February Update: New Archbishop and Engelberg Abbey
Good morning from the Eternal City. Things have been really busy over the past few weeks. However, with today being the final day of February, I thought I should try to post something. So here we go!
On February 11, 2011, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley was installed as the fourth Archbishop of Oklahoma City at one of the larger parishes in the diocese, St. John the Baptist. All of the seminarians studying state-side were present at the Mass and Christopher and I were really fortunate to be able to watch a streaming broadcast of the Mass online. I wish I could have been there because I have never seen such a large production at a Catholic function in Oklahoma! EWTN broadcasted the Mass and they had multiple cameras and even a boom cam! It was so cool to watch. I knew so many people on the screen: priests, deacons, seminarians, and even a few lay families that I have met. My parents were both present, but I never saw them on the broadcast…too bad! Christopher’s father is a deacon and represented the deacons from the diocese during the Sign of Peace. Christopher kept saying, “That’s my dad! That’s my dad!” We had a lot of fun, even if we were four thousand miles away.
The exam period at the Gregorian University was three weeks long this year. The exams started at the beginning of February and finished on February 20th. I was fortunate enough to be able to take my exams early and I took a five-day retreat at a Benedictine Abbey in Engelberg, Switerland. The monastery is tucked away in the Swiss Alps and is completely surrounded by them. I was shocked at how massive the mountains there were around the valley town of Engelberg. It was beautiful! The monastery was also very nice. I had a room that overlooked the door to the Porter’s Office and a large, snow-covered garden. I ate very well and enjoyed some quiet time with God. It is amazing how much of a difference it makes to be able to find time to clear away all of the cares and worries in life and just rest in the peace of Christ. That is what I did.
I did take one day away from my retreat to join two of my classmates for snow skiing on Mt. Titlis, one of the most popular ski resorts in central Switzerland. For the day, I actually skied on a glacier way above the tree-line. It was pretty cool. The best part is that I was able to ski from the top ski lift of Trubsee, all the way down to the valley floor. The top of the mountain is 3, 283 m (10,770 ft.), so it was a large altitude difference. It was a lot of fun, but my ski boots were too tight and left bruises all around my calves and shins. I guess I should have requested a different pair of boots!
Finally, I am excited to report that I have a new camera lens. I am sure you will see new pictures on here soon. I have been trying to figure out the best way to organize my website and also use photos, video, etc. Hopefully, I will think of something soon. However, keep checking over the next couple weeks. I will see what I can come up for my website!
One Week Left of Class!!!
Everything continues to go well in Rome. We are now one week away from finishing up the formal semester. However, I will have oral exams for each of my classes throughout the month of June. My final exam will be on June 24, and then I will be done with my first academic year of studies in Rome. It will be nice to be done with the first year.
Nothing else is really going on right now, but thank you again for all of your prayers!
Exam Time in Rome
If you are wondering why I have not been writing much on my blog, then read the title of this post! IT IS EXAM TIME! Most of the classes in Rome, specifically at the Pontifical Gregorian University, have a ten minute oral exam given at the end of the course. Since the entire grade depends, for the most part, on these exams, there is a lot of focus and study required to do well. Therefore, I have spent over a week working very hard on reading and studying to show my understanding of the classes I took this semester. The classes I am taking this semester are Theological Thematic Seminar, Introduction to Greek of the New Testament I, Medieval Church History, Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, Revelation and Its Transmission in the Church, and Christology.
As of right now, I have completed all of my final exams except for Revelation/Transmission and Christology. Fortunately, I have a few days before the next exam, which has allowed me to decompress today. It was great to go for a run and to watch a movie. I am also planning on traveling to a nearby Italian town tomorrow for a little sight-seeing and lunch with my friend, Brandon. However, I will then have to start preparing for these final two exams that separate me from the Spring Semester classes.
Thank you all so much for your prayers as I have been studying and taking these exams. They help!
Last weekend I took some pictures around the North American College. This is my assignment for the next few years and it is really starting to feel like home. THANK YOU, GOD!
