Formation | A Podcast from Mundelein Seminary: Recent Episodes

Mundelein Seminary

An inside look at the formation of Catholic seminarians, the ministry of parish priests and formation lessons you can implement in your own spiritual life from Mundelein Seminary.

Homily for Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

In this Rector Reflection, Fr. Kartje encourages us to be a ‘Giant of Faith’ where lived faith should move us for all of our life.

Homily for Mt 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Homily: Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Homily for Matthew 9:14-17

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Homily for Luke 9:51-62

When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Homily for John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

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Homily for John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

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Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests and those who collaborate with them in ministry.

Homily for John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

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Homily for John 15:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”

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Homily for John 13:31-33a, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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In this episode of the Formation podcast, we chat with Bishop Robert Barron '86 about his long history with Mundelein Seminary--from his first visit to campus as a college seminarian, his time as a student, his return as a faculty member and his tenure as rector. He also discusses the inspiration of Cardinal Mundelein, his favorite memories and spots on campus, and his hopes for the future of Mundelein Seminary.

Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

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Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

In this episode, alumnus Father Greg Sakowicz '79 and former Mundelein Seminary staff member Mark Teresi, who both now work at Holy Name Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Chicago, reminisce about their time on campus and ongoing association with the seminary. They also tell some fascinating stories about Cardinal Mundelein and the history of the campus in its centennial year.

Father Greg will be co-hosting the Celebration of Mundelein on Thursday, April 21. Click here to reserve tickets and get more information.

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Homily for John 5:17-30

Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.

Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.

“I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

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In this final episode from the Holy Land, hosts Kevin Gregus and Dan Korenchan of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcome special guest Michael Mehringer of the Archdiocese of Chicago to reminisce about all the incredible experiences they had during their time on pilgrimage.

Catch up on all the blog posts from the Holy Land: www.usml.edu/pilgrimage

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Homily for Matthew 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Father John Kartje's homily references the 2022 Albert Cardinal Meyer lecture delivered by Bishop Robert Barron on April 10-11. You can watch the lecture and faculty responses by clicking here.

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Holy Land podcast hosts Kevin Gregus and Dan Korenchan of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcome special guest Alan Soto Hopkins of the Diocese of Tucson to catch us up on their adventures in Jerusalem as they approach the end of their time in the Holy Land.

Sign up to receive updates via email: www.usml.edu/pilgrimage

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Homily for Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

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Holy Land podcast hosts Kevin Gregus and Dan Korenchan of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcome special guest Alex Lorang of the Diocese of Joliet to catch us up on their recent activities, including the privileged opportunity to take a canonical retreat near the Sea of Galilee in preparation for their diaconate ordination in the spring. They reflect on the graces received from the silent retreat and how it affirmed their vocational calling to the priesthood.

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Homily for Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Homily for Mark 9:38-40

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

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Homily for Mark 8: 22-26

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

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Throughout our centennial celebration, we have hosted a tour of Holy Hours for Vocations at nearby parishes using a historic monstrance that was a gift from Pope Pius the eleventh to Cardinal Mundelein. It was first used at the 1926 International Eucharistic Congress held in Chicago, the first such congress to be held in the United States. The monstrance displayed the Eucharist during a procession around the Mundelein Seminary campus with 800,000 people in attendance.

At a recent Holy Hour for Vocations at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield, Deacon Greg Alberts of the Diocese of Joliet, who will be ordained to the priesthood in the spring, offered inspiring remarks about his gratitude for his time in formation at Mundelein Seminary and the role that every Catholic has to play in fostering and supporting vocations to the priesthood. Listen to his remarks and consider joining us for an upcoming Holy Hour. The full schedule of the tour can be found by visiting www.mundelein100.org.

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Homily for Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

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Holy Land podcast hosts Kevin Gregus and Dan Korenchan of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcome special guest Frank Pusateri of the Diocese of Joliet to catch us up on the holy sights and places they have visited over the past couple weeks. They discuss their initial experiences in the "School of Nazareth," seeing the places where Jesus lived his early life with the Holy Family before his public ministry began.

