A Seminarian’s View on the Historic Egyptian Revolution

By: Stephan Isaac
Seminarian, Pre-Theology I

While studying Political Science and International Studies at American University, I spent a semester abroad in Cairo, Egypt during the Fall of 2009. I continued my studies in Middle Eastern politics and Arabic at the American University of Cairo (AUC) and it was some of the best four months of my young life.

During my time there, I encountered so many Egyptians who were kind, compassionate, hospitable, and friendly. I can honestly say that I had no negative experiences with any of the Egyptians I met simply because I was an American or a Catholic Christian. I would also say with confident joy that I had truly recognized Christ in many of the Egyptians I met due to their generosity and warmth, and it was a wonderful experience! I couldn’t help but notice that the Egyptian people are so full of life and joy and like Americans, they truly desire genuine peace, freedom, and prosperity for their families and loved ones.

When the news broke in late January that the Egyptian people were rising up in massive numbers for the first time against the brutal authoritarian regime of Hosni Mubarak, my heart was hopeful because I had seen first hand in many ways how the regime abused and neglected its own people. One thing that fascinated me while I was there was that no matter who you talked to outside of AUC, Egyptians on the street would not openly discuss anything about domestic politics or the Mubarak regime, presumably out of fear of persecution and imprisonment. I was even scolded once by one of my Egyptian friends for publicly cracking a joke about Hosni Mubarak!

Egyptians outside of the confines of AUC would be so eager to talk about American, international, or Middle Eastern politics, but you would never hear them criticize Hosni Mubarak or discuss their country’s political situation in any open and meaningful way. Under Mubarak, there was absolutely no freedom of speech, especially political speech, in terms of publicly challenging or criticizing the regime in a serious manner. There was also a noticeable fear among the people of the Egyptian police force, which was essentially the “hammer-hand” of the Mubarak regime. Since 1981, the U.S. government and many international human rights groups have catalogued the many instances of unjust imprisonment, torture, and execution of hundreds of thousands of political prisoners and opponents of the regime.

My friends and I even witnessed an incident of police corruption on our way to a resort on the Mediterranean coast an hour west of Alexandria. While we were on our way to Porta Marina, the police stopped our van and demanded that our Egyptian driver and friend step out of the car and pay them over 200 Egyptian pounds (which is a lot of money in Egypt). They claimed that it was a travel fee, but our driver and friend said that there is no such thing in Egypt and told us it was simply an act of police corruption, which according to many of my Egyptian friends was rampant in the country under the Mubarak regime.

What was also sad is that I noticed that the Egyptian government and its police would treat foreign tourists much better than their own people! For example, we went with one of our Egyptian friends to a FIFA World Cup U20 match between Egypt and Costa Rica in downtown Cairo. The line of people trying to get into the stadium was immense. Our Egyptian friend told a police guard outside of the line that he had Americans with him. The police guard immediately shuffled us past hundreds of people, all Egyptians, in order to get into the stadium. Not only did the police bypass the hundreds of Egyptians waiting patiently in line to get us into the stadium, but once we entered, we were placed in “first-class” seating, which we didn’t even pay for! Given the vital relationship between the U.S. and Egypt at the time, it was in Egypt’s political interests to make sure Americans residing in and visiting Egypt were not only well-protected, but well-treated. It was frankly a very troubling experience for us Americans.

That’s why I was overjoyed when I heard the news that the Egyptian people were peacefully rising up against the Mubarak regime in massive numbers for the first time since the dictator assumed control of the country in 1981. It’s important for Americans to know that the Egyptian revolution of 2011 was not an “anti-American” or extreme Islamic revolution like the Iranian Revolution of 1979 which led to the taking of American hostages and the attack on the U.S. embassy in Tehran. Anyone watching the protests in Cairo saw that Egyptians were demonstrating peacefully for their God-given human rights, calling for an end to a brutal dictatorship, and demanding a pluralistic democracy. Unlike the regressive Iranian revolution of 1979, the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 was a progressive, democratic revolution, fueled by the products of modernity: Facebook, Twitter, and the use of cell phones. Muslims and Christians joined together in calling for fundamental democratic change; the protesters weren’t burning American flags or denouncing the U.S. or Israel, but rather courageously standing up for their God-given rights and for a new era of genuine freedom and justice for all. The 2011 Egyptian revolution was truly historic.

