Witness and Evangelization | Week 1 Highlights

Our Rome Experience started at the Benedictine University near Chicago. We had Mass, prayed as a group, and then made our way to the buses that took us to O’Hare. It was great getting to know everyone on the bus and talking with seminarians from all over the country. As we pulled into O’Hare, we caught the eyes of several people as more than 20 guys pulled up all wearing clerics. It was a great moment for evangelization. When we eventually made it to Amsterdam, many of us talked about the great conversations we had on the plane. Since our flight was delayed, we were able to spend more time in Amsterdam than originally planned. We were able to go to the Basilica of Saint Nicholas for prayer and Mass. The priest was incredibly generous to us and talked with us after Mass. We then divided into a couple of groups to explore the city. We tried good food, saw beautiful churches, and got to tour a Heineken Museum. Again, throughout all of this, being approached by strangers and talking with them about what/who seminarians are. Eventually, through God’s grace, we were able to make it to Florence. Here we were given a very detailed tour of the Convento di San Marco, a former Dominican House, that played a crucial role in Renaissance Florence. After this we had free time to explore the city and see many beautiful churches and eat incredible food. Finally, we made our way to Bracciano where we had a silent retreat at a retreat house led by the Nashville Dominicans. It was an incredible experience and the sisters were so kind to all of us.

One specific theme that really sticks out during our first week of the Rome Experience is evangelization. For me personally, this was the first time I had worn clerics in the airport or on a plane. As a result, during the flight to Amsterdam, I had a great conversation with a young family about the Faith and how Our Lord is waiting for each individual person to come home to Him in the Tabernacle. I loved talking with them and really hope that begin their journey in coming home to the Catholic Faith. With that, this incredible conversation may not have happened if we as a group were not in clerics. This was definitely a common theme for the group as a lot of guys were able to witness to those around them in great conversations. Thus, as the Rome Experience continues, I really am looking forward to all of the evangelization opportunities we will have throughout the summer.

Todd Ashburn
Diocese of Madison