“As we ponder the birth of our Priesthood…each of us recalls that most evocative moment when, on the day of our priestly Ordination, we prostrated ourselves on the sanctuary floor. This gesture of deep humility and obedient openness was splendidly designed to ready our soul for the sacramental imposition of hands, through which the Holy Spirit entered us to accomplish his work.” – St. John Paul II (Holy Thursday Letter, 1998)

On this Priesthood Sunday (September 27), we give thanks and pray especially for the 14 alumni of The Rome Experience who were ordained to the priesthood in 2026:

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience as they prepare for priestly ministry.

Photo: Rev. Daniel Rivas ’23; Archdiocese of Denver Priestly Ordination, 2026

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

Our first stop in Italy was Florence, or as the Italians call it, Firenze. Thanks to our outstanding Art Historian and Tour Guide, Christina Mifsud, we immediately found ourselves immersed in the magnificence of Catholic Art and Architecture from the Early Renaissance Period (14th – 16th century). As we were approaching the entrance of the Museo di San Marco, a 15th century Dominican Monastery erected by one of the prominent members of the Medici family and decorated by Fra Angelico, Christina said something that struck me to the heart: “It is said that Fra Angelico wept with tears when he painted the scenes of the crucifixion which are depicted on the walls of this monastery.” When I came face to face with one of his paintings of the crucifixion, I immediately understood that it was painted by a man who had deeply interiorized our Lord’s passion and was depicting the fruits of his own contemplation on the mystery of the cross. I realized that Fra Angelico, among many other Catholic artists, preached the gospel in a wholly incarnational yet unique manner—that is, through the talents that God had given them in this life.

I couldn’t help but relate all that I had seen that day to Pope Leo XIV’s latest Encyclical on the subject of A.I., Magnifica Humanitas. The Holy Father affirms that, if not put in its proper place and ordered towards the good of the human person, A.I. has a real capacity to subvert human dignity and take away from the magnificence for which God created man and woman, namely, to share in his Trinitarian Life and live as beings who represent his image and likeness. A.I. promises to fix the world’s problems through its “universality” and “accessibility.” But can A.I. do what Fra Angelico did in that Dominican Monastery? Can it spend hours in deep prayer, contemplating on the reality of Christ’s love made manifest on the cross? Can tears of sorrow gush forth from its software as it is overtaken by deep contrition and then express this experience in a magnificent piece of art?

In my high school Men’s Chorus, my director would always make us memorize our music and sing without it on stage. One day he explained to us why this was so important. He affirmed that, if he were to run the sheet music through a computer, it would be able to produce all four voice parts with perfection. “That is great,” he would say, “but that is not music.” He did not want us to sing the pieces like robots. According to Dr. Strother, only when we had mastered the lyrics and the melody could we actually sing the piece in the most authentic sense, for this allowed our unique personality as a group to blossom. God created each of us with specific gifts and talents through which he desires to show forth his perfection for the edification of our brothers and sisters. Let us not permit ourselves to be deceived into thinking that technology and “advancement” will ever replace the indispensable dignity of the human person.

Michael Falcone
Diocese of Nashville

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

The Bishops Advisory Board, faculty, and staff of The Rome Experience are pleased to announce the seminarians who will be participating in our 2026 program:

SEMINARIAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience.

“As we ponder the birth of our Priesthood…each of us recalls that most evocative moment when, on the day of our priestly Ordination, we prostrated ourselves on the sanctuary floor. This gesture of deep humility and obedient openness was splendidly designed to ready our soul for the sacramental imposition of hands, through which the Holy Spirit entered us to accomplish his work.” – St. John Paul II (Holy Thursday Letter, 1998)

On this Priesthood Sunday (September 28), we give thanks and pray especially for the 16 alumni of The Rome Experience who were ordained to the priesthood in 2025:

Photo: Diocese of Dallas Priestly Ordination, 2025

On a sunny Wednesday morning, halfway through the fifth week of The Rome Experience, we had an opportunity to visit and learn about the Apostolic Penitentiary. The current facilities were established during the 16th century, with the tribunal itself founded during the 13th century at the earliest. Despite its title, the Apostolic Penitentiary focuses not on housing offenders that are of interest to the Holy See, but rather on reviewing cases for clerics that only the Holy See can provide a response toward, and if need be, a penance. 

