At last, an update!
Merry Christmas to all!!
After or 4 weeks of Advent preparation (which btw, this was one of the longest Advent Seasons we could have, since Christmas fell on a Sunday we got 4 full weeks of Advent before the Christmas season began with Vigil Mass on Christmas eve) our Christmas celebrations have begun!
I haven't blogged since early October, so I feel like now that I have "downtime" on Christmas break I should write a little update.
Being a deacon is such a great gift! In Rome, I've had several opportunities to carry out my diaconal ministry---presiding over Morning/Evening Prayer during the Liturgy of the Hours, a couple times with the entire seminary community, each Tuesday with a group from my hallway during our "Grace sharing" nights and a couple times during Eucharistic Holy Hours with religious sisters in Rome. I've also preached a couple times at the NAC (my one time as a deacon in the main chapel at a community Liturgy, as well as a couple Saturday Masses in one of the seminary chapels), as well as preaching at my apostolate assignment at the US Navy Base in Naples. Going down to Naples once or twice a month for a weekend is the closest I get to being in an American parish, and I love every minute of it!
In the US seminarians study theology for 4 years to get a degree, usually a Masters of Divinity, but the Roman University system is a little different. After 3 years, one receives a bachelor's degree in theology [STB] in what's called "First Cycle". But since the US Bishops require 4 years of theology studies before ordination to priesthood, seminarians in Rome typically start a "second cycle" program that is two years (minimum, some are 2.5 or 3) of in depth study in a particular area. At the end of that program they write a thesis and do an oral/written comprehensive exam to obtain a Licentiate degree in Sacred Theology [STL]. (Some bishops will only send a seminarian for 1 of the 2 year Second Cycle program so that he will be assigned to a parish his first year of priesthood and not finishing a degree program). In October I began a program in Ignatian Spiritual Theology at the Gregorian (where I went for First Cycle). I really am enjoying my classes (Intro to Spirituality, Pedagogical Dimensions of Ignatian Spirituality, Light of Faith in the Life of the Believer, Theology of Spiritual Direction, History of Spirituality in 15/16th centuries and the Holy Spirit in the Spiritual Life), and I hope to by the end of the semester in 3 weeks have a proposed topic for my tesina (mini-thesis), and start working with a faculty member as my director...but for now it's a little riposo from studies and classes!
I am HOME for a little over two weeks for Christmas break, and I'll be doing a lot of diaconal ministry at IC Marlborough (I will also make some appearances at IC Stoughton)! I preached the Mass at Night on Christmas Eve (in English, Spanish and Portuguese!), and I will be preaching my first funeral this week. I'm trying to keep myself busy by visiting some of the homebound parishioners that I've visited the past two summers, trying to get to the retired religious sisters nursing home to visit, as well as do some other things with the parish. Next week in Stoughton I will get to do my first baptism, for a high school friend's son, as well as preach at my home parish during a weekend Mass!
Today is somewhat of a new personal feast day for me as it is the feast of the first martyr of the Christian faith, St. Stephen, deacon! As a deacon, St. Stephen should be a role model for me in how to carry out my diaconal ministry as a man conformed to Christ the Servant.
I always thought it a little odd that the day after celebrating the Nativity of the Lord (when the liturgical color is white) we move right to talking about martyrdom (when the liturgical color is red). Yet, it makes sense. Jesus was born an infant to grow and live as a man, and to ultimately suffer on the Cross and be crucified for our sake. But, as people of faith know, the story doesn't end in death. It ends in Resurrection and in Christ being glorified. And so it is for the believer---when we in our lowly bodies will be raised up on the last day.
After or 4 weeks of Advent preparation (which btw, this was one of the longest Advent Seasons we could have, since Christmas fell on a Sunday we got 4 full weeks of Advent before the Christmas season began with Vigil Mass on Christmas eve) our Christmas celebrations have begun!
I haven't blogged since early October, so I feel like now that I have "downtime" on Christmas break I should write a little update.
Being a deacon is such a great gift! In Rome, I've had several opportunities to carry out my diaconal ministry---presiding over Morning/Evening Prayer during the Liturgy of the Hours, a couple times with the entire seminary community, each Tuesday with a group from my hallway during our "Grace sharing" nights and a couple times during Eucharistic Holy Hours with religious sisters in Rome. I've also preached a couple times at the NAC (my one time as a deacon in the main chapel at a community Liturgy, as well as a couple Saturday Masses in one of the seminary chapels), as well as preaching at my apostolate assignment at the US Navy Base in Naples. Going down to Naples once or twice a month for a weekend is the closest I get to being in an American parish, and I love every minute of it!
In the US seminarians study theology for 4 years to get a degree, usually a Masters of Divinity, but the Roman University system is a little different. After 3 years, one receives a bachelor's degree in theology [STB] in what's called "First Cycle". But since the US Bishops require 4 years of theology studies before ordination to priesthood, seminarians in Rome typically start a "second cycle" program that is two years (minimum, some are 2.5 or 3) of in depth study in a particular area. At the end of that program they write a thesis and do an oral/written comprehensive exam to obtain a Licentiate degree in Sacred Theology [STL]. (Some bishops will only send a seminarian for 1 of the 2 year Second Cycle program so that he will be assigned to a parish his first year of priesthood and not finishing a degree program). In October I began a program in Ignatian Spiritual Theology at the Gregorian (where I went for First Cycle). I really am enjoying my classes (Intro to Spirituality, Pedagogical Dimensions of Ignatian Spirituality, Light of Faith in the Life of the Believer, Theology of Spiritual Direction, History of Spirituality in 15/16th centuries and the Holy Spirit in the Spiritual Life), and I hope to by the end of the semester in 3 weeks have a proposed topic for my tesina (mini-thesis), and start working with a faculty member as my director...but for now it's a little riposo from studies and classes!
I am HOME for a little over two weeks for Christmas break, and I'll be doing a lot of diaconal ministry at IC Marlborough (I will also make some appearances at IC Stoughton)! I preached the Mass at Night on Christmas Eve (in English, Spanish and Portuguese!), and I will be preaching my first funeral this week. I'm trying to keep myself busy by visiting some of the homebound parishioners that I've visited the past two summers, trying to get to the retired religious sisters nursing home to visit, as well as do some other things with the parish. Next week in Stoughton I will get to do my first baptism, for a high school friend's son, as well as preach at my home parish during a weekend Mass!
Today is somewhat of a new personal feast day for me as it is the feast of the first martyr of the Christian faith, St. Stephen, deacon! As a deacon, St. Stephen should be a role model for me in how to carry out my diaconal ministry as a man conformed to Christ the Servant.
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| St. Stephen, Pray for us! |
So, to have the Feast of St. Stephen the day after Christmas calls our minds to the fact that Jesus fulfilled His promise, and St. Stephen has gained the crown of eternal life with Christ in glory in heaven for all eternity! And that will be fulfilled in us too, one day!
A blessed Christmas season to all, and to all a good Christmas! (Remember to keep your decorations up through the Epiphany...Christmas began yesterday it didn't end!)
Praised be Jesus Christ,
---Deacon Kevin
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