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We must never undervalue any person. The workman loves not that his work should be despised
in his presence. Now God is present everywhere, and every person is His work.
St. Francis de Sales
INSTITUTE OF CHRIST THE KING SOVEREIGN PRIEST
SEMINARY SOCIETY
FALL 2012ISSUE III C O R U N U M
BUILDING ON TRADITION
BUILDING FOR TOMORROW
FROM THE VICAR GENERALDear Friends of the Seminary Society, ST. JOHN MARIE VIANNEY famously taught, “Were we to fully realize what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love.” On the feast of Christ the King, it behooves us to express the profound gratitude we owe Our Savior and King, Who, through the mediation of the Priesthood deigns to remain with us in His own Flesh and Blood at our altars and in our churches.
As friends and supporters of the Seminary, you know well the growing numbers of our seminar ians in the past decade. The magnificent ceremonies in July of this year saw five new priests ordained by His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke, as well as five new deacons, and ten subdeacons, ordained by Bishop Alexander Sample of Marquette, Michigan. And even as we welcomed twenty new seminarians to Gricigliano this September – the largest class ever – we continue to receive vocation inquiries from many countries of the world, particularly in the United States.
Over time, each of these generous and gifted young men at the seminary will pass through the rigors of academic, physical and spiritual formation, and ultimately approach the Altar as an alter Christus. From the moment of his ordination, each priest, like the Sovereign Priest Himself, is not for himself, but for God and the sanctification of souls.
God has blessed us richly with many graces through your prayers and your help, for which we are so grateful. The seminary in Gricigliano is literally bursting at the seams with seminarians, as the construction project
featured in this newsletter clearly shows. We cannot do this without the continuous generous support from the faithful, for you are very much part of the apostolic work of the Institute. We need your prayers and your material sacrifices to continue to accept all the selfless young men who yearn to serve Christ, and through the Divine gift of Sacred Liturgy, the souls whom He loves so well. I thank you most deeply for your friendship and interest in the Institute’s seminary, and I assure you most emphatically the daily prayers for you and your loved ones from the seminarians, your future priests.
In Christ the King,
Monsignor R. Michael SchmitzVicar General and Provincial Superior for the Institute in the United States
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GREETINGS FROM THE RECTOR
Dear Friends of the Seminary Society, THE SEMINARY SOCIETY’S AIM is to invite you to take the priestly formation in Gricigliano to your heart. The future canons of the Institute – your priests - are trained at our motherhouse near Florence, and nurtured in the beauty and historic surroundings of Tuscany. This priestly formation is the foundation of our Institute - as well as the cornerstone of all the beautiful apostolates here in the United States and worldwide. The canons of our community live and preach the specific spiritual character of the Institute and you have certainly recognized some of these special "family traits" by observing the life of our communities in different places in this country and elsewhere.
The goal of the Seminary Society is to propagate these traits of our Institute family, grounded in the Sacred Liturgy and the teachings of Holy Mother Church, to bring them closer to your hearts and to invite you to support this specific priestly formation. Please never forget that we are entirely dependent on your generosity, since we have no other means to generate funds needed for the seminary. We ask your help because this need becomes more urgent as the Seminary grows year by year. In 2012/13, we have the strongest First Year ever: 20 young men from all over the world have entered the seminary, which is barely able to accommodate all the vocations Divine Providence sends us. Thank you very much for your love for the Institute and for its work. I wish you wholeheartedly that this 3rd Annual Seminary Society Breakfast may be a joyful, edifying, and entertaining event for you and your family!
God bless,
Canon Michael Wiener
2012-2013 ST. PHILIP NERI SEMINARY
PAGE 3
PILGRIMAGE TO THE BASILICA OF
OUR LADY OF MONTENERO
Dear Friends,
THE INSTITUTE’S SEMINARY is located just outside the city of Florence, the capital of Tuscany. About 50 miles away, is the port of Livorno (or Leghorn), where Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was converted. In this beautiful seaside town, the Institute has an apostolate and our house lies at the foot of the mountain called Montenero. Each year, the canons and seminarians, make a big pilgrimage to the sanctuary at the top of the mountain. This year the pilgrimage was led by His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke, who celebrated a solemn pontifical mass in the sanctuary, in the presence of His Excellency, Simone Giusti, Bishop of Livorno. Cardinal Burke gave the Papal Blessing at the end of the pilgrimage and Canon Pozza read the decree from the Holy See granting the blessing.
