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At the Institute, the feast of Saint Francis de Sales (January 29) is celebrated annually with great joy and filial affection for our holy patron, the “Doctor of Charity.” Last year, for example, the feast was marked by an Institute pilgrimage to Treviso, accompanied by Cardinal Burke, to venerate the relic heart of Saint Francis de Sales.

This year, our joy in celebrating this patronal feast was further elevated by the ordination to the diaconate of two seminarians, Abbé Sébastien Goupil and Abbé Louis Valadier. The traditional rite of Ordination was conferred by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Luciano Giovannetti, Bishop Emeritus of Fiesole, in the International Seminary’s Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

Before First Vespers the previous evening, the Prior General, Monsignor Wach, conferred the Cross of St. Francis de Sales upon the future deacons and received them into the Institute with the rite of incardination. On the day of the feast, the same chapel was the setting for the Solemn Pontifical Mass of Ordination celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Giovannetti. A special visitor from the Vatican,Monsignor Marco Agostini, one of the Papal Masters of Ceremonies, was present for the occasion. With many family members, friends, and supporters of the Institute witnessing this grace-filled milestone for the Seminary, two new deacons of the Church emerged from the ancient ceremony.  They are now only one step away from the sacred priesthood.

Throughout their arduous road to the priesthood, seminarians of the Institute are inspired by the holy example of St. Francis de Sales to become ever more united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was most appropriate that the final part of their journey towards the sacred priesthood should begin with the patronage of the Holy Doctor on his feast day. May Saint Francis de Sales intercede for these two young deacons, that they may be faithful servants of the Church according to the spirit and mission which the Institute has received.

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The celebration of American Thanksgiving has become a yearly tradition at the International Seminary in Gricigliano, which now numbers twenty American vocations. Those with culinary talent carefully prepare traditional Thanksgiving dishes for the delight of all the seminarians, as well as the seminary professors and visiting guests who are also invited. The seminarians decorate the refectory and place a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States, in a special place of honor.

At the start of the soirée, Reverend Canon Philippe Mora, Seminary Rector, gave an insightful discourse (see below) explaining the reasons for the celebration. Afterwards, Canon Mora carved the large turkeys with the assistance of Canon Paul Antoine Lefebvre, Seminary Vice-Rector, and Canon Jason Apple, Prefect of the Seminarians in the Spirituality Year. This year the seminary received a gift of new Beaujolais wine from France which went along very well with the turkey—a successful French-American duo! The homemade pumpkin pie was also popular. The talented seminarian cooks well merited the grateful applause of all present!

Discourse of Reverend Canon Mora, Seminary Rector

On this beautiful day of Thanksgiving, please permit me, in the name of your superiors and of the community, to say to each of you how happy we are for the occasion of this feast to manifest concretely the Catholic and Roman spirit that characterizes our dear Institute.

Beyond the presence of the different nationalities at the seminary, we would like to underline what we have heard Cardinal Pie so magistrally remind us : the traditions and customs of our nations and countries are the precious stones of the Holy Church ; they are her ornament, because they are the fruits of Christendom.

The Holy Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, knows how to adopt as her own all that, in our fallen humanity, can be ennobled by the grace that her Saviour communicates to her.

Contrary to the insinuations of her enemies, the Holy Church destroys nothing that is true and beautiful in the customs of the peoples whom she converts to Our Lord, but rather brings everything into conformity with the message of her divine Master.

This truth opens for us great horizons for the exercise of true charity, which is so foreign to all that is coarse and narrow, contrary to the spirit of sects which are always so eager to condemn and thus to divide. No, it is precisely the true unity in diversity of which only the Catholic is truly capable which fills us with joy this evening ! The Seminary Rule reminds us of this truth  : « They shall make every effort to manifest for everyone the same esteem and devotion, especially during times of recreation and during outings. They shall always think above all of what unites them more than of what separates them.  May they never forget that the memories of the years of seminary spent in a holy mutual charity, inspired by the gift of piety and the virtue of justice, will give to their whole priestly life an inestimable boon : "O quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum !" (Ps. CXXXII, 1.)

