ORIENTATION
The TC Orientation Team began arriving on Saturday, August 16, welcomed by the rector as they gathered to strategize creatively how to make the upcoming days the most hospitable, prayerful, and informative for the seminarians joining the house.
By the time the new cohort arrived on Tuesday, the plan for the week was fully prepared, and began that same day with an introduction to Evening Prayer by team leader and SGA President, Deacon Stephen Parker (St. Augustine). After dinner, all of the faculty, led by Rector Stevens, contributed to the opening session, before the first social of the year in the game room. The next day was very content rich, with introductions to Sulpician spirituality, the spiritual direction program, liturgy, music, and the Rule of Life, coming to a tranquil landing in Adoration, Night Prayer, and Benediction. Thursday was dedicated to academics, launching with a pep talk from Father Bud before a review of ordination requirements and academic advising for the different student levels, as well as registration and an intranet tutorial. Caldwell Hall or Aquinas Hall was the next stop for students to learn more about Catholic University academics before Evening Prayer and the nightly social. Friday focused on community life, with staff introductions, safety protocol, the seminary calendar, and explanations of the different Student Government Association committees, followed by an afternoon campus tour. The sense of community was more deeply experienced that evening at the Welcome Back Barbeque, hosting the entire seminary population for delicious food, good company, and a communal film viewing to wind down the evening.
OPENING MASS AND RECEPTION
The liturgy and celebration that followed on Sunday were graced by the upbeat presence of President Peter Kilpatrick and his wife, Nancy, whom the rector introduced at the outset of Mass. As the President later pointed out, Fr. Bud “hit it out of the ballpark” with his homily, which was focused on the TC mission of forming priests who not only must pass through the “narrow gate” themselves, but also lead others onto that way as if between two bodies of water, like the Panama Canal. This narrow path requires sacrifice in facing many challenges and it is “only as wide as the outstretched arms of the crucified God.” He continued, “Every time the word of God is preached authentically, a sacrament is celebrated; every time a pastoral word is offered in the spirit of Christ, a path is opened.” Future priests must, as signs and icons of Christ, guide people between “the abysmal waters of sin into the life-giving waters of the heavenly Jerusalem.”
President Kilpatrick picked up this message of hope at the celebratory reception, encouraging seminarians along this narrow passage. He exhorted them to trust in the Lord, to put everything in his hands with such abandon that they may always be serene. This peace of heart, emphasized by Pope Leo in his first words to the world, will help them make the most progress in their vocation. “The harvest is out there waiting for you; may you embrace this mission!”
