It is, for me, a great joy and happiness to receive the good news of the election of our Holy Father Leo XIV. It is also a great honor to learn that Pope Leo XIV received his Master in Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago – the theological institution where I and many other Maryknollers have been sent to complete our academic preparations before final oath and, for those of us preparing for missionary priesthood, our ordination.
I feel a special connection to the Holy Father because we both studied at CTU; we probably had some of the same professors there. What a great blessing it is to learn too that Pope XIV, besides being an Augustinian religious priest, was also a missionary in Peru. I appreciated hearing the Pope offering the same greeting of peace to everyone from the loggia at Saint Peters Basilica as did our Lord Jesus Christ after His Resurrection.
I give thanks to God for the election of our Holy Father Leo XIV. Let us pray for the new Pope, and for the Church at this time of joy and happiness!
I was listening to the radio while driving when the news broke; white smoke arising from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. I pulled over at the next restaurant – a pizzeria – and rushed in to find patrons watching the news from Rome on CNN.
I ordered a slice of pizza not because I was hungry but to pass the time while awaiting the new pope to emerge; a European I expected. When Cardinal Robert Prevost – a native of Chicago and long-time missionary in Peru – stepped up to the balcony as our new pontiff, I thought, “Wow, this is truly a work of the Holy Spirit!”
But the surprise turned more personal when, moments later, Fr. Beck, a commentator, remarked that our new pope is a graduate of Catholic Theological Union (CTU) – my alma mater for seminary studies. Fr. Beck mentioned Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, a CTU faculty member and Biblical scholar; both Pope Leo XIV and I studied under her. She was my favorite professor! I felt a sense of pride in seeing a CTU graduate ascend to the position of the new shepherd of our Church.
Pope Leo XIV began his first remarks with the simple greeting, “Peace be with you all.” This message resonates deeply within our global movement, encompassing a variety of religious traditions. He continued, “This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarmed peace and a disarming, humble and persevering peace. It comes from God, God who loves us all uncondition-ally.” We are especially inspired by his dedication to promoting such peace.
This profound understanding of peace as a divine gift, offered unconditionally to all of humanity, aligns beautifully with the core values of Maryknoll missioners and their commitment to various faith traditions. Pope Leo XIV’s spiritual call to “build bridges through dialogue and encounter, uniting us all as one people, always in peace,” closely reflects Maryknoll’s ongoing efforts to promote understanding, cooperation, and reconcilia-tion among different religions in order to achieve a shared sense of sacred flourishing.
We, Maryknoll, offer our prayers and support as Pope Leo begins this pastoral leadership. May the Holy Spirit continue to surprise, and may the Wisdom and Grace of God guide his path and ours always.
When I saw the headlines that the first American Pope had been elected, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the new Pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, OSA, had received his Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union (CTU), the same seminary where I had begun studying just ten years later. CTU is located on the south side of Chicago; it prides itself in not only being a seminary, but a school of ministry located in a large urban area with diverse opportunities for serving people from all walks of life. The mission of CTU is to prepare leaders for the Church who are rooted in Catholic tradition and who respond to the needs of contemporary society with a special emphasis on cross-cultural ministry and global mission.
When I studied there, CTU hosted students from more than twenty different countries. Over half of the student body were laity preparing for ministry, many of them women. This gave seminarians a unique opportunity to be formed in a church marked by diversity – experience important for any church leader today, especially those preparing for a missionary vocation.
CTU is unique in that it is sponsored by more than twenty different Catholic religious communities. It also maintains strong relationships with theological schools of other Christian denominations as well as non-Christian faith traditions. This helped to instill within me a deeper appreciation for ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue.
It gives me great pride to know that Pope Leo XIV most likely had similar experiences in his formative years as he approached ordination. He obviously also has a strong grounding in Augustinian spirituality as a member of that religious community. In addition, he served for many years as a missionary in Peru, both as priest and bishop. This is an experience in itself that can be deeply transformative, especially when one walks closely alongside the local people.
