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Bishop Dewane visits seminarians in Rome

For Bishop Frank J. Dewane, a personal interest in the promotion of vocations and the welfare and formation of seminarians is vital.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 03.14.08

Pope Benedict XVI greets Bishop Frank J. Dewane during the bishop’s recent trip to Rome. Bishop Dewane was in Rome to visit with studying seminarians and a priest and to participate in the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum.”
Courtesy Photo

VENICE | The formation of seminarians is a long and complicated process. Part of that process includes visiting the seminarians where they are studying and finding out how they are doing and making sure they are progressing in their studies.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane traveled to Rome in late February to meet with the seminarians and a priest who are studying there. He also participated in a meeting of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum.” This council serves as the charitable arm of the Holy Father.

Bishop Dewane was accompanied by Father Gregg Caggianelli, Diocese of Venice director of vocations/seminarian formation.

“We went to evaluate their progress, but the bishop and I wanted to encourage them and to let them know that the people of God in Venice are praying for them,” Father Caggianelli said.

The trip included meeting with the seminarians in their element and going to lunch and dinner. He met with their professors and formators and even went to the students’ classes.

“We want them to be serious about their formation,” he said. “I wanted to see what they are dealing with in their lives and studies there to make sure there are no problems and offer any help we can.”

The seminarians studying at the Pontifical North American College are third-year theology students Justin Bianchi, 40, from Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., and Thomas Kelly, 42, from Naples. The seminarian at Regina Apostolorum is fourth-year theology student Cory Mayer, 31, from Varysburg, N.Y.

Also, the Diocese of Venice has a priest studying in Rome. Father Frank DuBois is doing advanced studies at the Angelicum University in the Vatican.

Bishop Dewane has put an emphasis on supporting the promotion of vocations. This trip was part of that commitment.

During the trip, Father Caggianelli tried to get a better picture of how the students are progressing in their formation.

“You are never done being formed,” he said.

Bishop Dewane took the three seminarians to dinner and they had a cup of coffee together. This personal touch allows the bishop to learn more about the seminarians and to show his interest in their formation.

The trip also included visits to key places within the Vatican. The bishop celebrated Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica with the seminarians and priests.

Bishop Dewane was also the celebrant for the rite of installation for acolytes for Kelly and other men at the Pontifical North American College. Acolytes are persons who serve at Mass. While laypersons can also serve as acolytes, seminarians are installed as acolytes in a formal ceremony as a public step toward ordination.

Father Caggianelli will spend the coming weeks visiting other seminarians studying in the United States, to evaluate their progress.

Bishop Dewane has also traveled to serve on the boards of St. John Vianney Seminary and St. Vincent DePaul Seminary where some of the seminarians from the Diocese of Venice are studying.

All seminarians will be re-evaluated at the end of the school year and a report will be filed with the bishop.

At that point Bishop Dewane will decide if they will continue in their formation and, if approved, what their summer assignments will be.

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Bishop Dewane visits seminarians in Rome

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