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Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

Homily for Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted --and you yourself a sword will pierce-- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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In the first podcast from the Holy Land, seminarian hosts Kevin Gregus and Dan Korenchan of the Archdiocese of Chicago discuss their experiences in the first few weeks of the study-pilgrimage. They talk a lot about their experience at the Church of the Nativity, which marks the spot where Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Kevin and Dan will be hosting more episodes from the Holy Land, so subscribe to this podcast to follow along! You can also follow the Holy Land blog to hear more stories and see photos from all the seminarians on the pilgrimage. Sign up to receive updates via email: www.usml.edu/pilgrimage

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Homily for John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from — although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

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In this episode, we chat with seminarians Kevin Gregus and Dan Korenchan of the Archdiocese of Chicago about their upcoming trip to the Holy Land for the nine-week study pilgrimage that is a distinctive feature of the priestly formation program at Mundelein Seminary. They talk about what they packed, what they'll be doing in the Holy Land, and what they're looking forward to about this experience that will prepare them for their ordination to the transitional diaconate in the spring.

Kevin and Dan will be hosting podcasts from the Holy Land, so subscribe to this podcast to follow along! You can also follow the Holy Land blog to hear more stories and see photos from all the seminarians on the pilgrimage. Sign up to receive updates via email: www.usml.edu/pilgrimage

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Homily for 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20

During the time young Samuel was minister to the LORD under Eli, a revelation of the LORD was uncommon and vision infrequent. One day Eli was asleep in his usual place. His eyes had lately grown so weak that he could not see. The lamp of God was not yet extinguished, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”

Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you,” Eli said. “Go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep. Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “You called me.” But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.” At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet. The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.” Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect. Thus all Israel from Dan to Beersheba came to know that Samuel was an accredited prophet of the LORD.

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Homily for Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Growing up in a devoutly Catholic household in southern Indiana, the six Etienne siblings probably never imagined that four of them would end up choosing vocations to consecrated religious life. But today, two of the siblings are married with children, while the rest have devoted their lives to serving the Church: Father Bernie Etienne ’93, Archbishop Paul Etienne of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Benedictine Sister Nicolette Etienne and Father Zach Etienne ’04.

So how did it happen? Fellow Mundelein alumni Father Zach and Father Bernie recently reflected on that question and on their experience of seminary formation and priestly ministry.

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Homily for the Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith

On Wednesday, December 15, our third-year seminarians signed the solemn Oath of Fidelity and made their Professions of Faith. In signing these oaths in front of God, our rector Father John Kartje, and the rest of the community, our seminarians made a public declaration that they believe all that the Catholic Church teaches and they promise to be faithful to that teaching in their ministry as deacons.

The ceremony is a necessary step prior to ordination to the Transitional Diaconate in the spring, as it documents the seminarian’s willingness to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church in the ministry he exercises. The process also includes submitting handwritten letters to their local Bishop, petitioning to receive these sacred orders. Please keep our seminarians in your prayers.

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Homily for Luke 3:10-18

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Homily for Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

Father John Kartje delivered this homily at a private Mass with the inaugural members of our Class of 2025 Sponsors Program. To learn more about the program and how you can accompany a class of seminarians throughout their four years of theological studies, click here.

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Homily for Matthew 15:29-37

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

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Homily for 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.

Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord. Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she exhorted each of them in the language of their ancestors with these words: “I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”

Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words, thought he was being ridiculed. As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him, not with mere words, but with promises on oath, to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs: he would make him his Friend and entrust him with high office. When the youth paid no attention to him at all, the king appealed to the mother, urging her to advise her boy to save his life. After he had urged her for a long time, she went through the motions of persuading her son. In derision of the cruel tyrant, she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language: “Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up, educated and supported you to your present age. I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”

She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said: “What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king’s command. I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses. But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews, will not escape the hands of God.”

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Homily for Romans 13:8-10

Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

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Homily for Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

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Homily for Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

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Homily for Luke 11:42-46

The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”

Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

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Homily for Jonah 4:1-11

Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh. He prayed, “I beseech you, LORD, is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loath to punish. And now, LORD, please take my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the LORD asked, “Have you reason to be angry?”

