by Christ. As I delve into my studies of canon law I come to realize that I have been given yetanother instrument to guide my pastoral charity in bringing others to salvation. For at the very heart of the Church'sunderstanding of its law is an ordering of all the faithful towards God in love and justice by the upholding of each per-sons rights and obligations.

In one of his addresses to the Roman Rota, Servant of God Pope John Paul II expressed his wish that "there be an everclearer understanding and ever more working realization of the pastoral value of Church law, for the sake of betterserving souls." In this light, I have tried to approach canon law as a way of participating in the Church's mission ofbringing all men and women to salvation and not as an external reality that inhibits one's freedom. Moreover, while attimes, the material can be uninteresting and somewhat tedious, I know that behind every law there are goods and val-ues that need to be promoted for the sake of proper communion among the faithful. I therefore hope that a betterknowledge of canon law will inspire me to foster greater love and communion in my priestly service to God's people.

THEOLOGICAL STUDY


A

by Rev. Mr. Peter Purpura ‘07

Diocese of Brooklyn

Under His Law

from left to right: Rev. Mr. Michael Cassabon ‘07(Charleston), Peter Purpura ‘07 (Brooklyn), and Rev.Mr. Joshua Guillory ‘07 (Lafayette) are the three FourthYear students studying Canon Law.

Greg visits the seminary several times eachyear and always spends time with both fac-ulty and seminarians. While at home inthe United States, he is frequently travelingto and from his Florida home, workinghard to ensure that the College is able tosustain its efforts. This past year, alongwith the former rector, Msgr. Kevin McCoy, he generously ranand successfully completed the College's vital Vision for theFuture Capital Campaign.

What is more, Greg's relationship with the College is reciprocal.During his visit to the College this past January, ArchbishopTimothy Dolan celebrated Mass for the Institution of Lectors.Afterwards, he paused to make a special announcement to thecommunity. As a sign of recognition and appreciation for all of

Greg's dedicated friendship and selfless commitment, he hadbeen named a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, oneof the highest honors the Vatican can bestow upon a layman.

Without a doubt, the essence of this outstanding relationshipeludes adequate expression in simple words. That same greatphilosopher of friendship came close when he proclaimed, "Nowthose who wish goods to their friend for the friend's own sake arefriends most of all." It is in fact this sort of friendship that sogreatly helps to nourish, support, and sustain us. Our very expe-rience of such lends clarity and pours out inspiration upon ourformation as seminarians preparing for the priesthood. It is withdeep sincerity that The North American College proudly callsGreg Jewell a dear and true friend.

f the many blessings that grace the North AmericanCollege, friendship is certainly one of the finest. It would

be no exaggeration to claim that it is in fact friendship that sus-tains the College's work of forming priests for service in theCatholic Church. In the words of Aristotle, one of the greatphilosophers of friendship: "Complete friendship is the friend-ship of good people similar in virtue; for they wish goods in thesame way to each other." One unique friend of the College whoshares in this philosophy of friendship is Mr. Gregory Jewell.

A West-Texan turned Floridian, Greg is quick to share histhoughts with a characteristically energetic smile. "To be a truefriend means to give of oneself unconditionally, without askingwhat the other individual can do for you. I consider the Collegeto be that kind of true friend."

The decision to share his time and resources as a friend and bene-factor of the College was one that came out of a powerful expe-rience during his first visit to the NAC: "On my very first trip in1992, I attended Sunday Vespers, and I had a deep and movingfeeling that I had never felt before. It felt truly surreal to be inthat Chapel with those seminarians, and I left there with anawareness that I had a purpose to do something for the Church.”

Throughout the past fifteen years, a strong and true friendshiphas developed. At its heart, Greg's attraction to the College hasalways remained the same. "The men here love Christ and thirstfor a deeper understanding of Him. It's so amazing, so conta-gious - you just want to share in that search for holiness."

9

Greg Jewell, left, receives the honor of Knight of St. Gregory the Great from

Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Msgr. James Checchio.

SUMMER 2 0 0 7

Greg Jewell

Oby Johnny Burns ‘10 Archdiocese of Milwaukee

FRIEND OF THE COLLEGE

KNIGHT OF ST. GREGORY

from left: Archbishop Timothy Dolan, William Cardinal Levada, Greg Jewell,

Msgr. Kevin McCoy, and Theodore Cardinal McCarrick at a reception for Greg in

the O’Connor Red Room

FACILITY IMPROVEMENTSontinuing the improvements to the College madepossible by the Vision for the Future Capital

Campaign, the College recently undertook the completerefurbishing of the lighting and electrical systems in theO’Toole Refectory and Gregory and Linda Jewell StudentLounge. Soon to be completed is the replacement of win-dows throughout the College.

A complete renovation of Apartment 6 was also under-taken. The 3 bedroom apartment was completely guttedand fitted with new plumbing and electrical systems, mak-ing it a state-of-the-art guest residence. The apartment isused by many guests who come to Rome to visit the col-lege or conduct business on behalf of the Church. It isbeing named in honor of Ambassador and Mrs. FrancisRooney who have generously supported the Vision forthe Future Campaign.

Thanks to the generous contributions of many benefac-tors, new washers and dryers were installed in the Casalaundry room. In addition the computer network of thecollege was replaced, allowing for faster and safer infor-mation technology services.


C

Above top: Faculty and students enjoy lunch in the hallway while the electrical sys-

tem in the O’Toole Refectory is updated; Above center: New lights bring new life

to the Gregory and Linda Jewell Student Lounge; Above: The O’Toole Refectory

is cleaned and repairs are made to the floor after new lighting fixtures and wiring

are installed; Left top: The new lounge for the Institute priests on their residence hall

offers a place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and a nice conversation; Left: The

updated computer server at the college allows for more efficient communication for

the faculty and students.

FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

11SUMMER 2 0 0 7

Additions to the rich artistic patrimony of the collegeinclude a statue of St. Therese of Lisieux which wasplaced in the garden of the Casa Santa Maria thanks tothe Bob Baker Family, and a portrait of the Most Rev.Gabriel Montalvo, former Apostolic Nuncio to theUnited States, which was commissioned through thegenerosity of the Most Rev. Michael Bransfield, Bishopof Wheeling-Charleston.

The college is grateful to all of its benefactorswho make possible the work of priestly formation.

Clockwise from left: A gutted Apartment 6 awaiting renovations; the new

statue of St. Therese of Lisieux as displayed in the garden of the Casa

Santa Maria; the new portrait of Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, former

Apostiolic Nuncio to the United States, which is displayed on the wall out-

side of the Immaculate Conception Chapel.

iinn SSeevviilllleeiinn SSeevviilllleeby Hector Lopez-Tejeda '09 by Hector Lopez-Tejeda '09 Diocese of FresnoDiocese of Fresno


little over a year ago, I caught the Spanish Fever and decided it was time for the Easter pilgrimage preparations to begin. As I began torecruit travel companions, one of them tried to chill my interest with his quick but expected response: "Don't you think it is too early?"

"Only a little bit!" was my anxious reply, as I was beginning to wonder how my fever to begin the planning now had ever managed to suppressmy Latin-style last minute spontaneity. Nonetheless, this setback did not discourage me. I knew the desire would spread, and it did. Soon enoughfour of us enthusiastically came on board, and we wasted no time as we eagerly anticipated an extraordinary Semana Santa in Seville.

