ISSUE No. 96 MARCH, 2005

Saint Thomas Aquinas Seminary Winona, Minnesota, U.S.A. Stockton Hill www.stas.org

VERBUM Turns 25! Silver Anniversary Issue Tells the History of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary

Twenty-five years ago, the first VERBUM writers took up the pen in order to communicate to benefactors events at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary. Since the printing of the first issue in April of 1980, VERBUM has changed in outward appearance, while maintaining its mission of providing readers with a closer look at life and formation at the Seminary. In celebrat- ing its silver anniversary, VERBUM sets out to do nothing other than what it has always done: tell its readers about St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary. This four page history is meant as a small, though heartfelt, thank-you to the many benefactors who, by their prayers and donations, have made the formation of priests here possible. May God reward your generosity.

The Founding of the SSPX recognizing the need of an organized force the house initially served as chapel but was the fledgling Seminary, the confirmation of The feast of All Saints, 1970, is a date to help him feed his flock, Fr. Bonfil called converted into a sacristy after a much larg- God’s blessing on the work of the that may very well figure prominently in upon the newly formed SSPX. In the fall of er and more suitable chapel was built with- Archbishop was beginning to appear in the future Church histories. It was on that day 1972, he and CCC leader Mr. Robert in months. On November 10, 1974, the United States. Yet the early history of the that the International Priestly Society of St. Bartnick met with Archbishop Lefebvre in chapel and grounds were blessed and dedi- Seminary illustrates a recurring pattern in Pius X (SSPX) was erected as a “pious its 32-year lifespan: crosses followed by union” in the diocese of Fribourg, renewal and great blessings. Our Lord had Switzerland. Its purpose, as stated by said to His disciples: “He that taketh not up founder Archbishop , was his cross, and followeth Me, is not worthy clear: “the Priesthood and whatever pertains of Me. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: to it and nothing but that which concerns it; and he that shall lose his life for Me, shall that is, the Priesthood as Our Lord Jesus find it” (Matt. X, 38-39). God always tests Christ willed it when He said, ‘Do this for a His servants in order to purify their inten- commemoration of Me.’” Ecône to ask the Archbishop whether it cated in solemn fashion as the Society’s tions and strengthen them for greater trials The Archbishop, a missionary with would be possible to send priests to take first American Seminary. to come. Contrary to the wisdom of the decades of experience in forming priests over Fr. Bonfil’s apostolate. Generous faithful found the means to world, these crosses are a sign of God’s and leading souls to God, had been called The Archbishop agreed to Fr. Bonfil’s furnish St. Joseph’s House of Studies just as approval. out of retirement by seminarians looking for request, but explained that the Society’s they had found the means to purchase it. The first trial faced by the Seminary a truly Catholic formation in the wake of work was dedicated primarily to the forma- The Seminary needed little that they were was the departure from the SSPX of Fr. Vatican II. This call placed him in an unex- tion of Catholic priests according to the not able to salvage from “renovating” Ward in the winter of 1976-1977, along pected situation. He had never anticipated Traditions of the Church and so its first pri- churches of the diocese, be it statues, books, with a few of the already small number of starting his own congregation of priests, but ority would be the establishment of a semi- vestments or pews. seminarians. Fr. Donald Sanborn was he was long used to obeying the directives nary, while the formation and service of The Archbishop had always envisioned named the new Rector in February by of Providence. The Catholic priesthood parishes would have to be secondary. Thus the Society as extending well beyond the Archbishop Lefebvre. The teaching staff must be preserved. The Archbishop would the doors of the Society’s first American borders of Switzerland. His first American was now composed almost entirely of do his part, taking for his model Christ the Seminary were opened. The “Seminary” seminarians had no qualms in submitting young American priests recently ordained High Priest, and following Him wherever was, in fact, a house purchased by the CCC their formation to a “foreign” bishop. His in Ecône. He willed. located on Ravenna Avenue in Royal Oak. nationality did not matter; his Catholicity In late September and early October of It was here that Fr. Anthony Ward, an did. It was clear on the one hand that the 1979, the Seminary loaded a caravan of The Society