Visits to the Pontifical North American College and the Missionaries of Charity

After returning from the Paul VI Audience Hall and the Holy Father's Wednesday Audience, we walked up the Janiculum Hill next to the Vatican to visit the Pontifical North American College, the American Seminary in Rome. We all have diocesan brothers studying at this Roman outpost, and it was great to see them. We were welcomed at the gate by none other than our friend Scott Jablonski, who is in his third year of theology studying for the Diocese of Madison, WI. Scott completed the Pre-Theology program at Saint Paul Seminary and is known to many of us. We visited the large house chapel and beautiful sports field, enjoyed "pranzo" (midday meal) with our brothers in the Refectory, and then were taken up to the roof of the PNAC with its awesome views of the City of Rome (and on a remarkably clear day, we might add - what a blessing!). Thanks to all our brothers and to the Rector of the North American College, Msgr. James Checchio, for their hospitality!

Scott Jablonski graciously showing us around the PNAC. Here he takes us into the chapel.


The Chapel


Checking out the beautiful sports field at the PNAC, and visiting with the brothers.










Enjoying pranzo with our brothers...the carbonara was excellent.



Beautiful vista from the roof.


Deacons Robert Abotzabire and Ben Little on the roof, with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the background

After our visit to the PNAC, we traveled across the city to visit the Missionaries of Charity at the Church of San Gregorio near the Colosseum. There, we heard from Sr. Victoria, M.C., a Maltese sister who was an associate of Blessed Mother Teresa for many years. She told us her impressions and memories of Mother, and answered our questions about the MCs' work and in Rome and around the world. This was the first of our visits to the various missionary communities and apostolates in Rome which constitutes a large part of the missionary focus of our J-Term studies.









Listening to Sr. Victoria

Praying in the small, plain room where Bl. Teresa of Kolkata stayed when visiting Rome