Perhaps because of this, Pope Francis showed tremendous trust in Bishop Prevost by bringing him to Rome, making him a key person in the appointment of new bishops, and elevating him to cardinal. We can be confident that Pope Leo XIV shares Pope Francis’ pastoral values and vision of ministry. Finally, Cardinal Prevost’s choice of the name, Leo, is significant – recalling Pope Leo XIII, the pope considered to be the father of modern Catholic Social Teaching. In this way, Pope Leo XIV signals his own commitment to human dignity, social justice, economics in service to humanity, and the just organization of society. All of this gives me great hope for the Church under the leadership and vision of Pope Leo XIV.
Fr. Dennis greeting parishioners on mission in Brazil
For the past twelve years, Pope Francis led the Church as an intellectual who happened to be a pastor – and a pastor who happened to be an intellectual. I will personally remember him for encouraging priests to spend time crafting their homilies in ways that touch not only the ears but the hearts of the faithful.
How can we forget the moment when, in the gloom of a rainy evening, he walked from the middle of St. Peter’s Square to pray for a world absorbed in fear from the emerging global COVID-19 pandemic? There are so many portraits and gestures, words of mercy, and grace-filled moments that will stay with us forever. Among Pope Leo XIV’s first public remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, upon being elected pontiff, was “Thank you, Pope Francis!” We echo these words in gratitude to a holy man who came from, as Pope Francis said of himself, “the ends of the earth” to lead the Church through tumultuous times. He leaves a legacy that will inspire vocations to mission in years to come. Viva El Papa!
I’m often asked, by those discerning missionary priesthood or Brotherhood, about our Maryknoll admission requirements. Here are the basics: you need to be between 21–40 years old; have some work experience; hold a high school degree; have some college credits, preferably a bachelor’s degree; be in good health and largely debt-free, to name some. Those discerning from abroad would also need to be from a country where we currently serve. When you contact me, I can explain more about these requirements.
But, there’s more – that “something more” that has to do with passion, prayer and people. It’s that “something more” we could recognize in Pope Francis and see, even now, in the life story of our new pope, Leo XIV. It’s a sense of life and purpose that draws one’s heart to God and humanity, bringing both together in the same moment, prayer and open hand of service. It’s the passion to seek what makes you come alive, and then doing it. As the great American theologian and mystic, Howard Thurman observed, “What the world needs right now are people who have come alive.”
Are you one of them? Or, do you long to be? If so, contact us!Let’s talk, explore and seek together life where it yearns to be found – in Christ.
So, where do we go from here? In June, Maryknoll celebrates two priesthood ordinations. We are blessed to have the Bishop of El Paso, Bishop Mark J. Seitz, travel to our mother house in New York to ordain our two soon-to-be priests. Their first assignment is Taiwan! 祝你們平安.
Finally, the next time Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter Sunday on the same day will be in the year 2028. As pilgrims of hope, we pray for Christian unity. Though our languages and cultures may seem unintelligible, may the fire of life and Spirit unite us all in Christ through Pentecost. Habemus missionem!
Be assured of my prayers! Thanks for reading our newsletter. Until next edition…
What motivates these prove souls to overcome Fears, doubts and, oft times, it seems Even common sense to go No, run towards that from which most people flee?
And who are these who lay aside concern For their own health and safety to minister To strangers, whose only claim to assistance Is their desperate need for hello and healing?
How is it thot despite perhaps on indifferent or Ungrateful public, still these women and men arise Even after little rest and no relaxation; Ignoring death and defeat, to do and do again?
These are the very soul and conscience of our land Who do what most dare not nor cannot comprehend For in their selfless service more than individuals Are saved, comforted or consoled.
For all of us, through them, are ennobled, encouraged, Inspired and enriched beyond what we deserve And because of these angels the human race will endure With brighter eyes, clearer thoughts and purer hearts.
When Maryknollers return from abroad to our Center in New York, they often bring home the characteristics and concerns of peoples they’ve come to know and love in mission. Some Maryknollers return passionate about social justice causes that improve the lives of so many faced with violence, poverty and oppression. Some Maryknollers return deeply contemplative of the interfaith and intercultural dialogue they’ve shared with others in ancient lands. It’s said of Maryknollers who return from Africa — they come home smiling.
