Two seminarians study in Rome

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
January 6, 2004

Two college students, who are natives of the Diocese of Sioux City, are presently studying abroad for the semester but these are not your ordinary students, they are seminarians attending St. John Vianney Seminary on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

Patrick Behm of Alta and Nicholas Donohue of Spirit Lake are participating in the University of St. Thomas' Catholic Studies Rome Program, in which all majors and minors of the Catholic studies department may take part. They are studying at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, also known as the Angelicum. The program began on Sept. 25. They will return to the United States on Feb. 2.

"There are several reasons why I desired to study abroad, but especially in Rome. One influential reason is observing the enthusiasm of so many of my friends and relatives who have participated in study abroad programs of various universities," noted Donohue. "They enjoyed it and learned so much from their semesters abroad that I desired the same experience."

He pointed out that a handful of seminarians participate in the program every year and after hearing their stories he was sold. This semester about 20 others are participating in the program, 10 of who are students at St. John Vianney.

Behm acknowledged that the desire to travel abroad played a big decision in his desire to participate in the program. He mentioned that the two were among a group of seminarians that were able make a hiking pilgrimage across Spain.

"I also wanted to study in the heart of the church. Many times, it feels as though I haven't really left home because a Catholic is always home in Rome," he said.

While opportunities for travel and spiritual experiences have been some of the highlights, studies are a big part of it. They are required to take four courses, but can take more.

Donohue mentioned that about half of the courses are taught in the traditional fashion, demanding completion of weekly assignments. Other classes are mainly lecture-based with some reading and a final written or oral exam in the last week.

In addition to the required courses for the program - Italian, Philosophical Principles in the Writings of John Paul II, Political Catholicism in the Nations of Europe and Church and Culture in Rome - Behm as well as many other seminarians opted to take Modern Philosophy.

"The JPII class is probably my favorite class over here. In it, we read many of the Holy Father's writings, especially his encyclicals," noted Behm, who is a parishioner at St. Mary's Parish in Storm Lake.

The men are staying in a house that had been a former convent. Located on the Tiber River in the northern part of Rome, the house is owned by the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. The house is equipped with a computer lab, large dining room, laundry room, lounge and chapel that is used for public liturgies and private prayer. There are 13 men, 11 of who are seminarians, and five women who reside there.

As a seminarian, this semester in Rome offers many experiences that are uncommon to normal college life, noted Donohue. First of all, it has enabled him to have more contact with non-seminarian students.

"The second aspect of this program that is different from normal college life is that it is a great challenge that forces anybody to learn a great deal about themselves," he said. "Living in a completely foreign culture with many challenges that one faces while abroad causes one to examine how they have developed as a person and also as a Christian, perhaps well in some areas and poorly in others."

This program, noted Behm, has enabled him to study at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. It has also allowed him an opportunity to discern away from his typical environment.

"In the seminary, we have a very structured prayer life, which consists of daily Mass, daily recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, and a daily holy hour. The times for these activities are pretty much set in stone. Here in Rome, it becomes the individual's responsibility to get to daily Mass, get an hour of prayer in everyday in front of the Eucharist, and to make sure that you pray the Liturgy of the Hours everyday," he said.

Both young men have had numerous significant experiences.

Attending assorted papal Masses - beatification ceremony, the opening Mass of the Year of the Eucharist and most recently Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Peter's Basilica - were powerful experiences for Donohue.

Behm mentioned that at the opening Mass for the Year of the Eucharist, the pope passed within three feet of him. He hasn't yet had a private audience with the pope, but remains hopeful.

"I have come to appreciate the universality of the church so much more since I've been here in Rome. It is quite amazing really," he said.

Behm has attended Mass in six different languages there.

"Should I be fortunate enough to have a vocation to serve as a priest someday, I think this experience will help me better understand different cultures and struggles they have," he said. "This will be especially useful in the Diocese of Sioux City due to our large population of Hispanic Catholics."

For Donohue, he pointed out that the time in Rome has impacted his faith in two ways. Being able to pray in numerous churches containing the relics of saints "has really touched me and opened my eyes to the reality of their current life in heaven, hearing our prayers and interceding for us when asked. Secondly, witnessing daily the joyous lives of so many young consecrated brothers and sisters and ordained deacons and priests is truly inspiring for me as I study and prepare for the priesthood."