Deacon Jimmy Hatfield: 3rd Year Josephinum Theologians Travel to Rome on Retreat to Deepen Faith and Friendship
Ordained a transitional deacon June 6th, 2009 in his preparation for priesthood.
Deacon Jimmy Hatfield, ordained transitional deacon, June 6th, 2009, traveled to Rome with six fellow third year theologians in January, 2009 on a retreat to deepen their faith and friendship and in preparation for their diaconate ordinations.
The trip was led by Msgr. Msgr. William Cleves, and Fr. Patrick Manning. Following the retreat portion of the trip, the students were joined by Msgr. Paul Langsfeld, former rector of the Josephinum. “I approached with trip with tremendous gratitude 
The group arrived in Rome on January 1, 2009 and checked into the Domus Romano Sacerdotalis (established by John Paul II to accommodate clergy belonging to the diplomatic corps of the Holy See or working in the Roman Curia.) After unpacking the group travelled to the Casa Santa Maria Graduate House (the old North American College) for lunch in honor of the celebration of the Feast of Mary Mother of God.
The 5-day retreat also included conferences, fellowship and prayer at the four major Basilicas. The first of the basilicas visited was St. Peter’s. “Before entering the 
doors of St. Peter’s for the first time, we knelt in prayer and Fr. Manning led us in a prayer of thanksgiving for the this wonderful opportunity to deepen our faith and solidify the brotherhood and fraternal bond between us.”
The highlight of this first visit was when Msgr. Cleves celebrated Mass with the seminarians at the altar directly above the tomb of St. Peter. Hatfield said, “Celebrating that Mass in that very sacred place was a very powerful spiritual experience. We all felt a sense of unity with ourselves and with the entire history of the Church. Praying in such a holy place can really change your life because it teaches you that our service to God is 
never an individual, our service is closely connected to our relationship with each other and with all of those who have gone before us.”
Seven additional days were spent touring the many historic and spiritual sights found in the Eternal City.
“The trip was incredible. To enjoy the art and the architecture, the language, the history and many hours we spent praying together. Seeing Michaelangelo's Pieta and praying before the Blessed Sacrament in the beautiful chapel at St. Peter’s as well as the Scavi tour below St. Peters were highlights for me,” said Dcn. Hatfield. “Standing at the end of the Scavi tour, in full view of some of St. Peter’s remains, my faith was sealed,” said Dcn. Hatfield.
“There we were, just a few feet from the remains of one of Jesus' closest friends, to whom the keys of the Kingdom were given, forced all of us present to our knees in praise and thanksgiving for the many gifts that God has given us and His Church for over 2000 years!”
Each of the basilica's visited (St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran) provided many moments of prayer, inspiration and reflection on the history and traditions of the Catholic Faith. “I loved St. Paul's Outside the Walls,” said Dcn. Hatfield. “It seemed that every inch of the floor, ceiling and walls was covered with lessons in the Faith. As we were in the Year of Paul, praying at the great apostle's tomb was a moving and humbling experience. Right above the tomb below the main altar was the chain that had bound St. Paul during his arrest in Rome. One cannot help but to stand in awe at the connection on feels in the presence of the first and greatest missionaries of the Church and is responsible for writing the majority of the New Testament!”
A visit was also made to the Church of San Lorenzo, a church that was celebrating its 1750th birthday. “Praying at the tomb of St. Lawrence (deacon) and asking for his intercession, strength and guidance was another gift especially for the seven of us seminarians who would soon be ordained to the diaconate.”
Dcn. Hatfield felt blessed to be part of this trip, made possible for him by through the sponsorship of Joan and Francis Wacek, Marysville, Kansas. “I am so thankful for the sponsorship of the Wacek’s as well as many other people who donated financial support,” said Dcn. Hatfield.
The trip was also a welcome time of fellowship for the men who have studied together at the Josephinum for 4 to 6 years; they have one more year of formation before ordination to the priesthood. “This time together in Rome was special. It was a rare opportunity to bond as brothers with Christ in Rome.”
The trip was first and foremost a time of prayer. “I felt at home in every Church we visited,” said Dcn. Hatfield. “I was completely at peace. In Rome, I could feel the how universal the Church is – how it is all encompassing and led by the holy Spirit. I know fully understand One Church and Rome is the heart of it with the Holy Father there.”
Dcn. Hatfield found standing in the Sistine Chapel to be awe-inspiring “to be in a place that has withstood the test of time” was a very prayerful experience for him. “I couldn't help but think about Rex Harrison saying to Charlton Heston, 'When will you make an end?'' referring to the movie The Agony and the Ecstasy. “The restored fresco is so vivid and alive it is as if Scripture was jumping off of the ceiling. It was so beautiful and awe inspiring that the joy we felt could hardly be contained.”
The group attended Mass at St. Peter's, with Pope Benedict presiding, on the Feast of the Epiphany. “Mass was at 10 and we got in line at 6:30 a.m. As we were standing in line, there were other groups joining us in line and we had a wonderful opportunity of meeting people from all over the world who shared our faith and were just as excited about celebrating Mass with our Holy Father." After the Mass, the seminarians attended the general audience with Pope Benedict and after being introduced to the Holy Father, the group broke into a couple of choruses of Sancte Joseph after which the smiling Holy Father warmly applauded.
This trip was also a time reflection for each seminarian of the group who were preparing for ordination to the transitional diaconate. Dcn. Hatfield describes the awe he feels as he steps into ordained ministry. “That is some of the greatest work a human being can do. To be able to proclaim and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ in the footsteps of all who have gone before us, many of whom were right there in Rome, is an honor and privilege that we learned can never be earned, but is a true gift of Grace from a most loving and generous Father.”
Dcn. Hatfield enjoyed the wonderful meals they shared together – the gathering, the fellowship, the laughter 
and the friendly Italian people. “Almost all of our meals were taken together and they added so much to the fraternal nature of the entire trip. This pilgrimage and retreat time solidified a bond between us that will last a lifetime. We know that throughout our priesthood, we will always share a particular bond with one another that will transcend all of our other relationships. Through our years of formation together and especially during this trip to Rome, we have formed a bond of brotherhood where we can always count on each other for friendship, prayer, encouragement and support.”
“I will cherish the memories of the trip, the generosity of the people who sponsored us, the love and the brotherhood of the seminarians, and the priests who were our guides.” Dcn. Hatfield believes that this experience of visiting the many sites and shrines at the heart of Catholicism has deepened his appreciation of what it means to be Roman Catholic. 
“I returned home from Rome with a renewed sense of what it means to be Roman Catholic and for the many traditions that add to the beauty and grandeur of our Faith. I am eager to uphold these traditions and to help others to see and appreciate the truth and beauty that Roman Catholicism brings to our worship and how these living traditions help each of us in achieving a deeper personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
When asked about preparations to be ordained as a transitional deacon, Dcn. Hatfield said, “This is ordained ministry. This is our wedding date where we enter into a new state in life and take the first step to becoming a spiritual father as a priest. It is an ontological event that will forever change our lives and unite us in a very special way to Christ and His Church.”