In the words of Msgr. Encina, who serves for the Penitentiary, contrary to the publicly declared excommunications, the penitentiary is “a tribunal of the internal forum” and, therefore, cases that would not be directly known by the public. Such scenarios would include excommunications where a priest broke the seal of confession or profaned the Holy Eucharist. Msgr. Encina offered a thorough description as to the nature of such cases that would be grounds for excommunication, and the process in which clerics would need to appeal for absolution and penance. 

We had the opportunity to dive more into how we, once ordained priests, will best be able to protect the internal form that the penitentiary strongly defends and upholds for the Church and her people. As a matter of fact, we were quite curious about the seal of confession, given that Msgr. Encina states how breaking the seal of confession is one of the most common appeals they receive. 

Given our curiosity, he directed our attention toward a book that he had been working on for some time now, which is a book with almost everything anyone (clergy and laity) would want to know about confession from A to Z. The work has been published in three languages and will soon be published in English and a few others very soon. 

For his position at the Penitentiary, Msgr. Encina is deeply versed and heavily trained in canon law and takes his duties seriously, and yet with great joy. While speaking with us on the nature of his responsibilities, he was quite confident on the importance for seminarians to take the opportunity to learn more on canon law if we were able. 

Overall, the work of the Penitentiary shows how the Vatican takes the duties and sanctity of her clergy and the sacred nature of her sacraments very seriously, ultimately working toward the salvation of souls. This motivation, Msgr. Encina recalls, is the last canon in the Code of Canon Law, and from what he has demonstrated by his profession and vocation, it is the motto of the Penitentiary, which reflects the motto of the Church.

Jacob Schneider
Diocese of Evansville

———

When and How to Have Recourse to the Apostolic Penitentiary by Msgr. Carlos Encina Commentz is now available from Midwest Theological Forum, published in both English and Spanish.

Every night before I go to bed, I recite a short litany of Saints to whom I have a particular devotion. St. Philip Neri, St. John Paul II, St. Augustine, and St. Maximilian Kolbe to name some of them. A few days into our time in Rome, I realized the proximity I had with these intercessors which enlivened my prayer. Rome is truly the city of Saints – the place where many martyrs’ blood was shed for the faith, where many were taught and formed in the faith, where they landed to begin their religious congregation, or even as simple as walking around doing their day to day routine. It is now the place where their canonization was declared, where many of their bodies are entombed, and in many cases where a basilica or church was built in their memory.

From where I was praying my nightly litany, across the street St. Philip Neri lived, celebrated his daily Masses, and founded his congregation. He then went on to build Chiesa Nuova where his body is resting which is less than a mile from where I was. The altar where St. Maximilian Kolbe celebrated his first Mass was just down the road from us. St. Augustine’s mother, St. Monica, is entombed in a beautiful church right next to the university where we were studying. And Pope St. John Paul II’s body is in a magnificent altar in St. Peter’s Basilica, which is probably the most frequented altar by the faithful and just about a mile away. This reality enlivened my prayer, and gave me a peace of mind that these Saints are truly among us and aiding me in my life, my discernment, and are safeguarding me always. Knowing their physical proximity truly emphasized their spiritual proximity to me.

And even more exciting is that these are just four of so many Saints who bless the hallowed city of Rome. Many times, I would just walk down the street and the open door of a church would catch my eye, and so I would pop in and see what was in there. Each church was even more beautiful than the previous, and typically had the body or major relics of a Saint. Stumbling into the tomb of an apostle was a welcomed frequent surprise.

Being surrounded by such a physical sense of holiness gave me such a peace of mind while on The Rome Experience and was such a surprising spiritual highlight for me. May these holy men and women continue to intercede for us, for Rome, and for Holy Mother Church!