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- This is the front gate to the NAC.
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- When entering the NAC compound, this is what first meets your eyes.
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- Above the front entrance is the college’s Coat of Arms.
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- This latin inscription is also above the main entrance to the NAC.
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- This portico is on the periphery of the main cortile (courtyard).
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- This Coat of Arms is in the main cortile.
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- This is NAC’s auditorium where we hold conferences, lectures, and have different shows for the community.
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- This is the NAC Mail Room.
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- This is the NAC’s Laundry Facility
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- We have many floors and even more steps!
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- This is the NAC’s sports field, basketball court, and tennis courts.
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- This is the view towards the neighborhoods behind the NAC.
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!
Now Entering: Normal Rome Schedule
Second week of classes at the Gregorian University just wrapped up, yet I just passed the three-month mark of being in Italy. Things have been going well, but very busy. While the schedule is different everyday, I thought you may want to know what consists of an average day studying for the priesthood at the North American College.
I begin the day at 5:15am and arrive in the Immaculate Conception Chapel for the 6:15am Morning Prayer, followed by Mass. Mass is normally over around 7:10am, which gives me just enough time to grab a quick bowl of cereal in the refectory and then leave for the Gregorian University at 7:45am.
5:15am Wake-up
6:15am Morning Prayer in the Immaculate Conception Chapel
6:30am Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel
7:15am Breakfast in the refectory
7:45am Leave for classes at the Gregorian University
8:15am Arrive at the Gregorian University
8:30am First class begins
9:30am Second class begins
10:30am Third class begins
11:30am Fourth class begins
12:30pm Depart the Gregorian University for the North American College
1:00pm Arrive at the North American College
1:15pm Pranzo (Italian word for “lunch”)
2:10pm Finish pranzo
2:45pm Workout time
4:00pm Study, Seminars, Meetings, etc.
5:45pm Eucharistic Adoration
6:45pm Benediction and Evening Prayer
7:00pm Cena (Italian word for “dinner”)
7:30pm Get together with friends in the Student Lounge, study, formation conferences, etc.
9:30pm Shower, pack book bag for following day, and read
10:00pm Go to sleep
On top of this general schedule, I have meetings with my formation advisor and spiritual director on a regular basis and there is always something going on. It is a tight schedule, but it makes the days go by quickly. One thing is for sure, I am always looking forward to the weekend!
Pope Benedict XVI
Yesterday was a very special day for all of the first year seminarians at the Pontifical North American College. We were able to travel to Pope Benedict XVI’s summer residence, Castelgandolfo, for his Sunday Angelus address, prayer, and blessing upon the pilgrims. There were two full charter buses that transported us to the papal palace and we then entered a private entrance into the Papal Garden. It was very exciting to know that I was getting ready to see the Holy Father! When we departed the buses, we were free to walk around a little in the shade before moving to the public area of the palace. When we finally started walking towards to the piazza, we had to move to one side to let a car through. It was the Pope’s private car, but he wasn’t in it. Oh well!
We finally were able to position ourselves into the cortile (courtyard) next to one of the walls. There was so much excitement in the air as the minutes ticked away. Finally, just moments before the Pope came into view, the Swiss Guard stood at attention and everyone roared with cheers. Then Pope Benedict stepped out onto the balcony. Check out the video of the Papal Address by clicking here. Skip to 10 minutes and 50 seconds to see his special address to us and also for our class’ tradition of singing “Ad Multos Annos” for the first time to the Holy Father. It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it.
After the Papal Audience, we went to a restaurant that is a few blocks from the papal palace for Pranzo (lunch). It was a nice meal and we had a beautiful view of the lake that lies below the papal palace. After Pranzo, we were invited to tour the Papal Gardens by Archbishop James Harvey, Prefecture of the Papal Household. It was a great tour, but more importantly it made Pope Benedict XVI seem more real. I was walking on the path that we would walk on later that afternoon. I remember looking at several trees and thinking, “I wonder if Pope Benedict ever looks at that tree?”
