Patrick Broussard, ’07, was poised to enter graduate school in 2008. His plan: earn advanced degrees in engineering and then teach at a university.
But he entered the seminary to become a Roman Catholic priest instead. It was the beginning of a journey that took him to the leading religious center of Western civilization and back.
Along the way, he had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to participate in one of the most significant public worship services in the liturgical year, as countless people watched via worldwide broadcast.
On April 19, Broussard served with Pope Francis at Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. His role was to assist the pontiff with the Eucharist and help distribute Holy Communion during the annual observance of the Resurrection of Jesus. The opportunity capped a four-year stay in Rome, where he studied theology at Pontifical North American College.
Broussard learned on his birthday, April 4, that he would serve with Pope Francis at the Easter Vigil. Names of deacons who are attending the college are drawn from a hat to determine the three principal deacons to the pope for the Mass, which is conducted between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day.
Participating in a function with the pope is “still somewhat rare,” Broussard told La Louisiane. “When someone is chosen for such a task, it still brings great excitement to him and to the entire College.”
He recalls that the night of the Easter Vigil Mass “was a bit like a dream. ...”
After putting on their vestments, he and other main servers gathered in a semicircle across from the door where the Holy Father would enter St. Peter’s.
“I waited anxiously for a few minutes and then, all of a sudden, Pope Francis appeared. He started greeting the men to my left and made his way around, one by one, pausing to allow each person to speak a few words to him if he wished. As he made his way in front of me, I bent down to kiss his ring. This is the customary way of showing respect for the bishop’s office.
“Afterward, I thanked him for his example to me as a future priest, and told him that I had a small gift for him from my family and me. At least I think that’s what I told him, since it was all in Italian!
“My mom, aunt and a friend had purchased a white zucchetto, the small skullcap worn by the pope, for me to give to him. I handed it to him and he took off the one he was wearing, placed it inside the other, and seeing that it was the same size, he put the one I gave him on and handed me the one he had been wearing. I tucked it away for safekeeping during the Mass, and lined up to begin.”
Broussard described the event as “a tremendous blessing.”
“I processed in just behind the Holy Father, was able to reverence (kiss) the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica with him, and sat just a few feet away from him. It was amazing to see the excitement of the people as we processed down the main aisle to the altar.
“One of the most moving things for me was looking over now and then and seeing Pope Francis with his head down, deep in prayer. This Time magazine ‘Man of the Year,’ is not in this to be popular. He is truly and deeply in love with Jesus Christ, and he simply wants to share that love and the joy that it brings. It was also moving for me to think about the fact that one of the things that makes me Roman Catholic is my union with the pope, and here I am on the biggest night of the Church year, joining him as he celebrates the Mass.
“Perhaps my most intimate moments with Pope Francis came when I was able to offer him the sign of peace, and when I received the Eucharist from him.
Broussard returned to Lafayette to prepare for his June 21 ordination to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
He said his decision in 2008 to apply to the seminary, rather than seek an academic career in engineering, “was a long time coming.
“During my time at UL Lafayette, I had grown in many ways, especially in my relationship with God. The presence of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church and Student Center on the UL campus was a tremendous gift for me. From my first semester on campus, I decided that I would try to schedule my classes around the noon Mass at Wisdom. Wisdom also gave me a place to call home on campus, along with the library and the civil engineering study room.
“Though I loved engineering, I felt like there was more to life for me than being an engineer. Through frequent daily Mass, discussions with friends and priests, and personal prayer asking God what it was He wanted from me, I eventually discovered this calling to be a Catholic priest.”
Before leaving Rome to return to Lafayette, Broussard learned where his first assignment as a Catholic priest would be: associate pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church.