Max Rettler
Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Looking back, Rome was filled with so many sights and experiences to take in, especially from the various tours we received, including the major basilicas, the catacombs, and ancient Rome.

But for this reflection, I want to talk less about any physical location. During our initial days in Rome, I was particularly struck by how real and important the witness of our lives is for those around us. For myself and several of my brothers here, this program was the first time wearing clerics in public beyond liturgical purposes. And, while I knew that this would indeed draw attention to ourselves and carry with it the responsibility of conducting ourselves with prudence and care, I did not anticipate it receiving the level of surprise, confusion, and wonder that it did. Perhaps it is because we are a large group and many, especially those who are also not from Rome, are not used to seeing clerics to this extent. Nonetheless, it felt like anywhere I went, whether by myself or with the group, the default reaction of those who saw us was sort of just to stare in puzzlement, or maybe even shoot photos head on as if we didn’t see them. Unsurprisingly, my initial reaction to this is not favorable. I don’t want to walk around with the constant feeling of being judged, whether harshly, nicely, or anywhere in between. I would prefer to be seen as just a normal person. In a sense, it would feel freer to walk around without clerics so as to not “worry” about the impression I make on others.

As we know, though, it’s not about ourselves and necessarily even our preferences, but what God has called us to in life. And, if the life of priesthood is indeed my vocation, then I had better get used to it. Fr. Eric made a good point during our silent retreat that rather than being discouraged from becoming a priest because the way people look at priests is unfavorable (e.g. because of current or recent scandals), a man should all the more say yes to such a calling because it will be difficult. A vocation is not easy or even possible on our own, but with God all things are possible. And so, while it may be uncomfortable and unpredictable at times, there is a profound opportunity we have as public representatives of Christ’s Church on earth to communicate, through the witness of our lives, the joy of knowing Jesus, and to love others as God has loved us.

Being with Monsignor Landry was also an inspiring reminder of the real difference that a bold witness can make. He encouraged us not to forget to smile to those who we pass by, remembering that the mission of the Church does not consist in minding our own business, but in tangibly spreading the Good News, firstly by a presence that communicates joy and love. He also informed us of the good work being done throughout the world in the Pontifical Mission Societies, showing that with true zeal and missionary spirit, the radical conversion and transformation of the world is not at all beyond reach. Jesus died for all eight billion of us, and we must fervently believe that and strive with great confidence to make him known to as many people as possible.

James Gilpatric
Archdiocese of Milwaukee

St. Mary of Prayer and Death

A few days ago, I was told of a church that held décor made mostly of bones, and when it happened to be just down the road, I felt compelled to check it out in my free time. Just a block down the road from our place of residence, towards the River Tiber, almost hidden, is the famous Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’ Orazione e Morte or the “Church of Saint Mary of Prayer and Death”.

From the outside, the church building does not appear much different from many of the other churches in the area. On top of that, the main body of the church was undergoing a number of renovations. The church itself was founded and continues to be run by the Archconfraternity of St. Mary of Prayer and Death, with notable members including the architect who redesigned the church in the 1700s as well as St. Charles Borromeo.

When I visited, I spent some time in the side chapel and crypt of the church, where you find much of what has given the church its nickname – the Death Church – among the seminarians. I was astonished by the simple yet stark design of the crypt’s interior. Upon descending the steps, one is met with a set of chandeliers composed of what I can conclude are vertebrae and finger bones. One side of the room is then dominated by a large cross adorned with skulls and holy water fonts which are topped with carved skeletons in the stone, greeting those who enter. On the opposite wall is a small altar as well as a display of memorabilia from the older days of the confraternity. When pondering the reason why such a church would exist, I recalled a quote that was carved beneath a laureled skull on the outside façade: Hodie mihi, cras tibi (“Today for me, tomorrow for you”). This would have been seen by anyone who was a regular attendee of the church, but I do not think it to be a sign of an obsession with death but an acknowledgement of it. We live in a society that in many ways is both obsessed with death and also unwilling to discuss it, perhaps even with our closest friends. To read that quote and step through that church, one accepts that in this world, we memento mori (“remember death”), venturing into the church for a Mass which reflects the world to come, where we will adore Our Blessed Lord alongside the angels and Powers of Heaven, singing in exultation.

