By Claudia McDonnell
Catholic New York
A spirit of gratitude and joy filled the Chapel of SS. Peter and Paul on March 25 as Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, marked the closing of its 125th anniversary year at a Mass.
“We’re all part of something beautiful: the Church, the communion of saints. It started at the Sea of Galilee. That was the first seminary, and Jesus was the first rector, forming his first priests, the Apostles,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who was the celebrant at the Mass.
The seminary, at which Bishop Dennis Sullivan studied for the priesthood, has a history that predates World War I.
“It has been the school for the priesthood for five generations,” said Bishop James Massa, seminary rector.
In a separate interview, Bishop Sullivan credited Saint Joseph’s, saying, “The seminary prepared me very well for ministry. It gave me a formation and discipline in the spiritual life, in theological life and in pastoral life.”
He added that the location is also significant. Whereas seminaries once tended to be located in rural areas, Saint Joseph’s proximity to New York City has offered cultural and educational benefits.
“It gives seminarians a real-world experience,” Bishop Sullivan said, explaining that young men often serve in homeless shelters or addiction facilities, which “give them a sensitivity to people who are suffering in that way, which will be helpful in their priestly ministries.”
Bishop Massa noted that the training of priests has developed over the years to meet changing times and needs.
“Priests do not exercise their ministry in isolation anymore,” he said. “They work with well-formed deacons, well-formed lay catechists and other parish leaders.”
He noted that the seminary is “blessed to have the participation of other dioceses.” Seminarians are now enrolled from the Archdiocese of New York and also from the dioceses of Brooklyn; Rockville Centre; Camden, N.J.; and Bridgeport, Conn.
One such seminarian is Timothy Mulranen, who is studying first theology for the Camden Diocese. “Serving the people of God in one of the biggest cities in America will help me serve the people of South Jersey in the urban, suburban and rural areas,” he said.
“For example, my apostolate this year is serving at the homeless shelter in the South Bronx. Driving from Yonkers to the South Bronx really helped me come out of my comfort zone to serve the people of God, which is important to get accustomed to if God wills for us to serve his people as priests. Seeing those who are homeless in a big city really gave me a clear understanding of the real struggles of the poor,” he said.
Thomas Piro of the Diocese of Camden is in his first year of studies at the seminary.
“It’s been very welcoming and very supportive of my vocation,” he said. “The faculty always has our backs and challenges us to be good Christian men and holy priests.” He added that the seminary leaders encourage “fraternity and spending time with each other in the chapel, in class and outside the seminary.”
Transitional Deacon Logan Nilsen, who is in his fourth year of theology and scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Camden in May, called Saint Joseph’s “an iconic seminary.”
“As you walk down the main hallway, the pictures of all the graduating classes are hanging up, and you immediately get the sense of the impact that Saint Joseph’s Seminary has over the Church in the United States. It has meant a great deal to me to be a part of the seminary community over these last four years.”
He added that Saint Joseph’s has strengthened his vocation “through the support, guidance and fatherly figures of the priests at the seminary, and in other assignments. … I have seen numerous examples of being a good father in the parish and have received the formation and teachings that, God willing, will help me to be a good priest as well.”
Catholic Star Herald staff reports contributed to this article.
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