As the third most populated city of Spain and capital of the Andalucian region in southern Spain, Seville is famous for its legendary bullfighttraditions as well as for inspiring many opera composers and poets with its charm. It seems that they caught the fever just like I had.

During Holy Week, Seville transforms into a colorful and vibrant setting. Countless awe-inspiring religious parades, called procesiones floodthe streets of the city and raise its devotional life to an incredible stature. Seville's fame stretches far and wide for its fervent religious spiritwhich the city's inhabitants have faithfully preserved for many generations. There was no disappointment; the fever of anticipation was con-sumed by our participation in devotion and worship during the Church's great celebration of the Paschal Mystery. While our pilgrimage landedus in Seville for the Triduum, we made our own sort of procession through several other historic Spanish settings on the way there during HolyWeek. Starting in Cadiz on Palm Sunday, we passed through Jerez, Arcos de la Frontera, Zahara, and Ronda. In a word, our own processionamong the processions along the journey to Seville was climactic.

First impressions can be defining. This was certainly the case with our first impression of the procesiones on Palm Sunday in Cadiz. We werebrand new in the procession business, so we were overwhelmed with how much effort and commitment had been invested in the organizationof the parades. They were the end result of a year-long preparation during which the music, the parade route, and the choreography are deter-mined. I even shared in their great sadness when, on the very day that the extravagant floats were to be released into the arteries of the city afterso much arduous preparation, bad weather threatened the procession. Yet where there is Spanish will power, nothing can stand in the way: thetownsfolk under these circumstances would still proudly displayed their floats inside the churches.

Each procession is sponsored by a patronage (cofradia) linked to a specific neighborhood or local parish which preserves centuries of historyand tradition. Sometimes, in my curiosity, I found myself frequently prodding the locals for any bits of information they might be able to giveus on the street processions that so captured our attention. To my surprise, every local was well informed; they seemed to know everything. Weput down our guide books and turned to the live experts who gave us the intriguing history of the processions, their rich tradition, and the impor-tance this devotional practice holds for the good faithful of the towns, particularly of Seville. Las Procesiones in Seville are the city’s identity

A

CULTURE

13SUMMER 2 0 0 7

and pride. Their meaning is etched into the hearts of the people. In my heart also remains inscribed the intense experience of La Madrugá whichtakes its name from the all night vigil from Holy Thursday through the morning of Good Friday. No one in the city sleeps; all stay awake withthe Lord the night before his passion and death. The people flood into the streets in silence and meditation, contemplating the moment as theirmost spiritually powerful processions pass by. Among these, that of Jesus del Gran Poder was to me the most meaningful of the night. In thedark stillness, a statue of Jesus before the Sanhedrin slowly weaves through the streets of Seville, preparing its spectators for the commemora-tion of the Lord's Passion the following day.

A typical procession usually includes two floats: a life-size statue of the Lord leading the procession followed by a second float of the VirginMary on a beautiful platform decorated with red or white roses. Throughout the week, these statues are adorned with different costumes. Eachcostume theme represents a different moment of the Lord's passion, from his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem (naturally celebrated on PalmSunday) to his Resurrection on Easter morning. A musical band accompanies the procession which provides the musical background for itsmovement. As a spectator, I happily joined in the procession as we made our way to the Cathedral, the destination common to all processions.Having passed through the Cathedral Church, the procession dances back to its host church in a long journey that lasts between six to eighthours, or even longer.

The catechetical role of these processions should never be underestimated. While they do not take the place of liturgical celebrations, the pro-cessions are a visual experience that uplifts the faithful Catholics in their love and devotion. I myself experienced an increase of devotion inpreparing for the liturgy after the processions. It was here at the liturgy where the visual preparation reached its completion.

We carried our Seville processional experience with us throughout the rest of our journey through Andalucia. The initial infatuation was replacedby nostalgia. There were still many surprises of faith that Spain had in store for us before our return to the Eternal City - many friendly peoplealways willing to talk, as well as cultural and architectural wonders such as those of Cordoba and Granada. My recollection of it all is as fondas my anticipation was anxious.

Clockwise from right: l to r: Gregg Loughney ‘08

(Scranton), Chris Cicero ‘09 (Youngstown), Charlie

Cortinovis ‘09 (Washington) and Hector Lopez-

Tejeda ‘09 (Fresno) enjoy Santa Samana in Seville;

a statue of the risen Christ is processed through the

streets; an image of Our Lady of Sorrows is sur-

rounded by candles and roses; the Cathedral of

Seville on Easter Day.

TTaallkk tthheeby David Ruchinski ‘07

Diocese of St. Augustine

WWaallkk tthhee WWaallkkhen engaging in dialogue with a largely secu-larized youth culture, the three men of the

North American College who work with the AmericanUniversity of Rome - or AUR - Newman Society seekto utilize their greatest asset: the city of Rome itself.AUR has a student body of over 500 students, abouttwo-thirds of whom are doing a study-abroad semes-ter or year. For many of these students a desire toexperience Rome is one of the few things they have incommon when they arrive. Thus, most have highexpectations of coming to know the Eternal City in afew short months.The university - and their own natural curiosity - pro-vide excellent opportunities to explore the historic andcultural aspects of the city, but our aim is to make theirtime here something more. Through weekly campus discussion groups, guided walking tours of the city's

spiritual and religious heritage, or simply engaging thestudents in informal conversation on the AUR cam-pus, we seek to augment their spiritual and intellectu-al experience of Rome.

The aim of this, as with any other university aposto-late, is to evangelize through word and example andassist students in their individual faith journey. Doingso means not only presenting the Truth in an accessi-ble way, but also finding the traces of that Truth in thelives even of those who seemingly reject it. In orderto engage a diverse group of students, we devised aseries of sessions called "Talk the Talk, Walk the

W


David Ruchinski ‘07 (St. Augustine) converses with some of the students from the

American University of Rome.

Kevin Regan ‘08 (Washington) shares a moment with one of the students

at the apostolate’s opening meeting.

Walk the WalkWalk," alternating between talks given at the AUR campus and walks into the city.These sessions seek to create an authentic dialogue, demonstrating that faith is compatible with reason, and

informing students of the rich religious history of Rome that extends beyond St. Peter's and the VaticanM u s e u m s .These Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk sessions include a discussion about vocations and the priesthood, visits

to rooms of St. Ignatius and St. Philip Neri, discussions about adjusting to life in Rome and about the rela-tionships between men and women, and discussions of literary works like Dante's Inferno and Tolkein's Lordof the Rings.

On Sunday evenings, we also celebrate Mass in English at the Church of Sant'Onofrio in an effort to buildand support the Catholic community at AUR. For these students coming to Rome means coming home to thecenter of the Catholic world, a great place to learn the significance of a Church that is "One, Holy, Catholic,and Apostolic."

Our ministry is built upon patient endurance, seeking to reach individual students at whatever stage they arein their spiritual development. For many college students 'hanging-out' encompasses a large part of their day,so often we engage in the ministry of "holy-loitering"-in other words standing around in a high traffic area oncampus saying hello to friendly faces, both known and unknown.This shows a desire to be present to students no matter what their needs, and it also points to the Lord who

anxiously waits for each of us to draw near to him. Our purpose on campus is not always one of action. Muchof our time is devoted to the "Ministry of Presence."

THE APOSTOLATE

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Rev. Mr. Michael Triplett ‘07 (Baltimore) takes a moment to relax and share some thoughts with his peers.