Jacob Schneider
Diocese of Evansville

Top 5 Highlights of Week 4

1. Visiting St. Catherine of Sienna’s Tomb: I’ve heard a lot about St. Catherine from people over the years. It was interesting to hear how she was so instrumental to the return of the Popes to Rome. I had the opportunity to pray for a full hour in the church during our break for class. Interestingly, the visit to the church with her tomb was a part of our class. I guess that’s a unique part of the Rome Experience, getting to go to the places you read about.

2. Visiting a Dominican Priory: Two days last week we had the opportunity to be taught by two Dominicans. As someone who had basically no exposure to religious life before seminary, and even during seminary, I was blown away by the intelligence of these men and women. The special charism of education is very visible amongst the Dominicans.

3. Tasting the Supplí: Last week I had my first ever supplí. It reminded me of a food back home called a “papa rellena,” literally meaning “filled potato.” In the center you find ground beef, surrounded by a breaded and fried ball of mashed potato. Sometimes you find variations of it with rice. It was absolutely a comfort having a familiar feeling food in Rome.

4. Wednesday Papal Audience: On Wednesday, we had the chance to be present very close to the Holy Father for one of his Wednesday audiences. While it was very hot, wearing a cassock instead of thick black slacks was cooler and more comfortable. It was very nice to hear “The Rome Experience Seminarians” get announced before the audience.

5. Barcelona Visit: On Saturday, I visited Barcelona for the day. It had been probably 10 years since I was last in Barcelona. My parents were at least slightly jealous of my opportunity to be in Barcelona. My parents are from Cuba, but my grandparents are from Asturias, Spain. Being in Barcelona as an adult helped me appreciate my heritage a bit better.

One of our classes last week focused on virtue and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was very fitting that this was the topic of the class. I had just finished a novena to the Holy Spirit for Pentecost, and truly felt the Lord imbue His Gifts. I was able to relate and understand the topic better having just had a personal encounter with the class material.

Adam Perez
Archdiocese of Miami

When we woke up on June 11, we knew we had special seats for the papal audience, but as Fr. Eric Sternberg showed our ticket to the Italian police, Swiss guards, and Vatican officials, the closer and closer we got to where Pope Leo XIV would deliver his Wednesday address. The Holy Father spoke beautifully and then blessed the thousands that were present and began to greet members of the Magisterium. It was then that one of our seminarians was talking to a Vatican usher, who invited us into a special line so the Pope could greet our group. We waited as he greeted the infirmed so gently, and our excitement and disbelief grew.

Then it was time. He approached us, and I mentioned we are seminarians from across the United States—from Texas, California, Vermont, Florida, and even Wisconsin—in Rome to learn and to be formed deeper to the heart of Christ in the heart of the Church. We reminded him he met with our group last when the 2024 Rome Experience group made a visit to the Dicastery for Bishops. Then I asked him if he saw the bottom of our sign and gestured to where we had written “Dinner?” To which he laughed, tilted his head to the side, and shrugged his shoulders… Not exactly a “no”! We took our group photo and then asked for his papal blessing. This was such a poignant, surreal moment for all of us.

His blessing was in English. His blessing had an American accent. This is a new era of the papacy, and this Successor of St. Peter is American. There was no language barrier or difficulty. He knows the United States, the politics, the Church, and where our respective dioceses are. He knows us, he cares for us, and he loves us.

I could tell that by how he took the time to be with us. His handshake and the gaze of his eyes showed how truly present he was. He was truly present right there with us and locked in with his eye contact and smile. Not only was he joyful, but so was his posse around him—his security detail, priest secretary, and official Vatican ushers. They moved with him and matched the joy he exuded from being so present to all he encountered. This is a man of deep prayer and joy, and you can tell that by his smile and the way he interacts with the faithful.

