SALT of the Earth SPRING 2018

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1 SALT of the Earth SPRING 2018 FALL 2014 A Saint Francis de Sales Seminary Communication for Alumni and Friends There's No Place LikeRome! Our theologians and faculty take in the Eternal City. 3 4 Pilgrimage 6 Formation Blessed Solanus Casey Photos Enhancements

2 SALTof the Earth Blessed Days Bishop James Powers, Fr. John Hemsing and Fr. Luke Strand celebrate Richard Rhinehart s diaconate ordination on Gaudete Sunday. Dear Friends, This school year has been filled with extraordinary extracurricular activities. In September, we blessed our newlyrenovated fifth floor. The floor had been used as an attic since the 1930 s, but it has now been transformed into more residences for seminarians. The new rooms are a welcome necessity for our thriving Seminary. In November, we attended the beatification of Fr. Solanus Casey, a former student of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary who eventually joined the Capuchins. Fr. Solanus exemplified the holiness of humility and was declared Blessed during a Mass at Ford Field in Detroit. With the same spirit of humility, the seminarians and formation faculty stayed in very simple accommodations, and we grew closer as we worked together with rather meager resources. We were overjoyed in December to celebrate an ordination of a Saint Francis de Sales seminarian from the Diocese of Superior. Many of the seminarians and formation faculty traveled to St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Eagle River to attend Richard Rhinehart s diaconate ordination. It has been a while since we have had a seminarian ordained from Superior. It is great to be a provincial seminary once again! January brought more excitement as the Seminary s theologians and formation faculty made a pilgrimage to Italy. The trip included visits to Orvieto, Assisi, Subiaco, Rome and the Vatican. This amazing pilgrimage gave us the opportunity to experience the universal Church and to pray at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul. We are well into the second semester now and are looking forward to the many ordinations that will take place this spring in various dioceses throughout the state. Please pray for all of the men who are preparing for ordination, and know that they are praying for you as well. Grace and Peace, Father John Hemsing, Rector Dates of Note in Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate Open House de Chantal Gatherings Ordination to the Priesthood Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate Ordination to the Priesthood Ordination to the Priesthood Ordination to the Priesthood Pallium Scholarship Benefit Annual Seminary Dinner April 21 Archdiocese of Milwaukee April 29 Seminary May 15 Seminary May 19 Archdiocese of Milwaukee June 3 Diocese of Green Bay June 24 Diocese of Superior June 30 Diocese of Green Bay June 30 Diocese of La Crosse July 30 Wisconsin Club Country Club September 28 Wisconsin Center

3 SPRING 2018 Casey Rainer t The class photo includes then-barney Casey and the eminent rector, Msgr. Joseph Ranier. Thank God Ahead of Time Those are favorite words of our former student, Solanus Casey, who was beatified in Detroit by Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Vatican s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on November 18, Solanus was born Bernard Barney Casey in Oak Grove, WI in At the age of 21, he entered Saint Francis de Sales Seminary with hopes of Solanus Casey becoming a priest. He studied and discerned here for five years, but the Irish-American struggled with classes that were all taught in German and Latin. The Seminary suggested to Casey that perhaps his vocation lie in a religious order, rather than the diocesan priesthood. The highly respected rector, Msgr. Joseph Rainer, wrote a strong letter of recommendation to the Capuchin provincial in Detroit, and shortly thereafter, Casey was given the Franciscan habit and the name Solanus. Solanus Casey s simple life of humble service was marked by great faith and scores of miraculous cures. Despite his modest position as a porter, his patient counseling and unwavering confidence in God helped thousands of people, especially during the Great Depression. Over 20,000 people came to pay their respects upon his death in Thus, it was with great joy that our seminarians and faculty boarded a bus to Detroit to participate in the Mass at which Solanus was declared Blessed. They joined a crowd estimated at over 60,000 to thank God for the life of this heroic priest who once lived on our fifth floor. Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us! Beatification Mass photographs courtesy of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph. Over 60,000 attend the beatification Mass at Ford Field. u Our seminarians participate in the beatification of the Wisconsin native. t Cristian Lozada (Madison) receives holy Communion at the beatification Mass. 3

4 SALTof the Earth Roman Holiday Our theologians began 2018 with a pilgrimage to Italy. (A theologian is a seminarian in his final four years of study. He has finished philosophy courses and is now studying theology.) Over Christmas break, the group visited Orvieto, Assisi, Subiaco, Rome and the Vatican, exploring the traditions of our faith. They walked in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and prayed in St. Benedict s Abbey. They saw the treasures of the Vatican Museums and climbed the Scala Sancta. Perhaps the most awe-inspiring experience was visiting the Basilica of St. Peter. The men took in the architectural masterpiece while noting the thousands of people it drew from all over the world. It was exciting to feel the universal power of Christ s Church. The men were also blessed to celebrate Mass at the altar of St. John Paul II in the basilica. Many of our seminarians trace their vocational call to this saint, so the Mass at his tomb was especially meaningful. The opportunity to make such a pilgrimage came about because of a generous benefactor who appreciated how the experience would enhance priestly formation. In addition, James Cardinal Harvey was a gracious host and tour guide. The seminarians are so grateful to them and to everyone who supports excellence in formation. t After a long day of travel, the men are happy to arrive at the first site, the magnificent Cathedral of Orvieto, home of the corporal from the 13th century Eucharistic miracle. The hike to see St. Francis hermitage in Assisi is arduous, but the view is worth the effort. t The La Crosse seminarians take a photo in Assisi for their Franciscan bishop. The monastic silence of Subiaco has a powerful influence on the men as they celebrate Mass by St. Benedict s cave. t The seminarians first glimpse of Rome is an evening wonderment. 4

