CHERRY HILL – On the first Pentecost, the apostles, on fire with the Holy Spirit, carried the Gospel to all nations and “spoke of the mighty acts of God.” (Acts 2)
In these summer months of June and July, in a former convent off Kresson Road, the Diocese of Camden’s seminarians are learning to do the same to build up the Kingdom in South Jersey.
“The Spirit will light a fire in the hearts of these seminarians, [and in July] they will go out with missionary zeal to invite all to come to know Jesus,” said Father Joshua Nevitt, associate director of vocations.
Through communal living, prayer and service, the men are receiving formation in missionary discipleship and evangelization, a program initiated by Bishop Joseph Williams.
Seven of the Diocese’s nine seminarians are living in the former Saint Mary’s Convent, along with Father Nevitt.
Deacon Nickolas Naticchione, currently on summer assignment at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro, commutes to the house for formation, while the newly-ordained Fathers Timothy Mulranen and Thomas Piro are making their home there in June, before their first assignments begin July 1.
‘Needs of Our Time’
Bishop Williams began the program in South Jersey after leading a similar initiative in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. His desire was to “respond to the needs of our time” and engage a post-Christian culture that doesn’t know, or is resistant to, the Gospel message, Father Nevitt said.
Throughout June, Bishop Williams, along with the Brotherhood of Hope religious community from North Jersey, and Jimmy Spilker, regional initiatives coordinator for Young Life in Camden County, led morning workshops four days a week, aimed at intentionally cultivating in the men a life in the Holy Spirit.
The men are also assigned reading, such as “Rescued: The Unexpected and Extraordinary News of the Gospel,” by Father John Ricardo, and “Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled With the Fullness of God,” by Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, who served as preacher of the papal household for Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis.
Another focus is the Acts of the Apostles and the ministry of the first apostles.
Noting that today’s world is not unlike the days of these early Christians, Father Nevitt said that the seminarians, all “believers in Jesus … want to hear His will for their lives and follow where He leads.”
At the same time, these men have an awareness “that most of their generation, most of their friends from high school or college, or maybe their own families, don’t go to Church and aren’t disciples of Jesus.”
With this knowledge, the men “all have a desire to share their friendship [with Jesus], and invite others into that friendship.”
The morning workshops, thus, “are helping them put into words what they are feeling in their hearts,” as they capture the energy of the Spirit and discern where their missionary outreach should take them.
Work and Prayer
From Monday to Thursday, the seminarians are engaged in a structured schedule of communal prayer, learning, meals and fellowship.
The day begins at 7:45 a.m. with prayer, followed by 9:30-11:45 a.m. formation; noon Mass; lunch; afternoon time for assigned reading, and other house duties such as laundry and cleaning; 5 p.m. Holy Hour; 6 p.m. Evening Prayer. A communal homecooked dinner, courtesy of one of the seminarians, or a visiting priest, concludes the day.
There also has been time for fellowship outside the walls, such as an afternoon Phillies game. Fridays and Saturday mornings are for free time. Later Saturdays as well as Sunday mornings, the seminarians have been visiting parishes to share their testimonies of coming to know Jesus.
Cultivating the Soil
Where the men are living has historical roots when it comes to seminarian formation.
In summers during World War II, the Diocese of Camden’s seminarians lived in a large tool building on the farm property of Saint Mary’s Catholic Home, a residence for the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
Working the farm during the day, and following a regular schedule for spiritual activities, the men would later be paid a visit by the first Bishop of Camden, Bartholomew J. Eustace.
Surrounded by a farmhouse, fields, livestock and equipment, the seminarians would sit under the shaded trees as Bishop Eustace gave them instruction in religious matters, describes the book, “Building God’s Kingdom: A History of the Diocese of Camden.”
Today, the ninth Bishop of Camden is similarly instructing the men to “bear fruits for our parishes and the Diocese,” Father Nevitt said.
“By inviting the seminarians, Bishop Williams is investing now to change the future, so that in two, three, five or 10 years, when God willing, these men are priests, missionary discipleship is just what they’re going to do,” Father Nevitt said.
“It’ll be interesting to see what the Spirit tells us through these young men,” he added.
Receiving Grace
In August, the men will return to their respective seminaries. In these current days, though, they enjoy the present and remain hopeful for their future as missionary disciples.
Michael Leason, a seminary student at Saint Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y., said it has been “a real privilege to have Bishop Williams personally teach us about missionary work and about his missionary heart. We’re here doing the Lord’s work and receiving His grace. I’m excited to look forward to what, hopefully, I’ll be doing in the Diocese with a more evangelical spirit.”
In the propaedeutic stage of formation at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Kyle Palmieri has appreciated the comforting fraternity and spiritually enriching presentations that have been “preparing us for the mission work that we’ll soon be doing.”
“Every day, more and more, we’re getting prepared to be sent out. I feel a boost of confidence in the Holy Spirit to direct our steps,” he said.
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