Though we have not yet received his RSVP for dinner, we have received a deeply spiritual experience none of us will forget. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity we were so blessed to have, and for that we give thanks and praise to God. As he left, we said, “We love you, and we are praying for you!” And we know he loves us, too. Being with the one who holds the Keys to the Kingdom is such a grace filled opportunity that will fuel our lives as Catholics, and one day as priests, as we form our lives more deeply to the Lord’s own life.

Max Rettler
Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Photo © Vatican Media, used with permission

As we await the seminarians’ report on their exciting Papal Audience, enjoy the highlights of this past week!

Top 5 Highlights

Scavi Tour: The “Scavi” (Italian for “excavations”) is a guided tour through the Necropolis discovered underneath St. Peter’s Basilica from 1940-1949. During the Vatican-sponsored archaeological excavations, the tomb of St. Peter was discovered (!). What was most stunning for me was the fact that Peter’s tomb was extremely humble, with only a small shrine built over it, since the early Christians had to remain hidden under persecution. Amazingly, the burial site lines up to the central and highest point of the dome of the basilica. It was in this moment that the significance of all the beauty of the Catholic architecture really sank in for me: from the humble beginnings of the St. Peter and the Apostles in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we now enjoy the magnificent beauty and richness of the Church through the ages.

Church Architecture with Anthony Grumbine: Last week marked the first week that we began our actual classes. There was no better way to start than to start studying the classical architecture which informed the designs of all the beautiful churches throughout Rome. I learned a lot and gained many resources for analyzing the methods behind the construction of the Eternal City.

The “Gelato Cup”: As part of The Rome Experience tradition and lore, a group of us competed in the Gelato Cup 2-mile race around Vatican City. Third-place went to Pepe Zinkewich from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and second-place went to Michael Hess from the Diocese of Madison. The 2025 Gelato Cup winner was Thomas Hammen from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee finishing at the blistering time of 12:54. The trophy was bestowed by Fr. Eric Nielsen to Thomas from the second-floor balcony of Casa di Santa Brigida with the words “Habemus Gelato!”

Vatican Gardens: His Excellency Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru took us through a walking tour of the Vatican Gardens which was truly a privileged experience. I was amazed at the beauty and peacefulness of the greenery, buildings, and monuments. There was the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes which contained the actual altar that was placed in the Massabielle grotto after the apparitions. We also got to see the residence of Pope Benedict XVI when he was Pope Emeritus. One of the more peculiar things was the Vatican Mall open for its employees. Being a country, the mall was established to represent its economic activity.

7 Church Tour: To cap off the week, several of us completed the pilgrimage of the “Seven Churches,” originally conceived by St. Philip Neri in the 16th century. It involved a 15-mile walk which spans the whole city of Rome, reaching out to the Roman countryside. It included the major basilicas of Rome (St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls), other significant early Christian sites (St. Lawrence, Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and St. Sebastian), and ended at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. St. Philip Neri, pray for us!

Michael Lee
Archdiocese of Los Angeles

1. St. Peter’s Basilica: My favorite moment of this week was visiting Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica. The sheer size and beauty of St. Peter’s is beyond words. We also had the privilege of celebrating Mass in the crypt adjacent to the tomb of several popes, and most importantly, right in front of the sepulcher of St. Peter’s bones. I truly felt as if I was in the heart of the Church across both space and time. Inscribed along the dome are the words “Tu es Petrus,” quoting our Lord’s words to St. Peter when he made him the rock upon which the Church would stand. Looking at this inscription, I meditated upon our Lord’s providential love for the Church as he ensures a stable and firm shepherd to preserve and guide all of the members of the body of the Church.

2. St. Paul’s Outside the Walls: His Eminence James Cardinal Harvey gave us a personal tour of this basilica, highlighting its importance as the first stop for many pilgrims to Rome as it is situated outside of the city. This helped us to experience Rome in a similar manner to the pilgrims of centuries past. Seeing the tomb of St. Paul was particularly moving. Cardinal Harvey hosted us for an excellent lunch following our tour. Aside from the pilgrimage site itself, it was especially noteworthy to have Cardinal Harvey as a tour guide because he is an American, showing the importance of the American Catholicism in the heart of the Church (not to mention our Holy Father!).

