62 New Men Begin 2012 Orientation

“Dear seminarians, use your time in Rome to conform yourselves more completely to Christ.” So urged Pope Benedict XVI to the 62 New Men of the Pontifical North American College after the Sunday Angelus on August 26 at Castel Gandolfo.

Though many completed language study in different locations scattered throughout Italy, Thursday August 23 was the first time all of the new men were brought together at their new home on the Janiculum Hill. They were greeted with the traditional “clap-in” by the faculty and orientation team on the steps leading into the Immaculate Conception Chapel.

The very next morning, the new men’s first full day together, the seminarians had the opportunity to attend Mass at the tomb of St. Peter celebrated by the rector, Msgr. James F. Checchio,

In his homily he urged the new men to take advantage of their time in Rome to grow in love and devotion of St. Peter, and also to follow his example of service to the Church. He noted that in just a few short years the men will be asked to respond “present” to the Church at their diaconate ordination in the very same basilica, and thus they should use these years as a time of preparation for that response.

Sunday, the men boarded buses and headed to the Pope’s summer residence, Castel Gandolfo in order to join the successor of St. Peter in prayer united with the whole Church. The Holy Father greeted the new men with a warm smile and a few words of encouragement for their time in Rome adding, “Indeed, may all of us remain faithful to the Lord, even when our faith in his teachings is tested.”

To further acquaint the new men with their new home, they have been led on tours of many important Churches in Rome. Some of the sites they have visited include: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, and the Scavi excavations beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where the bones of St. Peter are buried.

The remainder of orientation includes further Italian study for four hours each morning to help them with their studies at the university and transition to life in Rome. In the afternoon the men participate in conferences that help to introduce them to the formation program at the North American College.

Another important aspect of orientation for the new men is forming friendships with their new classmates, friendships that will last for entire lifetime. The new men will be heading to Assisi for a fraternity weekend. There they will be able to spend time with each other in fellowship as they visit the sacred sites from the life of St. Francis, one of the Church’s most well known saints.