76 New Men Complete Orientation

This summer 76 New Men arrived to the Eternal City and to the College for the first time.  This is the largest class in many years.  Their arrival was announced by the ringing of the College’s bells and their formation began together in prayer in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, the heart of their new “home.”

And in the days that followed, they received just a taste of the incredible blessings that now surround them:  Mass in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica, a guided tour of the Scavi below the Vatican, a peek into the barracks of the Swiss Guard, tours of various churches and basilicas scattered throughout the city, and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI himself, at his summer residence in Castelgandolfo.

And although becoming acquainted with the sacred, beautiful, and historic side of Rome was a fundamental part of their Orientation, it didn’t end there.  The New Men spent four weeks in intensive Italian studies, attended afternoon conferences which oriented them to the life of the College, and had free time to take to the field and court, competing with their new brothers in friendly games of basketball, flag football, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, and softball.   They even took a Saturday off for a class trip to the beach!

Perhaps most importantly, however, Orientation was a time for these New Men to become acquainted with their new home here at the College.  It was a time to form new friendships, a time to hear from their new faculty just what formation at the College is all about, and a time to settle into the life of prayer and study that thrives here in the shadow of the dome of St. Peter’s.  Amidst all of the tours and welcome banquets, amidst the Italian classes and the formation conferences, this new class of seminarians was already beginning to enter into the rich tradition of this place and make their mark through prayer, fun, and generous service.  The Holy Father himself placed their mission for the next four years before them when he told them in his address to give their lives “completely to Christ,” encouraging us all to “be generous in our commitment to Him, carrying our own cross in faith and courage.”

With these words a new chapter in the story of the North American College was begun; may it indeed be one that is filled with God’s abundant blessings.