The basilica contains a miraculous image of the Madonna and Child on stone, which is kept above the high altar. The sanctuary was
originally a small chapel, built in 1603, but was later replaced by a larger church. The first chapel was built to commemorate a miraculous event that took place in the year 1345. An infirm shepherd found an image of Our Lady at the foot of the hill and, in a vision, he was told to carry the image to the top of the mountain. When he arrived at his destination he had been cured of his ailment. This hill was once referred to as the “mountain of the devil” but is now considered Our Lady’s mountain. The walls of the basilica are covered with ex votos (paintings, photographs, silver hearts and other tokens) to thank Our Lady for graces received through her intercession. Our Lady of Montenero is venerated as the patroness of Tuscany.
May Our Lady of Montenero intercede on behalf of all the seminarians and for all of you, dear friends of the Institute.
Our Lady of Graces, pray for us.
In Christ the King,
Canon Jason Apple
FROM THE VINEYARD PAGE 4
TRANSFORMATION IN CHRIST
...I will forget everything that was, and is to come; nor think of what lies ahead of me.
Whatever I am wont to carry and to hold in my arms I will let fall before Jesus. It will not fall into the void: standing before Jesus, I deliver all up to Him. Everything belongs to Him: all burdening worries and all great concerns, both
mine and those of the souls I love. I am not abandoning them as I would abandon them in seeking diversion: I know that in Jesus they are truly in a safe harbor. When at His call I relinquish and abandon all things, I am not casting them away; on the contrary, I am assigning everything to its proper place.
Dietrich von Hildrebrand
THE SEMINARY LIBRARY
Dear Members of the Seminary Society,
ACCORDING TO AN OLD LATIN RHYME of the Middle Ages, clasutrum sine armario quasi castrum sine armamentario, “a monastery without a library is like a fortress without an armory.” In any seminary or religious house, therefore, next to the chapel (in the first place, of course) and the refectory, the library is one of the essential centers of activity. Study – alongside prayer and manual work – is an essential part of the formation of future priests destined to the apostolic life. When he was a diocesan bishop going on his pastoral visits, Saint Pius X always made a point of inspecting the libraries of his priests: to make sure that they were sufficiently stocked … and that the books were not just collecting dust!
At the beginning of each year, we receive our “charge,” or work assignment, for the year – anything ranging from the sacristy to the garden or the kitchen or, more exotically, to bee-keeping or tending chickens. For the past two years I have been in charge of the daily operation of the seminary library, as assistant to the prefect of the library, Canon Lefèvre, who is also the dean of studies.
Our library, dedicated to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, was blessed in 1994 by Cardinal Stickler, a friend of the Institute from its earliest days who had himself served as prefect of the Vatican Library in the 1980s. Although our modest library can hardly compare with the vast collection maintained by the Holy See, we are very fortunate, after barely twenty years of existence, to have a solid collection of over 10,000 tomes – some of which were donated by American benefactors. In addition to books in French (the vast majority), we also have books in Latin, English, and Italian. Not surprisingly,
our collection is especially rich in the works of our patrons Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Francis de Sales; there is a section dedicated to each of the main fields of study necessary for the formation of a cleric: Sacred Scripture, Dogmatic and Moral Theology, Liturgy, Canon Law, Church His tory, Ph i losophy and Patrology, not to mention the extensive range of spiritual reading at the disposition of the seminarians.
A few years ago we entered the digital age and b e g a n t h e p r o c e s s o f e n t e r i n g o u r bibliographical information into the computer, t h o u g h w e s t i l l have a long way to g o . A s o u r c o l l e c t i o n continues to increase, we a r e s l o w l y o u t g r o w i n g the vaulted, subterranean room we have been using for a l m o s t t w o decades. We hope someday to be able to construct a new, more spacious library. Although we do not need a library that would rival those of famous monasteries like Melk in Austria or the Escorial in Spain, we look forward to building a worthy storehouse for holding the collected wisdom of two thousand years of Christian civilization.
Abbé Francis Altiere
Sixth year seminarian at Gricigliano and was or iginal ly from Kimberton (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania.
SEMINARIAN PAGE 5
ORA ET LABORA PAGE 6
OBLATE OF THE INSTITUTEDear Faithful,
AS AN OBLATE with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, I have the wonderful opportunity to visit our Mother House, the International Seminary in Gricigliano at least every other year. Visiting the seminary is very important in order to fully understand the Institute, because it is the “heart” of the Institute.
