Greetings from Mundelein Seminary.

As we, at the seminary, move toward the May and June ordinations of 38 men who will serve the Archdiocese of Chicago and 19 other dioceses, it is a good time to reflect on the question: Who will they serve as priests of Jesus Christ?

Not too long ago I read in the local newspaper about one of our priest alumni and how, in a very prominent way, he served his community at a difficult time of loss.  I’d like to share a brief summary of that story with you.

Father Jim is a young priest – ordained only a few years and still learning the many facets of how a priest serves a large north suburban Chicago parish.

Recently in his community a young soldier, named Will, was killed while serving in Iraq.  In fact, Will was home this past Christmastime and attended one of Father Jim’s Masses.  He commented to his mother, what a welcoming and “cool” priest Father Jim was for the parish – especially for the young people.  After his time on leave, Will returned to Baghdad.  He was in Baghdad only one day and volunteered to drive some dignitaries to a special meeting.  His Humvee ran over an explosive device and he was killed instantly.  He was a fine young man whose parish and community mourned his loss with his family, his friends and his country.

Father Jim received a phone call from Will’s mother asking that he accept the daunting task of preaching at her son’s funeral Mass.  In his heartfelt homily he explained to the congregation how earlier that morning, in preparation for this liturgy, he took Will’s picture with him as he walked the neighborhood asking God to guide him in his words for this young hero.

At first this priest only noticed the big houses and the beauty which seemed so empty in this moment of loss for the parish and this devastated family.  Father Jim recalled:

Our suburb had seemingly gone unscathed; we had not lost anyone in
the Iraq conflict.  If we hadn’t been connected before with what’s
going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, this young man’s death connects us.

Then it started to drizzle and I felt God’s pain over this young man’s death.  For a brief moment I also felt this young soldier’s pain in those raindrops.  I knew at Mass later that day I needed to share the pain of this moment and remind people of Jesus’ pain and resurrection.

I talked with Father Jim recently and asked how this experience has impacted his priesthood.

“God works in mysterious ways.  As the honor guards lined the street
welcoming Will’s body into the parish hall jammed with his family,
friends and also reverent strangers, the words I spoke at that Mass
were not mine.  God was working through me.  I spoke of the joy of
Will’s life and the devastation of his death and now again the joy of
Will living with Christ in eternity.

 

“I was honored when, after Mass, Will’s mom asked me to accompany
them to the burial at Arlington National Cemetery.  The same honor
guards that lined the streets of his hometown, lined the path toward
his final resting place.

 

“The military chaplain at the cemetery invited me to say the Prayers
of The Faithful.  During the prayer, I remembered a story told to me
about Will and his family’s trip to Washington, DC when he was 12
years old.

 

“It seems Will asked his parents, who were resting in the hotel from
days of walking around the Capitol, if he could go out and just walk
around the hotel area for an hour.  One hour, two hours and finally
into a third hour of Will not returning, his parents panicked and
were ready to call the police.  Suddenly, in walked Will – a smile
on his face – saying “You know, Arlington Cemetery isn’t so long a
walk from here – I spent a lot of time there just thinking about the
soldiers buried there and their sacrifice for us.”

 

“In some way, on that day in young Will’s life, I believe he knew
Arlington Cemetery would be his final resting place – home for his
mortal remains.  In a mysterious way he was preparing his family
for this day  I was honored and humbled to be one of the people
that day who brought Will home.

As I heard these words by this young priest, who is an alumnus of Mundelein Seminary, I once again became aware of my prayer for the young men to be ordained this year.  I pray they will always strive to bring Christ to all whom they meet as they carry these people’s burdens as Christ carried our sins to the cross.

As you have walked with Father Jim and these men in their journey toward priesthood with your prayers and generous hearts, I pray they will always be there for you in your times of spiritual need, during your sorrows and joys.

May God continue to bless you for your prayers and gracious financial contribution providing the resources necessary to train and to educate our seminarians so that one day, they can serve God’s faithful as priests of Jesus Christ.

Please keep Father Jim, our priest alumni and our newly ordained priests in your prayers and be assured that each day you are remembered in the prayers of our seminary community.

May the sacrifice that Will made for his country never be forgotten!

Gratefully yours in Christ

Very Reverend Dennis J. Lyle
Rector/President

P.S.         As you know, the resources necessary to educate our future priests are growing.  Your ongoing prayers and generosity are great gifts to our seminarians as they prepare to serve you faithfully as priests.  My prayers are with you as I thank you for your support in the name of all the seminarians here in Mundelein Seminary.