Gaudete Sunday was a fitting day to reflect upon and celebrate the end of the Fall semester of formation, during which, as the rector emphasized, all were invited to continue to deepen their faith, trust, and hope as their hearts become more configured to the heart of Jesus Christ. In his homily, Fr. Ciriaco reminded listeners that Pope Francis tells us, “Advent is a time for overturning our perspective, a time for letting ourselves be surprised by the greatness of Jesus’s mercy,” which is always more abundant than our expectations. He exhorted all to “never stop seeking him, going deeper in faith, trust, and hope in him!”
This special night of prayer, feasting, and levity was off to an auspicious start as seminarian musicians and one of our resident Dominican sisters offered Bach’s sublime French horn prelude to the Mass, “Sleepers, Awake.” The Schola carried forward the prayer-filled beauty of the music throughout this Eucharistic celebration of the third Sunday of Advent, ending with a new rendition of “O Jesus Living in Mary” by TC music director, Fr. Jim McKearney.
The ensuing reception and banquet were wonderfully planned by the Sodexo team and orchestrated by minister of hospitality Max Korzan leading the other first-year seminarian servers. The entertainment that came later, “A Sulpician Christmas Carol,” produced and performed (again) by the “new men,” proved to be a creative and hilarious masterpiece of good-hearted ribbing of TC deacons and faculty alike.
As Theological College closes until next semester, the entire community wishes all of our families, friends, bishops, and benefactors a holy and happy Christmas Season!
The Most Blessed Virgin, Mother of Jesus, not finding anyone willing to offer her lodging in Bethlehem, was obliged to withdraw to a stable. While she was there it happened that the time of her pregnancy was completed, and she brought forth her firstborn child into the world. This is why she found it necessary to lay Jesus Christ, her Son, in a manger for a bed… let us prepare for him a dwelling place worthy of him and let us dispose our hearts to receive him in such a way that he may be pleased to make his home there!
St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1719)
From the Rector
This Christmas, may you prepare a place in your hearts for the Christ Child to dwell so that you may experience his love, joy, and peace in your lives and throughout the coming year.
On behalf of the Theological College community, faculty, staff, and seminarians, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year. Please be assured of our prayers for you as we ask you to keep us in your prayers.
May God be Praised,
