From the first class of seminarians who completed the Basselin Scholars Program and graduated with their M.A. degrees in 1926, Theological College and Catholic University’s School of Philosophy have hosted over 675 priest aspirants in this rigorous academic and seminary formation program. The program’s permanent fixture at TC and the university was saluted and supported with fund raising during two days of special events recognizing its unique legacy.
Invited alumni and donors met with seminarians, faculty, and staff for the kick-off dinner on February 27 at The Monocle on D Street. This establishment has itself been part of D.C. history for over 60 years, having hosted every president since John F. Kennedy at one time or other in their careers. The evening began with a few words from Jake Nadeau, a third Basselin from the Diocese of Charleston, who expressed sincere gratitude for the program before introducing university President Peter Kilpatrick. The President conveyed his pride that this program is a pillar in the School of Philosophy’s mission as a “keeper of the flame.” Philosophy Dean Bradley Lewis then had the honor of introducing the great Catholic theologian and intellectual, George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow of Washington’s Ethics and Public Policy Center.
Weigel asserted that the Basselin Program is more important today than when the first philosophers entered it in its halcyon days, because of the deep distress in which Western culture finds itself during this time of the “dictatorship of relativism.” The program is a “culture-forming counter culture.” The world needs intellectually prepared priests, like St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and St. John Paul the II, priests who can bring a hopeful outlook to a confused culture, he said.
The next day of events began early, at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, attended by Catholic University staff and faculty and some of those in town for this two-day Basselin event. The keynote speaker was Monsignor James Shea of the Basselin Class of 1998 (for the TC interview of Monsignor Shea, watch for the upcoming Spring issue of The Crossroads!). Upon return to campus, a memorial Mass for deceased Basselin scholars and faculty, organized by Monsignor James Watkins (B ’81) was offered in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In his brilliant homily, Bishop Michael Olson (B ’89) took up again the theme of hope – the message of the Gospel itself. “Hope takes us out of our world and carries us back into it to bring the love of God.” As the bearer of this message, a Basselin scholar not only tells the truth but conforms the offering of his life to it. Read the Bishop’s complete homily here.
Following the Mass, attendees gathered in Aquinas Hall for the introduction of a new book focused on Basselin alumni, to be published in 2026. The author, Aaron Martin, Esq., received his B.A. in 2002 while enrolled in the program and in formation at Theological College. The working title is It Needs No Prophet, based on a quote by the fourth rector (1909–1928) of Catholic University during the time of the program’s initiation, Bishop Thomas Shahan: “It needs no prophet to foretell the influence, direct and indirect, which this good man’s timely generosity will one day exercise in the Catholic Church of the United States.” In his book, Martin picks up where the establishment of Theodore Basselin’s endowment leaves off, tracing the ensuing 110 years of the program primarily through its “bright lights.” These lights shine across the trajectory of history, and include chapters on Fr. John Cronin, S.S. (’28), Fr. Raymond Brown, S.S. (’49), Monsignors John Wippel (’56) and Robert Sokolowski (’57), Cardinal Raymond Burke (’71), Bishop Robert Barron (’82), Msgr. James Shea (’98), and others.
The final intimate component of these days dedicated to celebrating the Basselin Scholars Program was a moment to meet the current Basselins, six of whom introduced themselves and offered insights into their lives of fraternity and academic study. Their rector, Fr. Bud Stevens, spoke of the hope they engender in their bright and energetic response to the joys and challenges to which they have been invited. He affirmed that they “represent the very intent of Theodore Basselin in giving birth to this program, which is to form men committed to teaching and conveying the truth.” The students and alumni and others in the audience took the opportunity to offer and garner advice for the road ahead, and share meaningful experiences.
The small cohort present for the wrapping up of this two-day Basselin salute stayed in place in the Aquinas lecture hall for the more public finale, the sixth in the School of Philosophy’s Spring lecture series titled, “Boethius in Aquinas’s Ontology and Theology of Accidents.” This lecture was given by the renowned academic, Fr. Stephen Brock, Ph.D., and was attended by over a hundred interested students, faculty, and truth seekers.
Please join the efforts of Theological College and Catholic University’s School of Philosophy to bolster the endowment for the Basselin Scholars Program by contacting Lauren Pizzella at [email protected].
