Deacon Paul Ruwe, front right, gives the bible a kiss after reading the gospel during daily mass for seminary students, lay ministers and faculty at The Athenaeum of Ohio. (Enquirer photo/GARY LANDERS)

"It's pretty awe-inspiring and humbling to think this is an institution that has been serving the Archdiocese and the Midwest for 175 years," said seminarian Paul Ruwe, 30, of Price Hill, who is scheduled to be ordained May 21.

"I'm a part of something that's bigger than one person, bigger than one parish or one diocese. It's being a part of the greater Church.

The institution will mark the close of its anniversary year by inviting the community to an open house 1-4 p.m. Sunday. The event will include opportunities to see the institution's rare-book collection, with books dating to the 12th century, as well as six Vatican Studios mosaics.

The open house will be followed by vespers with the Athenaeum Chorale.

"It's an opportunity to show people that this is a place of welcome and a place of prayer for them," said Father Edward Smith, president and rector of the school. "We're not just a beautiful building or just a place for a great education, but a place for prayer and open to the community."

Smith said innovations and changes to adapt to the changing church have been the hallmark of the school's success.

"It's been a good thing for the institution to look back at where we've been for 175 years and where we're going into the future," Smith said. "It's not just an institution of faith; it's there to serve the people, train them, not just in theology by to be people of prayer."

Athenaeum graduates serve in 48 states, and 57 bishops - 17 of them living - are graduates of the seminary.

"It's almost overwhelming, knowing how many great people have gone through here," said third-year seminarian Jason Bedel, 31, of Western Hills. "It's humbling to know what they've accomplished and to try to live up to that."

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