Jonah then left the city for a place to the east of it, where he built himself a hut and waited under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. And when the LORD God provided a gourd plant that grew up over Jonah’s head, giving shade that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was very happy over the plant. But the next morning at dawn God sent a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. And when the sun arose, God sent a burning east wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah’s head till he became faint. Then Jonah asked for death, saying, “I would be better off dead than alive.”

But God said to Jonah, “Have you reason to be angry over the plant?” “I have reason to be angry,” Jonah answered, “angry enough to die.” Then the LORD said, “You are concerned over the plant which cost you no labor and which you did not raise; it came up in one night and in one night it perished. And should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?”

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Homily for Revelation 12:7-12ab

War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them.”

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Homily for Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

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Homily for Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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Homily for John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

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Homily for Mark 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for Matthew 1:18-23

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

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Homily for Mark 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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Homily for Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. — So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.

“From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for John 6:60-69

Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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In a recent article for Public Discourse, Father John Kartje stressed the necessity for seminarians to grow in "affective maturity" and explained how that quality is instilled through the training and experiences future parish priests receive at Mundelein Seminary. He explains, "The term 'affective maturity' is used to describe the seminarian’s ability to properly recognize and integrate his emotions into his assessment of, and reaction to, a given situation or encounter." This requires much self-knowledge and honesty.

Read the full article here.

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Homily for John 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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With more than 25 percent of Americans suffering from a mental health disorder, parish priests are faced with the task of ministering to parishioners who could be struggling with a wide range of issues. Priests themselves are also not immune to mental health problems, which is why Mundelein Seminary has a variety of programs and qualified staff in place to help seminarians learn about mental health issues and confront their own struggles.

In this episode of our Formation podcast, Father Jacob Rouse ’18 of the Archdiocese of Dubuque talks about his road to the priesthood and details his personal experience with mental health issues. He discusses the programs and processes in place at Mundelein Seminary that helped him take care of his own mental health throughout his formation. He also talks about how transparency with his mental health struggles has enriched his priesthood and allowed him to connect with parishioners and others who face similar difficulties. Click here to watch his longer video on his experiences with mental health issues.

He also discusses his use of social media as an evangelization tool to engage the culture and shares a few of his favorite things. You can subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on Instagram to see more of his content.

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Homily for Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick— no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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Mundelein Seminary rector Father John Kartje recently appeared on the Morning Air Show with John Morales on Relevant Radio to discuss this summer's online Bible study. In the conversation, he offers several examples of healing from sacred scripture and talks about how to apply the lessons of these biblical figures in our own lives.

Click here to join more than 1,000 participants in the online Bible study.

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Homily for Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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In this episode of our Formation podcast, we bid farewell to Father Bradley Zamora '14, director of worship and faculty member, who will take on the role of chaplain at Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University on July 1. Father Bradley talks about his road to the priesthood as a "lifer" in the Archdiocese of Chicago seminary system as well as his experience returning to the seminary to teach just a few years after his ordination and shares a few of his favorite things.

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Homily for Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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As the academic year comes to an end, we are grateful to be celebrating the ordination of a new class of holy, joyful parish priests. We have interviewed several members of the Class of 2021 for our Meet the Deacons series to introduce you to a few of these new priests and let you hear about how they found their priestly vocation, their experience in seminary, what they’re looking forward to about the priesthood and a few of their favorite things.

In this episode recorded last month, we spoke to then-Deacon Nathaniel Resila of the Diocese of Albany as he prepared for priestly ordination and the return to his home diocese.

Ordination calendar: https://usml.edu/priest-2021/ Make a Class of 2021 tribute gift: https://usml.edu/2021-tribute/ Pray a novena for your new priests: https://usml.edu/classof2021-novena/

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Homily for Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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Sister Kathleen Mitchell, assistant professor of pastoral theology, recently had the honor of visiting Uganda for the ordination and first masses of Father Peter Walusimbi and Father Falasiko Matovu, two members of the Mundelein Seminary Class of 2021.

In this interview, she reflects on her memories of being immersed in the country's culture, meeting its people and participating in such a joyful moment for the Church in Uganda. She also discusses her own vocation story and her experience teaching the next generation of parish priests.