3. Archbasilica of St. John Lateran: Although most people rightfully see St. Peter’s as the spiritual center of the Church, our visit to St. John Lateran, led by Msgr. Roger Landry, made me realize that St. John Lateran is often and unfortunately placed in the background. St. John Lateran, containing breathtaking artwork and several papal tombs, is really the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and, as such, is the Mother Church of all churches. The Pope’s cathedra is in St. John Lateran, the chair from which his Petrine authority flows. Msgr. Landry highlighted for the group the didactic nature of the artwork of St. John Lateran, wherein the statues of the Apostles located on the pillars highlight that the Church stands upon the witness of the Apostles. Moreover, the paired images of Old Testament and New Testament events show the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in Jesus Christ.

4. St. Mary Major: The seminarians were warned before our visit that St. Mary Major has been unusually crowded recently, and this is of course because our late Holy Father is entombed therein. It was a somber moment for me to see his burial site. At the same time, the grandeur of St. Mary Major served as a fitting final stop among the four papal basilicas.

5. Colosseum: While the Colosseum is a fairly casual tourist location, I found it sobering to recall the Christians of centuries past who gave their lives in that site and others like it in Rome in witness to their faith. The Church as a whole, but in a particular way the Roman Church, is supported by the faith of the martyrs who love Christ to the point of death. Although the Colosseum is architecturally stunning, one cannot ignore its state of disrepair, contrasted by the grandeur of the surrounding Roman churches. This highlights the victory of the Church against those who persecuted her.

Anthony Caruso
Archdiocese of Hartford

Our Rome Experience started at the Benedictine University near Chicago. We had Mass, prayed as a group, and then made our way to the buses that took us to O’Hare. It was great getting to know everyone on the bus and talking with seminarians from all over the country. As we pulled into O’Hare, we caught the eyes of several people as more than 20 guys pulled up all wearing clerics. It was a great moment for evangelization. When we eventually made it to Amsterdam, many of us talked about the great conversations we had on the plane. Since our flight was delayed, we were able to spend more time in Amsterdam than originally planned. We were able to go to the Basilica of Saint Nicholas for prayer and Mass. The priest was incredibly generous to us and talked with us after Mass. We then divided into a couple of groups to explore the city. We tried good food, saw beautiful churches, and got to tour a Heineken Museum. Again, throughout all of this, being approached by strangers and talking with them about what/who seminarians are. Eventually, through God’s grace, we were able to make it to Florence. Here we were given a very detailed tour of the Convento di San Marco, a former Dominican House, that played a crucial role in Renaissance Florence. After this we had free time to explore the city and see many beautiful churches and eat incredible food. Finally, we made our way to Bracciano where we had a silent retreat at a retreat house led by the Nashville Dominicans. It was an incredible experience and the sisters were so kind to all of us.

One specific theme that really sticks out during our first week of the Rome Experience is evangelization. For me personally, this was the first time I had worn clerics in the airport or on a plane. As a result, during the flight to Amsterdam, I had a great conversation with a young family about the Faith and how Our Lord is waiting for each individual person to come home to Him in the Tabernacle. I loved talking with them and really hope that begin their journey in coming home to the Catholic Faith. With that, this incredible conversation may not have happened if we as a group were not in clerics. This was definitely a common theme for the group as a lot of guys were able to witness to those around them in great conversations. Thus, as the Rome Experience continues, I really am looking forward to all of the evangelization opportunities we will have throughout the summer.

Todd Ashburn
Diocese of Madison

The Bishops Advisory Board, faculty, and staff of The Rome Experience are pleased to announce the seminarians who will be participating in our 2025 program:

On The Rome Experience, seminarians deepen their habits of mental prayer, construct a spiritual plan of life, and delve into the lives of the saints and the history of the Church in Rome.

Through The Rome Experience Scholarship Fund, we aim to make this program possible for seminarians from any diocese in the United States who desire this formation experience. We are so grateful for your assistance.

