Saint John Vianney newsFall 2017 College Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota GoodSJV! Morning 2016-2017 Annual Report Enclosed ` 2 Letter from the Rector 8-10 Cover Story What’s Inside 7 Vianney Cup 12-13 Alumni Ordained 20171 Rector’sMary’s Army Update Every year it is a joy to watch the new seminarians grab hold of a vision and desire to consecrate themselves to Mary. In other words, to find Jesus through Mary. From the moment of her conception, Mary was filled with seas of divine power, wisdom and love. And from that superabundance she pours out grace and affection upon all of her children - ennobling, teaching, protecting and consoling them on a path of sanctification. Fr. Michael Becker After nearly 20 years of priesthood and 30 years since my adult conversion, I Rector see that, all around me, Mary is raising up an army to fill the world with authentic love and peace. Many seminarians wear a chain on their wrist, signifying that they made the consecration to Mary, while others wear the Brown Scapular. These are a public witness and a personal reminder that Mary is always with us as our Mother. Michael E. Gaitley’s book 33 Days to Morning Glory is quite popular among the seminarians as well, especially as we mark the 100th anniversary of Fatima in 2017. Recently, I asked Alex Marquette, a new man from Maple Lake, Minn., what inspired him to make his consecration to Mary. He responded, “I admire the devotion of Nathaniel Daubner, and I want to have that, too.” Nathaniel has a contagious devotion to and love for Mary. The witness of holy souls, like Nathanial and Alex, provides the inspiration which moves our hearts to deeper conversion. Mary’s presence and activity should be highlighted on the nightly news. On October 7, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, thousands of Polish Catholics gathered to pray for their own beloved country and Europe in an event known as “Rosary at the Borders.” On October 13, our SJV seminarians and priest staff processed through the University of St. Thomas campus as they prayed the mysteries of the Rosary, carried a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and interceded for our fellow students, teachers, Church and world. All around us, Mary is raising up an army to fill the world with authentic love and peace. I am so happy that our seminarians are whole heartedly captured by Mary’s maternal love and invitation. I pray we can find for her more recruits. Seminarians Kevin Hufnagel (left) and Joseph Nguyen provide a glimpse 2 | Vianneynews onthecover into their world as they discern the priesthood. See pages 8-10. The 2017-2018 Academic Year Begins Fr. Williams Joins Formation Staff 120 men from 22 dioceses F r. Peter Williams joined the SJV formation staff this fall as a part- are currently enrolled. time formator and spiritual director. His previous assignments include vice rector of The Saint Paul Seminary and pastor of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Paul. F r. Williams has served as director of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical 24 SJV seminarians graduated in 2017; Institute since 2013 and has been an instructor since its founding 16 continued on toward major seminary. in 2008. In addition to his new role at SJV, he is the minister to clergy for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Ordained in 2004, F r. Williams is a member of the Companions of Christ, a 28 SJV alumni were ordained fraternity of diocesan priests and to the priesthood in 2017. seminarians. “I love Jesus and am beyond privileged to be a priest,” 24 SJV seminarians will study in Williams said. “I am blessed to Rome in 2017-2018. share this with the young men who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood.” 3 Updates from Abroad For the past 19 years, a semester abroad in Rome has been a formative experience for the SJV seminarians - spiritually, academically and culturally. During the 2017-2018 academic year, 24 men will study at the Dominican Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum). The seminarians reside at the Pontifical Irish College along with Fr. Paul Gitter, SJV formator and spiritual director. Discernment and formation continue as they are immersed in more than 2,000 years of Catholic history and culture. They also take every opportunity to travel around Italy and beyond. Eleven SJV seminarians are pictured in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. First row (left to right): Matthew Jakupco, Jeff Todd, Connor Orabut, Logan Obrigewitch and Mitchell McLaughlin. Second row (left to right): Zach Halloran, Ryan Anderson, Michael Gehrig, Andrew Morand, Chris Tibbetts and Jacob Toma. Seminarians Jacob Hornecker (left) and Dominic Shovelain capture a selfie in front of the Tiara Fountain in Vatican City. Left to right: Intrepid travelers John Utecht, Jake Brownlee, Bobby Ernest and