Devotion to the

by Justin Kisewski ‘08

Diocese of Lacrosse

he beatification of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the saint who witnessed Jesus' Sacred Heart, wasannounced in a chapel that is now the College's library at the Casa Santa Maria. Servant of God

Frank Parater, a seminarian who died while studying at the North American College once said''Remember, the Sacred Heart never fails those who love Him.'' Pope Pius XII described the SacredHeart as ''that particular image which surpasses all the rest in efficacy and meaning'' (Haurietis Aqua,103).

This year, at the North American College, there has been a renewed focus on raising awareness of thedevotion to the Sacred Heart. Conferences and retreats have focused on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Weremember the Sacred Heart most of all on First Fridays when we pray for all of our benefactors duringthe Litany of the Sacred Heart.

T


HS acred eartofJ esus

The importance of the Sacred Heart in the life of the North American College is undeniable, but the devotionhas a universal appeal and importance. What is the devotion to the Sacred Heart? The devotion to the SacredHeart is, at its root, the ''worship of the love with which God, through Jesus, loved us, and at the same time, anexercise of our own love by which we are related to God and to each other'' (107). Pius XII mentions threeloves in that ''worship of love'' that are represented by the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The first love is the Divine Love, God himself, for God is love. But this mysterious, invisible love becomesvisible in Jesus Christ. This love is shown through a weak and vulnerable presence, the Word become fleshand dwelling among us.This is the Word, which speaks Love, through whom all things were made - the universe and everything in it

- and through whom it keeps going. This love is aware of me constantly, loves me continually, and will do sofor ever. This heart expresses the Divine Love for us all.

The second love that the Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolizes is the ''burning love which, infused into his soul,enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs its acts by the most perfect knowledge derivedboth from the beatific vision and that which is directly infused'' (56). Jesus had that perfect human knowledgein which he knew on earth what the saints know in heaven. The more we know, the more we can love. Jesushad perfect human love that flowed from his perfect human knowledge. Christ the man was able to see andlove us perfectly during the course of his life and at its end. In other words, because of his knowledge, Christcould love us to the point of death on the cross. This heart expresses perfect charity for us all.

The third love is a "sensible love, since the body of Jesus Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb ofthe Virgin Mary, possesses full powers of feelings and perception, in fact, more so than any other human being"(57). In addition to the virtue of charity that Jesus had, he also had the emotion of love - a passionate love.His heart beat for his mother and for us, stopped beating for his mother and for us, and beats now, at this verymoment, for his mother and for us. This heart expresses passionate love for us all.

We have missed one of the most striking aspects of the Sacred Heart - that it has been pierced by sins - yoursand mine. We must remember this in ''the exercise of our own love''. About this I asked a student priest, FatherMark Lenneman (Diocese of Helena), here at the college what he thought was important about the SacredHeart:

"The Sacred Heart of Jesus is more than just a model of priestly love. The priest must allow himself to be unit-ed completely and totally to the Sacred Heart. Union of hearts is the final goal. The priest must learn to lovewith the same love that is revealed by the Pierced Heart. His heart must learn to beat according to the samerhythm as Christ's. It reveals the cost of love. The Sacred Heart is a Pierced Heart. It is a Heart that hasloved to the extreme, to the point where nothing more can be given. Contemplating the Sacred and PiercedHeart of Christ allows one to see that only a love that suffers can bear true and lasting life. Christ's Heart,opened more by love than by the soldier's spear, gives witness to this truth. Life is communicated to the worldthrough the wound of His Heart."

His Heart was a Heart that suffered, that died, that gave itself up for all. This is the image of Divine Love, ofperfect human charity and passionate love. This is the Heart on which all priests and seminarians are to modeltheir own hearts.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

17SUMMER 2 0 0 7


Rector’sDinner

On 19 April, the College's Rector, Monsignor James Checchio, presented the 2007 Rector's Dinner Awardsto William Cardinal Levada and Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Paulette Kardos. With the Rector's Award, the College hon-ors those outstanding individuals for their service to the Roman Catholic Church and for their generous commit-ment to the work of the Pontifical North American College.

The Rector's Dinner is held annually to honor the many friends of the College whose generosity makes hermission possible. The evening of the Rector's Dinner is also an opportunity to celebrate that mission and promoteits cause. The proceeds from the dinner are an invaluable help in supporting the operational expenses of theCollege. Beginning in 1991, the College's alumni, friends, and benefactors gather in Rome to recognize the impor-tant apostolate that the North American College offers to the Church Universal and to the Church in America. Thisyear saw the presence of many of the College's friends who were able to come not only from the United States,but also from Italy and other parts of Europe. The College was also honored by the presence of many Americanprelates and other ecclesiastical dignitaries working in the Vatican and throughout the world.

Cardinal Levada Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop-Emeritus of

San Francisco, was given the 2007 Rector's Award for his great priestly witness and outstanding support of theCollege. Ordained in 1961, Cardinal Levada is an alumnus of both the College and the Casa Santa Maria, andreceived his doctorate from the Gregorian University in 1971. Pope Benedict XVI honored him in 2006 by raisinghim to the College of Cardinals. As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he succeeds thenJoseph Cardinal Ratzinger who served in that same position.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Paulette KardosDedicated and faithful American Catholics, Paul and Paulette Kardos received the 2007 Rector’s Award for

their longtime generous support of the College and the Church. Upon receiving the award they encouraged oth-ers to join them in promoting the mission of the Pontifical North American College as a “sound investment infuture leaders of the Church.”

19

Left: Msgr. James Checchio and Archbishop Edwin O’Brien present the 2007

Rector’s Award to William Cardinal Levada; Above: Students provide entertain-

ment during the dinner.

Clockwise from left: Msgr. James Checchio with Vatican Secretary of

State, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone; U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See

Francis Rooney congratulates Rector’s Award Honoree William

Cardinal Levada; Msgr. James Checchio and Archbishop Edwin

O’Brien present the 2007 Rector’s Award to Paul and Paulette

Kardos; Rev. Mr. Kenneth St. Hilaire ‘07 (Spokane) provides piano

music during the pre-dinner reception; Student waiters prepare to serve

dinner to the guests.

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rreeaall ii tt yy.. II ff JJeessuuss wweerree oonnee pprroopphheett aammoonngg mmaannyy,, oonnee iinntt eerreess tt iinngg rree ll ii gg iioouuss ff ii gguurree

aammoonngg mmaannyy,, tthheenn hhiiss wwoorrddss ccoouulldd hhaavvee ,, ppeerrhhaappss ,, aa ssyymmbbooll iicc rr eessoonnaannccee .. BBuutt tthhee

ffaa ii tthh oo ff tthhee CChhuurrcchh ii ss tthhaatt JJeessuuss ii ss tthhee WWoorrdd mmaaddee ff ll eesshh.. TThheerree ff oorree ,, wwhhaatt hhee ssaayyss ,,

A Scholar

or the past three months I've had the privilege of serving as a scholar in residence here at the NorthAmerican College.

This Roman sojourn - part retreat, part lecture tour, part theological seminar, all spiritual renewal - has beenone of the great experiences of my life. During the month of March, I offered an intensive course at thePontifical University of St. Thomas (the Angelicum), based on my latest book, The Priority of Christ: Towarda Postliberal Catholicism. I very much enjoyed engaging the students in my class who came from all over theworld, though some of them were, I think, a bit surprised by my more interactive "American" style of teaching.In March, I also gave a series of seven lectures to the forty priests of the ICTE (Institute for ContinuingTheological Education), who had stepped away from their ordinary work for a 12 week sabbatical in Rome.The focus of those lectures was the evangelization of the American culture. I benefitted from the very livelygive-and-take with these pastorally experienced and intellectually curious priests.