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Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

As the academic year comes to an end, we are grateful to be celebrating the ordination of a new class of holy, joyful parish priests. We have interviewed several members of the Class of 2021 for our Meet the Deacons series to introduce you to a few of these new priests and let you hear about how they found their priestly vocation, their experience in seminary, what they’re looking forward to about the priesthood and a few of their favorite things.

In this episode recorded last month, we spoke to then-Deacon Francis Gyau of the Diocese of Las Cruces as he prepared for priestly ordination and the return to his home diocese.

Ordination calendar: https://usml.edu/priest-2021/ Make a Class of 2021 tribute gift: https://usml.edu/2021-tribute/ Pray a novena for your new priests: https://usml.edu/classof2021-novena/

Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Homily for Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.

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As the academic year comes to an end, we are grateful to be celebrating the ordination of a new class of holy, joyful parish priests. We have interviewed several members of the Class of 2021 for our Meet the Deacons series to introduce you to a few of these soon-to-be priests and let you hear about how they found their priestly vocation, their experience in seminary, what they’re looking forward to about the priesthood and a few of their favorite things.

In this episode recorded last month, we spoke to then-Deacon Kyle Tietz of the Archdiocese of Dubuque as he prepared for priestly ordination and the return to his home diocese. He reflected on his time in seminary and the various opportunities it afforded him for spiritual growth and fraternal community.

Ordination calendar: https://usml.edu/priest-2021/ Make a Class of 2021 tribute gift: https://usml.edu/2021-tribute/ Pray a novena for your new priests: https://usml.edu/classof2021-novena/

Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

Each month a series of guest speakers will offer reflections on aspects of Saint Joseph’s life and spiritual character, based on Pope Francis’ Patris Corde and the Litany of St. Joseph.

Megan Quinn, wife and mother, offered a beautiful reflection on Saint Joseph as a chaste spouse by sharing about her marriage with her husband Brian, parenthood, and the reality, joy and freedom of true self gift.

Sign up to receive future #YearofSaintJoseph video reflections: http://usml.edu/year-of-saint-joseph

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Pentecost Sunday (Mass During the Day) | Homily for John 15:26-27; 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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So what exactly is spiritual direction and how do you get the most out of the experience? Mundelein Seminary rector Father John Kartje, an experienced spiritual director, explains how this longstanding practice can enhance your faith and help you to better recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit in your life. He also discusses his experience teaching a spiritual direction course for seminarians to empower them to be effective directors for their future parishioners.

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Homily for Mark 16:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

Audio courtesy of Faith Hub Chicago at St. Clement's in Chicago, Ill.

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This Eucharistic Reflection by Deacon Ryan Brady took place at his teaching parish, St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights, on April 29.

Please pray for Deacon Ryan Brady (Archdiocese of Chicago) as he prepares for priestly ordination on Saturday, May 15 at 10 a.m. CT in Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago.

Watch Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syVR1-zqlgI

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Video credit: St. James Parish in Arlington Heights, IL

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Each month Mundelein seminarians are commemorating the Year of Saint Joseph by gathering for vespers and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by a spiritual reflection on Saint Joseph.

A series of guest speakers will offer reflections on aspects of Saint Joseph’s life and spiritual character, based on Pope Francis’ Patris Corde and the Litany of St. Joseph. Father Kenneth Simpson '78 (Archdiocese of Chicago), vicar for pastoral and professional development of priests and administrator of Old Saint Patrick’s Church, presided over the April event and offered a beautiful reflection on Saint Joseph as an accepting father.

Sign up to receive future #YearofSaintJoseph reflections via email: usml.edu/year-of-saint-joseph

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Homily for John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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Deacon Sebastian Zebrowski, soon to be ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago, was the homilist at the final community Mass of this academic year on Wednesday, April 28.

Homily for John 12:44-50

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

Pray a Novena for the Newly Ordained Class of 2021

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As the academic year comes to an end, we are grateful to be celebrating the ordination of a new class of holy, joyful parish priests. We have interviewed several members of the Class of 2021 for our Meet the Deacons series to introduce you to a few of these soon-to-be priests and let you hear about how they found their priestly vocation, their experience in seminary, what they’re looking forward to about the priesthood and a few of their favorite things.

