While most Diocese of Lansing seminarians study at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, some, including Deacon Thomas, Seppe, and Matthew, spend their years of major seminary in Rome. Despite the challenges and crosses that come with life so far from home, the men see how the Lord has blessed their particular journeys to the NAC from the beginning. “I got a random phone call from Father John Whitlock, who was our vocation director at the time,” Deacon Thomas says. And while the call came as a surprise, it was very much an invitation to discern. “Father John and Bishop Boyea invited me to pray about it. And as I prayed about it, the Lord did make it clear. He really drew me here.”

“For me,” Seppe explains, “my discernment for the NAC was very straightforward. I had been studying in Rome [during college seminary], and I fell in love with the city and the education system here. The Lord was calling me into relationship with Him in a different way here than at home. Once I made the decision, there was instant peace and joy.”

Matthew’s invitation came unexpectedly. “I had been planning on going to Sacred Heart; that’s where I thought I was going. And I got a phone call from Father Mike Cassar as I was preparing for a college presentation. I wanted to give the decision back to the bishop and have him tell me what to do. But I had to talk to the Lord about what I was afraid of and what I was desiring.” Once having given the Church their yes, the men tackled the required logistical steps of applying for visas and temporary resident alien status, being accepted to the NAC, and the tall task of becoming fluent in Italian in order to attend graduate classes in the language. “For the first two months of class,” Matthew recalls, “I would get nine words the professor said and miss one and then be completely lost.”

While there is plenty to adjust to, the men are quick to point out that adjustments themselves, when surrendered to God, bear much fruit. “On the human spiritual level,” Thomas says, “a huge gift has been that going to seminary in Rome stretches me:  We learn in a different language, we are in a house with guys from all over the U.S. rather than in a regional seminary, and, of course, we are away from home. A man might be initially self-reliant, but then we can double down and break, or can actually turn to the Lord and other people and rely on them. Being forced into those situations of discomfort has brought forth freedom, and I’ve seen the Lord show up so many times.”

Ultimately, the men say, the joys and challenges of living and studying in Rome all amount to responding to the Lord’s call to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. “We are in seminary for the people of the Diocese of Lansing,” Seppe says. “We are here to give our lives in service to Christ and his Church, the Body of Christ. Seminary is a place to die to self and fall in love with the Lord.” Matthew agrees, adding “Pope Leo told us the priesthood is not for yourself, it is about serving the people. That stuck with me. And being so far away [from home] makes us more excited to come back. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. We truly grow to love the diocese more because we’re so far away.” It is that love for God and his people that Deacon Thomas says cannot be separated from the priestly vocation. “We love and need the people of God. We need their witness and holiness to heed our particular calls to holiness.” And as for what the faithful can do to support the men in their preparation for priesthood? Deacon Thomas implores: “Please keep praying for us and keep becoming holy.”

Rome Rapid Fire Q&A

Favorite gelato?

Deacon Thomas: Pistachio.

Seppe: Cherry.

Matthew: Dark chocolate.

Favorite restaurant?

Deacon Thomas: Abruzzi for the carbonara, monte bianco, and a cafe.

Seppe: Taverna Giulia for the riso.

Matthew: Da Tonino for pesto or ox tail.

Number of popes met?

Deacon Thomas: One.

Seppe: Two.

Matthew: Two.

Favorite Hidden Gem Church?

Deacon Thomas: Tre Fontane.

Seppe: The Basilica of Sts. John and Paul. It is a Passionist church, and the chandeliers there are from America.

Matthew: Sante Croce Gerusalemme, where you can see the passion relics and the true cross. St. Helena had it built.

Fun seminary memory?

Seppe: At the Gregorian, on the Major League Baseball opening day, the American seminarians go out to the plaza and play wiffleball. Everyone else comes out and watches us play and people love it. The seminarians from everywhere else in the world have no idea that it’s the MLB opening day otherwise. It’s a fun tradition.