Bishop Deeley Celebrates Mass at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City

Bishop Robert Deeley served as the main celebrant for an historic Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City on Thursday, October 13 (many pictures below).

The Mass not only served as a 69th anniversary celebration of the dedication of the chapel, but also featured the installation of Monsignor Thomas Powers as the new rector of the college.

Bishop Deeley is the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Pontifical North American College, which serves as the American seminary for diocesan clergy in Rome.

“We pray through the intercession of Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, that, in this sacred space, we might grow closer to the heart of her Son so that his mission for us becomes both our hope and our direction,” said Bishop Deeley during the Mass. “We invoke in a special way the intercession of Mary for Monsignor Powers that the Lord Jesus he encounters here might watch over him in carrying out the responsibilities his new office places on him.”

Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pius IX, the College has formed over 5,000 priests near the heart of the Church for service in dioceses around the United States, including seminarian Andrew Bailey of the Diocese of Portland. The college strengthens the bonds between Rome and local churches worldwide, and it allows its students to study the Church’s rich religious and cultural heritage at close range. It currently forms over 200 men as seminarians and graduate priests for service in the United States and Australia.

Pictures courtesy of the Pontifical North American College.

Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC
Bishop Deeley at PNAC