In this episode, we talk to Deacon Falasiko Matovu of the Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana in Uganda as he prepares for priestly ordination on Saturday, May 1 at St. Noa's Cathedral in Mityana-Uganda. Please keep Deacon Falasiko in your prayers.

Ordination calendar: https://usml.edu/priest-2021/ Make a Class of 2021 tribute gift: https://usml.edu/2021-tribute/ Pray a novena for your new priests: https://usml.edu/classof2021-novena/

Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

Our seminarians entered into silence for the Spring Spiritual Renewal Day with a conference given by Bishop William Joensen (Diocese of Des Moines) on prayer, contemplation, and the simplicity of God. Listen until the end for some guided reflection questions to take to prayer.

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Pope Francis recently announced that 2021 is the Year of Saint Joseph, honoring the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. Join the USML/Mundelein Seminary community in a variety of opportunities this year to grow in personal holiness as we reflect and pray on the life of Saint Joseph. Sign up at www.usml.edu/year-of-saint-joseph to receive updates.

Our seminarian community recently completed the 33-Day Consecration to Saint Joseph. Throughout the consecration, several seminarians joined us for a Q&A to discuss some of the spiritual insights they received from this spiritual journey as well as sharing their vocation stories and seminary experiences. In this episode, we are joined by Deacon Andy Matijevic of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

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Pope Francis recently announced that 2021 is the Year of Saint Joseph, honoring the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. Join the USML/Mundelein Seminary community in a variety of opportunities this year to grow in personal holiness as we reflect and pray on the life of Saint Joseph. Sign up at www.usml.edu/year-of-saint-joseph to receive updates.

Our seminarian community recently completed the 33-Day Consecration to Saint Joseph. Throughout the consecration, several seminarians joined us for a Q&A to discuss some of the spiritual insights they received from this spiritual journey as well as sharing their vocation stories and seminary experiences. In this episode, we are joined by Deacon Joby Joseph of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.

Thanks for listening and subscribing to the Formation podcast! Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen so that others can find it.

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Pope Francis recently announced that 2021 is the Year of Saint Joseph, honoring the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. Join the USML/Mundelein Seminary community in a variety of opportunities this year to grow in personal holiness as we reflect and pray on the life of Saint Joseph. Sign up at www.usml.edu/year-of-saint-joseph to receive updates.

Our seminarian community recently completed the 33-Day Consecration to Saint Joseph. Throughout the consecration, several seminarians joined us for a Q&A to discuss some of the spiritual insights they received from this spiritual journey as well as sharing their vocation stories and seminary experiences. In this episode, we are joined by AJ Sales, a seminarian for the Diocese of Las Vegas.

Thanks for listening and subscribing to the Formation podcast! Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen so that others can find it.

Support the seminary: https://usml.edu/support/

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Pope Francis recently announced that 2021 is the Year of Saint Joseph, honoring the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. Join the USML/Mundelein Seminary community in a variety of opportunities this year to grow in personal holiness as we reflect and pray on the life of Saint Joseph. We hope you will join us as we “go to Joseph” during this special year for the Church! Sign up at www.usml.edu/year-of-saint-joseph to receive updates.

Our seminarian community recently completed the 33-Day Consecration to Saint Joseph. Throughout the consecration, several seminarians joined us for a Q&A to discuss some of the spiritual insights they received from this spiritual journey as well as sharing their vocation stories and seminary experiences. In this episode, we are joined by Jeremy Leganski, a seminarian for the Diocese of Joliet.

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In this Easter reflection, Father John Kartje, rector of Mundelein Seminary, speaks about how we can bring about a deeper Easter joy to our friends and family by making an act of love.

In addition, #MundAlum Father Michael Trail ’16 (Archdiocese of Chicago) shares his experience in his ministry of providing the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the COVID-19 pandemic. This sacrament provides a tangible form of comfort and grace to those who are struggling physically, mentally, or psychologically.

We pray this Easter season is filled with Christ’s love and peace in your life.

Watch the full video, “Easter with the Cardinal: A Celebration of Hope” from the Archdiocese of Chicago.

