News & Events | May 12, 2025
Habemus Papam!
As soon as word got out that white smoke had been seen over the Sistine Chapel, students and staff at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, as well as others from nearby Dehonian ministries, crammed around the television screen at the SHSST lobby to learn who the new pope would be.
“It’s an American!” yelled someone from the back of the crowd. Seconds after, the lobby was filled with cheers as people learned that Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago, was Pope Leo XIV. Soon connections were made: a seminarian recalled serving for then Fr. Prevost at a Chicago parish. Others noted that the new pope studied at Catholic Theological Union where many SCJ priests and brothers have also studied.
The group kneeled in prayer, joining millions around the world in a universal moment in a universal church.
For the Priests of the Sacred Heart, the Holy Father’s choice of “Leo” has special meaning. Of course, “Leo” was the first name of our founder: Ven. Fr. Leo John Dehon. However, it was Pope Leo XIII who was “instrumental in the life and ministry of Fr. Leo John Dehon,” wrote Fr. Vien Nguyen, in his letter to Dehonians shortly after the announcement of the new pope. Pope Leo XIII’s “Rerum Novarum” guided much of the founder’s own writings on social justice and his passion for serving the poor, especially the working poor.
“In the encyclical, he [Pope Leo XIII] criticized laissez-faire capitalism for exploiting workers,” continued Fr. Vien. “He argued that labor should not be treated as a mere commodity dictated by supply and demand of the market or as an economic contract, as this undermines the dignity of the worker…
“With the name Leo, we hope that Pope Leo XIV continues to focus on the modern social teachings of the Church started by Pope Leo XIII, paying attention to those on the margins.”
Prayer for Pope Leo XIV:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.
Fill him with wisdom, courage and grace as he leads Your Church. May the Holy Spirit guide him in truth, unity and love. Grant him strength in trials, humility in leadership and unwavering faith. We entrust him to Your care, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Chapel filled for SHSST commencement
On Friday, May 9, Fr. Levi Dos Anjos Ferreira, SCJ, Dehonian vicar general and an alumnus of SHSST’s ESL program (now, English and Culture Studies) was the commencement speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony. Graduates included those receiving Master of Divinity degrees, Master of Arts in Catholic Studies, Master of Arts in Theology, and certificates for Individualized Ordination Tracks.
During the dinner that followed, Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, was thanked for his service as president-rector for the 2024-25 academic year; Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, will soon assume his duties leading the school. At the end of the evening, SHSST faculty and staff continued the yearly tradition of walking to the SCJ mausoleum behind the seminary to remember and give thanks to the Dehonians who helped to build the US Province, raising a toast to celebrate those who came before. [see photo below]
Click here to view photos from the evening. A smaller collection of pics is available on the US Province Facebook page.
Jubilee Colloquium
As noted last week, a delegation from the Faculdade Dehoniana in Taubaté, Brazil, is visiting the US Province to learn about and continue collaborative dialogue with Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. They took part in Friday’s commencement ceremony, did a day trip to Chicago on Saturday (including attendance at a Chicago Fire soccer game at Soldier Field), visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (near Green Bay) on Sunday, and today the Brazilians are joining SHSST staff at a “Jubilee Colloquium.” Funded by an In Trust Grant, the colloquium is an opportunity for academic conversations between SHSST and Faculdade Dehoniana. “Jubilee Colloquium” is in honor of both the Church’s Holy Year and the Dehonian Jubilee marking Fr. Dehon’s death 100 years ago and the foundation of the Congregation 150 years ago.
Among those speaking today is Dr. John Gallum, professor emeritus of SHSST. He will reflect on how the charism of Fr. Leo John Dehon impacted his teaching. Click here to read an article that he wrote about this for the congregation’s Dehoniana.
Tomorrow the Brazilian delegation will travel to South Dakota where they will spend four days learning about Dehonian ministries there.
Please remember
Helena Parinem, the grandmother of Fr. M. Ari Saputra, SCJ, died on May 6; she was 81. “I spent my childhood with her before I went to elementary school,” wrote Fr. Ari. “One thing that I will never forget is that she was the one who taught me a prayer: ‘Sembah Bekti,’ the Hail Mary in the Javanese language. She taught me how to pray the rosary in Javanese, my local language. She encouraged me to celebrate our faith and love our culture.”
Keep in prayer
Fr. John Czyzynski, SCJ, has been diagnosed with a slow-growing cancerous lymphoma in his abdominal area. More tests are needed to determine the best course of care. He is feeling stronger each day and appreciates all the prayers and well wishes that have been coming his way.
Students honor the missing
On May 5, students and staff from St. Joseph’s Indian School held a ceremony to honor and raise awareness around the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR/MMIP/MMIW). It was one of many such ceremonies held across North America on Monday, a day designated to remember those directly impacted by this tragedy.
Starting in the Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel with a prayer service, the ceremony moved outside to the Wisdom Circle. Expressions of grief and healing included a round dance with prayer and healing songs by the school’s Pahá Makȟásaŋ Lowáŋpi (Chalk Hills Singers drum group). Students also made prayer ties to be used in ceremonies throughout the spring to continue to remember and pray for MMIR victims.
The event culminated with a walk to American Creek Park to build community awareness. Students and staff wore tee shirts for the event designed by sixth-grader Owen Goodlow who won a student competition for the tee shirt design.
Native women on reservations experience a murder rate ten times higher than the national average; it is the third leading cause of death for these women. Indigenous men and children also experience higher rates of disappearance and murder than the national average. Many of St. Joseph’s students know these realities first-hand.
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