November 04, 2009
The
soaring number of college-bound students applying to St. John’s
University from across the country and around the world reflects a
growing awareness of — and appreciation for — the University’s
focus on students’ academic, personal and professional
success.
This month, St. John’s celebrated the ongoing success of a small
but distinguished group of students — those training to serve the
Catholic Church as priests. The students gathered with clergy and
guests in St. Thomas More Church on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for the
University’s annual Seminarians’ Mass.
Followed by dinner in the University Commons, the Seminarians’ Mass
offered special recognition and prayer for those pursuing their
bachelor’s degrees at St. John’s while living and preparing for the
priesthood at New York City-area seminaries.
This
year’s Mass packed extra meaning for students, University and
Church, said Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Vice
President for Mission and Branch Campuses. Pope Benedict XVI has
declared 2009 the “Year for Priests.” This also marks the 350th
Anniversary of the passing of St. Vincent de Paul, who established
the Congregation of the Mission, and St. Louise de Marillac,
founder of the Sisters of Charity.
Embracing a Special “Invitation”
“As a Catholic university, St. John’s prepares every young man and
woman studying here for ethical leadership in their communities and
professions,” said Fr. Griffin. “As a Vincentian university, our
mission has special resonance in our historic contributions to
priestly formation.”
Like all St. John’s students, the roughly 80 seminarians at the
University benefit from quality academics, small classes and
cutting-edge technology. Hailing from the U.S., Africa, Asia and
Latin America, seminarians also reflect the stunning diversity of
St. John’s students, who represent 45 states and 122
countries.
Noting this year’s significance, Fr. Griffin asked the seminarians
to reflect upon the calling that brings them to the priesthood.
“Some of you may wonder, ‘why was I called?’ Whatever the reason,
you received a special invitation to follow the Lord. We must
constantly seek ways to embrace the call, to change our lives, to
respond to the needs of others with concern and compassion.”
That
invitation brought them to St. John’s. For 20-year-old Christopher
Seith, coming to the University was as natural as entering the
seminary. A senior from Maryland preparing for the diocesan
priesthood in Washington, D.C., Chris is pursuing spiritual
formation at the St. John Neumann Seminary Residence of the
Archdiocese of New York, in Yonkers.
“When you enter Neumann, you usually have two choices—earn your
bachelor’s degree at Fordham or St. John’s,” said Chris. “It’s a
tradition for most of the seminarians from the Archdiocese of
Washington to go to St. John’s.”
Having originally attended a large public university, Chris
especially appreciates the small classes and personal attention
students experience at St. John’s. “There’s a huge difference at
St. John’s,” he said. “The university I originally attended was so
big, you might wind up in a 200-person lecture hall. Here, there
does seem to be more of a focus on the individual student.”
Though he grew up in a religious family (his father is preparing
for the permanent deaconate), Chris began to seriously consider
priestly life only after his second year in college. “It was a girl
friend who got me on the path to a more dedicated spiritual life,”
he said. Chris accompanied her to the Catholic Student Center and
Adoration Chapel. “I wanted to be closer to this girl, and it
became a way to grow closer to the Lord.”
Part of the Journey
Earning a degree at St. John’s is especially meaningful to
26-year-old Daniel Rivera, who is preparing for the Vincentian
priesthood. “It extends that sense of community we feel at the
Vincentian discernment house” in Queens, he said.
An immigrant from El Salvador, Daniel, has been able to overcome
small, lingering difficulties with English thanks to the abundant
student services at St. John’s. “Professors are very helpful,” he
said. “And the Writing Center has made a big difference in the way
I write papers. I’m more confident now.”
Daniel originally came to the United States to help struggling
relatives in El Salvador. Living in suburban Hempstead, NY, he
joined the youth group at a local church. He became more involved
in service and soon felt the call of the priesthood. After
attending meetings at a nearby Vincentian discernment house, he
decided to pursue the calling.
Having experienced poverty in his own childhood, Daniel is drawn by
the Vincentian’s commitment to serving those in need. “St. Vincent
used to say that the poor are our ‘masters.’ Sometimes I think, if
I hadn’t been poor, I might never have been called.”
As they pursue their vocations, seminarians at St. John’s embody an
important part of the University’s Vincentian heritage. “Formation
of priests has been at the heart of the Vincentian charism,” Rev.
Richard J. Devine, C.M., said at the Seminarians’ Mass. “We thank
you with our heart and soul for allowing us to play a role in your
journey.”
To recognize the “Year for Priests” and the 350th Anniversary of
St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, St. John’s will be
holding lectures and other events throughout the academic year. We
invite you to review our schedule of
activities.