Comes to the United States American priest recently ordained by the Catholic Faith was being destroyed world- Hertz rental trucks for its move to a more In 1967, two years after the close of Archbishop, oversaw the formation of the wide by the wolves in sheep’s clothing that fitting and spacious former Jesuit retreat the , in another cor- first four American seminarians. Shortly were the Vatican II reformers, while on the center in Ridgefield, CT. ner of the globe, a group of Catholic lay- thereafter, three more seminarians joined other hand the Archbishop had long proven continued on page 2 men, concerned by the novelties appearing and it became necessary to obtain a himself a true shepherd, unwilling to com- in their parishes, organized the Committee larger facility. promise the Faith in any way. of Concerned Catholics (CCC). These con- servative-minded Catholics from the south- A House to Call Their Own A Pattern is Established eastern corner of Michigan met in Royal In the summer of 1974, the Society Although it was a small Oak, in order to do what they could to pre- purchased a large old farmhouse on a three- band in humble surround- serve the Faith. acre plot of land in nearby Armada. A dilap- ings that occupied the In 1971, certain CCC members idated barn and an old chicken coop were first choir stalls of became affiliated with a Benedictine priest, also part of the bargain. The new Seminary Fr. Bonfil Batazzo, who offered daily Mass was christened “St. Joseph’s House of for them. Seeing that the number of Studies” and Fr. Ward was named the Catholics under his care was growing, and first rector. A garage adjoining ” lics Catho cerned the “Con First taking of the cassock 2. F r. Ward and r, 1974: r. Batazzo (left), F embe Nov ssing of “St. Joseph’s House of S 1. 1974: Ble tudies” 3. ter 4. 1978: Seminarians Stephen de Lallo and Christopher Hun 4.

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During the first academic year, seminar- modern Reform” that con- 9. new professors gave ians and faithful worked together on flicted with the broad, the Seminary the inter- Saturdays to renovate the long-neglected Catholic vision of Archbishop Lefebvre. national character it building. While improvements were under- They extended their opposition to almost retains to this day. They were to form way, Seminary superiors were already everything done since the pontificate of St. Catholic priests for the Catholic Church and planning an ambitious addition that would Pius X, and rejected all confirmations, ordi- not American priests for an “American include 50 new rooms, five classrooms and nations, annulments, and liturgical reforms SSPX.” One important aspect of the true a chapel in order to accommodate the antici- done in accordance with Vatican II. After Catholic spirit of the Seminary’s new profes- pated growth in vocations. Three priests attempts at reconciliation, the Archbishop had sors was well expressed in a May 6, 1983 ordained in 1982 were the first to have been no choice but to expel these priests from the letter of then Superior General Fr. 5. formed entirely in the United States. But even as the American Seminary was begin- ning to firmly establish itself, God’s Providence determined to send another and more painful trial.

The Great Split of ’83 In April, 1983, nine of the eleven Society priests in what was then the Society before they poisoned its work in the Schmidberger: “We are firmly convinced Northeast American District, among them United States. Lawsuits followed, as the that the Church still continues and lives on the District Superior, the District Bursar and rebellious priests tried to obtain control of the today, even if the corn can hardly be seen for the Seminary Rector, brought their increas- properties and assets of the SSPX in the the weeds. Let us not forget that the Church ing differences with the line fixed by United States. is not going to be saved through our erecting Archbishop Lefebvre for the SSPX to the The split could have proved fatal for the ourselves into self-glorifying judges; rather point of open conflict, forcing the Archbishop Seminary. Most of the faculty had left and we must imitate the love and patience of the to dismiss them from the Society. The precip- the Society was forced to take immediate crucified Savior by begging for Her resur- itating act was the refusal of one of the action to save this house of formation that rection as a gift of grace, and offer ourselves newly ordained priests of 1982 to report to was so vital to the growth of the American up in this sense.” St. Mary’s, Kansas, because only the “John districts. Englishman Fr. Richard Looking back with a supernatural per- XXIII Mass” – that is, the rite of Mass found Williamson, a convert from Anglicanism, spective on this troubled time, which almost in the 1962 Missal – was said there. His dis- had arrived at the Seminary the previous ended the Society’s