In March and April, I gave two Sunday evening talks for the entire North American College community. In thefirst, I looked at the continuing relevance of John Henry Newman in our present ecclesial situation, especiallyhis ruminations on the development of doctrine in relation to the authority of the church. In the second, Iexplored the complex issue of being, simultaneously, American and Catholic, taking my cue from the thoughtof two Chicago Cardinals, Mundelein and George. After the Easter break, I offered a series of four talks tointerested NAC students and faculty on the theme of Christ: Priest, Prophet, and King. In these presentations,I adopted the style of a retreat preacher and tried to show the applicability of these Christological archetypes tothe spiritual life of the diocesan priest. I also gave a number of talks around Rome, including a discussion ofmy newest book at the Casa Santa Maria, a presentation on evangelization to the students at St. ThomasUniversity's Rome Center, and a meditation on St. Mark at the Lay Center. I also had the privilege of presid-ing and preaching at Mass several times here at the North American. All told, I gave 35 separate lectures andhomilies during this period, and I have to admit that at times I got sick of hearing myself talk! But honestly,


F

IN ROMEby Rev. Robert Barron

-- FFrr.. BBaarrrroonn ssppeeaakkiinngg oonn tthhee MMiinnii ss tt rryy oo ff tthhee WWoorrdd ttoo tthhee DDiiaaccoonnaatt ee CCllaassss ooff

Fr. Barron is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and professor of systematic theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary. He

is the author of four books, including Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master and And Now I See: A Theology of Transformation.

SCHOLARSHIP

21SUMMER 2 0 0 7

Besides all of the speaking, I had the opportunity to "learn" Rome a bit better. I had been to Rome a number oftimes for short visits, but since I had done my doctoral studies in Paris, I had not had the chance to get to know lacittà eterna well. Thus, many of my weekends and afternoons were spent visiting the Pantheon, climbing theCampidoglio, exploring Trastevere, musing over Caravaggios, traipsing through the Forum, working my waythrough the rabbit warren of streets near the Campo dei Fiori, praying at the tomb of St. Monica, sticking my handin the Bocca di Verita, meditating on the bank of the Circus Maximus, and hiking through the Dora Pamphylia. Aseveryone from from Justin Martyr to Geothe to John Paul II knew, Rome is, in itself, a spiritual education.

But I can honestly say that the greatest part of this experience was getting to know the students at the NorthAmerican College. From the moment of my arrival, I was received with great warmth and during my weeks at theCollege I was graciously invited into the rhythms and activities of the community. I had the chance, both at mealsand during numerous private conversations, to get to know the concerns and aspirations of these students who willbe among the leaders of the next Catholic generation. I found them spiritually serious, focussed on the mission ofthe church, intellectually alert, and a great deal of fun. They fill me with enormous confidence as I contemplatethe future of the Church in the United States.

As I prepare to leave and return to Chicago, I'm filled with gratitude toward Msgr. James Checchio and the wholefaculty at the NAC for giving me this opportunity. To everyone on "the hill," ad multos annos.

FFrr.. BBaarrrroonn ccoonnggrraattuullaatt eess WWiill ll iiaamm CCaarrddiinnaa ll LLeevvaaddaa aatt tthhii ss yy eeaarr ’’ ss RReecc ttoorr’’ ss DDiinnnneerr..

A Vocation to Preach

n January 14th, the North American College welcomed her former Rector,Archbishop Timothy Dolan, as guest speaker for the annual Carl J. Peter

Lecture on homiletics. Speaking in the auditorium where he often gave his now wellknown Rector's Conferences, the Archbishop of Milwaukee presented to the studentsand faculty a talk entitled "Preaching: An Ecclesial Vocation".

While sharing his familiar wit and candor, he encouraged the seminarians and priestsof the College to always see their role as preachers of the Word in the larger contextof the Church, whom they represent.The Archbishop quickly noted that one's personality, style, and tone must never be

lacking from preaching. However, personal character should not detract from one'sduty to stand in persona Christi. While all the baptized are called to proclaim theChristian message, those entrusted with the office of preaching should proclaim Christand not oneself or one's personal agenda.

This being said, a priest carries out the mission of preaching only in the heart of theChurch. Ministers who stand in persona Christi speak for the Church, the Bride, andfollow his example. Such preaching points to Christ and his Bride, and not to one's per-sonal opinions. Lastly, he noted that committed preachers never shy away frompreaching the Cross.

With his thoughts, memorable stories, and catchy humor, Archbishop Dolan encour-aged the students and faculty of the College to be priests who forever proclaim Christ,his Church, and his cross. May the example of those great preachers who go before uscontinue to inspire the upcoming generations of priests, and may the name of Christ

O

by Shane Deman ‘08

Diocese of Sioux City


MMaayybbee tthhee ggrr eeaatt eess tt tthhrreeaatt

tt oo tt hh ee CChhuurr cchh ii ss nnoo tt

hheerr eessyy,, nnoott ddii sssseenntt ,, nnoott

ss ee cc uull aarr ii ssmm,, nnoo tt ee vv eenn

mmoorraall rr ee llaatt iivv ii ssmm,, bbuutt tthhiiss

ssaanniitt iizzeedd,, ffeeee ll -- ggoooodd ,, bboouu--

tt iiqquuee ,, tthheerraappeeuuttii cc ssppiirr ii ttuu--

aa ll ii tt yy tt hhaa tt mmaakkee ss nnoo

ddeemmaannddss ,, ccaa ll ll ss ffoorr nnoo ssaacc --

rr ii ff iicc ee ,, aasskkss ffoorr nnoo ccoonnvveerr --

ss ii oonn ,, eennttaa ii ll ss nnoo bbaatt tt ll ee

aa ggaa ii nn ss tt ss ii nn ,, bbuu tt oonn ll yy

ssoooo tthheess aanndd aaff ff ii rrmmss..

Preaching at the Eucharist is an ecclesial vocation; it comes from and is an intimate part of the Person of Christ, and of His bride, the Church.Now, I must express a couple of caveats, lest one be already tempted to jump to unintended conclusions from my just-stated thesis. For one, I am not saying that our personality, our temperament, our humanity does not affect our preaching. You bet it does. As St. Thomas Aquinas

insisted, grace builds on nature, and we bring our human nature with us -- some of us with much more weight than others -- every time we stand before God'speople and dare to preach. Never are we to be robots, empty shells, devoid of color, care, and character in the pulpit. So, I am not saying that our ecclesialcall to preach, not our person, but in persona Christi, turns us into mechanical "tin-men." We gladly bring our humanity with us, to give warmth, color, nat-uralness, credibility, a heart, to what we preach. But our person is -- to borrow again from the Angelic Doctor -- only the "accident." The substance must beChrist! And I am afraid that too often today the "accident" our own person, our own agenda, trumps the substance of the Person of Christ and the messageof His Church. That injunction is as fresh as yesterday's office of Readings, when St. Hilary of Poitiers prayed to the Lord, "I am well aware . . . that in mylife I owe you a most particular duty: to make my every thought and word speak of you."

