Archbishop Lucas represents diocese during ad limina visit
Special to the Register by Father Kenneth Borowiak
Rome (SNR) - In an once-in-a-lifetime encounter, three seminarians of the Diocese of Lincoln had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis.
The meeting took place Jan. 16 in the context of the ad limina visit of the bishops of Region Nine in the United States. The ad limina visit, officially called, ad limina apostolorum, is a meeting in which diocesan bishops from around the world meet with the pope – once every five years – to report on the state of their dioceses. It is a formal trip that is made with the bishops from a single region. Region Nine in the United States includes bishops from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.
The term ad limina apostolorum literally means “to the threshold” [tombs] of the Apostles Peter and Paul, where the bishops celebrate the Eucharist. During the visit bishops also meet with the heads of other Vatican offices, frequently called dicasteries.
Archbishop George Lucas, Archbishop of Omaha and apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Lincoln, invited three seminarians for the Diocese of Lincoln who are studying in Rome to join him in a meeting with Pope Francis: Matthew Schilmoeller, James O’Neil, and Deacon Joseph Wahlmeier.
The meeting took place in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Holy Father. Schilmoeller, a member of St. Michael Parish in Lincoln, said the Holy Father took the time to shake hands with and greet each seminarian.
“He spoke in Italian and told us that he was happy to see such young vocations,” he said.
“Pope Francis gave me the impression of having joy and sincerity,” Schilmoeller continued. “The life of the pope undoubtedly keeps him incredibly busy, yet his willingness to meet with the bishops for a few hours indicates his desire to listen to them and to encourage them in their pastoral efforts to promulgate the Gospel in their respective dioceses,” he said.
Schilmoeller is in his first year of theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, also known as the Angelicum. He lives at the Pontifical North American College (NAC) with the other two Lincoln diocesan seminarians, James O’Neil and Deacon Joseph Wahlmeier.
“Pope Francis struck me as being lively, healthy, and happy to greet his many guests,” O’Neil said. “It was a real blessing to see the fraternity and community between the American bishops and the Holy Father,” he added. O’Neil is a member of St. Mary Parish in Nebraska City.
Deacon Joseph Wahlmeier, a member of St. Michael Parish in Hastings, was the most senior of the three Lincoln seminarians, having been ordained a transitional deacon in Rome in October 2019. He is currently studying for a licentiate (the equivalent of a master’s degree) in biblical theology at the Gregorian University in Rome. The degree involves much work in biblical languages, especially Greek and Hebrew.
Meeting Pope Francis was a special moment for Deacon Wahlmeier.
“The day of Pope Francis’ election on March 13, 2013 was the very same day that I first heard the strong call to go to the seminary and study for the priesthood,” Deacon Wahlmeier said. “As I approach ordination to the priesthood, it is a dream come true to meet the pope whose election was a part of God’s call to me to the priesthood.”
“The pope told us never to lose our sense of humor, to always seek Our Lady’s guidance, and to pray the rosary with devotion,” he shared.
Archbishop George Lucas, currently serving as apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Lincoln, met with each of the three seminarians individually to encourage them in their discernment and about things back home. He and Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt of Grand Island had several lunches together at the NAC with the seminarians from Nebraska.
Archbishop Lucas said the meeting with Pope Francis had a humorous moment.
“When I introduced Matt (Schilmoeller) to the Holy Father, he looked at the young man and asked, ‘Has he made his First Communion yet?’ It was a great moment,” Archbishop Lucas said.
Archbishop Lucas added that Pope Francis spent more than two and a half hours with the 15 bishops of the region who had come to Rome. At the beginning of the session, the pope noted that both Bishop James Conley of Lincoln and Archbishop Michael Jackels, Archbishop of Dubuque and a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln, were unable to be present because of health challenges. Pope Francis said that they were in his prayers.
“The Holy Father then told us that he wanted an informal visit, and he encouraged us to tell him or ask him anything that was on our minds,” Archbishop Lucas said. “Each bishop had the chance to speak, and the Holy Father was very open and forthcoming in his responses.”
Archbishop Lucas noted that the personal encounter with the Holy Father was very important.
“The only reason that I am privileged to serve in the Archdiocese of Omaha, and now for a time in the Diocese of Lincoln, is because the pope has sent me,” he said in an interview released in his column. “I found the time with him to be very encouraging for me in my vocation. I also came away with a deepened sense of confidence in the leadership of Pope Francis.”
Archbishop Lucas noted that it is easy enough for anyone to receive an impression of the Holy Father from commentators or bloggers.
“It is important for us to let Francis be Francis, since he is the one the Lord has chosen as our universal pastor, not someone else,” Archbishop Lucas said. “I have renewed my determination to pray for the Holy Father daily, and I hope many will join me in asking God’s blessing on his apostolic ministry,” Archbishop Lucas said.
The meeting with the pope ended on another humorous note. Immediately after the seminarians from Nebraska met Pope Francis, Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, Mo. presented the Holy Father with the Kansas City Chiefs jersey signed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“The pope received it with joy and encouraged the seminarians to play sports in the seminary,” Deacon Wahlmeier said. “No problem, Holy Father,” Deacon Wahlmeier said. “I will obey!”
