St Basil's History

History of St Basil's Seminary

The earliest immigrants to America from the Middle East, especially from Lebanon and Syria, arrived here around the end of the 19th century, and, like all other immigrants who were poor financially and ignorant of the language and customs, they suffered a great deal of hardship and disillusionment. But after struggling and persevering faithfully, they finally managed to make a place for themselves in their adopted land.

Their first problem was that of self-organization: Churches must be built, in which they could worship their God as they were wont to in the Old World. The beautiful hymns must not be forgotten, and they must find a way to bring their own priests from across the seas-no easy task, by any means. However, circumstances were in their favor: they had a strong will and an earnest desire to perpetuate their ancient rituals, and the laws of the country presented no obstacle. Finally, the first Melkite parish was founded in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1902, by Rev. Joseph Batal, a Salvatorian Father. Many other Melkite centers followed the same pattern, until today, there are twenty-five Melkite Churches in the United States.

But life is progressive. The older generation was slowly passing on, and the young were in great danger of losing the language and traditions of their ancestors, almost of sacrificing the ethnocentric particulars to the great 'Melting Pot" of modern society. The only solution to this problem was to form an American-Oriental Clergy, who would understand and look after the younger generation.

Petitions were addressed to the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Church, which was already considering the problem, especially on the part of the Rev. Nicholas Burkush, Superior-General of the Basilian Salvatorian Order, during his first term in office. His Beatitude the Patriarch Maximus IV also worked for this same goal. Finally, after long studies and enquiries, Rome granted permission to Rev. Nicholas Burkush, during his second term (1945-1955) to come to America, and found the Melkite Center which, in time, would have the facilities to open its doors to all Oriental Catholics of the Middle East. In 1953, the Superior-General called together the Salvatorian Fathers and announced to them the decision of the Holy See. They received the news enthusiastically, and decided to accept the offer.

His Excellency Richard J. Cushing, Archbishop of Boston, granted his indispensable approbation, and the project was launched. However, His Excellency did not simply grant permission: His paternal encouragement, his deep affection for the Oriental rites, his zealous interest and his material aid played a tremendous part in any success ever to be achieved by the new Seminary. The Oriental Catholics of the United States will forever owe his Excellency Archbishop Cushing a debt of gratitude, exceeded only by the deep love and reverence they bear toward him.

It was necessary to establish the Canonical existence of the project. Contacts were made between the Superior-General Burkush, Archbishop Cushing, and the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Church. Rome's approbation and kindly attitude toward the Eastern Church was made clearly manifest through the paternal interest of His Eminence Cardinal Tisserant, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation.

The canonical formalities completed, a site must be chosen for the new center. The ways of the Lord are numerous, and as usual, He provided for His Own. The Tenney estate in Methuen, Mass. was put up for sale, and thanks largely to the efforts of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Eftimios Saba, and Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Abouzeid, who appealed to Archbishop Cushing, the estate was purchased on May 4, 1953.

The First Laborers:

The pioneer staff sent to this new institution consists of: Rev. John Jadaa, D.L. Superior; Rev. Nicholas Ibrahim, Vice-Superior, and Rev. Lucien Malouf, D.L ., L.L. treasurer. Last, but not least, Brother Polycarpe Nassif came along to take over the practical duties of the entire household. The missioners arrived in the United States on October 21, 1953, and immediately set about establishing themselves in their new home, adapting it for its new duties as a Seminary.

THE DEDICATION DAY- MAY 30, 1954

Here was a day never to be forgotten by any one of the thousands who attended the ceremonies. The sun shone bright and clear, on a morning full of promise for the future dawns- a glorious day for glorifying Him and His chosen ones. The committee members arrived at the seminary at 8:00 A.M. to complete the varied preparations for the great event. The Mass was scheduled for 11:30 A.M. At 11:10 A.M ., the clergy, in their strikingly colorful robes, began the formal procession from the main house out to the Shrine of Christ the King, a magnificent gift from the Rev. Polycarpe Warde, of Worcester, Mass.