Due to my limited access to Facebook here at the Seminary, I tried my best to keep in touch with my Egyptian friends during the upheaval and to make sure they and their families were safe. One of my friends, a Coptic Christian, sent me a long Facebook message describing the revolution from her perspective. Here is an excerpt of what she wrote to me:

After just two weeks of battle, the voice of truth and love won! Young people who truly love this country decided that they will either live with dignity or die trying…Also, if you look at Tahrir [square], a different spirit was there...a spirit of selflessness, of honesty, of generosity, of purity, of sacrificial love…It’s otherwise known as the Holy Spirit…What a battle it was! A very fierce spiritual battle! But the Egyptian people didn’t give in to Satan’s lies such as fanaticism (the divide between Muslims and Christians)…or even despair! Today, Egypt is being cleaned up. Corrupt officials are constantly being taken to court…and the Egyptian youth have been doing all they can to build this country (by cleaning up, packing food for underprivileged families, donating, etc.) It’s really beautiful here!

It is my hopeful prayer that the world’s most populous Arab country will one day become the most populous Arab democracy, built on justice, prosperity, and authentic freedom. I pray that the Egyptian people will forge a government that respects the basic human rights of all Egyptians, Muslim and Christian, and pursues peaceful and productive relations with all nation-states. Tyranny should never replace tyranny in times of political upheaval and given the oppressive nature of Egypt’s political history, it’s difficult to foresee the Egyptian people freely and deliberately replacing one repressive regime with another sometime in the future.

What DO seminarians do during Christmas break?

By: Kevin Lonergan
Seminarian, First Theology

Kevin Lonergan next to Msgr. O'Connor in the back

Exams are finished; papers are written, and the car is facing the gate; but when seminarians arrive home, what do they do to occupy their time? Well, for most seminarians it is often one of the busiest times of the year! In between catching up with friends and family, many seminarians are put to work in their parishes helping to set up for the Christmas masses.

Everyone knows that churches fill up every Christmas season, and so having an extra set of hands around to help is often a great relief for pastors. But it is very important for seminarians to have a restful break and have time to relax before beginning the second semester.

This year I was fortunate enough to be invited by my pastor Msgr. O’Connor and Director of A.C.T.I.O.N. Youth Group Director Ms Debbie Walker to a performance of “The Christmas Miracle” in Lancaster Pennsylvania with the A.C.T.I.O.N youth group of Mahanoy City. There, we saw the Sights and Sounds Production of the birth of Christ in musical form, complete with live animals and special effects. It was a marvelous rendition of the Nativity story.


While staying busy at the parish and catching up with friends it is still crucial for all seminarians to have some good relaxation in order to enter into the second semester refreshed!

It’s Time to Prove I’m Competent!

By: Orlando Aso
Seminarian, Third Theology



It’s twelve noon on Wednesday, the 22nd of December, and exams are thankfully over, the Fall semester has officially ended, and now it’s time to depart from beloved Mother Overbrook for three weeks in order to enjoy Christmas at home with my family in Bethlehem. Christmas break is very much the ideal time to ‘chillax’ (chill out + relax), reconnect with friends, indulge in home-cooked meals, and of course to celebrate the birth of our Lord. But as a Third Theologian at St. Charles Seminary, it is also an important time to prepare for the infamous Competency Exam.



Orlando Aso receiving Candidacy
at St. Charles Seminary November 4, 2010



The Competency Exam is an ‘exciting’ two-day long test which awaits me after Christmas break. It is for all intensive purposes, the Minotaur…the Darth Vader…the Mike Tyson in the room that stands between me and being ordained a deacon and priest. The purpose of the exam is to prove that I have a reasonable understanding of what I have learned about Christ and the Catholic Faith over the past three years and that I am able to apply this knowledge in a PASTORAL way. In other words, the Seminary isn’t simply looking for future priests who can quote from the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas from the top of their heads, translate the New Testament from Greek into English, or be able to recite all liturgical prayers in Latin. While all these abilities are impressive in themselves, the most important things is to determine whether I as a future deacon and priest can use this theological knowledge to help save souls. The bottom line is always about the salvation of souls.

And in order to help the people of God reach heaven, I must be proficient in my knowledge of four major disciplines: Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, and Pastoral Theology. With regard to Sacred Scripture, the great Church Father St. Jerome was fond of saying, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Building upon the foundation of Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theologians like St. Thomas Aquinas attempt to formulate an orderly, rational and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs. The Apostles Creed, for example, is a brief and systematic summary of the essential tenets of our Catholic Faith. Moral Theology focuses on how one should live out their faith and covers the areas of virtue, social justice, and medical and sexual ethics. And Pastoral Theology attempts to bring all of these disciplines together in a way that can be applied in a practical way to the everyday life of the people of God, particularly through the preparation of the Sunday homily.

