House Schedule
The daily schedule of the North American College is full and challenging. The normal day begins with the community gathered in prayer in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Following Morning Prayer and Mass comes a light breakfast and then the seminarians are off to the universities for classes. Classes usually begin at 8:30AM and last all morning. There are also occasional afternoon classes. Pranzo (lunch) is served at the College and is the main community meal of each day. Afternoons are most often left open for study, prayer, recreation, and apostolic work. Adoration and Evening prayer conclude are followed by a casual cena (supper). Evenings are often filled with house meetings, activities, and formation, though they also offer seminarians the opportunity to socialize, read, study, and pray as they conclude their day.
You will receive a detailed schedule when you arrive. This is the daily schedule for the 2011-2012 academic year.
While orientation begins in August, classes do not start until October. Prior to the beginning of the academic year, the new men are engaged in language studies, various outings, assisting at the diaconate ordination, and their own annual retreat. While Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Italy, the men of the College do not let the holiday pass uncelebrated. Christmas follows soon after, providing the seminarians with the chance to celebrate the season with the Holy Father here in Rome and the chance to travel abroad. The Fall Semester concludes at the end of January, and is followed by a few weeks of final exams in February. The Spring Semester begins soon after. The season of Lent brings with it the annual tradition of Station Church pilgrimages. Every other year the College celebrates Holy Week in house as it will this year. During the alternate years (2013), students are encouraged to celebrate Holy Week abroad. The end of the academic year is upon us and the seminarians find themselves preparing for another round of exams and planning summer assignments throughout Europe, the States, and other parts of the globe.
Updated 27 March 2012
