I reached Italy on the 19th of July, 2009 after a quick dash for 2 days to Bangalore from Ghana. It was a hectic trip but it was amazing because I got to meet my whole family in that short while.
As soon as I reached Rome i was welcomed by the sisters of the ICPE Mission, who came to pick me up at the airport and take me to the seminary.
When we reached the seminary (Pontificio Collegio Urbano) it was quite hard to believe where I was. In the heart of Rome, very close to St. Peters, the Holy Fathers residence is just diagonally opposite the seminary. Wow… I was stunned at the view that I could have of St. Peters, the Square and the Holy Fathers Palace everyday.
View of St Peters square and the Holy Fathers Palace from the seminary terrace.
In 2 days, off I went to Verona in Northern Italy, where the other seminarians who came in this year, already commenced an intensive course in Italian (the reason being, that most universities in Rome conduct their courses in Italian). It was a real tough time from then on, I was 3 weeks late, most of my co-seminarians had got the basics of Italian and were carrying themselves quite well with it but I hadn’t a clue. There were many priests, nuns and other seminarians from about 50 different countries at this course, and the only common language that we could all communicate in was Italian (not that we knew it but we were forced to). It was fun; actions really spoke louder than words. By the way Verona is where Romeo and Juliet is said to have lived.
During this course, the institute organized trips to different places in North Italy. The Arena at Verona (the largest open air Arena in the world still in operation), Venice (one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world) and Milan (the home of the famous club AC Milan). I also made a visit to Padua, a 2 hour journey away from Verona by the Euro Rail. Padua is the place of my patron Saint – St. Antony. There is a beautiful Basilica built over his tomb. It was a very blessed experience, I got to know the life and works of this devout Saint, I hope I can emulate him in some way.
The Arena in Verona where an Opera was about to begin
In front of the Basilica of St Antony at Padua
At Venice - with the famous Venetian backwaters and the Venetian boats at the background.
After 11/2 months (end August) of the Italian course, I got back to Rome and began another intensive course in Italian at the University where I would be doing my theology (The Pontifical Urbaniana Univeristy). Thankfully it's in the same campus of the seminary and I don’t have to walk much or travel much like many other students at the university do. By his time I had started to talk a little Italian but still had a long way to go to prepare myself to sit for Theology lectures in a month’s time.
The classes were going well and I had to start getting used to a rigorous seminary schedule. We the first years were the only ones in the seminary at this time because all the seniors were out on pastoral work in different parts of Italy and Europe.
By the end of September, the seniors started coming in, I was surprised to see that were quite a number of Indians about 40 in total (and a majority of them were Mal's – from Kerala). There were many Africans, Chinese, Vietnamese and Latin Americans too, in all we have a representation from about 35 countries. By the way I am considered to be coming from Ghana – because I officially belong to the Archdiocese of Cape Coast in Ghana.
The seminary officially started on 1st Oct, and it's quite a tight schedule of prayer (Mass, Morning - Lauds, Afternoon – Mid Day prayer, Evening - Vespers and Night Prayer), Pastoral training, Group dynamics, Spiritual Inputs, Lectio Divina (scripture sharing and reflection) etc. In addition to this I have to make time for personal prayer. Thankfully there are no work duties, of cleaning and washing. The main focus is on study. But of course there comes the regular duties of service at the dining, liturgy and when there are special functions. Being the Vatican seminary we have functions quite often where we get to meet many cardinals and Bishops from around the world.
We get to see the Pope quite often, of course every Wednesday (the audience at St. Peters square) and Sunday (for the angelus which the Holy Father leads from his study room balcony) but in addition to this our seminary gets invitations for many major events that happen in St. Peters or at "Paul VI" auditorium. I went for 3 such events already. On one of the weekends we got an opportunity to visit the Vatican Gardens - The Holy Fathers Gardens behind St Peters cathedral.
At the Vatican Gardens - the path that many Popes have walked.
Attending a Mass by the Pope being very close to the High Altar at St Peters
By the "Our Lady of Lourdes" Grotto in the Vatican Gardens
At the beginning of the academic year, I was given my cassock, one which has a tradition of 450 years and is said to be designed by Michael Angelo. I took my first solemn promise of making myself fully open to the formation to be granted by the seminary and my adherence to norms and structures of seminary formation. The solemn mass was celebrated by Cardinal Ivan Dias (from India) - the Prefect of "Propaganda Fide" or the "Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples."
making my promise along with the other first seminarians.
With the official Cassock of Pontifical Urban College - Designed by Micheal Angello
Handing over my promise to Cardinal Ivan Dias during the Opening Mass at the Seminary Chapel.
So as of now, I am studying theology – completely in Italian. Its tough, but by the Grace of God and the working of the Holy Spirit I am progressing quite well. I have theology classes in the morning and Italian classes in the afternoon. As part of theology I study Greek. The explanation of which is in Italian so you can imagine how things are. I do need your prayers for sure.
The food is extremely good. It’s typically Italian most of the time - so it’s Pasta, Pasta and Pasta. Once in way we get rice – but Italian style. Breakfast is bread and jam everyday with coffee (Italians are quite used to be going without breakfast but wont miss their shot of Machaito). No tea or snack in between but there are two solid 3 course meals for lunch and dinner which consists of the first course of Pasta, second course of Meat or Fish with a vegetable and the third course of salad and a fruit.
The official attire of the college is the Clergy shirt for all community activity. For solemn celebrations we wear the cassock. A quick glance at the cassock will easily pass it off as that of a cardinals. It really stands out, and quite often when we go down to St Peters Square dressed with it, many of the tourists want to take a snap with us.
In "Paul VI Auditorium" waiting for the Pope to come before an evenings Rosary, with Youth from around the world.
With one of the Swiss Guards
Opening Mass by Cardinal Ivan at the Seminary Chapel
On Sundays I go for Pastoral work to a home for the mentally challenged. Its about half an hours journey from the seminary. I go there to take the handicapped and mentally challenged for mass, and later I help feeding them lunch. It’s a time where more than me helping them, I am ministered to, because being in their midst I recognize how much God has blessed me.
In between all this I do make some time for sport either Tennis, Soccer, volleyball or cricket (which I helped start).
So as you can see, life if full and pouring out in abundance for me at this time, I am so thankful to God for what HE is doing in my life at the moment. May all Glory be to Him for ever and ever.
Arrivederci (good bye) and God Bless You.
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