All Maryknollers smile in a special way these days. We are “bringing home” to us in the ordination, on June 8th, of two men from Kenya — Joshua Mutende and Charles Ogony — the smiles and joy of peoples steeped in music, dance and the simple gratitude of lives that daily overcome some of the most pressing hardships the world can offer.
Joshua and Charles have journeyed through our Initial Formation Program for most of the past decade. Though eager to make final oath and be sent abroad as Maryknoll missionary priests, they have, from “Day One” as seminarians, never ceased being missioners; they have witnessed the joy of mission from their own cultures, families and personal gifts. We welcome them home to us, as life-long brothers in mission, smiling.
Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of a newly independent Ghana, remarked, “I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me.” Maryknoll candidates and members from Africa give birth to Africa within Maryknoll; to its joys, its sorrows, its passions, its sufferings; to its music, dance and sense of hospitality unique among the world’s regions. As Africa is born within us, so is Christ. Congratulations Joshua and Charles! We are blessed.
Thanks for reading “Voices of Our World.” One of the questions I receive often from young adults is “Why do you stay in this vocation as priest?” Or, another way to put it, why haven’t I left?
Whenever I consider these questions, I’m reminded of wisdom shared with me by the late Maryknoll Fr. Jim Stefaniak, MM, who served many years in Peru. He counselled me that the reasons for joining missionary and religious life are not the same as those for staying.
Twenty years ago on May 13th, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, I was accepted as a Maryknoll seminarian. This month, I celebrate thirteen years as a priest, a life that has both challenged and rewarded me in ways that still surprise me. It’s occasions like these when I take time to consider my reasons now for staying. I have three — Jesus, Maryknoll, and Our Lady of Fatima. Primary of these is Jesus.
The late Jesuit superior, Pedro Arrupe, SJ, observed:
“Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings; what you will do with your evenings; how you spend your weekends; what you read; who you know; what breaks your heart; and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
Take the love of Jesus away from me and everything crumbles. Without the mission of Maryknoll, my way forward loses direction. Without the protection of Our Lady of Fatima, I grow discouraged. All three sustain me.
My reasons for remaining a Maryknoller may, of course, change in the future. It is, nonetheless, important for someone contemplating a life of mission to have reasons to join as well as reasons that motivate one to stay. Join Maryknoll and stay with us; it is worth it!
We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work overseas in over 20 countries. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.
The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More
The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.
With hearts full of hope, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers joyfully welcomes the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. In this historic moment for the universal Church, we give thanks to God for the gift of a new pope—chosen to succeed Pope Francis and guide us forward in faith, love, and missionary zeal.
Pope Leo XIV brings with him a deep commitment to dialogue, peace, and global solidarity—values that echo the very heart of our missionary vocation. A seasoned pastoral leader and thoughtful theologian, he is known for his compassionate outreach and dedication to the spiritual and social needs of the Church, particularly in regions experiencing hardship and need.
His years of missionary service in Peru, working among underserved communities, reflect a profound dedication to the Church’s mission of presence, accompaniment, and evangelization. His firsthand experience on the peripheries of society has shaped his vision for a Church that listens, serves, and uplifts—all grounded in Christ’s love.
As missionaries, we have been deeply inspired by Pope Francis’s call to go to the peripheries, to serve the poor, and to be instruments of God’s mercy and peace. We now look with prayerful anticipation to Pope Leo XIV, confident that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead the Church through his words and witness.
We invite you to join us in praying for our new pope, asking the Lord to bless him with wisdom, courage, and compassion as he begins his ministry as the Vicar of Christ and visible sign of unity for the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.
Thank you for walking with us on this missionary journey. Together, in communion with the successor of St. Peter, we remain committed to proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to Christ’s love around the world.
In gratitude and peace,
Reverend Lance P. Nadeau, M.M. Superior General
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