Our Conversation With a Seminary Leader in Rome

Recently, Cross Catholic Outreach traveled to Rome and spoke with Father Dave Hulshof, coordinator of apostolic formation for the Pontifical North American College, about how America’s largest seminary in the Eternal City prepares seminarians to have a heart for the poor.

Cross Catholic Outreach: What opportunities do seminarians have to serve the poor while they are preparing for priesthood in Rome?

Fr. Hulshof: My work with Apostolic Formation involves me providing opportunities for these young men to serve several hours each week at apostolates throughout Rome, including with the Missionaries of Charity. These young men serve in many different ways, including service to the poor, refugees and those in nursing homes.

Cross Catholic Outreach: Missionaries who serve the poor often speak of feeling they were the recipient of ministry when working with the poor. Talk about this notion that the poor evangelize us.

Fr. Hulshof: Mother Teresa referred to the U.S. as one of the poorest countries in the world. She was referring to our country depending too much on our material resources but being spiritually poor. The poor are spiritually rich, and they can help us understand the gift of the Beatitudes. When we serve them, we are serving Christ himself and that is a blessing.

Cross Catholic Outreach: Caring for a person’s emotional and spiritual needs, as well as their material needs, is the approach of the Church when reaching out to the poor. Expand on this idea.

Fr. Hulshof: Pope Benedict XVI wrote in Deus Caritas Est that everything we do is in relation to God. Everything we are about is engaging a God who loves us and calls us to love. Integral human development is letting ourselves be formed by going out as Christ to others and letting those we serve be Christ to us.

Cross Catholic Outreach: We send Outreach Priests into Catholic parishes around the U.S. every weekend to bring the cry of the poor to those God has blessed richly. I know when you were a pastor, you welcomed us into your parish. Tell us about the experience.

Fr. Hulshof: It was a wonderful weekend for our parishioners to understand the good ministry and work of Cross Catholic Outreach. It was a very positive experience. When I return back to the United States, I will certainly be happy to host another Cross Catholic Outreach priest so they can share the plight of the poor around the world with the congregation.

This is a partial transcript of our interview. You can watch the full interview by clicking the link below.