presence in the U.S., one obedience was endorsed by the Rector and year and was named Rector in 1983. His sees the guiding hand of Providence at work. seven other American SSPX priests. first-rate intellect, keen insight into the mod- Archbishop Lefebvre was a model of fidelity The priests dismissed had formed a ern world, absolute fearlessness in standing and obedience to his superiors throughout tight-knit clique that finally exploded into for Catholic principles and unflinching obe- his long career of service to the Church. In open rebellion against the Archbishop and the dience to Eternal Rome and the Archbishop the end, however, he was snubbed and SSPX. Their brilliant minds, administrative would be the hallmarks of his stewardship of betrayed: first by his Congregation, the Holy abilities and profound sense of liturgical the Seminary for the next twenty years. Frs. Ghost Fathers, who made him step down as decorum were ruined by (in the Archbishop’s Goettler, Bourmaud and Delaplace arrived Superior General because he refused to fol- words) “an extremist way of thinking and a from Europe to fill the other vacated profes- low the doctrinal deviations of Vatican II, tendency to schism in the domain of the litur- sorships. Representing three different nation- and then by the Pope and bishops, who had gy, the papacy and the sacraments of the alities – English, German and French – the idgefiel k 7. R mes Pee or Fr. Ja ry churc profess Semina (l 985: New dgefield eft) Bi ny 6. 1 ts on Ri shop Ric m Germa tion hal hard Willi ler comes fro onstruc 9. New amson, Rector: 1983-2003 5. 1983: Fr. Wolfgang Goett n 12. C 14. ly orda mes Dora ined deac minarian Ja nary on Charles Ward 4 11. Ridgefield se g Semi 10. Ordinations, 198 ns durin h two so 992 ght) wit 22. 1 egna (ri tto, 1992 14. The eter Sard ry’s Gro Dominica 16. Mr. P Semina ns of St. Pet for 17 years ing the 19. 19 er's Priory 15. The Priory abandoned and blocked off 21. Build 88: Bisho ce 1989 p Williamso secretary sin n and Mr. Schwanbeck 20. Mrs. Sherry Mehren: Seminary

A New Bishop, A New Seminary conceived of the crucial role the site would its plans), worked with investors who Bishop Williamson was soon exercising play in preserving the traditional Catholic opened and soon closed it as a luxury chem- his episcopal powers. Archbishop Lefebvre priesthood. The 60,000 square-foot stone ical dependency rehabilitation center and 15. had not been in the United States since April structure had been built in 1950-51 as the saw Playboy Enterprises take an interest in of 1986, and many seminarians were await- novitiate for the Dominican Order’s Central purchasing it as a luxury resort. ing the conferral of Orders. On the 1st of American Province and was named St. Peter Mr. Peter Sardegna, the former mission October, the new Bishop tonsured seventeen Martyr Priory. It was closed in 1970 due to a coordinator for St. Michael the Archangel seminarians and, on the 7th of October, con- lack of vocations. In 1969, its last year as a Chapel in Farmingville, , closed ferred all four Minor Orders on these same novitiate, a Louisiana native, Mr. Byron down his construction contracting business seminarians. On Saturday, October 8, Bascle, entered as a postulant. He left the in New York in the space of four weeks and Bishop Williamson re-dedicated the Dominicans in 1970 and returned to the moved to Winona in the spring of 1988 to Seminary building and put it under the pro- closed-down St. Peter Martyr Priory. He was renovate the Society’s future Seminary. He 16. tection of the Seminary’s patron, St. Thomas to act as the building’s caretaker for all but and his crews were to continue intensive Aquinas. Addressing seminarians, clergy and two and a half of the next 17 years while work on the building until well into 1989. faithful that day, Fr. Schmidberger said, living in the adjacent building that is now Mr. Sardegna and his family have remained “This building, we dare to say, is the most referred to as “the convent” since it had parishioners at the Seminary to this day. important in North America,” since it was originally housed Dominican Sisters. During the only one dedicated to the traditional for- that time, he saw the former priory open as a Fruitful Years mation of priests. treatment center for juvenile delinquents For the next several years, the Seminary There had been a time (though later closed by the state of occupied itself with the continued formation when no one would have Minnesota for abuses), defended it from of traditional priests. Numbers of seminari- looters, endured its being picketed by neigh- ans remained fairly constant, hovering at bors protesting the United States govern- roughly fifty by the end of each year. 18. ment’s plans to use it as a Cuban refugee Seminarians continued to go on East Coast relocation center (the government dropped trips, and the first of several European trips

17. 19. 20. 10. 11.