Donors and their intentions are remembered at our annual Mass celebrated at the tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican Crypt.

It isn’t hard to find beauty in Rome. Walk down any street, and you doubtlessly will find a fountain, piazza, or façade that catches your eye. Open the door of any church, and you will be struck by the dazzling gold, the gleaming marble, or the elegant columns. Baroque paintings enchant you with their play of light and dark. Medieval mosaics invite you to wonder at their intricacy. Ancient frescoes – now faded – beckon you to imagine their former glory. Beauty is certainly everywhere in Rome.

I was struck by this fact on my first Sunday in the Eternal City. I decided to attend Mass at a small church designed by Francesco Borromini, Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza. I had heard that it is a wonder of Baroque architecture, and it surely is. As I approached, I was struck by the swirling, soaring design of the steeple. I stepped inside and marveled at the vast openness of the space, the soaring ceiling, the richly carved pilasters, and the gently undulating walls. All of it led my eye to the where on the massive marble altar sat the golden tabernacle with a crucifix above it. No one could deny that this was a beautiful church.

But as I sat there praying before Mass began, I realized that what was even more beautiful was the reason behind such inexpressible grandeur. All of the beauty of the church was meant to facilitate an encounter with God, whose love for us is beauty beyond all telling. The design and decoration of the church reflected the beauty of a love so strong that it did not fear the cross, of a love so powerful that it conquered the grave, of a love so all-embracing that it could unite all things in itself, of a love so true that it sought to remain with us here forever in the Eucharist. That love, that overwhelming love of God, is true beauty. And it is to a realization and contemplation of that love that all beautiful things are supposed to lead us. I found beauty in Rome, but it was a beauty far excelling any edifice, painting, or mosaic; it was the beauty of the love of God.

Nathan Folz
Diocese of Evansville

Congratulations to our newly ordained alumni! May Christ’s light shine through you, guiding your path and touching the hearts of those to whom you minister.

“The priest must be a believer, one who converses with God. If this is not the case, then all his activities are futile…Through faith he lets God, the other, come into the world. And if the other is not at work, our work will never be enough…through the faith of the priest, doors open up all around for people: it is really possible to believe, even today.” – Joseph Ratzinger (A New Song for the Lord, 1996)

Photo: Priestly Ordination of Nathaniel Roberts ’21, Thong Nguyen ’21, Benedict Radich ’21, and Joseph McHenry ’22

My reflection begins with the Servants of God: Fr. Willie Doyle and Chiara, two people that I fell in love in with on The Rome Experience. I was reminded how the lives of Saints and all holy men and women are still present in the Church and not something that only occurred in the past.

I have seen the impact of Chiara’s life in the life of the faithful. The story of Chiara begins with a mother’s love for her children, where Chiara was faced with pregnancy complications that led to the death of her first two children. When she had a healthy pregnancy, she developed cancer, and in the end she risked her own health for the baby boy that she had. I was so moved being able to learn about her story while being on a pilgrimage to visit her tomb in Rome on the day of her death anniversary. Even though as yet only a Servant of God, there were over 50 people there, praying and crying in front of her tomb. At the very end of the visit, I met a woman and her husband who are currently facing infertility issues, and she asked me to pray the rosary with her for her intention. Chiara fell asleep in the Lord 12 years ago, but her life continues to make an impact in the Church today.

The life of Fr. Willie Doyle impacted me as well. He was a man who lost his life in World War I as a military chaplain for the salvation of souls. The priest would have seen so much evil in the world, yet was able to remain a light in the world despite everything that he had seen. He wished to be a martyr for the faith and became one by rushing to help injured soldiers only to be killed by a German shell. I think it is absolutely crazy that in spite of the fact that he died over 100 years ago, he is still a part of the life of the Church especially in Ireland.

Imagine how each saint continues to be in the life of the Church, where we strive to live according to Gospel values. In Chiara and Fr. Willie, I find lives that are a continuation of God, showing us the figure of Christ in our world today.

Bao Duong
Archdiocese of Cincinnati