Thanks to the towering Magisterium of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, the theme of the identity of the priest as one who acts in PersonaChristi has been revived and emphasized. At the core of our being, ordination so configures us, "re-orders" us, that we now act in the very person of the SecondPerson of the Most blessed Trinity, a concept developed especially in Pastores Dabo Vobis. I don't know about you, but I find it rather easy -- awesome, tobe sure -- but simple, to see myself acting in Persona Christi when I utter the words of consecration at Mass, for instance, or absolve a penitent in the sacra-ment of reconciliation, or christen a baby or an adult. What I am proposing in this Carl J. Peter Lecture is that we are also acting in the Person of Christwhen we preach. Jesus preaches to His people in and through us. "He who hears you, hears me!" If this does not stop you short, I don't know what will.

Let me elaborate on this in three points: First, we are called, in the ecclesial charism of preaching, to preach Jesus. In my home archdiocese of St. Louis, there is a parish church where,

as you approach the pulpit to preach, you see an inscription from the gospels carved into the ambo. The passage? "Sir, we would like to see Jesus," theearnest, direct appeal of the Greek visitors to the apostles as recorded in the Fourth Gospel. The first time I preached from that pulpit I was captivated bythat statement. As I looked out at the hundreds of people before me, that was their plea, their desire, the mission statement they were giving me: "Sir, we wouldlike to see Jesus."

If, as I contend, preaching is an ecclesial charism, then, as homilist, we, representing the Church, speak lovingly of the Church's spouse, Christ.Poetically implicit in the liturgy of the Word for this second Sunday of Ordinary Time, in the passage from Isaiah and the Fourth Gospel, is that nuptialimagery. While preaching, we speak with, from, and for the Church, often about her spouse, Jesus Christ.

Secondly, as a preacher, we speak for, with, and from the Church. It is an ecclesial act. This follows logically, because, for us as Catholics, Christand His Church are one. Just ask Saul of Tarsus, who found this out the hard way on the road to Damascus. "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Not,notice, why do you persecute my Church, my people, but, "Why do you crucify me?"

But we are totally and unequivocally men of the Church as preachers. What St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote for his prospective Jesuits applies to us:we are resolved to serve "the Lord alone and the Church His Spouse." Remember his conclusion of the Spiritual Exercises, where he refuses to admit any dis-crepancy between the love of Christ and His Church? "I must be convinced," he writes, "that in Christ our Lord, the bridegroom, and in His spouse the Church,only one Spirit holds sway, which governs and rules for the salvation of souls." And, as Cardinal Avery Dulles concludes, "St. Ignatius' allegiance is not tosome abstract idea of the Church, but to the Church as it concretely exists on earth, with the Roman Pontiff at its summit." Referring to St. Ignatius, the car-dinal concludes that the hierarchical and Roman Church is "the true spouse of Christ our Lord, our holy mother."

We're hardly blind to the defects, flaws, and imperfections of the Church. Ecclesia semper reformanda. We see her, warts and all. At times we caneven agree with Flannery O'Connor and remark, "It's not suffering for the Church that bothers me; it's suffering from her." A groom will honor his bride'sdark side; a son well knows his mother's eccentricities. But, in the words of the great Newman, our love for and trust in the Church, both our bride and ourmother, is innate. "Love for Christ and His Church must be the passion of your lives!" as John Paul the Great told priests.

Thirdly, finally, as we preach of Jesus, as we speak with, for, and from His Church, we must speak of the Cross. The temptation is there to soft-pedalthe cross. "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministration of a Christ without a cross," in the oft-quoted words of H. Richard Niebuhr. Well, in the words of that great American philosopher, Huckleberry Finn, from my home state of Missouri, "It ain't theparts of the Bible that I don't understand that bothers me. It's the parts I do understand," and I understand the Bible to teach that the cross is an inevitablepart of what we paradoxically call the "good news." So, our preaching, if we preach Christ, if we preach with, for, from, and in the Church, must preach thecross. If our charism of preaching is Jesus-centered, and ecclesial -- as it must be -- it must also hold high the cross of Christ.

Text of the 2007 Carl J. Peter Lecture given by Archbishop Timothy

23SUMMER 2 0 0 7

alking with St. Paul is a grand task that manydisciples of Jesus long to do. St. Paul the great

apostle, preacher, theologian, shepherd, and martyr, isan exemplary companion on the journey to the priest-hood. Over Easter break this year, 21 students from theCollege and two Jesuits made a pilgrimage to Greeceand Turkey in order to understand better the experi-ence of Paul and the culture he evangelized.

When traveling through Northern Greece, Athens andits surrounding area, the Island of Samos, and Ephesus(Turkey), the ancient world that St. Paul evangelizedcomes alive and the apostolic task that St. Paul wasgiven becomes tangible. As one looks upon the ancientruins which help tell the story that is so dear to us, onefeels that he can almost touch St. Paul and the earlyChristians to whom he preached.

The Macedonian region is rich in historical figuresfrom the ranks of Aristotle, Alexander the Great, and

Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Within theancient ruins, beautiful scenery, and the feta cheese,one finds a mission: a timeless mission that began2000 years ago. The mission of Paul is accessible eventoday through prayer, the Sacred Scriptures, and theculture he transformed.

As one reads scripture in the very place for where itwas written or sits near an ancient ruin, the insights arerich in flavor, and the taste lingers as subtle details anddiscreet facts become a part of one's experience. Agood example of this is Philippi. Within the ruins ofthe ancient city can be found the prison where Paulwas kept, the amphitheater where Paul preached, andthe synagogue where Paul taught. Men preparing forthe priesthood are quickly reminded by the short dis-tance between the place of preaching and the place ofimprisonment of the price many have paid through thecenturies for preaching Christ Crucified and Risen.

Or perhaps one is inspired by reading the story ofLydia, the famous convert of St. Paul who was bap-tized in a river near the field of the ancient battle ofPhilippi (42 B.C.), a battle which changed the historyof Western civilization. It was in this context that St.Paul wielded the sword of the gospel and engaged in acosmic battle that would change the history of theworld through the power of Love. Paul's quest to bringthe whole world to Christ led him to Athens, thus ourjourney went there as well.

In the Footsteps of

Paul..by Theodore Lange ‘09

Archdiocese of Portland


W

PILGRIMAGE

We stayed at a Jesuit retreat center in Oinoi, about an hour's bus ride fromAthens. At Corinth, Athens, and Delphi, monasteries and prayer combine togive one the opportunity to be spoken to by ancient history and philosophy,biblical sites, and beautiful mountains and coastlines.

With the Catholics and Orthodox entering Holy Week and Easter at the sametime, the Triduum became the focus as the group went with Paul into theDeath and Resurrection of Jesus. A short walk down the street from theretreat center was an Orthodox church where pilgrims went to experiencethe rich liturgies of the Greek Church.

The Greeks are a people indebted to St. Paul and his kerygma, which stillresounds through their local traditions. For example, after Easter, one greetsanother with "Christ is risen!" and the response follows, "Truly he is risen!"

A journey with St. Paul also leads one to Ephesus and to the ancient ruins ofa city where he wrote and preached, so we journeyed there by boat. If thetraditions are correct, then one thinks that Paul might have been here whenMary and John were here and a meditation of potential conversations about

Jesus quickly rises tothe mind. Mary's house,being close to ancientEphesus, was includedin the trip. How provi-dential that one shouldclose a pilgrimage withSt. Paul at the house ofthe Woman whose"yes" made it all possi-ble.

by Theodore Lange ‘09

Archdiocese of Portland

25SUMMER 2 0 0 7

Theodore Lange ‘09 (Portland) spends a few moments

in prayer, reading the writings of St. Paul.

here are numerous places in Rome that may beavoided by one who lives in the city for a signif-

icant length of time. The crowds may be too large, thescene too frantic, or the reputation too ritzy. Piazza diSpagna is one of these areas for some, although I findno problem paying a visit to this wonderful location.The home to the Spanish embassy since the 17th cen-tury was once known as Piazza di Francia in tribute tothe French kings who had financed the church over-looking the piazza. However, as time passed theSpanish title surpassed the French one leading to thename Piazza di Spagna.