set in motion the destruction of the Church ians during the summer of 1985. and proceeded to persecute the Archbishop In 1986, Fr. Williamson inaugurated the for trying to save Her. It only remained for “East Coast Trip” to fill gaps in seminarians’ the Archbishop to suffer a cross rarely grant- knowledge of American history by visiting ed even to the saints: betrayal by members the locations where it had been made. There of the very congregation he had founded. Yet was also the deeper purpose of uncovering he suffered all with admirable fortitude. America’s non-Catholic – and even anti- 12. “The servant is not greater than his master. If Catholic – roots. He had to make the semi- Winona. But as the seminarians and priests bell breaking forth in joy- they have persecuted me, they will also per- narians realize how they, themselves – sim- settled into their last school year in ful song, they chanted the secute you. Every one that beareth fruit, the ply by virtue of growing up in America – Ridgefield, they little suspected that June, Te Deum as the episcopal Father will purge it, that it may bring forth had been shaped by an American spirit con- 1988, the month selected for the big move, consecrations were taking more fruit” (Jn. XV). trary to Catholicism, and to help ensure that was destined to prove vitally significant for place in Switzerland: “We those who proceeded on to the priesthood quite another reason. praise Thee, O God.” At Growth and Progress did not confuse this “Americanism” with the During the last months of 1987, that moment, with God’s As the Seminary’s new Rector, Fr. true Catholic apostolate entrusted to them by Archbishop Lefebvre met with Cardinal grace, a decisive step Williamson was faced with a great chal- the Church. Gagnon to discuss the Archbishop’s request had been taken in the lenge. Not only was the Church undergoing By 1986, it had become clear that to consecrate bishops. The seminarians knew work of ensuring the possibly the greatest crisis of Her existence, Ridgefield was simply too small. Fr. that a crucial moment in the Society’s histo- future of both the true but society as well was breaking down at an Williamson, in his August Rector’s Letter of ry had come. By May, with the final meet- Catholic priesthood alarming rate. Although he had the true that year, mentioned the need for more ings in sight, the Seminary fasted, a Triduum and the Society of St. Catholic pattern of priestly formation, Fr. room: “We shall soon have to build again at of Masses was offered and Holy Hours were Pius X. Williamson was applying it in a world con- Ridgefield, unless someone can swiftly find arranged. After discussions with Rome broke continued middle sumed as never before by errors that directly us a bargain 100-room seminary ready-built, down, the Archbishop declared his decision of page 2 denied the validity of this pattern of Catholic within easy reach of a major airport and to proceed with the episcopal consecrations. priesthood. He had to confront these errors which the Seminary could buy. Keep looking The excitement of the period only increased and eliminate them from the minds and for Providence’s bargain!” when it was announced on June 13 that Fr. hearts of his seminarians, so that the grace of Williamson would be one of the four bish- God would make them good and faithful The Biggest Month in Seminary History ops consecrated. 13. priests in a world gone mad. In March, 1987, a brief, unexplained On June 21, the seminarians spent a A great aid in this battle against modern visit by Fr. Schmidberger sparked rumors long afternoon loading the 48-foot trailer errors would be the Spiritual Exercises that that the purchase of a new seminary was which would transport the Seminary’s mate- Fr. Ludovic-Marie Barrielle, spiritual direc- imminent. Indeed, by fall the transaction rial possessions to Winona. The first Mass tor at Ecône, had passed on to the Society. was complete. A new building had been on the new Seminary’s high altar was cele- The Seminary professors, who for years had purchased in Winona, Minnesota, with the brated five days later on the Fifth Sunday given the five-day Ignatian spiritual exercis- sale finalized on September 14, feast of the after Pentecost. Later that week, during the es to the faithful, finally had the joy of Holy Cross – a symbolic date both for the early morning hours of June 30, the seminar- preaching the first 30-day retreat to seminar- years in Ridgefield and those to come in ians again gathered in the chapel. With the 86 ass, 19 ring cl 8. Ente hnston ely Jo Seminary's "Guardian Ang rs. Em vak 18. The el" Mr. Byron B cook M Frank No ascle (left) minary and Dr. r. Scott Johnsrud ld Se nona tt (left) Seminary chef M , hired in 1993 to Wi ank Sco ars 24. 