CHESTERTON – On the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Robert J. McClory called on seminarian Nicholas Emsing to follow the example of Jesus’s mother as Emsing publicly declared his intention to pursue a vocation to the priesthood during the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on Aug. 15.
“The more we can be like Mary … rooted in our love of Jesus,” said the bishop, “(the more) we can follow her. Mary didn’t just go (when she learned that her much older cousin Elizabeth was with child, like Mary), ‘She went in haste, and stayed with her for three months, taking care of her.’”
“She wasted no time,” added the bishop, recalling the words of Pope Francis, brought to him at his 2020 episcopal installation by the Papal Nuncio, who stressed that Mary “went in haste” to Elizabeth.
“We pray that you not only treasure (the Blessed Mother), but follow her example, recognizing when mercy and compassion are needed,” added Bishop McClory. “As we pledge our support for you, be inspired by her to be in service to others.”
Emsing said he felt “This is (now) real; it’s time to commit myself,” as the bishop expressed the Catholic Church’s acceptance of the seminarian’s vocation. “They told me the years would go by fast, and it does seem true. Now I am in the final countdown.”
The 2018 Bishop Noll Institute graduate and Hammond native, whose home parish is St. John Bosco, entered the seminary five years ago and earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Simon Brute Seminary in Indianapolis before serving a pastoral year at Queen of All Saints and St. Mary parishes in Michigan City. He spent two months this summer in a Spanish language immersion program at a monastery in Cuernavaca, Mexico, about 90 minutes south of Mexico City. “I gained more knowledge and confidence in my Spanish speaking skills,” he said, adding that a visit to the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe was the highlight of his trip.
“This past year really helped me to know the needs of the people of God better,” Emsing said. “I saw the environment that parish priests live in, and I came to appreciate the diocese and learn how it runs. I immersed myself in parish life, and it helped my confidence.
“I want to be a priest with a servant’s heart who can know and love the people of God,” added Emsing. “I know God will show me (the way) as the next four years go by.” The Diocese of Gary’s new candidate is enrolled this fall at St. Francis de Sales Seminary just outside Milwaukee, Wisc., where he will pursue a degree in Theology as he prepares for ordination in three years as a transitional deacon and a year later as a diocesan priest.
“I saw a sense of excitement in Nick tonight,” said Father Nate Edquist, the new diocesan vocations director as well as pastor of Holy Family Parish in LaPorte. “He’s been waiting for this day throughout his pastoral year; it’s a big step for him.”
“The pastoral year gave him a sense of how to have a pastor’s heart, and how to really form relationships and connections with the people and experience what parish life is like,” added Father Edquist
Noting that Emsing was surrounded at the Mass and celebratory dinner by a sizable number of guests, Father Edquist said, “He wanted his family and friends here to share this event.”
Wearing the biggest smile was Terri Trojnar Emsing (BNI, ’71), the candidate’s mother. “I was so proud (to see him standing up there), and I was trying not to cry,” she said. “Everyone has been so supportive and he’s still got a long road ahead, but I know he’ll do well.”
She recalled her young son, adopted at age 5 after living in four foster homes, writing to the pope and drawing crosses for every art project. “He always wanted to serve God, but he didn’t know how. Now he is learning how,” she said. “He’s matured, in the way he prays and the way he sings; he has a deep relationship with God. I’ve come to have a deeper relationship with God, too, and I realize that I have to share my son, but I’m willing to do that. All of the priests and the bishop have been so supportive.
While Emsing’s father, Alan ‘Rocky’ Emsing, remained home recuperating from recent knee replacement surgery, his wife said he is “very proud and supportive of Nick. We just want him to be as happy and at peace as he is today.”
The Emsing family’s Bishop Noll connection was represented by the choir formed by David Herr, diocesan choir director and Office of Worship assistant director. Four of Emsing’s BNI classmates and fellow choir members, Julia Fugger of Schererville, Griffin Gomez of Whiting, and Nora and Maisie Wragg, both of Lansing, Ill., blended their voices to lead the hymns, with Fugger soloing on “Panis Angelicus” as a communion meditation hymn.
“It was great to get together for this Mass; I hadn’t seen Nick since graduation,” said Nora Wragg.
Paul Mullaney, BNI president, said he is “thrilled for Nick and his accomplishments, and very thankful that he has decided to give a life of service to the Church. He is always in our prayers.”
“Mary savored the very presence of Jesus. We do that through a life of prayer, as you will know as you continue (pursuing) Holy Orders,” said Bishop McClory to Emsing. “That is the core, from spending time with the Blessed Sacrament (to) praying quietly in your room … ask our Lord to reveal his love to you.”
Caption: Together at the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on Aug. 15 at St. Patrick in Chesterton are the 2023-24 seminarians for the Diocese of Gary: (front row from left) Patrick Cullars, Leo Marcotte, William O'Donnell, Ryan Pierce, candidate Nicholas Emsing, Alexander Kouris, Ivan Alatorre, Gianni DiTola, (back row) Collin van Waardenburg, diocesan vocations director Father Nathaniel Edquist, Deacon Steven Caraher, Bishop Robert J. McClory, Deacon Zack Glick and Ethan Vinyard. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
