To know God is to know true love. I begin my description of Cassock Day with this observation because the entire purpose of this time honored tradition is to build a community of love, but not love in the cheesy sense. True love is sacrificial, it involves people going out of there way for each other, and this type of love always brings out the best in humanity.

The weekend begins with the Old Man/ New Man show, a show which all seminarians dedicate a lot of time to. It is our opportunity to reflect on our experiences in a humorous and light way, but there is also a sense of accomplishment. Seeing one’s brothers truly entertained is a gift. There is a sense in which even the most mundane aspects of our lives bring us closer to our Beloved Lord.

Unfortunately, most of the weekend events are kept in confidence so that future New Man may experience the rich tradition that is Cassock Day. Without giving details, what was so moving was how our brothers spent so much time planning and preparing for our acceptance into the community.

Talking with older Priests who went to St. Charles Borromeo makes one realize how the Priesthood is a unique experience that brings men together in a profound way. Through a common experience, we seminarians form a bond that can only be adequately called love.

The final, and unplanned, event of the day illustrates this point dramatically. At 9:30 pm, after all the parents had left and the seminary community was settling in for the night, there was unexpected news. The father of a brother seminarian had died suddenly of a heart attack, and the immediate response of my brothers was to form the College Division in the Chapel to pray a rosary. We share joy, but we also share sorrow, and in sharing our sorrow and offering it for the good of humanity, we draw closer to the crucified Christ.

Please keep his father and our community in your prayers, and realize that the Diocese of Raleigh is close to the heart of every one of her seminarians.

Click HERE to view pictures of Ian Van Heusen with his family from Cassock Day.