New Professors Pledge Their Fidelity

On September 7, the seminary community paused to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, marking the opening of a new academic year. During Mass, Msgr. Todd Lajiness, rector of Sacred Heart, called upon the Holy Spirit to enkindle a new fire of faith and devotion at the seminary and to bless the student body, faculty, and staff.

Fr. Timothy Laboe, dean of studies at Sacred Heart, called new faculty members by name to approach the altar. Laying a hand upon the book of the Gospels, Mr. Matthew Buszek, Mr. Robert Peters, and Fr. Stephen Pullis recited a Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity. In doing so, they stated their belief in all that the Church holds as definitively true and promised to teach according to the mind of the Church.

As Canon law 883, article 7 states, the Profession of Faith is a public and solemn act required of all Catholics, at the beginning of their term in office, who teach the “sacred sciences” of theology and philosophy at a Catholic seminary.

During his homily, Monsignor Lajiness offered words of encouragement against the backdrop of the current Church scandal.

“Our prayer today is rooted in confidence and gratitude, even as we make our way through challenging times of crisis and scandal, days that may test our faith,” said Monsignor Lajiness. “Yet in the midst of that we present ourselves here, in this sacred space and we ask the Lord again, to bless all of our efforts.”

After his homily, the entire student body prayed together:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

 O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.