Lay Catholics rally in support of priests, seminarians

By Peter Finney Jr.
Clarion Herald

In the wake of Archbishop Gregory Aymond’s removal of two pastors from ministry – one for sexual abuse of a minor and the other for obscenity with women – nearly 200 laypersons prayed in front of Notre Dame Seminary Oct. 10 as a sign of support for priests and for those studying for the priesthood.

Organizers of the prayer service, held on the front lawn of the seminary on South Carrollton Avenue, handed out smooth rocks to participants and asked them to decorate them with spiritual symbols such as crosses or angels or other signs of support for priests.

About 140 rocks were placed on the front steps of the seminary, said Theresa Truxillo, coordinator of ministry at St. Pius X Church in New Orleans, who organized the service along with Sheri Derbes. Both Truxillo and Derbes are students in the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry (ILEM), a program of the seminary.

“The idea is that we trust that they really are the rocks and that Jesus built his church on Peter, and they are the successors of him,” Truxillo said. “We need them, and we are praying for them.”

Truxillo said she and Derbes have gotten to know many seminarians as they have gone through their ILEM courses. 

“As lay people, we thought it might be good to do something that was visible and somehow have a visible presence for our clergy and our seminarians and our archbishop,” Truxillo said. “We’re very worried about (the archbishop). We trust him and feel sad that a man who is our leader and is so good is under such scrutiny and attacks. In the midst of all of that ugliness, we decided that maybe we could show that as lay people, we really are praying for our priests and seminarians.”

Father James Wehner, rector-president of the seminary, said he would present each seminarian with a prayer rock.

“We think that’s so special because the seminarians will see that women and children are praying for them,” Truxillo said. 

The gathering ended across the street from the seminary in the vegetable and herb garden of Ye Olde College Inn, where owner, John Blancher, displays a portrait of the Divine Mercy. 

The entire group was led in the rosary by Father Colm Cahill, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Even though it was a Saturday, Father Cahill asked the crowd if it would be acceptable to recite the Sorrowful Mysteries, given what that the church and those harmed by sexual abuse have endured.

Father Cahill said the outpouring of support was personally and spiritually moving to him.

“When you see nearly 200 people come out together in the midst of heartbreak, discouragement, scandal and such betrayal, to see their fidelity and their faithfulness should be a testament and encouragement to every priest of the fidelity and faithfulness we are called to,” Father Cahill said. “In light of the storms, the troubles and the battle, this was their desire to assemble as the people of God and lift their hearts in the midst of their pain.”

Truxillo said as a graduate of St. Mary’s Dominican High School – whose motto is “Veritas” (truth) – she is buoyed by what she considers the “truth” of the Catholic faith.

“Deep in my core, I know that Jesus didn't change just because people made really bad decisions,” Truxillo said. “While it’s scary to see leaders in our church make bad decisions, it doesn’t change Jesus for me, and I hope it doesn’t change Jesus for other people.”

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