3. Move Mr. Fr er 15 ye ch 1 airers r for ov ary rep lecture Semin visiting earth is not to seek pleasure, but to work by In the fall of 1993, the Seminary ts and White, f pries Allen hers o David the sweat of his brow. received two new professors: Fr. Juan Iscara 17. Fat 23. Dr. tion cel the country. Bishop Williamson set out to The work of forming laymen continued and Fr. Carlos Urrutigoity. Fr. Iscara renova r. Mar on of B rofessi expose the modern world’s lies and perver- as well. During its last full summer in assumed duties teaching Moral Theology : First p 2 sions of the natural law, to teach seminari- Ridgefield (1987), the Seminary had offered, and Church History. Fr. Urrutigoity became took place in 1995. In the same way that the ans how to distrust and despise (to para- in addition to its complement of Ignatian professor of Dogma, Latin and Sacred East Coast Trips were meant to deepen the phrase the Bishop) “the glitz and glitter; retreats, an “experimental” seminar on papal Music. Through Fr. Urrutigoity’s influence, seminarians’ understanding of American his- the artificial, plastic world with its senti- encyclicals that focused on social questions. the Seminary would soon begin to focus tory, the European trips were meant to deep- mental slush.” The speakers regularly sacri- The seminar was prompted by requests from heavily on perfecting the Gregorian chant of en their understanding of the history of the ficed the sacred cows of the modern world faithful who, after making an Ignatian the seminarians. retreat, desired to learn more about Catholic At the start of the 1995 academic year, doctrine. In June, 1989, its first full summer the Seminary received 22 new seminarians in Winona, the Seminary offered a second – the largest entering class since 1982. By seminar entitled “Workshop on Modernism.” June of 1996, preparations had begun for Since these initial sessions in the late ‘80s, the Seminary’s largest ordination ceremony the Seminary has consistently hosted weeks ever, with nine men stepping forward to of study and formation for the faithful. give their lives to God. Among the ordi- After the death of Archbishop Lefebvre nands was Fr. John Fullerton – the present Catholic Church. Witnessing the civilizing on the stone-cold altar of reality: feminism, on March 25, 1991, neither the Seminary nor District Superior of the United States. At and sanctifying influence of the Church evi- rock music, television and the mass media, the Society of St. Pius X changed the course the summer’s close, seminarians returned to dent in the monuments of Her glorious past suburbia and modern universities. charted by their founder. This was proof of the Seminary to commence the year with a would both foster a love for the Church in Meanwhile, seminarians were exposed to the Archbishop’s often-repeated assertion that new professor. Fr. Kenneth Dean, Seminary seminarians and help them see beyond the the beauty of the true music and arts that the SSPX and its seminaries were not based continued on page 4 present crisis to hope in and work for Her pop culture has rejected. The Seminary on his personal prefer- future restoration. farm, by exposing seminarians to real cows ences and opinions, but The remoteness of Winona as com- (they, too, were sacrificed), pigs and chick- rather on unchanging pared with Ridgefield did not stop Bishop ens, also brought home some hard lessons Catholic doctrine. He Williamson from supplementing the of reality: food does had only passed on to Seminary’s standard curricu- not come from the Society what he lum with choice guest speak- McDonald’s and the had received from ers flown in from all parts of 21. life of man on this the Church. 22. 24. 23. (left) Fr. Y ves le Roux, Rector: 2003-Present

professor since 1990, was being relieved effort to reshape the SSPX in his own image after a six-year term by Fr. James Doran and finally, when frustrated in his plans, (named Vice-Rector in 1998), who took up resorting to subversion and disobedience – 20 years as Rector, had taken the classes of Metaphysics, Latin and taking others with him in his fall. Such as such a firm hand in their formation and had Canon Law. these would have to go their own ways, while led the Seminary through so many changes. the Seminary continued to hand on what it Fr. Yves le Roux, a French priest ordained in Another Trial had received from Archbishop Lefebvre. 