This year has been quite a year for me in seminary formation. The 2009-2010 year started way back during the second week of August as the new seminarians arrived at St. John Vianney College Seminary for New Student Experience. When the returning seminarians arrived back for the year on August 20th, we met a LARGE group of new men who had already bonded and congealed. The first few months were a bit difficult adjusting to the large number of seminarians, the largest sized house in some 35 years. However, once the returning men and the new men came together, walking on the same journey of discovering the Lord’s love for each one of us, we were able to bond as a house of brothers. It was going to be an interesting, grace-filled 50th Anniversary Year for the seminary community!!

On Thursday, September 17, 2009, the seminary community welcomed Christopher West, who came to share a bit about John Paul II‘s Theology of the Body. At the time of his visit, Mr. West had been receiving criticism of many people stating that his commentary on the JPII’s work had been misrepresented by the Theology of the Body Institute. However, the seminarians here can attest to the powerful ministry of Christopher West and the institute he founded. The day after his visit, Justin Cardinal Rigali (Archbishop of Philadelphia) and the Most Rev. Kevin Rhoades (then Bishop of Harrisburg) issued a joint statement in support of Christopher West. They wanted to “express strong support for the important work of the Theology of the Body Institute and, in particular, that of Christopher West.” They continued by saying: “We are convinced that John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is a treasure for the Church…yet its scholarly language needs to be ‘translated’ into more accessible categories…and we believe that Christopher West, the Institute’s popular lecturer and spokesman, has been give a particular charism to carry out this mission.”

On Thursday, September 24, 2009, the seminary was consecrated to Mary under the title of New Eve and Star of the Sea. Archbishop-Designate Thomas Wenski came down for the consecration celebration and to bless a new mosaic designed by Peter Dionne, seminarian for the Diocese of Orlando.

Monsignor Michael Carruthers, Rector/President of the seminary wrote this about the various titles of Mary that were chosen: “The title of Mary as the New Eve points to obedience.  What was lost by the disobedience of the first Adam and Eve at the tree in the garden is regained by the New Adam (Christ) and the New Eve at the tree of the Cross.” He continued: “The title of Mary as the Star of the Sea points to hope.  Often our journey of faith can become difficult.  The waves can rise and toss us about.  In the midst of that struggle, Mary stands as a star guiding us into the safe harbor of her Son.”

On Thursday, November 5, 2009, the seminary community began the 50th Anniversary weekend with an alumni gathering in the refectory. “A display of historic photos and artifacts, including the first seminary journal, was present.  The alumni were extremely excited to be back on campus, and the stories and memories were flying.  All eras of the past fifty years were represented.  For some of the alumni present, it was their first visit back since graduating.” The cocktail reception was the beginning of a very grace-filled weekend for all of the seminarians, especially for me.

The alumni reunion weekend continued with an Alumni Morning of Recollection. The alumni were invited to sit at the feet of the Lord, focusing on Him who calls us all together. The morning also included a panel sharing, where alumni and faculty members shared memories of the seminary. It was a very special opportunity for the seminarians because we were given the chance to listen to stories of the significance of this most holy place by priest alumni, married alumni, and faculty members. An intimate journey with the Lord is one that is filled with great hope, compassion, mercy, love, and healing.

Following the Morning of Recollection, the seminary community hosted the 50th Anniversary Solemn Vespers liturgy and the main banquet for the weekend. Over 300 people attended both events, illustrating the tremendous impact St. John Vianney College Seminary has had on the Catholic Church in Florida.

On Saturday, the most significant and grace-filled event of the reunion weekend took place with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

[W]ith roughly three hundred people filling the main nave of the chapel, fifty concelebrating priests, and four concelebrating bishops, Archbishop John C. Favalora celebrated the 50th Anniversary Mass of St. John Vianney College Seminary.  The procession entered to the sound of trumpets and timpani as the Schola Cantorum sang “Go Up to the Altar of God.”The Archbishop gave the homily, reminding all present that a big part of the seminary experience can be found in the stories told during the weekend, and the characters remembered.  He spoke of the importance of a college seminary and reminded all present, particularly his own priests, to support the work of the seminary with their prayers and their monetary contribution.  He announced his intention to ask all the priests of the Archdiocese of Miami to make a donation this year to the Seminary Trust in honor of the Golden Jubilee.

At the end of the Mass, Msgr. Michael Carruthers came forward to announce the recipient of the Cure d’Ars Award.  The Award is the seminary’s highest honor and is given each year to an individual or group that has supported and uplifted the ministry of priestly formation.  This year’s recipients are the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission) of the Eastern Province, who staffed the seminary from 1959 until 1975.  Fr. Charles Krieg, a former faculty member, came forward to receive the award from the Archbishop.  In speaking, Fr. Krieg share that when he looks out at the crowd he does not see bishops, monsignors, priests, husband, fathers, but his “boys.”  He shared how proud he is of all of them.  He said that the Vincentian who had been assigned to St. John’s always considered it among the most important and special times in their lives, and he thanked the seminary for the honor bestowed upon the Vincentian Fathers.

After the Mass a stand-up reception took place in the refectory.  No one was in a rush to move on, and people stayed to savor every moment together.  The Archbishop announced that he was giving the seminarians a day off in honor of the Jubilee – news that was met with thunderous applause.

The 50th Anniversary weekend came to a close on Sunday, November 8, 2009 with a cookout outside the college building. “The weekend was one filled with many graces.  Our hopes for the weekend were very high. For months the seminary community was praying for the weekend, praying that it would be more than simply a party, praying that it would truly be an encounter with Christ and a vehicle of hope and healing.  Through God’s grace, the weekend exceeded our hopes.”

As you can see, this review of the year is already long enough and it only covers half of the year. As the seminary community comes to the close of another year with the celebration of Community Days, I will have a bit more time throughout the next couple of days to reflect on the year, counting all of the graces that have been granted by the Lord. More to come.

Pax.

PHOTO: (1) St. John Vianney College Seminary; (2) St. John Vianney College Seminary

SOURCE: St. John Vianney College Seminary