Let us, then, give thanks to God on this beautiful Thanksgiving! And let us assure our American confreres, who edify us by their character and their generosity, of our sincere and fraternal prayers.

Deo gratias! God bless America!

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On Monday, July 4, ten first-year seminarians (including five Americans) and one oblate received the cassock from the Institute’s Prior General, Monsignor Gilles Wach in the beautiful Florentine Church of Saints Michael and Gaetano. They were tonsured on July 5 by the Most Reverend Luciano Giovanetti, Bishop Emeritus of Fiesole, who also conferred the various Minor Orders of Porter, Lector, Exorcist, and Acolyte, to over forty other seminarians in the Seminary Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

On the following day, the Most Reverend Athanasius Schneider, ORC, Auxiliary Bishop in Astana, Kazakhstan, ordained two deacons and nine subdeacons at a Pontifical Mass in the Church of Saints Michael and Gaetano.

On Thursday, July 7, His Eminence, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, celebrated the Votive Mass of Our Lord Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest for the first Thursday of the month and ordained four priests — Canon Federico Pozza (Italy), Canon Matthieu Thermed (France), Canon Brieuc de la Brosse (France), and Canon Bertrand Bergerot (France).

That same evening, the Most Reverend Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence, offered Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with Te Deum in the seminary chapel of Gricigliano. His Eminence, Cardinal Burke assisted at this solemn Liturgy, which was followed by a festive dinner on the seminary terrace and fireworks display offered in joyful thanksgiving for all of the graces received.

The next day, each of the newly ordained priests offered his First Mass.

Hundreds of faithful and friends of the Institute from many European countries as well as from the United States attended the Liturgies of this week of Ordinations.

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In the International Seminary’s Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, January 30, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, ordained three men to the holy diaconate: two from France and one from Spain. One of the newly-ordained deacons will serve in the Institute’s growing apostolates in Ireland.

Many friends and supporters of the Institute came to the seminary in Gricigliano for this beautiful Pontifical High Mass of Ordination in the seminary chapel. May Saint Francis de Sales intercede for these three young deacons, that they may be faithful servants of the Church according to the spirit and mission which the Institute has received.

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On January 29, feast of Saint Francis de Sales, Institute superiors, canons, and seminarians, as well as the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus, made a pilgrimage to Treviso, Italy, where the heart of Saint Francis de Sales is enshrined and venerated in a beautiful side altar of the convent church of the Visitation Sisters. This Salesian pilgrimage, which has become an annual tradition, was honored by the special presence of His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

His Eminence celebrated a solemn Pontifical Mass in honor of the Doctor of Divine Charity. The very gracious and hospitable Visitation Sisters assisted from their cloistered choir stalls. In the late afternoon, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was offered, after which the holy relic was presented to the clergy, sisters, and faithful for pious veneration.

This grace-filled pilgrimage was a very fitting preparation for the following day, when His Eminence, Cardinal Burke, was to ordain three Institute seminarians to the holy diaconate in the seminary chapel of Gricigliano.

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The month of November is a busy time at the International Seminary in Gricigliano.

It’s time for the olive harvest. Appreciating and cultivating the beautiful land that Divine Providence has entrusted to us is an essential part of seminary life. With 800 olive trees on the grounds, the harvest translates into two weeks of work. Classes are suspended, and the seminarians spend the days, rain or shine, in the magnificent Tuscan countryside. The olive harvest is an important community exercise, especially for the first-year seminarians, who after these two weeks find themselves much more incorporated into the community.

Another festive event in November is Thanksgiving in Gricigliano—an American holiday gone international! For many years now, the superiors of the Institute have invited the American seminarians in Gricigliano to bring Thanksgiving to the Tuscan hills which have just seen the end of a bountiful olive harvest. This tradition from across the Atlantic is observed with enthusiasm. The many American seminarians prepare the traditional dinner: roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, all served in a dining room decorated with American flags and a statue of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States as well as the Institute!

The two enormous turkeys, roasted to perfection, are carried by the American seminarians in procession, and the superiors do the honors in carving the birds. Priests, seminarians and guests enjoy a delightful evening to the tune of traditional American song. The entire community gives thanks to Almighty God for benefits received throughout the year, and the Americans take this opportunity to thank Monsignor Wach and the other superiors for their fatherly care so far away from home.