The task of passing this exam may seem daunting, but thankfully, there is also a complementary Study Guide that has been refined, enhanced, and passed down from one generation of Third Theologians to the next. Tradition is a vital part of our Catholic Faith, and fortunately for me, in more ways than one. Merry Christmas!

Inter-Seminary seminar

By: Joseph Ganser
Seminarian, Third Theology

During the fall semester each year the seminarians from St. Charles have a great opportunity. In order to help us apply what we’ve been learning in our theology classes the seminary takes part in an ecumenical discussion group with the divinity schools located in the Philadelphia area. This class is the longest running ecumenical group in the country and this year contains representatives from three seminaries; St. Charles Borromeo, Palmer Theological Seminary (Baptist/ non-denominational), and Lutheran Theological Seminary. The course is open to four men (or women) from each school. This year the Diocese of Allentown has been represented by myself and my classmate, Rick James.

This has been a great class but it is unique. Instead of tests and traditional school work each year we choose some topic relating to the Christian faith. The topic for this year has been Baptism and Life in Christ. Every student in the class writes a paper about this topic and each week as we gather at a different school we read some of the papers to discuss how it relates to our faith tradition and to the ways in which we feel called to serve. During the weekly meetings we also have an opportunity to take part in an ecumenical worship service conducted by the host school and to share a fellowship hour over dinner.

Since the participating schools represent such a wide range of traditions the meetings have been very interesting. While always respectful the class has talked about some controversial topics such as grace, salvation, women’s ordination and church membership. Though there are areas in which we disagree with our brother and sister Christians it has been a wonderful thing to see how much we hold in common. Though not a typical seminary course this seminar has been a blessing in many ways. It allows us to learn more about the traditions of the many Christian traditions and it helps us to understand our own tradition in a deeper way. But most of all it helps us understand the importance of unity for all Christians and gives us a desire to work and to pray towards this end. For anyone interested in ecumenism or about deepening their own faith this class is a wonderful experience that is fondly remembered by all who take it. And hopefully what we learn will continue to form and direct our ministry for years to come.

40 Hours Devotions and St. Charles Day

By: Rick James
Seminarian, Third Theology


Forty Hours in
St. Martin Chapel, 2010

Since the 1840’s, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary has been celebrating Forty Hours Eucharistic devotions every year. This great celebration begins every year on the Solemnity of All Saints. For three days the seminary community is blessed with extended adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This cheerful and solemn time is both looked forward to as well as remembered throughout the years. Nobody who has studied at St. Charles would be able to forget the unique and holy experience. Many priests, some ordained for decades, are filled with happy memories of St. Charles Forty Hours—many of them consider their happiest memory of their time at the Seminary.

The Rector, Fr. Shaun Mahoney celebrates mass for
the community on the 3rd day of 40 Hours celebration

 St. Charles has been long known for its splendid celebration of liturgy. There is much careful planning by the ceremonies crew, masters of ceremonies, sacristans, musicians/choir and the priests to make Forty Hours a memorable and prayerful experience.


Dan Kravatz, 1st Theology
getting ready at Mass

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered with high solemnity, expressing the great splendor and beauty of the Roman Rite—all of which witness to the greater glory of God Himself, and His presence with us in the Blessed Sacrament.

Fr. Bongard celebrates Mass
on All Saints Day

 The seminary’s celebration of Forty Hours begins on November 1st (All Saints Day). At the very beginning of this sacred time at the seminary, we invoke the intercession of all the saints; to pray for us that we too may gaze upon our Heavenly Father’s face. Father Joseph Bongard was the principal celebrant and homilist. He asked us in his homily to reflect deeply on the words in the Canon of the Mass “For ourselves, too, we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs, with John the Baptist and Stephen”— to share in that same communion with these great saints who gave their entire lives for Christ. To add greater solemnity to the day, the Seminary’s treasury of relics of various saints was displayed on the St. Joseph altar for public veneration. At the end of Mass the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and remains so until the closing of Forty Hours. For the next three days, anyone is able to visit the Blessed Sacrament at any hour of the day or night.

