SAN DIEGO, CA – More than five dozen active-duty Catholic military chaplains and other priests in service to the United States Military gathered in San Diego this past week for the first of four biennial convocations being held across the nation and in Rome over the next three months under the direction of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA (AMS).
Last week’s five-day gathering at the Courtyard by Marriott at Liberty Station, Point Loma, was a period of liturgical celebration, prayer, reflection, and dialogue. Commenting on the importance of these face-to-face meetings with the chaplains and priests every other year, Archbishop Broglio said: “Together we learn to grow in the ministry of caring for the men and women in uniform and their families. These privileged moments of the convocations allow me time to spend with the priests who serve the faithful of the AMS, to hear their concerns, and to draw near to the Lord together in prayer. In a special way this year, we are uniting ourselves to the prayers of Pope Leo for world peace.”
As always, Archbishop Broglio is hosting the same five-day convocation at four different times and places to make it more affordable and convenient for the more than 200 priests on active duty worldwide, as well as those serving the Military as civilians, to attend one nearest them. The first convocation was held Aug. 18-22 in San Diego. Others will take place Sept. 1-5 in Washington, D.C.; Sept. 15-19 in San Antonio; and Oct. 13-17 in Rome. Archbishop Broglio will direct and participate in each convocation.
The theme of the 2025 convocations is “Military Chaplaincy and Contemporary Pastoral Issues in Gender and Deliverance Ministry.” Presenters included:
- The Rev. Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti, D.Min., Ph.D., a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, NY, author of more than a dozen books including the 2021 bestseller, Diary of an American Exorcist: Demons, Possession, and the Modern-Day Battle against Ancient Evil (Sophia Institute Press), 1973 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and six-year veteran of the Air Force;
- Doctor Kevin E. Stuart, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science, Director of the Nesti Center for Faith and Culture, Director of the Master in Public Policy & Administration program, and Director of the Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX;
- Dr. Amy E. Hamilton, Ph.D., Research Associate at the University of Texas at Austin and a Fellow of the Nesti Center for Faith and Culture at University of St. Thomas.
The clergymen will draw on their convocation experience, continuing education, and inspiration to hone their pastoral skills as they embark on another two years of priestly service to the men, women, and families in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.