T h e f i r s t t i m e I visited Gricigliano was in 2009 and I was immediately in awe of the beautiful hills of Tuscany on the drive up to the Seminary. It is so p e a c e f u l a n d meditative, a perfect location for our seminary. Upon my arrival I was shown around by a few seminarians, who were very charitable by taking time out of their busy day to show me all the different buildings. It is always a joy to visit with the seminarians; especially with those who were candidates that I met during their candidacy in St. Louis.
Since I always visit the Seminary during the Ordinations, the normal school year schedule is
over, but the essential parts of the day still remain: The Holy Mass surrounded by the Divine Office. There is a lot of work to do and everyone is busy, from preparing for the beautiful Liturgies to cleaning guest rooms, but the Divine Office and Mass throughout the Day helps keep one’s thoughts and actions toward God. The Seminary is a spiritual home for me and all members of the Institute and I look forward to returning in the near future.
In Christ the King,
Abbé Alex Barga
Abbé Alex is originally from Ohio and is the Sacristan for St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis, MO.
2012-2013 FIRST YEAR SEMINARIANS
PAGE 7
SEMINARIANSDear Faithful,
FOR US SEMINARIANS, the two months after ordinations in the first week of July are usually spent away from the seminary. Either the month of July or August is spent at home
with family and the o t h e r i n a n apostolate of the I n s t i t u t e . T h i s summer I spent the month of July in our apostolates in Oakland and Santa Clara. Having just received the order of Lector, I was prepared to fulfill my new duty in the c h a n t i n g o f t h e
Epistle at Holy Mass.
It is always a tremendous joy to meet the faithful in our apostolates and to have the opportunity to spend some time with our canons. It gives the seminarians another chance to see the life of a canon of the Institute in his daily life in the apostolate: the sick calls, the house blessings, the confessions heard, the Holy Masses said, and the conferences and spiritual direction given. The summer month in an apostolate helps to reenergize and rejuvenate a seminarian’s desires for the priesthood; life in the modern world reminds us of its need for God’s graces through the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church administered by the priest. We are edified and encouraged as we see our canons undertake the struggles for the salvation of souls.
On a more practical note, under the supervision of a canon, I was able to catch up on some courses that I missed while in Africa this past year. Seeing the beautiful landscapes and countryside in the area of Oakland was uplifting, so that after a very wonderful and blessed summer, I am very eager to return to continue my seminary formation.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Abbé Jonathan FehrenbacherThird year seminarian from Indians and is in his third year at the seminary. Recently returned from Gabon.
Dear Seminary Society,
MY FIRST YEAR OF CANDIDACY was spent in St. Louis and then the following year I was at the Institute house in Bayerisch Gmain, Germany. For a young candidate, this extra year acts as a bridge to better prepare for the formation that we will receive as seminarians in Gricigliano. As a candidate you are able to experience life in the community of the Institute, while also studying French and Latin. The geographic proximity of Germany also allows the candidate to visit Gricigliano several times during the year.
Now, at the seminary, I am a part of the largest c l a s s o f f i r s t y e a r seminarians. The feeling of being a part of the Institute family truly became a reality for me recently. In October, Cardinal Burke led the p i l g r i m a g e t o Montenero and the first year seminarians were able to participate. While is St. Louis, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Cardinal Burke but seeing him again in Tuscany was a cause for great joy. For an American freshly arrived in Italy, to see a beloved cardinal, so very far away from home, reminded me that the Church is a family and that Rome gives us all a home.In Christo Rege,
Ross BourgeoisFirst year seminarian from Louisiana who spent two years of pre-seminary formation in St. Louis and Germany.
PAGE 8
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS AND MORE PAGE 9
Dear Faithful,
THE SEMINARY IS IN MANY WAYS a period of time for every seminarian to retreat from the world and prepare for the priesthood, free from the noise, distraction and general busyness of the world and ord inary l i f e , similar to the years Our Lord spent in Nazareth, albeit a shorter t ime . The seminarian develops a d e e p u n i o n w i t h Christ, configuring his life in Him so that h e t o o , l i k e O u r Blessed Mother, may contemplate in his heart, the mysteries and words of God.
For this to happen peace of environment is required, and this is certainly the case in Gricigliano, something mentioned by almost everyone who visits. This is of course is helped by its beautiful location nestled in the hills of Tuscany.