[Panis Angelicus Video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SkdKniABZg {Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following All Saints Day mass opens this years Forty Hours Celebration}
 

At Vespers, Bishop Daniel Thomas
offers benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

  That Evening Bishop Daniel Thomas, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, led the celebration of Vespers and gave Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. [Magnificat Video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdXrw2FnxeU {The chanting of the Magnificat at Vespers on All Saints Day}



James Harper at the Organ
on All Souls Day



Mass on All Souls Day

 

The 2nd day of Forty Hours is All Souls day. Rather than the pomp and loud hymns of previous day, the Holy Mass begins with the ancient introit: “Réquiem aetérnam dona eis, Dómine, et lux perpétua lúceat eis.” (Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them). The singing of this chant unites us in prayer for the souls that have gone on before us, and remind us of our own place in our journey to eternity.




Fr. Mahoney offers Mass
on the feast of St. Martin De Porres

 

The final day of our Forty Hours devotions falls on the memorial of St. Martin de Porres. Our Rector, Father Shaun Mahoney was the principle celebrant and homilist. In his homily, he recalled St. Martin's devotion and unswerving love for his sick brethren. He then called the seminary community to consider what God reveals to us in the physical and spiritual suffering and sickness of humanity. Following the homily, Father Mahoney invited the whole community to pray for the seminarians and faculty who are currently afflicted with serious illness—and there was a celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for the seriously ill at the seminary. 



The Eucharistic procession moves into
Immaculate Conception Chapel



 The closing of Forty Hours falls on the eve of the Patronal Feast of the Seminary— St. Charles Borromeo. At the end of the chanting of Vespers, the high point of the celebration of Forty Hours concludes with the solemn procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the whole assembly from St. Martin's Chapel to Immaculate Conception Chapel for Benediction. The seminary community led by the cross and candles processes while the rector, bearing the Holy of Holies in the Monstrance follows— all the while being incensed and reverenced by the ringing of bells and chanting of St. Thomas Aquinas' great Eucharist Hymn, Pange Lingua.

[Procession Video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHKgWm154vM {A clip of the procession as it moves through the campus of St. Charles Seminary}



The Closing of Forty Hours
in Immaculate Conception Chapel

 

Upon the entire assembly's arrival in Immaculate Conception Chapel, the conclusion of that great hymn of St. Thomas is sung: “Tantum ergo Sacraméntum..”. Finally benediction with the Blessed Sacrament is given to all assembled and the annual celebration of Forty Hours concludes. [Tantum Ergo Video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzorpzznFbw {Incensation Hymn at Benediction of the closing of Forty Hour}

  


Cardinal Rigali offers
St. Charles Day Mass

 


The next day, The Feast of St. Charles Borromeo is celebrated with much joy by the community. The Archbishop of Philadelphia, Justin Cardinal Rigali, offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with the entire community—and also presides over the Rite of Admission of the men in the 1st year of Theology to Candidacy for Holy Orders.



Dan Kravats and Mark Searles
listen to the readings at mass

 

Three men from the Diocese of Allentown received the call to Candidacy by Bishop John O. Barres, and officially expressed their intention to prepare for and receive Holy Orders before Cardinal Rigali this year: Dan Kravatz of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish- Reading, Mark Searles of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish- Easton, and Kevin Lonergan of St. Patrick Parish- Pottsville. [Picture 11] {Kevin Lonergan chants the Responsorial Psalm} During this Feast Day mass, these men express their resolution to prepare themselves in mind and spirit to give their lives in faithful witness to Christ. The whole community is invited to pray for them, that God's work may be brought to completion in the Holy Spirit.

To the right, Allentown Priests Msgr. Stephen Radocha, and Fathers Andrew Gehringer, Joel Kiefer, Gene Ritz concelebrate on St. Charles Day, and visit with the seminarians receiving candidacy from their parishes.

During the feast day, the much awaited 'Upper-side/Lower-side' football game is played. All the sems displayed great eagerness and resolve to play despite the rain—in fact, they even seemed more excited than if it were sunny! In a wet and muddy field, both teams gave it their all— at the end, covered in mud as they were— the theologate (upper-side) was victorious!




View of the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours

 

Following Solemn Vespers, the community came together for a wonderful dinner-- truly engaging the great feast day. As always this was a blessed time of the year. A holy and enjoyable time to pray, rest, and celebrate the great gift of our Lord in the Eucharist—as well as His presence here at the Seminary.





