Fall/Winter 1997 A Whirlwind Introduction to NAC, Assisi, and Rome Greets Class of '01 The New Men, 1997, pose for their first group photo in St.Peter's near the saint's tomb. When the new men awoke on August 27 to the view of the morning sun rising over the Swiss Alps on their marathon flight from New York to Rome, they knew it would not be long before they would glimpse their new home-The Pontifical North American College. In typical North American College style and tradition, the new men received an overwhelming and supportive welcome. To their surprise, they were greeted as they emerged from the jetway by rectors, faculty, and staff. Later, spiked by rousing applause, the group was greeted by more faculty, staff, and the orientation team at the steps of the Immaculate Conception chapel. The 40 new men processed through the chapel doors tired and hungry, but grateful to God for a safe journey and for the opportunity to study in the Eternal City. On August 29, the new men made their first pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica, stopping to pray the creed at the Confessio and asking for the Holy Apostles' intercession. Mass was celebrated in the Crypt Chapel, the Christ the King altar, facing the Confessio. On August 31, the new men visited the Baptistry at the Basilica of St. John Lateran and celebrated Mass in one of the chapels there. They then proceeded to Castel Gandolfo to attend a public audience with the Holy Father during his Sunday noon Angelus. The North American College constituency, standing directly under the Holy Father's window, was greeted by His Holiness in English, and the seminarians voiced their approval. The final adventure for the new Men during their first week of orientation was a pilgrimage to Assisi from September 5 to 7. There, they visited the now earthquake-damaged Basilica of St. Francis, spent plenty of time in rest and prayer, and acquainted themselves with the charming village of Assisi. The orientation team, made up of second- year men, did an impeccable job of making the new men feel that Rome is truly home. Mr. James Morgan, '01 Diocese of Sioux Falls Rector's Corner Sometimes people ask me about the benefits of priestly preparation in Rome, why bishops find value in sending priests and future priests to the North American College. I could go on at length about the reasons, but a survey of some recent events in which our men participated provides a much more credible and colorful reply. Last spring, all the students and staff of the college were received in audience by the Holy Father. We spent about 40 unforgettable minutes with the successor of St. Peter. Pope John Paul II slowly walked through the exuberant group, greeting as many of us as possible as we bellowed out the ancient song "Tu es Petrus." He then addressed us with words of encouragement. As we prayed together and received his blessing, I thought, "This is why the North American College exists." In May, we went on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love. Led by Msgr. Charles Elmer, we spent an afternoon meditating upon the value and beauty of devotion to our Immaculate Mother, our patroness. Then, only a week later, our men led the renowned Corpus Christi procession, amid tens-of-thousands of people in that medieval town of Orvieto where the feast actually began. On their first morning in Rome, our new men attended Mass at the tomb of St. Peter, where they asked his intercession in guiding their years in his See city. The next day, they gathered to renew their baptismal vows and pray the Mass at the ancient church of St. John Laterna, the cathedral of Rome. A week later, our men immersed themselves in the message of St. Francis as we spent a weekend of recollection in his town of Assisi (this was before the tragic earthquakes there). On October 2, fifteen of our men assembled beneath the choir of St. Peter in the basilica to be ordained deacons of the Church, the last step before priesthood. And, in October, all the college seminarians, graduate priests, and our men on sabbatical-gathered with one hundred-thousand others in St. Peter's Square as Pope John Paul II declared St. Therese of Lisieux, in the presence of her relics, a "doctor of the Church," powerfully speaking of our need for her message of simple love. Currently, hundreds of bishops are gathered for the "Synod for America," and our men are right at the center of lively reflection on the challenges facing the Church in our hemisphere. See! I haven't even mentioned our solid program of formation and the first rate theology our men learn, but I think I can rest my case as to why priestly formation in Rome is so valuable, and why we so appreciate your support that makes it possible. Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. Msgr. Timothy M. Dolan, '76 Rector Photo Gallery The new men, circa 1860: Official photograph of the first class to enter the North American College. The first rector, Fr. William G. McCloskey, sits front row, center. Touch down at Fiumicino airport for Brian Chadwick, '01 (Diocese of Gary), on the left, and Tim McGilloway, 1 01 (Archdiocese of Newark). The new men enter the chapel of the Immaculate Conception to the applause of the faculty, staff, and orientation team. They are on their way to pray Midday Prayer, their first official act as seminarians in Rome. Luke Ballman, '00 (Archdiocese ofAtlanta), chairman of the orientation team, presents the gifts to Fr. Thomas Radloff, Sj, director of spiritual formation, at the celebration of the Mass in the Conventual Chapel. Patrick Kennedy, development director, who went through orientation with the new men, serves as deacon. Letter form the Editor A Salute to the Janiculum Kitchen Crew This fall's issue of the NAC newsletter is dedicated to the arrival of the class of 2001. Our new men encompass the breadth and width of America and Canada! They were welcomed, as the new men are every year, by the second theologians who, refreshed by their own summer travels and pastoral assignments, put on the two-week orientation program. The program began with meeting the tired new men at Fiumicino airport and concluded twelve days later with a weekend excursion to Assisi. But the second-year class were not the only ones who worked hard to make the adjustment to Rome easier for the new men. Perhaps no other part of the staff contributes more to the overall morale and well-being of the House than our kitchen staff. These men and women cook and prepare Italian-style meals daily for up to 200 people. Every day after 6:30 a.m. Mass, we begin with colazione, which generally consists of American coffee or tea, juice, rolls, eggs, and American cold cereals. To make it feel more like home, the kitchen staff, on occasion, also prepares pancakes and french toast. On one Sunday a month, the staff puts on an Americanstyle brunch, which is always a big hit. Pranzo is the main meal in Italy, so we too follow this custom. Pranzo begins at 1:15 p.m. with announcements and a blessing, and includes salad, a pasta course, a meat and vegetable course, and a dessert of fruit or some other sweet. It is at this meal that the kitchen staff really shines. Many would argue that our carbonara, a dish composed of spaghetti in an egg and pancetta (bacon) sauce, is among the best in Rome. Served in the evening following Vespers is cena, which is traditionally a lighter meal than pranzo. Cena usually includes a variety of foods--cold and hot-as well as soup and fruit. But one should not neglect to mention the kitchen's tour de force-the famous NAC banquets on the various celebrations during the year. If it is true, as Napoleon said, that an army marches on its stomach, it might also be said that the NAC seminarian's daily march to the Roman universities is made possible by the culinary expertise of our kitchen staff. Mr. Matthew Carr, '99 Diocese of Arlington These Four Move Mountains (of Paperwork) To paraphrase an old saying, "Behind every good man there is a good woman." At NAC, behind the roughly 200 men - seminarians and priests all- there are four good women, at least in the administration. We'd like you to meet them. (Clockwise from upper left) Mrs. Lory Mondaini has been the rector's secretary since 1984. Born and raised in West New York, N.J., she traveled to Rome in the early 70s. Mrs. Mondaini worked for United Airlines and met a Roman gentleman named Roberto, who worked for IVA. They married and had three children: Carlo, 14; Chiara, 11; and Massimo, who just turned two. Mrs. Elena Panti, a native of Rome, is the secretary for the vice rector for student life, who is also director of the Formation Advising Program. Mrs. Gloria Denton is the newest member of our staff. She is a licensed family nurse practitioner with a master's of science degree from Pace University. She has nursed in four states and in Cambodian refugee camps. Mrs. Denton calls San Francisco home. She and her husband, Stefano, are the parents of Andrea, 9; Davide, 7; and Giulia, nearly 5. Mrs. Denton is secretary to the vice rector for administration, who is also the business manager and the chief financial officer.