5 SPRING 2018 The men are fascinated by the archives within St. Mary Major. James Cardinal Harvey celebrates Mass with the pilgrims in the stunning Basilica of St. Mary Major. The Holy Father reaches out to the visitors. The seminarians linger outside St. Peter s after praying the Angelus with Pope Francis. The men are delighted to meet Archbishop Jorge C. Patron Wong, secretary for seminaries at the Congregation for the Clergy. James Cardinal Harvey treats the seminarians to a fabulous Italian dinner. Raymond Cardinal Burke, another Wisconsin native, also joined the festivities. Deacon Aaron Laskiewicz (Milwaukee) prays at the tomb of St. John Paul II, patron saint of his home parish on Milwaukee s south side. u Archbishop Wong tweets about the encounter. 5

6 SALTof the Earth Formation Enhancements Before the start of the current school year, a complete review of our formation program was undertaken by Fr. Luke Strand, vice rector and director of human formation, and Will Hudson, associate director of human formation and director of admissions. In consultation with the formation faculty, the program was revised with a focus on specific areas of emphasis. Each year of formation now has a theme, and classes are intentionally structured to develop these themes: PRE-THEOLOGY Men of Communion The future priest must be able to offer himself to his community, and thus must develop charity, empathy, and self-sacrificial love in order to enter into significant relationships with other persons and with God. FIRST THEOLOGY Priestly Character The seminarian must understand the role of the priest as one in union with the person of Christ and his spousal relationship to the Church, and how this permanent union In Persona Christi impacts his daily attitude, habits, practices, and behaviors. SECOND THEOLOGY Mission and Evangelization Evangelization is the Church s deepest identity and encompasses all that she does; therefore, a priest must be a missionary disciple who participates in the New Evangelization, serves the poor, and empowers the laity to participate in this work. THIRD THEOLOGY Spiritual Fatherhood The identity of a priest as a spiritual father requires him to lovingly give himself in service to the needs of his people through spiritual direction, catechesis, prayer, and leadership of the parish community. FOURTH THEOLOGY Priestly Life The final year of formation focuses on preparing men to be diocesan priests, ready to practice pastoral charity by imitating Christ in the liturgical and sacramental aspects of parish life. In addition to these dimensions of formation, our program also includes comprehensive and cohesive six-year tracts covering: Celibacy Evangelization and Discipleship Virtues Communication Liturgical Music Catechism of the Catholic Church We have also made it a part of our program to lead theologians on an eight day pilgrimage to Rome once every four years, and a ten day pilgrimage to the Holy Land once every four years. There are many more elements that fill in this simple outline of the enhanced formation program. A listing of all the classes, workshops, formation days and summer programs can be found in our new catalog. To view the catalog online, visit or request one by calling (414) Celebrations u Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison celebrates with the men who were instituted into the Ministry of Acolyte on December 2: Edward Sanchez (Milwaukee), Daniel Williams (La Crosse), Jon Hynek II (Green Bay), Michael Johnson (Madison), Francisco Ogbonna (Madison), Patrick Magnor (Milwaukee), Bill Evans (Green Bay) and Carlos Londono (Milwaukee). 6

7 Vocation Office News SPRING 2018 Support Vocations to the Priesthood Please invite young men who may be called to the priesthood to these events: Cor Jesu Wednesdays JPII House of Discernment at St. Robert Parish in Shorewood: Young Adult Men s Discernment Dinner 6 p.m. Adoration and Confession 7 p.m. Mass 8 p.m. Young Adult Canoe Trip Thursday, July 26 Sunday, July 29 For more information or to register your son for a summer camp, contact Emma Hegarty at ehegarty@sfs.edu, (414) , or visit Summer Camps 2018 High School Seminary Camp Sunday, June 17 at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 at Noon Middle School Day Camps Saturday, June 16 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 10 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Thursday, August 2 9 a.m. 3 p.m. 72 young men, 28 seminarians, and 22 priests attend the annual St. Andrew Dinner on December 28. St. Andrew Dinner 2018 Save the Date! Thursday, December 27, 2018 The hugely popular event is for young men who are invited by their parish priest to learn more about priestly vocations. t The Shoremen revel in their strong showing at the Mundelein basketball tournament, making it to the quarterfinals! Fr. John greets benefactors after the Patronal Feast Day celebration on January 21. 7

8 SALTof the Earth The Salesianum Alumni Association s Annual Lecture in Christian Ethics Wholly of Water and Holy Water A presentation by Sister Dawn M. Nothwehr, OSF, Ph.D. Tuesday, March 20 6 p.m. Vespers followed by a reception 7 p.m. Lecture Forty states are expected to face some kind of water shortage in the next 10 years. The right to water was not part of the UN s Universal Declaration of Human Rights it was only recognized in 2010 yet water scarcity is one of four major issues of the ecological crisis which Pope Francis highlights in Laudato si. This lecture will reflect on the ethical issues surrounding water, in light of our baptismal calling to act justly and care for creation. Sister Dawn Nothwehr holds the Erica and Harry John Family Endowed Chair in Catholic Ethics at Catholic Theological Union. Please call (414) to register. Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, Inc South Lake Drive St. Francis, WI Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, Wis. Permit No. 338 Open House The Seminary will open its doors to all on Sunday, April 29 Join us for Mass in Christ King Chapel, and then go on a seminarian-led tour of our historic building. Salzmann Library will also be open for your browsing pleasure. This is a once-a-year opportunity for the public to attend Mass at the Seminary. Do not miss this beautiful, holy experience! 11 a.m. Mass Noon 2 p.m. Tours of the Seminary Saint Francis de Sales Seminary 3257 South Lake Drive, St. Francis For more information, visit