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In this special Rector Reflection for the Triduum, Father John Kartje traces moments in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus entered into his own poverty--the difficult and uncomfortable circumstances of life--to find strength and encouragement in the love of the Father. In this half-hour meditation, Father John offers suggestions on how we might also use our difficulties as an invitation to receive God's love.

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Homily for John 5:17-30

Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

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Homily for Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

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Our rector Father John Kartje recently appeared on the Catholic Chicago Radio Show with hosts Father Greg Sakowicz ‘79 (Archdiocese of Chicago) and Mark Teresi to discuss his own journey to the priesthood as well as provide an update on current happenings at the seminary.

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Homily for Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Seminarians at Mundelein come from diverse backgrounds. Teachers, engineers, journalists, accountants or in the case of seminarian Ben Thomsen, a felony prosecutor.

Ben entered Mundelein Seminary in 2015 to study for the Archdiocese of Atlanta and was freshly out of the courtroom when he wrote a piece for The Bridge—Mundelein’s seminarian-produced magazine—about how his career as a lawyer might impact his formation as a seminarian.

Now that Ben is a third-year theologian preparing for his diaconate ordination, we asked him to re-read the column he wrote 5 years ago and share some updated thoughts on how his background has influenced his time in seminary, as well as sharing his vocation story and more experiences from his formation. Listen to his original column and stay tuned for our interview afterward.

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Homily for Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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"I can't give $1 million to Mundelein Seminary, but I thought maybe I could save them $1 million."

David Brochu, a longtime donor and leader in clean energy technology, turned his million-dollar idea into a reality by partnering with other generous investors to create the first solar power array on a Catholic seminary campus in the United States.

Read more about the project and see photos of the array.

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Homily for Mark 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

Each month Mundelein seminarians are commemorating the Year of Saint Joseph by gathering for vespers and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by a spiritual reflection on Saint Joseph.

A series of guest speakers will offer reflections on aspects of Saint Joseph’s life and spiritual character, based on Pope Francis’ Patris Corde and the Litany of St. Joseph. Bishop Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago and Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate VI, presided over the January event and offered a beautiful reflection on Saint Joseph as a beloved father.

Sign up to receive future #YearofSaintJoseph reflections via email: http://usml.edu/year-of-saint-joseph

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Homily for Mark 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.” Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

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Homily for Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

Homily for John 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

Pope Francis recently announced that 2021 is the Year of Saint Joseph, honoring the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. Join the USML/Mundelein Seminary community in a variety of opportunities this year to grow in personal holiness through a spiritual exploration of Saint Joseph and a 30-day consecration.

In this opening reflection, USML rector/president Father John Kartje discusses Saint Joseph through the lens of affective maturity. When presented with the unbelievable circumstance of Mary’s pregnancy, he does not allow his emotions to cloud his vision of God’s plan for his life. Father John offers wisdom on how to apply these lessons in our own lives.

We hope you will join us as we “go to Joseph” during this special year for the Church! Sign up below to receive updates and join the celebration. Click here to sign up to receive more information about our upcoming events and opportunities.

Homily for Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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In this episode, seminarian Timothy Berryhill from the Archdiocese of Chicago discusses his vocation story and how a career in the military prepared him for life as a seminarian. He also recounts a harrowing experience that ultimately led him to the Church and put him on a path to the seminary.

Tim also credits his experiences at an Exploring the Priesthood weekend with ultimately solidifying his decision to enter seminary. Click here to learn more about EPW and the upcoming discernment events in 2021.

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The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) | Homily for Luke 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

Listen to this reflection from Father John Kartje on the planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn that will visible on Monday, December 21. Read more of his thoughts below.

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Perspective matters. The personal significance of what we observe has everything to do with how we observe it. If you happen to be outside in the early evening on Monday, December 21, you will notice a remarkably bright spot of light in the southwestern sky—brighter than any natural phenomenon you have likely seen in the sky other than the sun and moon. Depending on the atmospheric conditions and how good your eyesight is, you will either see that it comprises two bright points of light, extremely close together, or else that it appears as one fuzzy blob. Those are the data, upon which all careful observers can agree. Now let’s add some perspective.