The piazza possesses great symbolism - intended ornot - in terms of its history if one only looks for it. Tofully appreciate this wonderful piazza one mustapproach it from the west by the Via Condotti. Theroad is named after the conduits built by Pope GregoryXIII in the sixteenth century to bring water to thelower part of Rome. Today this path brings numerousvisitors from the other major areas of the city. Thisroad provides a spectacular view of the Spanish Stepsthat lead up to the top of the hill, a magnificent spot

from which to view St. Peter's and the Roman skyline.In front of the steps is the fountain of the Barcaccia, or"Old Barge." It is here that I am struck by the won-derful meaning found in the piazza. Built by Bernini,the fountain is in the shape of a boat. The fountain sitsnearly submerged in the water and below the ground,necessary in order to overcome the low water pres-sure. There are two important markings on the foun-tain alluding to Pope Urban VIII who commissionedthe work: a sun and the papal crest of Urban. Thisleads me to think of the ancient symbol of the Churchas the barque of Peter, for it is through her that man issaved, led on earth by the Holy Father.

The ship points in the direction of another landmark ofthe piazza, the column with the Blessed Virgin Maryraised in exaltation over the entire piazza. BlessedPope Pius IX erected this column in 1857 in honor ofthe dogma of the Immaculate Conception proclaimedjust three years prior. Each year as the Church cele-brates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception onDecember 8, the Holy Father visits the column tohonor Mary and has a wreath placed upon her out-

stretched arm. December 8 istruly a feast day for those of us atthe College. Not only is OurLady of the ImmaculateConception the patroness of theUnited States, but also theCollege was officially inaugurat-ed in 1859 on the feast of theImmaculate Conception. We arereminded by this architecturalstructure to always set our sightsupon the Blessed Virgin, for shewill never cease to help and guideus. Where does she guide us?Her right arm upon which is lainthe wreath points in the directionof Sanctissima Trinità dei Monti,


T

PIAZZA DI SPAGNAby Michael Novajosky ‘10 Diocese of Bridgeport

Spectators surround the fountain of the “old barge” at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.

the church atop the Steps.

Following her gesture, I return to that area. The Piazzawas known as the "ghetto of the English" because ofall the English visitors that would live in this areawhile in Rome. In fact, the poet John Keats died in thebuilding just to the right of the Spanish Steps. In latespring, flowers engulf the staircase while the rest ofthe year one needs to look beyond the sea of tourists,pilgrims and ragazzi, or Italian youth, that find thesteps an ideal location to recline. Some days are easi-er than others to climb the staircase, but the three-tiered structure reminds us of the ascent's goal, theHoly Trinity.

Trinità dei Monti was constructed in part from the gen-erous gifts of various French kings. The exterior, withits twin belfries, is a contrast from most the otherchurches in Rome, although the interior remains very

similar: baroque and strikingly beautiful. Originallyentrusted to the Order of the Sacred Heart, in recentyears a community founded only a few decades agohas taken possession of it, the Fraternitè Monastiquede Jerusalem. Certainly a Roman rite community,there are hints of Eastern influence that leave the hum-ble pilgrim breathless at the beauty of their prayer.This monastery within a bustling city has assisted inmy worship and that of many other pilgrims fortunateenough to visit during a liturgy. In this church atop ahill in the eternal city, one is able to enter into praiseand contemplation of the Most Holy Trinity.

The papal barque, the Blessed Mother, the spiritualascent and arrival at the First and Last is made tangi-ble and formed in the structures of marble and metal,but only truly takes shape upon the heart of a believer.A piazza that appears like many others at a quickglance reveals her beauty and truth to whoever asks to

27SUMMER 2 0 0 7

NEIGHBORHOOD PROFILE

Tourists flock to Piazza di Spagna to walk to the Church of Trinità dei Monti or to sit on the Spanish steps.


CASA SANTA MARIA

hen a man comes to the North American College for his seminary formation, he canplan on spending four years studying theology before he is ordained a priest. This

is not unique; in fact, Canon Law requires this of all seminarians. What is unique in Rome,however, is that a seminarian earns a bachelor's degree in theology after three years of prettyintense study. So what happens that fourth year? Well, that depends on a number of factors,the largest being the man's field of study and the wishes of his bishop.

Some students will spend their fourth year earning a master's degree in theology and then return immediately to their diocese. Others, however, willbegin a license program which can take from between 2 and 4 years to complete depending upon the subject matter, with the majority requiring twoyears. Students completing a two year license degree will remain at the North American College for their last year of studies as a "fifth-year priest."However, those pursuing a field of study requiring more time are faced with the decision of whether to stay at the NAC or move down to the CasaSanta Maria, the house for priests.

I fall into this second camp as a canon law student. The canon law license takes three years to complete. It was during my fourth year at the NorthAmerican College that I needed to decide where to spend my final two years after priesthood ordination. It was not an easy decision to make, andI spent much time in prayer asking the Lord to help me make the right choice. In the end, I decided to move to the Casa Santa Maria in the fall of2005, and it has turned out quite well.

One benefit is living with priests who have worked in a parish environment, some for a number of years. There is much focus on study and prayer,and it is the responsibility of each priest to be accountable for himself. By design, the seminary is more structured as its goal is to prepare men forparish life. Initially, it was difficult for me to adjust to this lessened activity at the Casa. For example, it is an exciting time at the NAC during theweek of diaconate ordination. One cannot help but be part of the excitement and joy exuding throughout the seminary the days before the dia-conate, both from the deacons themselves, from their families, and from the entire student body. After four years of participating in some way inthese activities, I felt a type of emptiness knowing what I was missing as a result of changing residences.

As time passed, however, the adjustment became easier and easier. Having more time to study is a blessing, and anyone studying for an advanceddegree will tell you the importance of knowing one's subject matter well. We are indeed fortunate to have the time to properly prepare ourselvesfor our future ministries. To be sure, we do more than simply study. A number of priests from the Casa Santa Maria are involved in outside apos-tolic activities (such as celebrating Mass for different religious orders, hearing confessions, teaching and giving spiritual direction, to name a few).One can participate in the Lenten "Station Church Pilgrimage," which many priests, seminarians, and lay people make part of their daily routine.

I thank God regularly for the six years I've spent in Rome. It is said that one can learn theology anywhere, which is true enough. But when youexperience beautiful churches, walk in the footsteps of the early martyrs, visit museums (including one practically next door to the Casa), meet peo-ple from all parts of the world, and are part of the Italian culture, you cannot help but be enriched. That is, by "making Rome your classroom" yourealize that studying theology involves more than attending classes and doing homework. Rather, by also immersing yourself into the culture ofRome, the experience becomes more complete. I pray that this experience will truly help me as a preacher, teacher, and believer.

W

by Rev. Stephen Doktorczyk ‘05, C’07

Diocese of Orange in California

Fr. Steve Doktorczyk ‘05, C’07 (Orange inCalifornia) stands in the courtyard of the Casa.

