Alumni Weekend in Rome
The Holy Father address a private audience of faculty, bishops, alumni, and seminarians of the North American College.
Today was the best day of my life! While that may sound like a stretch, let me explain. To mark the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Pontifical North American College, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI invited the faculty, bishops, alumni, and seminarians to a private papal audience. All of us, seminarians, realized that there were so many people that were going to be present that it would be very unlikely that we would have a chance to meet the Holy Father. However, just being able to be in such close proximity to the Roman Pontiff had created a buzz of energy throughout the college in the last few weeks as the Alumni Reunion drew closer.
Today began with a Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica celebrated by His Eminence John Cardinal Foley. I was very blessed to be able to serve the Mass by wearing a humeral veil and holding Cardinal Foley’s miter when he was not using it. It was a very simple job but as I sat in my chair beneath the Holy Spirit window, the reality of what was happening around me took my breath away. Immediately, everything around me took on a richer color, and the massiveness of the Basilica overwhelmed me. Here I was, a first year seminarian for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, holding the miter of a Prince of the Catholic Church. Every moment seemed to freeze for me to take it all in.
Later in the morning, all of the seminarians, faculty, and alumni gathered at the front entrance of the seminary and we made our way through St. Peter’s Square and then we were quickly guided by the Swiss Guard to the Loggia, the area above the main doors of St. Peter’s Basilica. This large hall is situated between five large, windowed balconies that overlook the Square. The other side of the hall has matching windows that overlook the interior of the Basilica. I was able to get a seat next to the aisle and about six rows from the front. It was exciting to be surrounded by seminarian friends as we anticipated the private audience with the Holy Father. No one knew what time the Pope would arrive, so we all took a seat, made small talk with each other, and frequently glanced towards the entrances of the hall. After waiting for about ninety minutes, all of the lights turned on and we could all hear the faint gasp as we all took in the fact that we were about to see Christ’s vicar on Earth, the Pope.
As the curtains at the end of the hall were pulled back, the Holy Father raised his hands, and we responded with a loud applause. However, I quickly realized that the Pope was taking a long time to make it down the first part of the aisle. As soon as I received a clear view, I saw that the Holy Father was shaking hands with the North American College guests on the far side of the aisle. I thought to myself, “Wow! I might actually get to meet the Pope!” I kept waiting for him to cross the aisle to our side, but he just kept shaking hands on the other side.
One of the seminarians whispered to me that it looked like the Holy Father was going to stay on that side of the aisle and was going to leave the hall by coming to our side of the aisle. I cannot explain what was going through my mind, but I turned to my friend Joseph and said, “Joe, I think we are actually going to meet the Holy Father!” He responded with a huge smile and shook his head in agreement. What a moment!
The procession slowly made its way towards the front and the Holy Father made his way to his chair. This was followed by a speech given by the rector of the Pontifical North American College, Monsignor James Checchio, and then we sang “Ad Multos Annos.”
Then the Holy Father addressed us (see the previous blog for the text of the speech). It was such a surreal moment to know that I was so close to the Holy Father and that I may get to meet him. In what seemed like seconds and hours, at the same time, the Holy Father finished his address, took a picture with the bishops and cardinals in attendance and then made his way toward the aisle as we all erupted again into applause. As Pope Benedict approached me, I noticed that he was looking straight at me and was smiling. He shook a few other hands and then it was my turn. I shook his hand and told him that I was praying for him and I also thanked him for his priesthood. He smiled and shook his head and then I kissed his ring. It felt like I spoke to him for a full minute, but in reality it was very quick. As he moved on to my other seminarian brothers, I turned back towards Joseph and we were both just beaming with joy. I turned back towards the Holy Father just in time to see my friends, Brandon and Alan, shake hands with the Pope. We all continued clapping until the Holy Father finished greeting us!
After the Pope left the Loggia, we slowly made our way through the Vatican and back to main bronze doors to the Papal Palace. My walk back to the North American College was through sheets of rain, but I hardly noticed. As I walked by the hundreds of tourists and pilgrims coming to see the beautiful Basilica of St. Peter, I was reminded that our Catholic faith, nourished by the blood of the martyrs, is something tangible. Just as Jesus Christ called St. Peter to become the foundation stone of the Church, St. Peter’s successor continues to strengthen the Church by drawing all of us closer to Jesus Christ. Today was the best day of my life because, even though it was only a moment, I encountered Jesus Christ’s vicar on Earth, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI!
