Article Published

Article_forming-39missionary-disciples39

Homilies | Thursday, October 19, 2017

Forming 'missionary disciples'

Archbishop Wenski's homily at St. John Vianney Seminary

Father Ferdinand Santos pronounces the oath of office during his installation as rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami Oct. 19. He takes over from Msgr. Roberto Garza, now director of the archdiocesan radio station, Radio Paz 830 AM. Father Santos comes from Cubao, Philippines, and has been on the faculty of St. John Vianney since August 2007.

Photographer: COURTESY | Sr. Elizabeth Worley

Father Ferdinand Santos pronounces the oath of office during his installation as rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami Oct. 19. He takes over from Msgr. Roberto Garza, now director of the archdiocesan radio station, Radio Paz 830 AM. Father Santos comes from Cubao, Philippines, and has been on the faculty of St. John Vianney since August 2007.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrates the Mass of the Holy Spirit, asking God for wisdom as the school year begins, Oct. 19 at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.

Photographer: COURTESY | Sr. Elizabeth Worley

Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrates the Mass of the Holy Spirit, asking God for wisdom as the school year begins, Oct. 19 at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily at a Mass in St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami on Oct. 19, 2017, where he also installed Father Ferdinand Santos as the seminary's new rector.

Pope Francis frequently talks about “missionary disciples”. He constantly reminds us pastors of the need to form “missionary disciples”, not only among the clergy but also among all the People of God. “Missionary disciples”, he tells us, are not turned in on themselves - a “self referential” Church; rather they look outward - and with apostolic courage and passion - they are not afraid of being bruised, not afraid of making mistakes, not afraid of acquiring the stench of the sheep whom they encounter on the existential peripheries of our post-modern world.

Today, we come together to formally open our academic year and to install your new rector. But, happily, we do so on the feast of the North American Martyrs - John Beubref, Isaac Jogues and their companions who over the course of several years, during the first evangelization of the northern hemisphere of America, were martyred in odium Fidei, in the hatred of the faith. These men were truly “missionary disciples”. They sacrificed much: the comfort of the familiar in their native land, what was for them the civilized world which they exchanged for a world of primitive living conditions and savage cruelty. They did it because they believed that the gospel mattered - that it was a matter of life or death, of salvation of condemnation. And they believed that the lives of these aboriginal peoples were worth saving -even if it meant they would die trying. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of faith.

The bishops of Florida take part in the Mass of the Holy Spirit and installation of new rector at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami Oct. 19. From left: Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Palm Beach; Bishop Felipe Estevez, St. Augustine; Bishop John Noonan, Orlando; Bishop Frank Dewane, Venice; Bishop Gregory Parkes, St. Petersburg; and Bishop William Wack, Pensacola-Tallahassee.

Photographer: COURTESY | Sr. Elizabeth Worley

The bishops of Florida take part in the Mass of the Holy Spirit and installation of new rector at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami Oct. 19. From left: Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Palm Beach; Bishop Felipe Estevez, St. Augustine; Bishop John Noonan, Orlando; Bishop Frank Dewane, Venice; Bishop Gregory Parkes, St. Petersburg; and Bishop William Wack, Pensacola-Tallahassee.

As we open this academic year and install your new rector, we pray that the example of these martyrs inspired us and that their prayers help us. The word “seminary” meant a “seed bed”, a place where the seeds of a priestly vocation are nurtured and cultivated so that, in due season, we may experience an abundant harvest. The priesthood is not meant to be a comfortable career. Pope Francis often insists on this, and in doing so he often makes us priests and bishops a bit uncomfortable. We may not have to experience the privations of the North American martyrs - although today there are “missionary disciples” who still do. But, in a world where God matters less and less to our contemporaries, we will encounter incomprehension and opposition as they did, and as Jesus and his disciples did.

As priests we will be inevitably “signs of contractions” - unless, of course, we allow ourselves to be co-opted, to be corrupted by a sense of entitlement, by a clericalism that makes us resemble the Scribes and Pharisees more than Jesus - “meek and humble of heart”.

The Gospel today places Jesus and his disciples along the road to Jerusalem - where he will be betrayed and then suffer and die. In his seemingly harsh critique of the Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus wants us to understand what piety does not look like. The way to God is not in the piety of pride and rules. God’s love is not about “pointing fingers”. Rather, it is about extending a helping hand.

Father Fredy Santos, your new rector and his faculty and staff, are entrusted by me and the bishops of Florida with the task of preparing you to be missionary disciples imbued with the joy of the gospel, missionaries who see the gospel not as a burden to be endured but as a gift to be shared. This is no easy task: it requires serene discernment and prudent decision making. In any case, his job is not necessarily to please you. Anyone who tries to please everybody usually ends up pleasing nobody. His job is to strive to please the Lord in all things, and above all things.

Father Ferdinand Santos poses with the Florida bishops who attended his installation as rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary Oct. 19; from left: Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Palm Beach; Bishop Frank Dewane, Venice; Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Miami; Bishop John Noonan, Orlando; Bishop William Wack, Pensacola-Tallahassee; Bishop Gregory Parkes, St. Petersburg; and Bishop Felipe Estevez, St. Augustine.

Photographer: COURTESY | Father Elvis Gonzalez

Father Ferdinand Santos poses with the Florida bishops who attended his installation as rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary Oct. 19; from left: Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Palm Beach; Bishop Frank Dewane, Venice; Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Miami; Bishop John Noonan, Orlando; Bishop William Wack, Pensacola-Tallahassee; Bishop Gregory Parkes, St. Petersburg; and Bishop Felipe Estevez, St. Augustine.


Powered by Parish Mate | E-system

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply