As an Augustinian priest, Pope Leo XIV understands the importance of priestly fraternity. He is even reported to have renovated the Papal Apartments so he can live in community with four other priest friends! It’s no surprise, then, that the pope would emphasize the importance of deep friendship for priestly life. Recently he said the following while addressing a group of formator priests in Rome:
“Formation should help forge solid bonds within the presbyterate … For how could we, as ministers, be builders of living communities, unless we first experience a genuine spirit of fraternity among ourselves?”
Pope Leo’s words resonate deeply with our mission because friendship and fraternal life are key to SJV’s culture. For decades, SJV has been a place where men form friendships that endure long past ordination. We are forming men who are “protagonists in their formation but not soloists” and then go out to build communal life in the Church.
The choice of so many SJV alumni to commit to community living is a fruit of what they received here: a vision for following Jesus together with other disciples. Our formation team understands that, as Pope Leo says, “the formation of future ordained ministers cannot be carried out in isolation” because friendship is an essential element of a healthy priesthood.
In the Words of SJV Alumni
“I was so moved by this experience of fraternity at SJV that it created in me an undeniable determination to make this vision of fraternity a reality in my diocese.” -Fr. Mathias Thelen ’06
”Like at SJV, [my brother priests] call me out [of myself] and call me on to be a better man and a better priest, loving me all the while.” -Fr. James Guarascio ’16
“SJV planted the seeds for discovering the same call, gift, and necessity for priestly fraternity in ordained diocesan life.” -Fr. Daniel Eusterman ’12
This article was originally published in the fall 2025 Vianney News magazine. Read more.