Indeed, the International Seminary is a family and a home away from home for many seminarians who come from all corners of the world. With diligence, perseverance and sacrifice, each young man is answering the call to the holy priesthood. At this time of the year, we invite all faithful to remember the International Seminary and individual seminarians through prayer and financial support.

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On Monday, June 28, 2010, twelve first-year seminarians received their cassock from Monsignor Gilles Wach, Founder and Prior General, at the magnificent Chiesa dei Santi Michele e Gaetano in Florence. They were tonsured on June 29, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, by the Most Reverend Athanasius Schneider, ORC, Auxiliary Bishop in Kazakhstan, in the seminary chapel of the Immaculate Conception in Gricigliano. Bishop Schneider also conferred the Minor Orders of Porter, Lector, Exorcist, and Acolyte, the same day to over forty young men. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Bishop of Oakland, California, ordained a deacon and several subdeacons on Wednesday, June 30.

On Thursday, July 1, Feast of the Most Precious Blood, the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, ordained three priests — Canon Aaron Huberfeld (Danbury, Connecticut), Canon Michael Stein (Washington DC area), and Canon Antoine Boucheron (Le Mans, France). That same evening, the Most Reverend Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence, offered Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with Te Deum in the seminary chapel of Gricigliano. Archbishop Burke, Bishop Cordileone, and Bishop Schneider assisted at this solemn Liturgy, which was followed by a festive dinner on the seminary terrace and a fireworks display sponsored by various benefactors.

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Holy Week is the high point of the Liturgical life of the seminary. This year Reverend Father de Robien OSB, a monk of the Benedictine Abbey Notre Dame de Randol, celebrated the solemn Palm Sunday Liturgy and preached a spiritual retreat for the seminarians. The blessed olive branches were cut from the olive tree groves on the seminary grounds, the liturgical rubrics allowing for the blessing of olive branches on Palm Sunday in those regions where olive trees are common.

Matins and Lauds are sung daily during the Triduum. The solemn Liturgy In Coena Domini on Holy Thursday was offered by Very Reverend Monsignor Wach, Founder and Prior General. The Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord was celebrated by Canon Wulfran Lebocq, second Vice-Rector and seminary Choirmaster. Canon Karl Lenhardt, seminary spiritual director, was the celebrant of the Easter Vigil. Monsignor Wach offered the Solemn High Mass on Easter Sunday, and Reverend Canon Philippe Mora, seminary rector, presided at Solemn Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

In accordance with the Benedictine spirit of hospitality, many faithful and friends of the Institute are welcomed each year in Gricigliano for the Triduum and Easter.

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During the month of March the Institute celebrated the feast days of two holy patrons: St. Thomas Aquinas on March 8 and St. Benedict on March 22 (transferred this year from March 7 and March 21 respectively).

On the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Luciano Giovannetti, Bishop emeritus of the neighboring diocese of Fiesole, offered a Pontifical High Mass in the seminary chapel. Very Reverend Monsignor Gilles Wach, Founder and Prior General, offered a Solemn High Mass for the feast of Saint Benedict, and Reverend Canon Philippe Mora, seminary rector, presided over Solemn Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Following in the tradition of St. Benedict, in which the Liturgy of the canonical Hours has the central place in daily life, canons and oblates of the Institute pray in common certain Hours of the Divine Office each day, wearing the choir habit they have received by the Church. First year seminarians who have not yet received the cassock and sacred tonsure wear the blue cape over their civil clothing when they have a place in the choir during the Liturgy.

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On January 21, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Robert Finn, Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph (in which the Institute’s Old Saint Patrick’s Oratory is located) visited the international seminary in Gricigliano.

His Excellency was given a complete tour of the seminary buildings and grounds, including the various classrooms as well as the original Martelli chapel dating from the Baroque period. Afterwards a special luncheon was served in his honor. Bishop Finn expressed his joy to see the large and ever-increasing numbers of American seminarians.

His Excellency then visited the convent of the Sisters Adorers which is located a couple of miles from the seminary. There he celebrated Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the chapel and offered to the Sisters a spiritual exhortation and his paternal blessing.

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