Officiating at the soul-stirring, open air Mass were a brilliant assemblage of the most eminent Melkite clergymen. Rt. Rev. Nicholas Burkush, Superior-General of the Basilian Salvatorian Order, who flew from Lebanon to the United States especially to at tend the dedication, presided at the Mass and spoke a word of thanks for the Divine Providence which permitted him to be present, and to the faithful who had helped found the new seminary. He was aided in concelebration with the following: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Eftimios Saba, D.D ., Ph.D ., rector of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church of Boston, and Provincial of the Basilian Salvatorian Order who preached an inspiring sermon in classical Arabic. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Abouzeid, rector of St. Joseph's Church in Lawrence, Mass; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Paul K. Malouf from Akron, Ohio; Rev. Polycarpe Warde, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, of Worcester, Mass.; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Cyril Anid, rector of St. Ann's, of Paterson, N. J.; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Malatios Mufleh, pastor of St. Elias' in Cleveland; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Justin Najmey, pastor of St. Basil's in Central Falls; Rt. Rev. Economos Elias Skaff, from Brooklyn, N. Y.; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dimitri Hatoum of Danbury; Rev. John Jadaa, Superior of St. Basil's Seminary in Methuen, Mass.; Rev. Cyril Haddad, from Canada; Rev. Nicholas Ibrahim, Vice-Superior of St. Basil's Seminary in Methuen; Rev. Theophane Wakeem, of Akron, Ohio; Rev. Simon Hage, pastor of St. Ann's, New London, Conn; Rev. John Haddad, Assistant Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in Worcester, Mass.; and Rev. Ignace Ghattas,Assistant pastor of St. Elias', of Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Lucien Malouf, of St. Basil's Seminary, was Master of Ceremonies.

Throughout the Mass, and also during the dedication in the afternoon, an excellent, talented choral group, the Choir of the Virgin Mary's, in Brooklyn, N.Y., gave beautiful renditions of the ancient sacred hymns, so beloved by all. There was never a more impressive ceremony than the Mass that day! Seated there before the Christus, under the crystal-blue sky, surrounded by verdant landscaping, and smiled upon by a warm comforting sun, the faithful throng could not help but be deeply stirred by the beauty of His creation and the power in His hands. The elders shed tears of joy at being able to worship their God in the venerable manner of their ancestors. The young experienced an awakening discovered a richness and genuine charm in the great cult which is their natural heritage.

Too soon, the Mass was over, and the procession was resumed back to the main house, where the clergy were served a dinner of oriental foods and delicacies. Outside, people were hurrying to the "barn", adapted for the day into booths where representatives of Boston, Worcester, Lawrence, and Manchester were selling home-made oriental and American refreshments, donated by the individual cities, the proceeds of which sales would go to the seminary; these booths were maintained throughout the day, except during the Mass and the dedication ceremonies.

The official guests were now beginning to arrive. Eminent Latin clergymen, civic officials, educators, nuns, and lay brothers were among the invited. Naturally, the guest was His Excellency the Most Rev. Archbishop Richard J. Cushing D.D ., LL.D ., of Boston, whose arrival was most eagerly anticipated by every single individual present that day. His Excellency arrived shortly after 3:00 P.M ., and was met by the honor guard from the Knights of Columbus. Immediately, he embraced Superior-General Burkush, a gesture symbolic of the Archbishop's kind and loving nature. Having donned his official robes, His Excellency joined the other clergymen, and again, a most dignified procession of boy scouts, both Latin and Eastern priests and monsignori made its way to the shrine, preceding Rt. Rev. Msgr. Nicholas Burkush, and His Excellency, the Archbishop.

Again, the throng assembled around the shrine of Christ, the King, this time to hear Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Abouzeid, as he addressed a welcome to the assembly, and introduced His Excellency the Most Rev. Richard J. Cushing, Archbishop of Boston. Thousands of people listened in awe and reverence to the great, heartwarming words of love and encouragement spoken by the Archbishop. His Excellency asserted that the seminary would always receive the full and hearty approbation of the Archdiocese; he also substantiated his promise with a donation of ten thousand dollars to the new Saint Basil's Seminary. The Seminary, as well as the Shrine, were officially dedicated, and the procession was resumed to the house, where a buffet was served for the clergy and the official guests. We must stop here a moment to note one point. While proceeding back to the house after the dedication, the Archbishop, despite a scorching midafternoon sun, heavy clerical robes, and his personal fatigue, stopped along the way to allow anyone who could reach him to kiss his ring, and receive his blessings -- a great act, from a great man! His Excellency having made his departure, the sale of foods was resumed, and the Arabic entertainment was launched. A fine group of musicians donated freely of their time and talent to entertain the people.

The Arabic toastmaster, Paul Handy, and the English toastmaster, Edward Kfoury, delivered their respective addresses to the crowd, and the rest of the afternoon and early evening were passed in pleasant visiting and listening to the entertainment. At around 8:00 P.M ., the people began to leave tired, true, but exhilarated with the success of the day, proud and happy that they had worshiped their God, and aided to establish His new home, in a new world, opening the doors to a new and brilliant future for His honor and glory-in order that His will be done, "on earth, as it is in heaven!"

Rev. Lucien Malouf, BSO