29SUMMER 2 0 0 7

was pleasantly surprised, that bright morning of February 6th, at how quickly and smoothly my arrival at Rome's Leonardo da VinciAirport went. I zipped through Passport Control, briskly claimed my baggage, and began my journey to the North American College.

The day after my arrival was an orientation day for the priests of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education, a time to familiarizeourselves with the many facilities of the Institute program and of the North American College. We numbered thirty-five and constituted avery diverse group from dioceses and religious communities across the United States and three from English-speaking Canada. Our agesranged from thirty-four to seventy-eight, and though I was the fourth oldest in the group, I was second in number of years ordained. Thatevening we had a "get acquainted" session that allowed us to share some information about our background, our present ministry, and theexpectations of our Rome sabbatical.

Our first week was a time of frequent introductions to members of the student body (a hundred and sixty-one strong) and of the faculty, allof whom extended a cordial welcome and a warm friendliness and helpfulness during our stay. Gradually we familiarized ourselves with theessential locations within the College: chapels, dining room, library, lounge, lecture hall, etc. One of my favorite spots was the BlessedSacrament Chapel, a quiet, out-of-the-way, and beautifully designed space, where one could pray intimately with the Eucharistic Christ. Thiswas also a favorite location for many of the students who could frequently be found there at prayer. Also, on a daily basis the College pro-vided exposition of the Blessed Sacrament that concluded with Benediction and Evening Prayer. I retain only favorable impressions of theNAC liturgies, which were celebrated unfailingly with great care and reverence, an inducement to prayer and a source of edification.

On weekends the Institute priests were free to organize their days as they chose. These were occasions for a good number of us to visit notonly the historic cities and places of interest within the Italian peninsula but also countries as far away as England, Austria, Hungary, Polandand Lithuania. Saturdays and Sundays were for me opportunities to visit numerous basilicas, churches and chapels, as well as museums, foun-tains and ancient ruins. A highlight of Sundays was the solemn concelebrated Mass in the College's main chapel, at which the full corps offaculty, students, Institute priests and staff members was present.

The Institute program, during the first week and a half, gently eased us into a routine of spending several hours a day in a classroom by offer-ing us lectures by art experts on the history (medieval, Renaissance, baroque) of Italian art and architecture. These were complemented byguided tours to places like St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and the Villa Borghese. After these very pleasant anddigestible appetizers, our group was served, in the following weeks, very substantial fare: lectures on liturgy, Christology, Scripture, ethics,canon law, spirituality, Islamic studies, and a number of other interesting subjects. Our presenters were drawn from the universities of Rome,as well as from departments of the Vatican Curia. The presenters were engaging and thought provoking and, as can be imagined in a groupof priests with very diverse backgrounds and experiences, some topics did not fail to spark quite animated discussions.

As the days of the Institute program drew to a close, I started to feel a strange tugging at the heart. I soon enough discovered that I was notalone in experiencing this. Why did a tinge of sadness color our concluding celebrations of liturgy, our last meals together and our final ven-tures into the Vatican and the City of Rome? After reflecting with several Institute priests, it became apparent that the answer was to be foundin the fact that the three months of our living, praying, and reflecting together had transformed us from a group of clerical strangers into areal community of spiritual brothers. It was to be found, also, in the fact that our daily sharing of life with the NAC students evoked in us,perhaps with some nostalgia, the idealism of our own youth. It was to be found, finally, in our not yet having partaken, to our full satisfac-tion, in the spiritual and cultural feast that Rome so generously offers. Arrivederci Roma!

AA SSaabbbbaatt ii ccaall iinnby Rev. Bernard Camiré, S.S.S. Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

I


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he first weekend in May is traditionally Legionaries' Weekend here at the college. The men of theNorth American College and the Legionaries of Christ team up for a day of prayer, sports, and fra-

ternity. After Sunday Mass at the college, we all head outside to the Kardos Sports Field for recreationin which we face-off in several sports.

This year, along side the annual favorites of seven-inning softball and the high-intensity basketballgame, the NAC being victorious in both, we added a new sport that is growing in popularity through-out the world: Ultimate Frisbee. This game is played sim-ilar to football, except without tackling and, of course,with a Frisbee. Ultimate Frisbee, or "Ultimate" as it's usu-ally called, is a sport that the Legionaries frequently playat their college and has become increasingly popular for ushere. Even with the bouts of rain and the defeat inUltimate, the game gave an opportunity for more men ofthe college to compete and play hard.

Overall, the weekend gave us a chance to know our broth-ers better, both the Legionaries and our brothers in thehouse. We came away from the weekend promisingprayers for each other and united in the desire to zealous-ly serve the people of the God.

by James Melnick ‘09 Diocese of Little Rock

T

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FRATERNITY

Perhaps now more than ever in our country,priestly fraternity is a necessity. It is my hope that these types of relationshipswith other national colleges and religious communities, relationships rooted inprayer, sports or conversation, will encourage our men to reach out to do the sametypes of things when they get home as priests in their dioceses, and hence offerencouragement and priestly support to one another in living out our vocations. It'salso a lot of fun as for the last few years, we've won two of the three games!

- Msgr. James Checchio

with contributions from Jaime Rivera '07 (Atlanta) and Celso Batista '09 (Brooklyn)


he next academic year will begin without the familiar faces of four faculty members. Departing theCollege this year are Fr. Peter McGuine, Msgr. David Bohr, Fr. Ross Shecterle, and Fr. Dennis Gill.

Fr. Peter McGuine, '90, is concluding his assignment here at the College after serving for four years as the ViceRector for Seminary Life to return to the Diocese of San Diego as pastor of Santa Sophia Church in SpringValley.

Msgr. David Bohr is from the Diocese of Scranton and came to the College in 2004 with many years of expe-rience in priestly formation, having served as Rector of the Saint Pius X Seminary in his home diocese. Msgr.Bohr departs this College this summer after having served as the College's Academic Dean and as a formationadvisor for three years.

Fr. Ross Shecterle is leaving the college after four years as Director of Counseling Services to begin his first offive years as the Rector-President of the American College of the Immaculate Conception in Louvain Belgium.He will become the 16th Rector in the history of the American College.

Fr. Dennis Gill served for the past five years as the College's Director of Liturgy and additionally as a forma-tion advisor. A priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, he returns there to serve in parish ministry.

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very year the College not only joyfully witnesses the ordinations of her student deacons and priests, butalso her students' reception of the ministries of lector and acolyte, once known as the minor orders. These

ministries represent important steps on the way to ordained ministry, but are also important in themselves,bestowing the Church's blessing on those who receive the ministry to proclaim God's Word and serve at the altarin the midst of the liturgical assembly. This year, the College was privileged to welcome back her formerRector, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who conferred on the College's first-theologians the ministry of Lector. Anequally happy privilege was the visit of George Cardinal Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, who con-ferred the ministry of Acolyte on the College's second-theologians. It was a particularly exciting time for theCollege's Australian seminarians, who this year numbered six.

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DEVELOPMENT

I have wonderful news to share withyou! I was recently appointed theExecutive Director for InstitutionalAdvancement for the NorthAmerican College.

In this position I will build upon thefundraising momentum created dur-ing the recently completed capitalcampaign, Vision For The Future.

Though probably a new name and face to many of you, Iactually have been closely associated with the College forabout three years. Previously I was a Senior ManagingDirector with Changing Our World, the philanthropic con-sulting firm that designed and managed the College's recentcapital campaign. As the lead campaign coordinator I hadthe opportunity to witness the College in action and meetmany of its outstanding alumni who currently serve theChurch throughout the United States. I also had the oppor-tunity to work alongside many of the College's most sup-portive laity.