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- The NAC House Cassock is composed of a black cassock with blue buttons and a red fascia.
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- Brandon, Peter, and I served the Alumni Mass celebrated by His Eminence John Cardinal Foley at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.
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- The Holy Father greets the seminarians of the North American College.
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- Pope Benedict addresses the seminarians, faculty, and alumni of the North American College.
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- This is the balcony that the Holy Father walks out onto after being elected Pope.
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- His Excellency Timothy Dolan was a rector of the North American College and is now the Archbishop of New York.
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- These steps lead up to the Papal Apartment and the rest of the Papal Palace.
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- Seminarians, Faculty, and Alumni of the North American College applaud as Pope Benedict XVI enters the Loggia.
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- His Excellency Anthony Taylor was a priest from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma until he was named Bishop of Little Rock by Pope Benedict XVI.
Happy New Year, 2010!
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- Seminarians gathered on the roof of the North American College to watch fireworks being set off around Rome.
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- Since there were fireworks exploding 360 degrees around the College, the resulting smoke hung in the air.
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- In addition to seminarians from the NAC, there were also other American seminarians from their seminary in Belgium.
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- On January 1st, Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. I was blessed to sing in the People’s Choir for the Mass with Pope Benedict XVI.
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- The Papal Mass on January 1st was my first Papal Mass. I loved it!
November in Rome
Now that we have entered the middle of November, things have been pretty normal. In fact, the schedule from week to week is the exact same. The only difference is that I have been learning so much each week. However, there has not been a lot of extra time to explore the city of Rome. By the time I get done with my classes, lunch, studying and exercising, I just want to relax. Having to walk throughout the city never sounds that enticing when I have time to actually explore.
There was a couple visiting from Norman, Oklahoma last weekend that made me realize how much I need to see in Rome. Many tour groups fly into Rome, jump on a bus, and then fly from one historic or religious site to another. However, there are a few seminarians here that make a list of places they want to visit and then they just go down the list. Perhaps I should start doing that in my spare time. At least I could share my experience with you in this blog.
At the college, we are preparing for New Man Weekend, which takes place the weekend following Thanksgiving. There are many fun things for the community to do and see. The highlight of the weekend is the Spaghetti Bowl. This North American College tradition is a flag football game between the New Men and the Old Men from the college. In years past, the Old Men tend to win, in part because they have the entire seminary to scout through, while the New Men have limited numbers. However, I think we might have a chance to win this year.
QB James Platania fires a pass to his receiver.
The Spaghetti Bowl Old Men Team openly wept while watching the incredible football skills of the New Men of '13.
New Men finish up practice with a prayer of thanksgiving.
In addition to the Spaghetti Bowl, we also have a talent show and a huge Thanksgiving Banquet, which the college is known for holding. Many Americans in Rome that are not associated with an American organization are welcomed to the North American College for this special feast, unique to the United States. One of the Scottish seminarians told me yesterday that he heard that tickets for the banquet go for a thousand dollars. Can you believe that? He asked me if it was true and I assured him it was not. It is more like two thousand! haha The whole point of keeping us busy during Thanksgiving Weekend is to keep us from missing home too much. Thanksgiving is such a family-oriented holiday and I am looking forward to video conferencing with my family during our annual Family Thanksgiving Dinner at my house. It will be nice to see my grandmother, cousins, aunts, uncles, and my immediate family. I am so thankful for SKYPE! It has helped me feel closer to home every time I talk to my family and friends from back home.
Finally there is some good news for the North American College! It is possible that the seminarians from the college will be invited to a private audience with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, early next year to commemorate the close of the 150 year anniversary celebration of the founding of the North American College in Rome. The college is the largest national seminary in Rome, celebrating a big anniversary, and during the Year of the Priest. I think our chances are pretty good that it will actually happen.
That is about all that is going on right now in Rome! Ciao!