We finished the tour by stopping at the statue of Mary that Pope Benedict XVI goes to every evening, while in Castelgandolfo, in order to pray the rosary with his two assistants. We were told that he prays there every evening at a specific time. Therefore, I was able to know that in less than one hour after leaving that spot, the Pope would come and pray there. WOW! That is mind bending!
It was a wonderful day and meant a lot to be in such close proximity to Christ’s vicar on Earth.
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- Me, Jason Doke, Ryan Browning, and David Esquiliano waiting to see Pope Benedict XVI.
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- Pope Benedict’s Car
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- Me and Msgr. Checchio before the Papal Angelus.
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- Moments before seeing the Pope!
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- Pope Benedict XVI gave a short talk on the importance of families.
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- This lake is behind the papal palace.
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- Walking through the papal gardens.
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- That was cool!
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- Archbishop Harvey feeds the fish near the place where Pope Benedict prays the rosary everyday.
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- We prayed the “Hail Holy Queen” prayer just one hour before Pope Benedict would pray the rosary from the same spot.
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- Msgr. Mueggenborg, Archbishop Harvey, and Msgr. Checchio moments before we entered the cortile.
New Man Orientation
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- Standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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- Standing beneath the Portico at the front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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- Seminarian Brian Frice sports the North American College house cassock. Notice the red, white, and blue.
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- Our first Mass in the Crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica. The chapel is surrounded by the tombs of the popes, including Pope John Paul II.
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- Walking through St. Peter’s Square as dawn breaks.
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- Standing near the Tomb of St. Peter, our class made a proclamation of our faith, just as St. Peter had made before Jesus Christ.
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- My classmates standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Today is day three of Orientation for the “New Men”, first year seminarians, at the Pontifical North American College. The Orientation has been completely organized and implemented by the Second Year seminarians here at the NAC. They have done a great job to welcome us and make us feel at home in this new country. In a way, the North American College feels like we are in the United States because we predominately speak english and there is a very large wall separating the college’s property from the rest of Rome. Some of us refer to the NAC as “Fortress America” because of the high security. The NAC also features a beautiful sports field, track, tennis courts, and a basketball court. It is a very nice facility.
Yesterday we celebrated Mass at the Tomb of St. Peter in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica. It was an amazing experience to pray so near to where St. Peter was buried after his crucifixion by the Roman Emperor Nero. Seminarians from the North American College have been coming to St. Peter’s Basilica for an opening Mass forever (or for a long time, at least). It is a good way to focus on the sacrifice that so many martyrs have made in order to preserve our faith and, ultimately, that Jesus Christ shed His blood in order that we could live. No matter where seminarians go for their priestly formation, this concept is the key. I did not leave my family, friends, language, and comforts from the United States in order to come over here and be a tourist. I have come here in order to lay down my life for the people of God. By praying in such close proximity to these famous Saints, I pray that I will have the courage to follow Christ without any hesitation.
Back in Rome
Since I have last posted I have been very busy. Last Thursday we went with our tutors to the town of Arona, Italy. It is home of a huge statue of St. Charles Borromeo. In fact, when the Statue of Liberty was in the planning stages, the artist went to Arona to see the statue of St. Charles. I paid 4.00EU in order to climb inside the statue and I was able to take pictures through the holes in the statue’s eyes. In a way, I guess I can say that I have now looked through the eyes of a Saint. (Shout out to you, DAVID ESQUILIANO! haha)
Standing in front of the massive statue of St. Borromeo.
Inside of the head of the Statue of St. Charles Borromeo in Arona, Italia.
After the tour of Arona, Scott Jablonski and I went to Isola Bella to tour the Borromeo Palace and Estate that is on the island. It was beautiful and took us three hours to get through the palace and the gardens. The Borromeo family still owns the area and lives in the palace a few weeks out of the year. They normally reside in Milan.
The gardens of Isola Bella.
