RECENT NEWS

The year 2014 marks the 100th-year anniversary of the death of Theodore B. Basselin, a lumber magnate who made his millions in the industry in upstate New York, whose endowment for the education of seminarians gave birth to the Basselin program at Theological College at The Catholic University of America. In conjunction with The Catholic University of America, from April 2014 to April 2015 Theological College will celebrate The Year of the Basselin to commemorate this rich legacy of scholarship and pious integrity in the Catholic Church. The anniversary celebration began with an inaugural opening Mass on April 22nd, and will continue with activities and honorary recognitions at Alumni Days in September. Stay tuned for more Year of the Basselin announcements.

Theological College graduates many seminarians who then go on for further studies before ordination to the North American College in Rome. On a recent Sulpician business trip, TC Rector, Rev. Phillip Brown, S.S., recently met with group of former Basselins and theologians to catch up and reminisce during a day about town in the Eternal City.

At Tenebrae, we gather as at the foot of the cross and experience haunting beauty, moving contemplation, solemn polyphony, dignified reflections, extinguishing of candles, and the jarring reality of the death of God’s only Son. During Holy Week, the Church commemorates with beautiful ceremony the sacred mysteries of our redemption. Within that context, Tenebrae has a special place as a profound remembrance of the death of our Savior.

Theological College continued its annual Iron Seminarian Tournament tradition this year with over 30 seminarian entries. The single-elimination competitions, featuring a multi-tiered bracket scoring system in pool, ping-pong, and darts, began at 7 pm with a brief history of the event by Vice-Rector Father Tony Pogorelc, S.S. Father Mel Blanchette, S.S., who had helped to organize the first tournament for the 2005-2006 academic year, offered the opening prayer.

A pillar and hallmark of Theological College’s formation program is its pastoral ministry program. All theologians fully participate in this program that permits them to experience hands-on, the work and role of being a pastor. To honor and thank the mentors of TC’s seminarians, we invite all pastoral supervisors to share in a Mass followed by an Appreciation Dinner. This unified community gathering fortifies relationships with the Archdiocese of Washington faithful and permits the greater community to understand and share in the responsibility of forming healthy and holy priests.

On February 15, 2014, the Theological College Community joyfully participated in the Diaconate Ordination of three candidates from the Diocese of Spokane, which was held in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It is customary that most diaconate ordinations are celebrated in the seminarians’ arch/diocese. Bishop Cupich of Spokane, WA, and family and friends of the candidates journeyed to Washington, DC, for this ordination. The TC Community joined together to make this a joyous and beautiful celebration.

The TC Community proudly hung its new banner outside the second floor of the seminary, “Seminarians for Life.” Our community supports the March for Life by extending hospitality to 100+ seminarians as well as bishops and priests from throughout the country. The seminary participated in the Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and from 3 to 5 am, TC seminarians sang sacred music during adoration in the Crypt Church before heading to the Mass at the Verizon Center and joining hundreds of thousands of people in the March for Life.

Several Theological College seminarians took advantage of the cold winter weather during the community’s first ski trip on February 8th. Ten seminarians traded their books and papers for poles and boards and made the short trip to Liberty Mountain Resort in Carroll Valley, PA. Five hours of night skiing amid excellent conditions were followed by evening prayer and quality fraternal time in the lodge. With skill levels ranging from semi-pro to first-timer, the TC contingent had a great time “shredding the gnar,” sharing each other’s company, and taking in the majestic views afforded by the slopes.​

On Sunday, November 3, 2013, from 1 to 3 pm, the paintings of Fr. Peter Wm. Gray of the Sulpician Society were on display at Theological College, bringing to seminary corridors and meeting rooms the brilliance of their insight and luminous expression.

Bishop Zipfel joined the TC community in welcoming 14 seminarians to Admission to Candidacy. These seminarians have progressed and discerned, through the formation program, their call to priestly vocation and are requesting admission to candidacy for the Diaconate and ultimately to the sacrament of Holy Orders.