RECENT NEWS

Rector Brown, a classical pianist, customarily rings in the spring semester with an invitation to all faculty, staff, and TC guests to stop by for a musical open house in his own rooms. This year his revolving door hosted seminarians and faculty for hours of tuneful camaraderie.

Before the onset of second semester, Theological College’s Basselin Scholars in their final year of studies in the program annually journey to upstate New York to visit the hometown and final resting place of Theodore Basile Basselin, the timber magnate who, 100 years ago, bequeathed part of his fortune to Catholic University and the “Sulpician Seminary” for the purpose of forming Catholic seminarians prepared to face the challenges of bringing the Word of God to the people of their times.

On December 13, Gaudete Sunday, the TC seminary and staff community gathered to celebrate the close of the semester and the upcoming Christmas observance. The mood was a joyful one, reflecting the spirit of the responsorial psalm from Isaiah, in the Mass at the beginning of the evening: “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel!”

Forty Theological College alumni, from class years spanning from 1960 to 2015, joined the community on October 6 and 7 for the annual Alumni Days celebration, replete with evening vespers, a symposium, Mass at the Basilica, and alumni reception and awards dinner.

Eighty Theological College seminarians, including many back for the day from pastoral year assignments, attended the papal Mass of Canonization for Junipero Serra at 4:15 pm on September 23rd. While the men were prayerfully attending to the invitation and challenges of this momentous day, TC was also playing host to media groups offering reportage from the rooftop of the building. See inside for media links!

Following the busy week of orientation and seminarian move-ins, Theological College’s annual opening Mass and banquet event recognizes the milestone of a new academic and formation year beginning, with the return of so many seminarians growing in their resolve and knowledge as ministers of the Church.

Theological College welcomed 28 new seminarians, adding four dioceses to the list of those it serves. A week of moving in, touring, planning,and praying together ended with an evening of recollection with Cardianl Wuerl, the Ordinary of the Diocese in which TC is located and therefore the first superior of the seminary, and the Chancellor of Catholic University. About the full week of events, Matthew Browne (1st Theology, Diocese of Rockville Centre) said, “Participating in the orientation program was a really awesome way for me and the other new men to become acclimated to life here at TC. The program also gave us a clear sense of what the philosophy of Theological College is and how living out that philosophy will make us better men of God and, God willingly, good, holy, and happy priests.” Join us in welcoming these new men as they discern and work toward this goal!

Bishop-Elect Robert Barron, of the Theological College Basselin class of 1982, has been appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Join us in our recognition of his great contributions to the life of the Church and prayers for a continuing fruitful ministry!

Betweeen May and August, Theological College was graced to celebrate the ordinations of 17 graduates of the Class of 2015 — the largest graduating class in 30 years!

Eight Theological College seminarians who have just completed their third year of theological studies at Catholic University, and one who has just completed his fourth year, were ordained to the transitional diaconate between March and June this year. We prayerfully support them as they move forward on the path to the priesthood!