There were several unique offerings woven into TC’s Alumni Days 2017 festivities, in celebration of the centennial anniversary of the seminary, starting with the dedication on October 3rd of the two new spiritual direction rooms constructed over the summer. In his blessing, Father McBrearity, PSS, rector, prayed, “Pour forth your Holy Spirit, the one true spiritual director, on those who will gather here in prayerful discernment. May He guide them in paths of holiness, fill them with a proper understanding of their vocation, and keep them on the paths You have chosen for them.” Indeed, the entire focus of the reunion was a reflection on the history of the intervention and education of the Holy Spirit in the life and legacy of the seminary, carried forward the following morning by an enlivened presentation by Father Blanchette, PSS, on the French School of Spirituality. After this, he graciously offered all attendees his newly published work, A Sulpician Primer. The evening Mass of Jesus Christ, Eternal and Sovereign Priest, was celebrated by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Basselin scholar of the class of 1963. In concert with the words of Father Blanchette that very morning, the Cardinal joyfully asserted, “One hundred years of change hasn’t changed the central focus of the seminary, which is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. A priest must always be ready to empty himself and take on Christ every day.” The evening culminated in the Cardinal’s receipt of the seminary’s Jean-Jacques Olier Award, recognizing his decades of dedication in service of supporting the faculty and formation program of Theological College. The convivial evening concluded with a brilliant centennial video produced by Matthew Browne (3-T, Rockville Centre) and John Minnich (2-T, Richmond), and the gifting to all of a centennial volume tracing the decades since the founding of the seminary. The book was researched and compiled by Michael Russo (3-T, Archdiocese of Washington). This book, Ecce Quam Bonum: A History of Theological College, is now available upon request from the Office of Media and Promotions. (For more information email [email protected].)
