Day One
The last post got a bit long so I thought I would do a second post about our first day of the sabbatical program. The program is called the Institute for Continuing Theological Education and is sponsored by the North American College which is the American seminary in Rome. Although run by the U.S. Bishops it also accepts English speaking students from other parts of the world - primarily Canada, Australia and New Zealand. When I was a student we had a couple of Canadians and one from Norway.
We began the day with breakfast. There were eggs, cereal, yogurt and juices. And coffee! We did laugh last night when we learned that regular coffee was provided but if we wanted espresso or cappucino we had to use the machine which cost money.
After that was Morning Prayer and Mass. They then provided coffee and cornetti (pastries). Very civilized. At the even more civilized hour of 10:30 we gathered for our first conference which was mostly orientation. The director spoke about the program and expectations. The Director of Liturgy spoke as did the Vice Rector for Seminary Life and the Economo (finance director). Lots of good information. Some of it sounds like what we experienced 37 years ago when I arrived in the fall of 1981. I'm sure there are lots of things being done differently which will be interesting to see.
We eat pranzo (lunch and generally the main meal) with the seminarians in the college refectory. Looks just like it did in our day. Because of the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade today we had a simpler meal of soup, meat and vegetables.
We then came back up to the Casa O'Toole and the group of us who will be leading liturgy together met to plan for Thursday. I will be leading Morning and Evening Prayer.
We are free until evening prayer and supper this evening so I thought I would take the opportunity to make a couple blog posts. They may not happen every day but I hope to be somewhat regular. As exciting as Rome is there will be days that become routine with classes, etc. However, there are lots of special things planned so I will share those as I go along. Tomorrow, for example, we will have Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Tomb of St. Peter. Then we get our picture taken and after lunch will have a tour of the seminary building. I am interested to see what changes have been made. A few years ago they built a tower wing so they could have some on-site classrooms, etc. I have not yet been in that so it will be interesting.
We began the day with breakfast. There were eggs, cereal, yogurt and juices. And coffee! We did laugh last night when we learned that regular coffee was provided but if we wanted espresso or cappucino we had to use the machine which cost money.
After that was Morning Prayer and Mass. They then provided coffee and cornetti (pastries). Very civilized. At the even more civilized hour of 10:30 we gathered for our first conference which was mostly orientation. The director spoke about the program and expectations. The Director of Liturgy spoke as did the Vice Rector for Seminary Life and the Economo (finance director). Lots of good information. Some of it sounds like what we experienced 37 years ago when I arrived in the fall of 1981. I'm sure there are lots of things being done differently which will be interesting to see.
We eat pranzo (lunch and generally the main meal) with the seminarians in the college refectory. Looks just like it did in our day. Because of the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade today we had a simpler meal of soup, meat and vegetables.
We then came back up to the Casa O'Toole and the group of us who will be leading liturgy together met to plan for Thursday. I will be leading Morning and Evening Prayer.
We are free until evening prayer and supper this evening so I thought I would take the opportunity to make a couple blog posts. They may not happen every day but I hope to be somewhat regular. As exciting as Rome is there will be days that become routine with classes, etc. However, there are lots of special things planned so I will share those as I go along. Tomorrow, for example, we will have Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Tomb of St. Peter. Then we get our picture taken and after lunch will have a tour of the seminary building. I am interested to see what changes have been made. A few years ago they built a tower wing so they could have some on-site classrooms, etc. I have not yet been in that so it will be interesting.
Our dining room
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