If you’re someone who rarely notices the night sky, but you do happen to glance up on the evening of the 21st, the bright light will suddenly grab your attention and you will likely conclude that something is not normal.

If you’re outdoors pretty regularly, then you will have been noticing for the past several weeks that two of the brightest “stars” in the sky have been drawing closer each night, with one poised to overtake the other within a few days. While you can appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of what will transpire on December 21, its occurrence will not take you by surprise.

Finally, if you’re an avid astronomy buff, then you know that on December 21 the planets Jupiter and Saturn will reach their point of closest approach to each other (known as a “conjunction”) as they orbit around the sun. From our vantage point on Earth, they will appear to be on a collision course when projected on the night sky, even though they will remain nearly half a billion miles apart. And while this event will be noteworthy, you will know that it is hardly unprecedented and has actually been expected.

Jupiter and Saturn achieve conjunction roughly once every twenty years, but their alignment as viewed from Earth does not always appear in the evening sky. Sometimes it is washed out by daylight. Furthermore, the degree of observed separation between the planets varies slightly from one conjunction to another. What makes the event this week so special is that the planets can be clearly viewed in the evening sky with an extremely small degree of separation (about one-fifth of the diameter of a full moon). Between the years 0 and 3000 A.D. this happens only 7 times. The last such occurrence was March 4, 1226 A.D. But it will happen again in a mere 60 years! It’s just a matter of the basic physics of orbiting bodies. Furthermore, if you are struck by the fact that this conjunction is occurring on the very day of the winter solstice, that is also just a coincidence of the physics. Conjunctions can be observed at various times throughout the year.

Many have tried to attribute various degrees of fateful significance to the conjunctions of the planets. It has even been suggested that a conjunction may have accounted for the Star of Bethlehem reported in Matthew’s gospel. But neither the dating nor the appearance of the conjunctions that occurred near the time of Jesus’ birth seem to work. There were conjunctions in 7 B.C. and 14 A.D., and in each of those cases the separation between Jupiter and Saturn was large enough for the naked eye to clearly distinguish two separate light sources, rather than one bright “star”. Furthermore, conjunctions do not suddenly appear unexpectedly. They result from the planets’ visible trajectories moving across the sky for several weeks, slowly converging and then moving apart. The conjunction itself does not “travel” since the planets are only aligned for a short time. This does not match the behavior of the star described by Matthew, which suddenly appeared and seemingly moved in advance of the Magi.

Even though it might not be a herald of the Second Coming, the conjunction of 2020 points to a profound truth of the spiritual life. The heavens constantly proclaim the glory of God (Psalm 19) whether conjunctions are happening or not. God’s grace, like the planets, is always present to us, whether we choose to receive it or not. And sadly, the cries of the poor are always resounding in our ears, whether we choose to hear them and respond or not.

Please enjoy this audio version of the 2020 Sounds of the Season Christmas Concert, featuring the Mundelein Seminary Christmas Concert Choir. Current conditions forced us to reimagine this beloved annual tradition as a virtual event, but we hope you will be inspired by these timeless carols and accompanying reflections taken from an apostolic letter by Pope Francis. Please continue to keep Mundelein Seminary students, faculty and staff In your prayers, and have a blessed Advent.

Watch the video version of the concert: http://usml.edu/event/christmas

Download the concert program PDF: https://bit.ly/2LaXXKS

Make an end-of-year gift to support your future parish priests: http://usml.edu/christmas

Gabriel’s Message Basque Carol, arranged by David Willcocks © David Willcocks, 1975, transferred to Oxford University Press, 1978.

O Holy Night Adolph Adam, arranged by Victor Harris © Oliver Ditson Co., 1912

Veni, Jesu Arrangement and original music by GIA, 2017 © OneLicense #A-704434

O come, All Ye Faithful Words and Melody by J. F. Wade, arranged by David Willcocks and Richard Webster © David Willcocks, Oxford University Press, 1961; © Richard Webster, For Brass and Timpani, 1983.

Silent Night Franz Gruber, arranged by John Rutter © John Rutter, Oxford University Press, 1981.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing John Wyeth arranged by Michael Raehpour © Raehpour Music, 2018

Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-704434. All rights reserved.