Experience of Cassock Day

By: Daniel C. Lisella
Seminarian, First College

Picture in your mind you are a 5 year old whose birthday it is and your parents are going to throw you a surprise party. All the relatives come early and hide in the house while you are out with one of your parents. You show up late at the house tired from a long birthday morning with your mom and grandparents. You walk into the house completely unaware of what is about to happen. All of a sudden people come out from everywhere, friends and family, shouting “Surprise!” hugging you and kissing you and picking you up. That is what Cassock Day at St. Charles Seminary feels like since that happened to me at my 5th birthday party.

I cannot tell too much of the story for the New Men who will be attending St. Charles next year will probably read this. All I can say is, it will be a day I will never forget for the rest of my life. How great I feel that God has called me to serve his people and give me such an opportunity to be with family and spend time with my new brothers of the St. Charles community. I woke up tired that morning because of the excitement I knew was coming the next day. We had Morning Prayer in the morning followed by the blessing of the cassocks. Following the blessing, mass was held, and it was the most special mass I have ever seen in my entire life because it was God’s gift to us that day. Sharing the fellowship of fraternity with our brothers and the resident priests was the best part of the morning. In the afternoon, our families and friends came to share the day with us by giving them a day in the life of our community explaining what we do and walking around to various points of the Seminary. I didn’t expect this, but I had two of my teachers show up from my high school to visit me that day which was probably a gift from God showing me how much I am appreciated by others for what I do. Vespers was said in the evening followed by going out and share fellowship with all of our families and friends since we haven’t seen them in a while.

There are many more events I could describe from that day, but the other events that did take place I cannot use words for. They have touched me in so many ways I cannot begin to describe. I will quote my Rector Fr. Mahoney from what he heard “…it is not about the touch that you take, rather about the touch you give.” To all of you I wish you many blessing and happiness from our Lord and to the New Men who are discerning their vocation for the Diocese of Allentown you are being prayed for everyday. I hope that one day you will join me along with my other brother seminarians at St. Charles and share in this fellowship that, God willing, you will feel the same. Finally, may Christ be with all of you and please continue to pray that more young people discern their vocation to the priesthood or religious life. God bless you!

Deacon Stokes Preaching at the Seminary

By: Deacon Jason Stokes
Seminarian, Fourth Theology

Today is October 21 – we are half-way through the fall semester of the 2010-2011 academic year, or if you are on a quarter system – it is roughly the end of the first quarter.


This is a good time to sit back and take stock of where we are in the school year. What is it we are trying to accomplish in school this year? What is the goal?

If you ask 100 people that question I would bet that at least 80 people would answer – to gain knowledge.

Yet what is it that St. Paul tells the Ephesians? He says that the love of Christ surpasses all knowledge – this is what truly satisfies us.

Paul is praying to God the Father for the Ephesians pleading that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith and that they be rooted in and grounded in love.

This prayer of Paul is paralleled by Jesus proclaiming in the Gospel: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

To a non-Christian this might seem a little problematic – is this god of the Christians some type of pyromaniac?

What is it that Christ wants to burn the earth with?

The answer is quite easy – he wants to burn the earth with his love.

He offers us this love, but not everyone accepts it – and this is what Christ so very much desires, yet he will not force it upon us – he will love us no matter what, but he will not make us love him in return.

Jesus goes on to say that he must undergo a baptism, and he will anguish until this baptism is complete.

The baptism Christ is speaking of is his crucifixion. He knows the pain he will endure in his Passion and Death.

Yet he is willing to do it so that he may set the world ablaze – the wood of the cross will become the kindling to set the world on fire with his love.

Look at the Cross – what do you see? One word should jump out at you from the Cross – LOVE! Christ gave himself for you and for me because he loves us – he died out of love for us.

Christ loved me enough to die for me, what must I do in return? The answer is the same as the one as the word jumping out at us from the Cross – LOVE. Our response to the love of Christ must be love. Love for him and love for each other.

St. Paul of the Cross, whose feast we celebrated yesterday wrote the following: “It is very good and holy to consider the passion of our Lord and to meditate on it, for by this sacred path we reach union with God… Be constant in practicing every virtue and especially imitating our dear Lord, for that is the summit of pure love… When you become true lovers of the Crucified you will always celebrate the feast of the cross in the inner temple of the soul.”

My brothers and sisters, we must immerse ourselves in the cross of our Lord. We must attempt to realize the great love our Lord has for each of us in his willingness to die for us.

Jesus loves you, and if you were the only person on earth, he would still have died for you. You are so very precious to our God. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. Never forget this.

This love gives us our true satisfaction – it is what fills us and fulfills us.

Therefore, let us always recognize the love our Lord has for each of us and then let us respond with love; love for God and for each other.