Now, I look forward to strengthening these relationships andmoving the Office of Institutional Advancement forward inthe post-Campaign era. Truly, I am convinced that theCollege is still the "best kept secret" among laity in theUnited States and has substantial untapped fundraisingpotential. So I am eager to work with my new colleagues andthe College's community of friends and supporters to spreadthe word and build upon the College's remarkable legacy.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contactme. I can be reached via email, [email protected] orphone, 202-541-5403.

Mary joins the College with nearly 20 years of fundraising experience.She and her husband, Frank, have two children, Peter and Jacqueline.Though a born and raised New Yorker, Mary has re-located toWashington, DC and works at our US office located at 3211 FourthStreet NE, Washington, DC 20017.

by Mary DiDonato Executive Director of Institutional Advancement

Recently a group of campaign benefactors from acrossthe country had the opportunity to enjoy Rome in all ofher spring glory!

Their visit was carefully planned to not only provide themwith an insider's intimate view of the Eternal City, butalso to familiarize them firsthand with the work of theCollege.

In addition to guided tours of ancient Rome, St. Peter's,the Vatican Gardens and the Sistine Chapel, to name afew, various other special opportunities were afforded tothe visitors. These included a Scavi tour, reserved seatingat the Papal audience - which enabled Bert Degheri tohave a very special moment with the Holy Father, and aprivate tour of the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in theApostolic Palace.

Adequate time was also allotted for members of thegroup to meet, pray, dine and chat with the rector, Msgr.Checchio, staff and seminarians, while on visits to themain campus on the Hill and the graduate house, the CasaSanta Maria in the heart of downtown Rome. Duringthese visits, the benefactors were delighted to meet menfrom their home dioceses now studying at the College.Without a doubt, many lasting friendships and bondswere established!

After a hectic week, the group departed - perhaps a bitweary - but with wonderful memories and definitely witha deeper appreciation for the College's fine tradition ofpreparing men for the diocesan priesthood in the UnitedStates.

BENEFAC-COME TO

Rev. Msgr. Daniel H. Mueggenborg ‘89Diocese of Tulsa

Vice Rector for Administration The farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,being patient over it until it receives the late and early rain.

pring is an inspiring time. We don't have to look far to see signs of hope.This is obviously true in the world of nature but also in the life of the

Church. Each spring we celebrate a hope that is the foundation of our faith -the Resurrection of Jesus and our hope to share in it.

This hope takes a particular form at the Pontifical North American College.We see it in the 4th year deacons returning home for their summers hoping tobe ordained priests. We see it in the many New Men hoping to begin theirstudies in Rome and sending in their completed applications.

We also experience hope as we see the facilities and programs of the Collegebeing restored and updated. It is a sign that we are a community of faith thatis serious about providing the best possible resources and environment forpriestly formation.

Our hope is not disappointed.

Despite the current challenges of a historically low exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Euro, we havecontinued to improve the life and environment of the seminary. It gives us hope to know that important worksare being done that will serve the students, faculty, and staff for years to come.

Not all of these improvements are visible. Some are rather hidden -- like the electrical re-wiring of the mainfloor and the information technology upgrade to our computer system. However, all of these improvements area sign that we have a very hopeful future and that we are preparing for it in the best possible way.

Your hope is not disappointed. You, the community of alumni, benefactors and friends, make possible our min-istry. You are hoping for good, holy, and dedicated priests to serve the Catholic Church. You will not be disap-pointed. Thank you for your support of this ministry and for the encouragement and hope you give us throughyour generosity and prayer.

The devaluation of the dollar this past year has increased our expenses nearly 8%. Because of this devaluation,I ask for your generous support in an even greater way than before. With your help, we can continue to offerthe highest quality priestly formation for our students. We are hopeful.

Thank you for your support in the past. Your continued generosity is a sound investment in the future of theCatholic Church.

- Rev. Msgr. Daniel H. Mueggenborg

S

ECONOMO’S CORNER

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GOOD WORKS ABOUND

The Strake name is one familiar to many in Rome. The family not onlyfunded the excavation project beneath St. Peter's Basilica to reveal anancient Roman necropolis and the tomb of St. Peter, known today as theScavi Tour, they have also been loyal supporters of the North AmericanCollege for many years.

Although George Strake's involvement with the College began through his parents, he and his wife,Annette, have significantly increased their personal involvement over the past six years or so when divineprovidence paired them with several outstanding seminarians from the College who serve as personalguides for the Scavi Tour.

Through their tour experience, George and Annette learned about the outstanding religious and spiritualeducation that the College provides to seminarians and graduate student priests. During subsequent con-versations with their good friend, Archbishop Michael Miller (until recently the secretary for theCongregation for Catholic Education in Rome and now newly appointed co-adjutor of Vancouver,Canada), they further discovered that the College is serving a critical role in the building of Catholic faithin the United States. The Strakes, affected by the turmoil the Church has been through in recent years,were delighted to learn that the College is preparing strong and grounded priests who are not apologeticabout their faith or about being Catholic.

During their visits to the College, George and Annette found a place where bright, enthusiastic men nur-ture their connection to the faith and develop a deeper appreciation for their vocation and that the Lord haschosen them. George firmly believes that "the seminarians from the North American College are the futureof the Catholic Church in the United States."

This is why they continue to support the College and, most recently, the Vision For The Future Campaign.In addition to their personal support, in November 2006, George and Annette graciously hosted aCampaign reception at their home in Houston, Texas, to introduce the College and its mission to their widecircle of friends. Over 50 people attended and were moved by George's heartfelt words about the signifi-cance of the College in his life and the life of the Church. During those closing remarks, George said, "Idon't think there is a donation dollar that will make as much of an effect anywhere as it will at the NorthAmerican College."

The College Thanks George and Annette Strake

by Mary DiDonato

Executive Director of Institutional Advancement

STEWARDS

Anonymous

Terry & Barbara Caster

Thanks to our generous benefactors who support the Pontifical North American College and have helped us to raise $25 million during our Vision for the Future Capital Campaign!

37SUMMER 2 0 0 7

MOST RECENT CAPITAL CAMPAIGN BENEFACTORS

Jim & Miriam Mulva

Donald & Darlene Shiley

PATRONS

Anonymous (2)

Most Rev. Samuel Aquila

Kathryn Colachis

Dan & Kathleen Denihan

James & Dorothy De Nike

Archdiocese of Denver

L.B. & Bonnie Eckelcamp

Mike & Karen Farguson

Deacon James & Dorothy Hamilton

Frances Hardart

Thomas & Dorothy Leavey Foundation

Paul & Susan Meng

Colin & Jocelyn O’Brien

Pascucci Family Foundation

Archdiocese of Milwaukee Support Foundation

Asa Whitehead

T h e Po n t i f i c a lNorth American College3211 Fourth Street, NortheastWashington DC 20017-1194

For more information about the North American College, or to learn about opportunities for memorial gifts, contact Mary DiDonato at our Washington, DC, Office of Development:

Tel: (202) 541-5411 / Fax: (202) 722-8804Email: [email protected] visit our website at www.pnac.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLEONARDTOWN, MD

PERMIT NO. 50

The Class of ‘07 enjoys a humorous moment as their class photos are taken.

nac magazine: summer 2007

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