Reflections condensed from ADMIRABILE SIGNUM, a 2019 apostolic letter by Pope Francis.

Special thanks to our seminarian audio engineers: Matthew Cooke ‘24 (Diocese of Wichita) and Caleb Kuestersteffen ‘24 (Diocese of Wichita)

The Second Sunday of Advent | Homily for Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

Homily for John 15:9-17 Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."

Read more about the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity for the Third-Year Theologians.

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First Sunday of Advent | Homily for Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

Homily for Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

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Homily for Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

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Happy National Vocation Awareness Week! In this episode, we get to know Seth Hostetler (Third Theology) and Lee Noel (Second Pre-Theology) of the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. They talk about how they initially discerned their vocations to the priesthood and what life and the Church are like in their rural home diocese compared to the Archdiocese of Chicago. They also share what they learned in seminary this week.

Read more about National Vocation Awareness Week and encounter more seminarian vocation stories: https://usml.edu/national-vocation-awareness-week/

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Homily for Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a

It was about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. After he had taken the Body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. At daybreak on the first day of the week the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the Body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, "Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised."

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Homily for Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

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Homily for Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Through our recent #HeroPriests campaign, we received more than 100 stories of parish priests from around the country who have found new and creative ways to minister to their flock during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three priests from the Archdiocese of Chicago recently accepted the 2020 Joseph Cardinal Bernardin “In Service of One Another" Catholic Humanitarian Award at Mundelein Seminary's annual Rector's Classic Golf Outing on behalf of all the priests whose stories were submitted.

In this podcast, you will hear remarks from Father Mark Augustine (Class of 2013), Father Sergio Rivas (Class of 2012) and Father Marty O'Donovan (Class of 1978), who share their thoughts and experiences on how the pandemic has transformed their priestly ministry. You can read more stories of #HeroPriests at www.usml.edu/hero You can also hear interviews with four other hero priests in the previous episode of this podcast.

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories of gratitude for the heroic responses of their parish priests in dealing with the pandemic. Please continue to pray for your priests and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood!

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As COVID-19 has changed so much about the way we live in 2020, the Church has remained an essential source of hope, inspiration and support. Heroic priests across the country have answered the chaos of the pandemic with extraordinary creativity and resolve to continue serving as a bridge between Christ and his people.

Mundelein Seminary collectively honored these priests with our 2020 Joseph Cardinal Bernardin In Service of One Another Catholic Humanitarian Award, and we asked you to share the story of your parish priests. We were overwhelmed by the response! Parishioners from across the country submitted their heartfelt gratitude to more than 100 parish priests. In the next two episodes of this podcast, we will introduce you to a few of these priests who can tell their own stories about how they pivoted their priestly ministry with creativity, faith and compassion to meet their parishioners’ needs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To read all of the stories, visit www.usml.edu/hero.

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Thank you for subscribing to Formation! Please spread the word to your family, friends and parish community about this podcast. Please rate and review this podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so that others can discover it more easily. Together with you in Christ, we are Mundelein. We form parish priests.

Homily for Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

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Homily for Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

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Homily for Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Father John Kartje recently appeared on Relevant Radio's Morning Air Show to discuss Mundelein Seminary's #HeroPriests campaign that seeks to recognize parish priests who are going above and beyond in their priestly ministry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit www.usml.edu/hero to submit your priest's story and read other inspiring submissions of priests from across the country who have led their parishes with faith, compassion and creativity in these unprecedented times. We are collectively honoring these priests with the 2020 "In Service of One Another" Humanitarian Award at our annual Rector's Classic Golf Outing on September 17.

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What is academic life like at a seminary during a pandemic? Marie Pitt-Payne, Mundelein Seminary’s director of intellectual formation, joins us to talk about some of the new techniques and technologies that are being implemented in the classroom this semester to maintain a safe and effective learning environment for our seminarians and faculty. Some of the new features will have a lasting effect on academic life even once we return to more normal conditions after the pandemic. Marie also discusses the evolution of intellectual studies at Mundelein to better integrate them with the pastoral dimension of formation.

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Homily for Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Homily for Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

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Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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