“To love as Christ loved” may well have been the theme of the liturgy that marked this year’s seminary “closing Mass” on Thursday, May 15, and the farewell dinner for our beloved Msgr Michael de Verteuil, the previous evening.

“Fr Mike’s dinner” —literally under “the stars”— a smaller version of the now famous seminary fundraising banquets, was an unparalleled occasion filled with much praise for the Rector. The event, heavily sponsored by gracious patrons, saw seminarians working hard to make the evening a success.

The chapel was filled to overflowing for the final liturgy of the academic year. Among those present were many who have generously supported the seminary over the years.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Thomas Gullickson presided at the Mass, which was attended by a number of priests including Fr. Hugh Joyeau the faithful seminary spiritual director, Dean of Studies Fr Eddy Bermingham SJ, Abbot John Pereira OSB and the Rector and vice-Rector.  

Archbishop Gullickson brought to the liturgy a blend of high liturgical finesse, informal ease and personable charm. In his homily he cited the 1964 homily of Pope Paul VI, at the canonisation of the Martyrs of Uganda, patrons of the Seminary.

The Nuncio underscored that high praises were sung of another part of the world, other than Europe. He quoted with fervour from the text: “Who could have predicted to the famous African confessors and martyrs such as Cyprian, Felicity, Perpetua and – the greatest of all – Augustine, that we would one day add names so dear to us as Charles Lwanga and Matthias Mulumba Kalemba and their twenty companions?”

The Nuncio noted that these young African men could be gladly identified with the story of the seven sons and their mother in the Book of Maccabees, the text of the first reading (2 Macc 7). He said such deeds of bravery and zeal suggested the need, in our day, for a sound moral foundation to be handed down for posterity.

Archbishop Gullickson said that a commonly held opinion of today’s students, especially those in theology and major seminarians, was that they are much more serious about learning than students of previous years.

He felt, however, that the lack of fruit in the area of vocations was at odds with this opinion. He identified three basic qualities for a vocation: a sound mind, sound body and a somewhat better than average intelligence.

Everything else, he said, was supernatural and mediated through the Church. He likened vocations to martyrdom and to Christ’s passion. Such a witness stems only from true love of God and neighbour. He likened studies to the ultimate bloodless martyrdom, which drew numerous laughs.

The Nuncio implored all to adopt a Christ-centered life and a straightforward faith like that of the martyrs, which would cause “a new Pentecost” to spread “like wildfire across the Caribbean.” Turning to the Beatitudes (Gospel text – Mt 5:1-12) and their inherent joy, he challenged all to encourage the young to heed God’s voice. As the academic year closed, the Nuncio wished that the break from studies would be fruitful for all.

The first two recipients of the Sr Diane Jagdeo award and the Dr Everard Johnston award: Adanna James of Trinidad and Tobago (Scripture) and Nigel Karam of Dominica (Systematic Theology)

Two awards were presented for the first time. One for outstanding achievements in the area of Systematic theology, in loving memory of the late Sr Diane Jagdeo, and the other in the area of Scripture studies, in gratitude to Dr Everard Johnston’s 36 years of untiring work at the Seminary. The awardees were Nigel Karam and Adanna James, respectively. 

Before proceeding to a starlit banquet on the seminary grounds, arranged for the previous night’s festivities, His Excellency bestowed one more accolade on Msgr Mike. On behalf of the Holy See and the Congregation of the Evangelisation of Peoples: “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

As he prepares to leave his post as Rector of the Regional Seminary, Msgr Michael de Verteuil says unabashedly “I have enjoyed every moment of it.”

Cycle 1 seminarians present their gift to the Rector.

Second-year seminarian Alando Williams of St Vincent and the Grenadines speaks on behalf of his year group.

Fr Llanos prays with Msgr Mike in the Seminary chapel.

On Wednesday, May 14, the Seminary community said farewell to Msgr Mike at a dinner on the grounds of the place which, for nine years, he has called home.

The evening began in the Seminary Chapel with Evening Prayer led by the seminarians.

When the psalms and prayers of intercession were done, vice-Rector Fr Robert Llanos invited Msgr Mike to come forward for anointing and prayer as seminarians, lecturers, staff and guests extended their hands towards him.

In the gathering were several of the Rector’s relatives and head of the Living Water Community Rhonda Maingot.

Following the Vespers, guests were led outdoors where they found the space well-appointed with lanterns, tastefully decorated tables and a slideshow of photos from Msgr Mike’s tenure.

When the time for speeches came, seminarians from various year groups spoke glowingly about their Rector whom they described repeatedly as a true father.

The Seminary’s staff also had their say, paying tribute to the monsignor’s dedication and expressing gratitude for the many lessons he taught them.

The seminarians did not cook the splendid dinner, but they planned and hosted the evening’s activity.

Fr Llanos revealed that many of the gifts Msgr Mike received that evening came from contributions of the seminarians.

In his response, Msgr Mike spoke about his early misgivings, his feelings of inadequacy for the task, when he was called to the headquarters of the AEC Secretariat and told he had been chosen to be the new rector and how he grew to love the job and “love the place”.