The train ride to Rome was very simple and we didn’t have any problems. It was good to get back to Rome, but it is really hot right now. Since we don’t have air conditioning many guys have started sleeping in the air conditioned student lounge. I could not hardly sleep last night, but I have a fan that helped with the circulation. I am planning on buying a ceiling fan this afternoon. Hopefully that will go a long way to cool this room down.
This morning was the official start to Orientation for the New Men at the Pontifical North American College. The morning started by us welcoming the rest of our classmates that studied Italian back in the states. We then processed through the main entrance to the Chapel with the faculty, staff, and seminarians “clapping us in” while the bells above the chapel tolled. They told us that this always happens when welcoming an incoming class and then is done again as each of us return to our dioceses as priests. It was pretty amazing and Msgr. Checchio’s opening comments were great. Following Daytime Prayer, we went to the cortile (courtyard) for a New Men Reception and brunch. It was great to meet a lot of new guys and some of the staff here at the NAC. This afternoon we are going on an excursion to the Church of St. Augustine. St. Monica, St. Augustine’s mother, is buried there and today happens to be her feast day. It is a NAC tradition to go to the tomb of St. Monica and pray for our mothers. It was through her prayer and prodding that St. Augustine finally converted to Christianity and allowed Christianity to be practiced in public.
We wait for our other classmates and then we walked into the Chapel.
I watched an amazing short video about the Priestly Ordinations this year for the Archdiocese of New York. It is worth a look!
Passport to Europe with Brian Buettner
After watching many episodes of Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown, I have decided to start a spin-off series which will, I am sure, be picked up and syndicated by the Travel Channel. I came to this realization as I was walking out of the Cathedral in Torino, Italy on Saturday. I still cannot believe that I am here and I wish I could share the full experience with you. However, I guess this blog will have to do for now.
Me walking around one of the piazzas in Torino.
I finished classes on Friday morning and I spent the rest of Friday working on Italian vocabulary. It was a relaxing afternoon. I also went to bed at an unusually early hour in order to wake up on Saturday morning at 5:00 am. We woke up early in order to catch the bus, but due to some unforeseen events, we missed the bus and had to wait thirty minutes at a different bus stop. Even though Torino is the capital of this region of Italy, we had to take three different trains in order to arrive at the Stazione di Torino at 10:30 am. It took a long time and about 25.00EU for the train and bus tickets. I was hoping to find the Torino I saw during the Torino Winter Olympic Games in 2006. However, the town has forgotten, by the looks of it, that they were an Olympic host city. I only saw two things that even referenced the Olympics, a Visa sign in a shop window and a souvenir pin with the German flag. My dreams were dashed. However, what I found in Torino made up for my disappointment regarding the Olympics.
Verbania's main pedestrian walk along Lago Maggiore.
We are waiting for the train to Torino
A quick picture from the train as we pass Lago Maggiore.
No one can tell that Torino was a Olympic host city. What a shame!
We went to Mass at a beautiful church (I don’t recall the name) and then ate pizza at an awesome pizzeria. We then walked all over Torino in search of a church or museum that was not closed. As it turns out, everything is closed on Saturdays from about 1:00pm until 3:30pm. It was frustrating to say the least! However, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit the Egyptian Museum of Torino. It boasts itself as the largest Egyptian collection of artifacts outside of Cairo, Egypt. I was pretty impressed. It cost me 7.50EU to enter and it was worth it. I have never seen so many mummies, scrolls, and Egyptian statuary. We then met back up and went back to the Cathedral (called il duomo in Italy). I was able to pray at the altar of the Shroud of Turin, which is currently encased within an altar and sealed in a glass and metal chamber, from what I understand. Before I came to Italy, my friend, Ken Cole, gave a wonderful presentation on the Shroud of Turin to a group of my Catholic friends in Oklahoma City. I couldn’t pass up the chance to pray for them within feet of the cloth that seems to have wrapped the body of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. The duomo also houses the remains of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. I may be studying in Rome when he is canonized a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. That would be cool!
A crucifix in one of the churches.
