.::Firmum Est::. - - My Heart is Steadfast

Surprisingly - it is not the great painters and sculptors of Rome who have had the most influenced on art and architecture since the Renaissance. Instead, it was Palladio, a stone carver raised to an architect, whose villas in the Venetian Terra Firma have had a profound affect on architecture since their construction during the Italian Renaissance of the 16th century.

This past weekend, I traveled with my diocesan brother Vinny DeRosa and Jesse Burish, a seminarian from LaCrosse, WI. We make an architectural pilgrimage to twelve of the nineteen Palladian villas around Vicenzo. If you have ever seen the Capitol building in Washington, the White House, any college campus based on the plan Jefferson’s model of University of Virginia, the Metropolitan Art Museum in NY, or any southern Plantation house - you have seen works of Palladian influence. His works started the English Renaissance which was carried over into our architectural vocabulary in America.

Our Sunday schedule this year has changed to allow for our participation in the Angelus Address of the Holy Father at Noon. In years past, our Sunday Eucharist has been at the same time - now we have Mass at 10:00 am. As last Sunday was Mission Sunday, it was appropriate that I was invited along with Joshua Ehli from Bismark, North Dakota to participate in the Angelus from the terrace of the College of the Propagation of the Faith, the seminary for mission territories. Joshua’s friend, Paul from China, was our host. The view was phenomenal as you can see in the pictures.

Then, we enjoyed hosting Paul for lunch at the NAC as he gave us an inside look at the situation of the Church in China. The former Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick was very active in the dialogue between the Church and China. It was very interesting to meet a seminarian – who had grown up there and desires to bring the faith back to his native people.

“There are many things that you have been in Rome for,” a priest once said to me. He continued, “But you will be able to say that you were in Rome when Father Reggie Foster was there.”

Just last Monday this made more sense as Foster, the famous American latinist usually called the pope’s Latinist, split from the Gregoriana to form his own Academia. I am posting the announcement.

“A private Academy of Latinity in Rome Italy - the originator being Reginald Foster - to be conducted in individual years from the month of October until May through five ‘experiences.’ ”

More information about that day can be found here.

Studying in Rome permits many opportunities that I discuss here often. One that I have never touched on before is a typical visit of the Archbishop to Rome. During my first year, Cardinal McCarrick made many visits - most of which were atypical - such as the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the Conclave which elected Benedict XVI (These types of things only happen once in a while). His visits over time became more typical but with his retirement and the installation of Archbishop Donald Wuerl, I’ve become more able to find the typical order of a visit of the Archbishop and I will be using his visit this past week to demonstrate.

Archbishop Wuerl arrived in the city on Monday. We, his ten seminarians, joined him at table in the Refectory of the College for lunch. It was an enjoyable visit in which he updated us on his acclimation to the archdiocese as Shepherd and Teacher - and welcomed the three “new men” Justin, Anthony and Brian - as well as congratulating his newly ordained Deacon, Rev. Mr. Joseph Rogers.

The next morning, he invites us to St Peter’s for the celebration of the Eucharist. This time we were at the Altar of St Pius X. He is such a great preacher and teacher that even some other pilgrims joined us for the celebration. His Grace, in his homily, helped us to synthesize what we are all leaning and put these into action in our own relationship with Christ and His Church in order to call others to these encounters. He never forgets the opportunity to pray the Apostle’s Creed at the Confessio of St Peter.

In the evening, he might invite us to dine with him at a typical Roman Restaurant. The set up of the meal is more or less then same as that of a meal at the NAC. Eating out, however, places us in a less formal environment with the ability to enjoy each others company and common mission of service to the Church. In his service here this past week, there wasn’t the opportunity for this outing.

I hope that this entry gives some insight to a typical visit of the Archbishop to Rome. When we aren’t gathered together for the Sacrament or meals - we each go our own way, united in prayer, to keep to the business of the Lord ahead of us. For seminarians that is studying. For the Archbishop that is leading the people of Washington, meeting with the Holy Father, meeting with other congregations and finishing His work with other bishops on the document to end the gather of the experiences of the Church throughout the Year of the Eucharist.

After the diaconate ceremony and a day of decompression, Sam, Jon and I hopped a train for a two day trip to Assisi. I have visited Assisi many times, and have written about it before, so I will not go into everything. Basically, St Francis is the most famous citizen of Assisi - but what was almost 800 years ago. Nonetheless, his spirit lives on as he was a man who through grace imitated Christ to the fullest. It is always nice to visit, to pray and to ask for his intercession for both my intentions and for yours.

We started out near the train station at Santa Maria degli Angeli. This Church in the valley of Assisi encloses a small chapel, the “Portincula” used by Francis and his early brothers, and the place of Francis’s Death. This is a 19th century rendition of his death.

The following are photos of the Portinucula.

We were there for Mass - the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Homily the priest gave was excellent.

After a pleasant lunch, where the three of us shared a pizza with a diameter of a truck tire, and a ‘riposo’ at the Hotel, we visited the tomb of Francis in the Basilica San Francesco for quiet and prayer. What I will take from this time was a young couple who were very emotionally touched for reasons only known to them and God. There were some tears in their prayers and hopefully some healing of the wounds they carried in their hearts. There are no pictures allowed in this space so I can’t share any with you now.

Assisi at night - is very tranquil once the pilgrims have left. Before his conversion, Francis would have parties late into the night with his friends. Now, after his conversion and the conversion of Assisi, we can enjoy a peaceful walk through the streets, smells and laughter coming from the houses and the sights of the same stars that Francis used to contemplate in his day.

