The Pontifical College Josephinum had the honor of welcoming to the seminary His Excellency, The Most Reverend Christopher Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States and Chancellor of the Josephinum, on December 12, 2020. Archbishop Pierre presided at Morning Prayer in Saint Turibius Chapel, then enjoyed a breakfast reception with seminarians and resident faculty.

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Since his appointment by Pope Francis as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States in 2016, Archbishop Pierre has made numerous visits to the City of Columbus and to the Josephinum; he presided at the installation of Very Reverend Steven P. Beseau as the Josephinum’s current Rector/President in fall 2019. “On each of his visits, Archbishop Pierre has brought us personal greetings from the Holy Father and the assurance of Pope Francis’ prayers for the Josephinum and our seminarians,” said Father Beseau. “And for that we are most grateful.”

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It was providential that Archbishop Pierre was with the Josephinum community on December 12, as it was on this date in 1892 the seminary was granted pontifical status by Pope Leo XIII. Since that date, the Josephinum has treasured its special relationship with the Holy See – a relationship that has been embodied in the person of the nuncio.

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“Archbishop Pierre is the 16th nuncio to serve as our chancellor,” said Father Beseau. “For the past four years, he has been unfailingly supportive of the Josephinum and our mission. We have been blessed not only by his administrative proficiency and vast experience in leadership positions in the Church throughout the world, but even more so from his attentiveness, his prayers, and his genuine regard for the Josephinum.”

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On behalf of the administration, faculty and seminarians, Father Beseau presented Archbishop Pierre with the Pope Leo XIII Award. Inaugurated in 2010, this special award is the highest honor given by the seminary to an individual, in recognition their support of priestly vocations and the Josephinum. “This small gesture is in no way adequate to fully express our thankfulness for all of the may blessings you’ve given to us,” said Father Beseau. “We hope, however, that it will serve as a lasting reminder of our deep regard for you, your priesthood, and all you have brought to the Church through your years of faithful service.”

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“I am very grateful for this gesture and to receive this award,” said Archbishop Pierre. “I am thankful to everyone here for…the spirit I have seen – the community and joy – at the Josephinum.”

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