Photos of the Shroud of Turin
The other huge event was going to the Basilica of St. John Bosco (the church is actually named something else, but I don’t remember). I was able to pray for the intercession of St. John Bosco and St. Dominic Savio. They are both amazing Saints and have been good teachers for me as I have grown deeper in my faith. I guess that is the whole point of looking to the Saints as models of the life we are called to live.
It was a great day, but it was a very long day. In fact, on the way back to Verbania, one of the trains was delayed by an hour. It made the night last forever! However, I was able to relax on Sunday. It was a great first weekend and I look forward to exploring more next week in a different city.
First Days in the Eternal City
Today was my second full day in the city of Rome. It is so hard to believe that I am here. This week has been a week of orientation for the new first year seminarians here at the Pontifical North American College. I have no idea where the tradition began, but everyone refers to the first year men as New Men. The early orientation team, composed of second year men, have been so generous with their time to help us make the transition from the United States to Italy. It has been a great few days. My only real problem has been the “jet lag”. My body thinks I am taking a nap at night and then I wake up feeling refreshed around 2:30am. Not fun!
My journey to Rome began on Sunday, July 19, 2009. I flew around the country until I finally arrived in Newark, New Jersey. In fact, I caught my first glimpse of New York City from the plane! In Newark, I met up with the other seminarians. When we arrived in Rome on Monday, July 20th, we were promptly greeted by the second year men and all loaded up onto a charter bus. We filled the seats with seminarians and shoved our excess luggage under the bus. However, there was so much luggage that we filled the the entire aisle of the bus with luggage. It was pretty incredible. The rest of the day was filled up tours, meals, and unpacking.
The New Men riding from Fiumicino to the NAC.
Yesterday we went to the church of St. Lawrence of Brindisi. St. Lawrence is famous for telling his executioner to flip him over as he was burning alive on a grill. He explained that he was “done on this side”. It is no wonder that St. Lawrence is the patron saint of comedians. We then spent the rest of the afternoon getting lost with the sporadic mass transit system. Let’s just say that there was a lot of walking!!!
The New Men listen to the history of the Church of St. Lawrence in Rome.
I was able to do something today that I have always wanted to do. We went to the Catacombs of Priscilla, which are the only catacombs owned by the Vatican. The catacombs encompass eight miles of tunnels with three different levels. Most of the remains had been exhumed, but there were a few bones that we saw and many unopened burial chambers. The catacombs are rich with early Christian art, including the oldest image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was amazing to pray in the same place that many of the early Christians in Rome prayed. The culmination of our tour was the celebration of Mass in the catacombs.
Msgr. Mueggenborg celebrates Mass in the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome.
This evening, my friend, David, and I walked to St. Peter’s Square to admire St. Peter’s Basilica at night. It was very relaxing and it was fun to hear all of the different languages being spoken by the pilgrims that had traveled to Rome. It was an incredible day, but I am exhausted! I am looking forward to having a very relaxing sleep tonight.
Brian standing in St. Peter's Square.
Getting Ready for a Change
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. My name is Brian Buettner and I am a Catholic seminarian from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in Zoology – Biomedical Science in 2006, and then attended Conception Seminary College where I obtained a Bachelor’s of Philosophical and Theological Studies. It seems like I have been in school forever, but this next step is going to be completely different from anything I have every done. I have been assigned to study Theology in Rome, Italy! I will be living at the Pontifical North American College and will attend classes at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
I began the completing the application packet and visa process in February and finished my last preparatory step two weeks ago when I shipped my personal affects to the Eternal City. I am now living out of just two suitcases. It is hard to describe what it feels like to prepare to leave the country with a one-way plane ticket. It is exciting because of the wonderful experience that I know is waiting for me in Rome, but it is so hard to leave my family, friends, and even my hometown. I will not be able to come back home to visit for two years. So many things have been swirling through my mind about what things will be like when I return. However, I am happy to know that I will be able to still be connected to everyone with today’s technology. I think e-mail and Skype will be a huge asset!
I wanted this first blog entry to be a very general introduction and I look forward to keeping this blog up-to-date.