Zach Schaefbauer are pictured in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where they swam in the Mediterranean Sea and visited the relics of St. Blaise, patron of the city. Jake Brownlee explores Venice and meets a group of friendly pigeons along the way. 4 | Vianneynews Seniors Honored at Annual Lunch Accompanied by their families, 24 graduating seniors were recognized at the annual senior banquet on May 19. In keeping with tradition, each senior chose an underclassman to introduce him. Archbishop Bernard Hebda provided the closing remarks and benediction. The Class of 2017 represented 12 dioceses. Sixteen men continue their priestly formation at major seminaries this fall, including: The Saint Paul Seminary, Sacred Heart Major Seminary (Detroit), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (St. Louis), Mundelein Seminary (Mundelein, Ill.), the Pontifical North American College (Rome) and St. Francis de Sales Seminary (Milwaukee). Other graduates are pursuing graduate degrees, first jobs and missionary work. Congratulations to the Class of 2017! Above: The Penisten family celebrates William’s graduation. Below: Senior Connor Kerschinske is honored by a brother seminarian at the annual banquet. Seminarian Delivers Commencement Address On May 20, SJV senior Reed Flood delivered the commencement address to more than 1,300 undergraduates at the University of St. Thomas. Flood was nominated for this honor by the Class of 2017. His speech, titled “Beauty Amidst Suffering,” recalled the death of a close friend during his sophomore year and how beauty and love emerged. Flood is studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome for the Diocese of Des Moines. For the full address, visit the SJV Facebook page: facebook.com/SJVSeminary. 5 Roberts Receives F r. Smyth Award Seminarian and standout running back Jordan Roberts received the Fr. Smyth Award at the 10th Annual Sports Faith Hall of Fame on June 3 in Lake Forest, Illinois. The evening began with Mass, celebrated by Bishop Thomas Paprocki (Diocese of Springfield), followed by a dinner and induction ceremony at Conway Farms Golf Club. Other inductees included professional, Olympic, college and high school athletes who are exceptional individuals on and off the field. Sports Faith International is a Chicago-based initiative dedicated to inspiring and transforming our culture through the world of sports. Jordan Roberts and his mother Penny are pictured with the award’s Roberts, the 2015 Division III Offensive Player of the Year, is namesake, F r. John Smyth. playing his final season for the Tommies. May Event Celebrates Our Lady of Fatima The SJV community joined their prayers with the Catholic Church to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fatima during the 2017 Spring Mass and May Crowning on May 7. Music and worship filled the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas as friends, families and benefactors honored the Blessed Virgin Mary and recalled her appearance before three young children in Portugal in 1917. Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop Andrew Cozzens joined Fr. Becker and priest staff to celebrate the Mass for the annual event. A program and brunch followed in the Anderson Student Center. SAVE THE DATE The 5th Annual Spring Mass and May Crowning Sunday, May 6, 2018 Archbishop Hebda blesses those gathered for the annual Mass. 6 | Vianneynews Vianney Cup Sets Records Spirits and generosity were high even as the rains came down on the 13th Annual Vianney Cup on Sept. 18. In fact, this was a record-setting year, including the largest field of golfers and amount of money raised for the seminary since the tournament began. Celebrity golfers Brian Bonin and Matt Birk signed hockey pucks and footballs for golfers, while SJV’s very own Fr. Jonathan Kelly provided a divine drive for each foursome on the course. The event ended with a reception and dinner that included seminarian testimonials, beautiful choral music by the seminary schola, and remarks by Archbishop Bernard Hebda. A final blessing was given by Bishop Andrew Cozzens. It was a great day to support the formation of the next generation of priests and future leaders of the church. Andrew Hamilton shows off a hockey puck, signed by Brian Bonin (left), out on the course. SAVE THE DATE The 14th Annual Vianney Cup Monday, September 17, 2018 F r. Spencer Howe is the proud owner of a football signed by Super Bowl Champ F r. Becker (far right) and Tizoc Rosales Matt Birk. (second from right) join Brian Bonin (second from left) and the golf foursome of Marc Terris, Mark Zeman, Berik Damberg and Pat Kocourek. 7 GoodSJV! Morning 6:00 A.M. - Alarms go off all through the SJV building and a mass migration of seminarians begins. Not to the cafeteria, to the gym or to their screens, but rather to the chapel for an hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.