By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily May 5, 2021, at the commencement exercises for St. John Vianney College Seminary’s class of 2021.
“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Such was the assertion of the party of the Pharisees within the early Church. And as we heard in tonight’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, this opinion caused no little dissension and debate; ultimately, it led to Paul and Barnabas going to Jerusalem to the “apostles and presbyters” where, in what was the Church’s first council, it was settled, with Paul and Barnabas’ teaching being vindicated. Circumcision was not necessary for salvation, only faith in Jesus Christ was.
Perhaps that the question was resolved in this way brings a certain sense of relief to some of you. In any case, those events recounted in the Acts of the Apostles show us that there has always been within the Church, founded by Christ, to save imperfect and flawed human beings, namely us sinners, debate, differences of opinion, and even at times dissension. Ultimately the unity of the Church does not depend on us always thinking alike, looking alike or speaking alike. Unity should not be confused with uniformity: We do not have to sing always in unison, but we should always sing in harmony.
Thus, the unity of the Church — the work of the Holy Spirit and not merely of men— does not depend on a forced uniformity but, as the Gospel suggests, on our remaining attached to Christ, like branches to a vine. “Christianity was not born from a myth or an idea but with an encounter: from meeting Jesus of Nazareth, the Risen Christ.” (Pope Benedict XVI) Jesus tells us: Remain in me as I remain in you. And, if we remain in him, we will bear much fruit — but as Jesus also indicates, not without some pruning (just not the kind of pruning those Pharisees were advocating).
By these words of Jesus, “remain in me,” seem particularly apt for a commencement. When I was a seminarian here — quite a while ago — the rector would bid us farewell as we left for the summer by telling us: “Remember there is no vacation from a vocation.”
Of course, tonight, we recognize the academic achievements of our graduates. However, your time, whether here at St. John Vianney or at Redemptoris Mater, has never been solely about academics. As you have heard many times, your formation is built on four pillars: intellectual, human, spiritual and pastoral. As Pope Francis once told a group of priests he ordained: Seminary formation is not about producing good academics, or good professors, but good priests who have learned to carry the Cross of Christ.
For the past year and a half, carrying that Cross also meant dealing with a pandemic — and not just with the inconveniences it may have caused you, or the fears and uncertainties we had to endure “in our bubbles,” but also with the pain of the loss of loved ones. This seminary community still mourns the death of Deacon (Carlos) Garcia who was attending to his seminary duties by text till the evening of his passing.
“Remain in me as I remain in you.” The main core of your studies has been in Philosophy. Philosophy has been called many things — not all complimentary to be sure. But hopefully your courses have given you insight into the “lived wisdom” of the ages and have equipped you now to engage that wisdom that spoke through the prophets and through the Word Incarnate in your future studies in theology.
To be a missionary to the people of our times, as Paul and Barnabas were to the people of their times, requires rigorous preparation in any number of disciplines. We need to grow in our understanding of the joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties of the people of our times; we need to acquire competencies and skills to engage the world of today in dialogue. (And you cannot dialogue with someone if you cannot speak their language — which is why we give such an emphasis of your learning both English and Spanish.)
But, whether all of you will continue in your discernment for the priesthood at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, we pray that your days here at St. John Vianney — with the integration of the four pillars of priestly formation into your own lives — has helped you grow in your relationship to Christ. “Remain in me as I remain in you.” Only to the extent that we are committed disciples can we be effective missionaries and witnesses of the Lord.
On the day of your ordinations, God willing, your names will be called and when called you will answer “present”. In this way you express your willingness to put yourself at the disposal of the Lord who “died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him...” (cf. IV Eucharistic Prayer, II Cor. 5: 15)
But until then, your continued formation helps prepare for that day — and for your generous response of saying, “Adsum,” present.
Our priests respond “present” each day, and in so many ways, through their ministry to the people of God. Diocesan priests are ordained to be pastors of souls — and so to work in seminary formation is for these men a real sacrifice, a sacrifice they make joyfully for the sake of Christ and his Church. I want to thank these priests that serve here at St. John Vianney — Father Joseph Kottayil, Father Jorge Perales, Father Daniel Martin and all the faculty as well.
A special thank you to Father Matias Hualpa, who returns to parish work as a pastor. And very special thanks to Father Ferdi Santos for his four years as rector. After a short break he will continue in seminary formation. I have often said that dealing with priests is sometimes like trying to herd cats. Father Santos could tell you that is also true about seminarians — and faculty.
Thank you, Father Santos, for a job well done, especially during a particularly stressful time of a global health crisis caused by a very contagious virus. During his tenure, the seminary got a new refectory, a new roof on the chapel, a new platform for online degrees in philosophy and theology. The seminary also worked to become an accredited language school (important for those who need visas). Yet, in dealing with all these details of administration, Father witnessed to the primacy of prayer in the life of a priest. His rector conferences should continue to be an itinerary to follow as you seek to be fruitful in your future ministry by remaining in Christ as Christ remains in you.
As Paul and Barnabas were able to deal with the dissension and debates they experienced in the early Church, may we approach the controversies of our day with serenity, remembering Jesus’ words: Remain in me.
The Cure d’Ars who is the patron of this seminary often gave this advice to those who sought his counsel: Do only what can be offered to the Lord. St. John Vianney, pray for us!