1990 by Bishop Williamson, was re- The 1996-97 academic year began As a consequence of this affair, the assigned from Québec in order to assume smoothly, but as the second semester Seminary lost two priests and over 12 semi- duties as the Seminary’s new Rector. approached, there was a certain restlessness narians. Following these painful events, the The 28 members of the incoming class at the Seminary. Cliques had formed, and an Seminary was solemnly consecrated to the of 2003-2004 broke all former records, mak- ever-widening rift became perceptible, Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 6th, to give ing St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary the dividing seminarians in everything from the glory to His name and reaffirm that the largest among the Society’s six seminaries. Liturgy to Gregorian Chant to recreational Seminary is His domain. To make room for the newcomers, the con- activities. The initial signs of the problem vent building was filled to its maximum seemed insignificant, but underlying the The Humanities and Further Growth capacity as were half of the empty rooms minor differences in taste was an unhealthy In 1999, Bishop Williamson expanded usually reserved for visiting priests. There “Medievalism” – the desire to “restore” the the regular visits of literature and music pro- were now 80 men at the Seminary, 68 of tried and true Seminary curriculum accord- fessors into a formal preliminary year – a whom were seminarians. Among them were ing to a romanticized “medieval model,” seventh year of formation that was offered to the first Benedictine monks entrusted to the leaving behind what were termed the excess- seminarians. As previously mentioned, the Seminary from the monastery at Silver City, es and deviations of the Counter- Bishop had been inviting speakers on the NM, for the purpose of forming them for the Reformation. Five months later, it was dis- liberal arts – most notably, Dr. David Allen priesthood. covered that a break-away society was White, professor of Literature at the United secretly being planned. The Society of St. States Naval Academy. But as more and Conclusion John was to establish a religious life without more young men were entering with heads Hindsight clearly reveals the prudence, the despised “deviations” (which were in full of math and science, without the proper balance and foundation in unchanging reality the glories of the Church). understanding of human nature so necessary Catholic doctrine of Archbishop Lefebvre’s This return to an imagined Golden Age for a priest, the Bishop found a solution in vision. He alone had the courage to organize was, in fact, the construction of something this additional year. He knew that the study a worldwide body of priests in order to pre- completely new; the Middle Ages are past of the humanities was an unparalleled school serve the priesthood and the integral and their return is impossible. In trying to of life and human nature. History, music and Catholic Faith in the face of almost univer- execute such a project in today’s world, it literature would help the Bishop “form more sal opposition. If the Seminary finds itself in would be necessary to introduce novelties solid priests for the future work of sanctify- 2005 with a full house and forming good that never existed in the history of the ing souls.” Fr. Brendan Dardis, a priests in the midst of an apostate world, it Church, much less in the Middle Ages. This Benedictine priest who had decided to assist is because it has managed not to stray from is precisely what the Modernists did at the Society in its apostolic labors, became a the line set forth by its founder. The crises Vatican II. Every innovation was justified by resident of the Seminary in the winter of of ’83 and ’97 were caused by deviations to the call for a return to the pristine purity of 1999 and was soon put to work teaching either side of this path. One priest saw him- the ancient Church and was accompanied by Latin to the Humanities seminarians. self as more traditional than the Archbishop, the unstated intention of avoiding the bur- the other more open-minded. Both ended in dens that the Church’s doctrine and laws – Change of Command rebellion and betrayal, the normal outcome and our own statutes – impose upon us. The Seminary was thriving and again of pursuing any extreme position. The mid- After a long build-up, Bishop there were whispers that it would either need dle course traced by the Archbishop is the Williamson dismissed from the Seminary the to expand or relocate. A change of location clear reference for the Seminary’s past and “talented but proud young Argentinian priest” was, in fact, pending – but not for the future. There have been severe trials in the (to quote the Bishop) who had spearheaded Seminary. In his June, 2003 Seminary past, and there will be more crosses to the plans for the new society. He had seen Rector’s letter, Bishop Williamson wrote: come. As long as we remember that these this happen before: a recently-ordained, intel- “This is one of the last Seminary letters your are permitted by God for our sanctification, lectually brilliant priest using his skills in an servant will write, because this August he is they will strengthen rather than harm the being appointed to head up the Society’s Seminary. May the Sacred Heart guide and Seminary in the Argentine, South protect St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in its America…” Priests and seminarians were work of carrying out its founder’s vision of saying good-bye to the Bishop who, in his forming true priests to follow the Eternal High Priest, Our Lord Jesus Christ.