After a descent night’s sleep - we made our way down to the Basilica for Mass but we were without typical italian Sunday excitement. In Piazza del Commune at the center of town, were was an antique car show - very small but enjoyable. Jon got confused about which cars were which. Most were Alfa Romeo or Ferrari.

Mass was packed with Italians from all over - Francis is the Patron Saint of Italy. They can be a bit more talkative during Mass than I’m used to - but it was still a prayerful communal atmosphere. We were also able to admire the Giotto frescoes that surround us in the upper church.

The weather was perfect for a weekend in Assisi - a bit brisk but warm in the sun. We decided to find an outdoor restaurant for our Sunday lunch.

After lunch, we were done with Assisi. We embarked on our train back to Rome to prepare for our first day of class. Today we embarked on our Academic “Train” back to school to continue our tour of the Study of God.

We stand in thanksgiving to God for giving us 27 new deacons to serve His Church. It was a beautiful solemn ceremony held at the Alter of the Chair - and presided over by Most Reverend Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of the Military Services and former Rector of the College. For myself, this was the most moving ordination to date for a number of reasons. First, these brothers are ones whom I have known for at least two years and have become very close with. Second, speaking of close, my diaconate ordination will be in just less than a year.

I was filled with joy at hearing my brothers respond to the promise and seeing them vest as deacons. It was an honor to be asked by these to lead the assembly in the singing of the responsorial psalm (picture found here). As they processed out and the Choir sung “God Beyond All Praising” with a brass arrangement, I teared up with gratitude to God for the gift of praising Him especially through this vocation. We continue to pray for these men as they prepare to approach the altar fully in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. “May God who has begun this good work in them, bring it to fulfillment.”

The word “deacon” comes from the Greek diakonia, meaning “service.” Hence, the diaconate came to constitute part of the three orders of ordained ministerial service in the Church: (1) bishop (2) priest and (3) deacon. Since the time of the Apostles, the diaconate has had a clearly outstanding role among these ministries of the Church, and it has always been held in great honor. St. Paul gives explicit testimony of this in his letter to the Philippians when he sends his greetings not only to the bishops but also to the deacons (Philippians 1:1) and also in his first letter to Timothy when he illustrates the qualities and virtues that deacons must have in order to be worthy of their ministry (1 Timothy 3:8-13)

The Acts of the Apostles (6:1-7) recounts the story of the first deacons who were called forth to service of the Church community. Seven men were chosen by the Apostles to serve the poor, enabling the Apostles to devote themselves to prayer and preaching. Among these seven was St. Stephen, who would become the first Christian martyr, who died praying for his enemies even as they stoned him. Recognizing the example of these first deacons early Christian writers extolled the spiritual qualities and virtues that are required for the performance of this ministry, namely unfailing fidelity to Christ, moral integrity, and obedience to the bishop. Following the early example of how a deacon to dedicate his life to the service of the Lord and His Church, the deacon is called to serve the poor, the sick and the ones most vulnerable in society. They strive to imitate Our Lord Jesus who “did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The deacon will then reflect the humility of God, who emptied Himself of His glory and became man in order to save us (Philippians 2:6-8)

In the Liturgy, the deacon assists the priest at the celebration of the Eucharist. He may also administer the Sacrament of Baptism, assist at and bless marriages in the name of the Church, bring Viaticum (Holy Communion) to the homebound, sick and dying, officiate at funeral and burial services, proclaim the Gospel to the assembly, and preach in the name of the Church.

This week is a very important week at the North American College.
Today is the Memorial of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. Today is also the beginning of the one year countdown to my Diaconate Ordination here in Rome. Soon, I hope to have a timer on the website showing the countdown for both my diaconate and priestly ordinations.
Tomorrow, there is the ordination of the class ahead of us at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s. Notice the image at the top of the page was taken of the same event a few years ago. As our brothers lay on the floor - in prostration -  tomorrow we will invoke the prayer of the Saints and the Holy Spirit for their transformation. I will list their names here and ask for your prayers for them as they make their first promises.

Bryan Patrick Babick        Ryan M. Bredemeyer
Jason Cargo            Michael A. Carlson
Michael P. Cassabon        Christopher R. Frazer
Seamus P. Griesbach        Joshua P. Guillory
Andrew J. Keswick        Jeffery F. Kirby
John G. McDonald        Jay Mello
John J. O’Brien            Isaac Orozco
Peter J. Purpura        Jiam D. Rivera-Cortijo
Joseph Everett Rogers        Michael M. Romano
Andrew J. Roza            David J. Ruchinski
Kim Joseph Schreck        Joseph J. Shimek
Kenneth T. St. Hilaire        Lucas E. Tomson
Joshua K. Waltz

Tomorrow, I hope to post a bit more about the office of deacon.

Well, the retreat didn’t last two weeks. I’m updating a bit late in the text area, but I have placed some pictures from the visit to the sea already. I also took a movie of the sunset while we were at the Retreat Center. It was a beautiful week filled with many graces for me and my brothers from the seminary.

What occupied my time after my return was a preaching workshop. After listening to different priests share their insights on preaching, we would write homilies and preach to a small group of our brothers. Sunday homilies, wedding homilies, funeral homilies - they were all there. It is a really great opportunity to practice these things now. I know that I will never be a perfect preacher, but I do ask the Lord to be good as to be an instrument of His Word. I may post some homilies here in the future but we will have to see about that.