Generally, the only sound one hears is when the community comes together four times a day to sing and chant the office. Here we see the importance of chant in the church. Our hearts and minds are united as we render with our voices the praise and honor due to our King.
Our Blessed Mother holds a special place in the hearts of seminarians and the consecration of the Institute by our Prior General to her confirms us in our devotion and encourages us in it. She in turn watches over us with maternal care, encouraging us always to grow in holiness and to seek the face of her Son. Her care of the Institute is visible not only in the wonderful priests it has formed, and whom she protects, but also in the numerous vocations she has
blessed us with and the many churches we have received, most recently in my own country of Ireland.
Ciarán O’ConnellFirst-year seminarian from Ireland who spent a year of pre-seminary formation in Chicago and Saint Louis.
SEMINARIAN
A RECENT VISITOR...SILENCE. My first impression of the seminary was its immense beauty and quiet. When we arrived, we were greeted by a very kind seminarian whose task was to give us a tour of the seminary grounds. As we were making our way through the seminary, we noticed little signs with the word "silence" hung on the walls. Contrary to what we might have thought, the seminarians spend most of
their days in deep silence and prayer. Overall it felt very monastic. The seminary is surrounded by beautiful gardens and the rolling Tuscan Hills, and it can only be fully appreciated by observing it with a quieted mind and soul. For this, we were very grateful for having observed the silence with the seminarians, and we left with a profound sense of peace.
PAGE 10
NESTLED IN BEAUTIFUL TUSCANY, and close to the great and historic city of Florence, the St. Philip Neri Seminary is the motherhouse and heart of the Institute, and home to its seminarians. In an effort to illuminate various facets of seminary life, the Seminary Society asked the canons of the Institute for their ref lect ions on the Seminary. Our f i rs t installment comes from Canon Michael Wiener, who entered the Seminary in 1993, and was ordained in 1999 by His Eminence, Raymond L. Cardinal Burke, who was at that time the Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin. We are most grateful to Canon Wiener for his kindness in responding to our questions.
Seminary Society: What first attracted you to the Seminary and its spirituality?
Canon Wiener: It was the obvious Catholic unity between truth, charity and beauty, which is so visible at our mother house in Gricigliano. In our world which leaves man often in the loneliness of a disintegrated life in which one can find unity and harmony only very occasionally and temporarily, Gricigliano offers the utmost visible unity between truth, goodness and beauty - first and above all, in the liturgy so beautifully celebrated there as a source for all blessings in our daily life.
Seminary Society: In what ways did the Seminary become a spiritual home for you as a seminarian?
Canon Wiener: The way I act today as a priest of the Institute is based on and informed by the
formation I have received as a seminarian in Gricigliano. I attribute all spiritual gifts I have received and still receive every day to the center of the life of the Institute which is Gricigliano.
Seminary Society: The Prior General consecrates the Institute to the Immaculate Conception each year. What does this consecration mean to you and what are the effects on your life as seminarian?
Canon Wiener: This annual consecration allowed me to understand better the depth of the mystery of the Incarnation. God wanted to renew His creation and our vocation to be His children by saving man from his sins through His Divine Son Who is true God and true man. In Christ humanity is elevated to the heights of original dignity God intended all men to have. The Blessed Virgin is this channel through which we all can find this sanctity and original dignity again - by being united by grace with Christ.
Seminary Society: St. Philip Neri is the patron of the seminary. What is his influence on the community of seminarians and priests at Gricigliano?
Canon Wiener: He has certainly a very strong influence on our daily life as seminarians in making our life joyful and happy even if it is sometimes, humanly speaking, difficult and with frequent attacks of the evil one. We ask St. Philip always to intercede for us in our effort to be joyful, charitable and truly "foolish" (i.e., being generous without limit) in our love of God!
A VIEW OF THE SEMINARY PAGE 11
“A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.”
St. Philip Neri
VERITATEM FACIENTES IN CARITATE
SUPPORT OUR PRIESTS OF TOMORROW...
BY
PRAYING
FOR OUR SEMINARIANS TODAY.
SEMINARY SOCIETYThe Seminary Society serves to help the Institute raise awareness and interest in the formation of our seminarians and to generate activities on the spiritual and material level to support the seminary effectively. Participating in the prayer program is a great way to foster your own spiritual life.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
INSTITUTE OF CHRIST THE KING SOVEREIGN PRIEST
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES ORATORY
SEMINARY SOCIETY2653 OHIO AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MO 63118
