1,000 not out

This humble little blog has passed the 1,000 hits mark, not bad considering its only recently it has had a wider publicity. Thanks to everyone who reads and comments.

Quick update

Once again apologies for my lack of updating recently, but the world of academia has been overwhelming of late. Lectures are into full flow now at the Angelicum and I am really enjoying the courses, although I am finding Greek a bit of a struggle. What has happened since I updated last? At the beginning of the month we had a free weekend and so a group of us set off on the Saturday to Nettuno, which is on the west coast. It was the first time I have ever been on a double-deck train, was very strange being so high up. As well as a very nice seafood restaurant for lunch, we also visited to shrine of St. Maria Goretti. In the evening we then headed back to Rome and to the Abbey Theatre Irish pub, and then to a jazz club. On the Sunday, another student and I attended Vespers and Mass at St. Peter's. I also served Mass in the college for the first time, for Cardinal O'Brien, which was an unexpected surprise.

This weekend was a Human Formation one, which involved us going off to a convent in San Vito Romano and having some input about the different aspects of our Human Formation. It was very worthwhile, and not just because part of it involved watching "Gran Torino", starring Clint Eastwood.

It seems strange to think that it is only five weeks til we break up for Christmas, and there is going to be a lot happening in those five weeks!

Update

Apologies for my lack of updates, but life here has been a bit hectic. This is the end of the only the third week of lectures, but it seems longer. In fact it is amazing to think that I have now been here in Rome for nine weeks come this Sunday. The main thing to tell you about was the Papal Audience. Along with the first years I attended the Papal Audience, on Wednesday past. It was such an emotional experience, and I will admit to shedding a few tears. Just to be within the presence of the Holy Father is something amazing, the God's Vicar on Earth passed by within a few feet of us was very exciting. We didn't actually get to meet Pope Benedict, but he did mention us during the part of his address to the English-speaking pilgrims. Below there are some pictures:

Back to School

Almost another week has gone by, and I not been posting much. This is due to being a wee bit tired, as Monday was the first day of lectures in the Pontifical Universities here in Rome. This meant it was my first day of lectures at the Angelicum, and also the beginning of 5.30 a.m. rises :(

Lectures are going fine, its mainly trying to negotiate the Italian transport system that is the killer. After only four mornings quite a few guys are looking at the possibility of buying bikes. I shall continue with the buses I think, as the last time I rode a bike wasn't this side of the millenium! It's weird re-starting theology again, as I had already done a year and a half at Scotus. Since that was over seven years ago, I am glad I am starting from scratch. Its also strange being the only Scots College student in my class at the Angelicum, but as I was in a year on my own at Scotus, I am used to it. In my class there are roughly 35 students altogether, the largest group being from the Pontifical North Amercian College or "NAC". There are also students from Germany, India, Ireland, Spain, Australia, Lebannon and Mexico, so a truly universal class!

The guys in Philosophy began their classes at the Angelicum this week too, but their classes run in the afternoon, so its almost like there are two communities that see each other now and again.

Last Saturday, myself and most of the first years went to join the Holy Father for the rosary. We were there with a few thousand others I might add. It was part of the Synod of Africa that is taking place here in Rome at the moment. It was such an incredible experience seeing the Holy Father in person, I was actually almost in tears.

Thank you for your messages after the death of my grandmother, I decided to stay in Rome rather than go to the funeral, and I did so with my dad's blessing. The funeral was today, so she has now gone to her eternal reward. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

If you want to know what the college looks like here are some I took earlier on today:

Back in Rome

Well I'm back after my week long retreat in Bagnoregio. It was a grace filled week. I have been on several retreats before but never felt so renewed and full of the Lord. The retreat director, Father Luke Buckles, OP, was such an inspirational man and I am privileged to have been in his presence. I feel that I truly expereinced the Lord's presence during the retreat and it is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. It has confimed to me that this is where I should be, that the Lord is truly calling me to serve as a diocesan priest. I have never felt more sure of anything in my life.

Yesterday afternoon my grandmother passed away. Please pray for the repose of her soul. She had been in hospital for several months and it was more a matter of when not if. I'm glad I managed to say goodbye to her before I left for Rome at the end of August.  I don't think it will really sink in until I go home at Christmas. I've decided not to go home for the funeral as lectures begin next week and after discussing with the rector I feel it best if I stay here. My dad is also quite happy for me to do this, he said nobody would think any less of me, which made it easier.

Lost in Rome

The end of another week here in Rome, and it was certainly an interesting one, at least Tuesday morning was at any rate. We (the first years and I) had our field trip to the Avantine Hill, we visitied Circus Maximus and the Church of St. Sabina, which was built in the 5th C., and given to St. Dominic by Pope Honoruis III. We also visited the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, where there is the "Mouth of Truth", which is a large marble mask that is an ancient Roman artifact that was either a drain cover or part of a fountain. It was placed here in the porch in 1632. Its name and popularity derive from a medieval legend that if a liar placed his hand in its mouth, it would be bitten off. It was this which was to be the cause of my problems. Myself and another student decided to have our photo taken with our hands in the Mouth of Truth, so the rest of the group headed off without us. We thought we knew where to go to get the metro back, but we didn't. We ended up wandering around in a circle, then we eventually found the Metro, which was a couple of minutes from where we had started off originally. We then had to catch a bus from Termini (the main metro/rail/bus station) to Manchini, and the one we got on seemed to take foever. By this point we were going to be late for lunch, as we still had to get another bus from Manchini to the college. We ended up adding to our journey by getting off at the wrong stop and had to walk for 15 mins to the college. So an eventful day.

The other students arrived back this week so that's the community almost complete. Yesterday I went into the Angelicum to register, and it is a very impressive building, I'm looking forward to classes beginning on 12 Oct. Today was the final day of Italian classes, well not quite as I still have a weekly class, but it was the end of the intensive classes. We were all given our certificates, so I now have two certificates in italian.

Tomorrow we go off on rereat to Bagnoregio, five days of silence, to allow us to get mentally and spiritually prepared for the year ahead. From what I have heard it is a really nice, peaceful place, so I am looking forward to it. And so because of the retreat I will not be updating the blog until next Friday.

A Wee Update

The last week was quite busy so a wee update to let you know what's been happening. Last Thursday we went on a walking tour of the fountains of Rome. It was very interesting and also a good opportunity to see how much Italian we could actually understand. It was just as well Fr. Francis was with us to translate, although I did manage to phrase a question in Italian.

I gave my presentation on Friday which went well, I decided to cut it down quite a bit, so it was easier to deliver. My tutor was very happy with it, especially to "Power-Point" presentation.

On Saturday, along with a couple of other students I went back to St. John Lateran. Getting there was certainly an experience. We got on our usual two buses which would take us to the metro, but on arriving at the metro found it was off. So we had to get on a replacement bus, which was packed, if you didn't know the person standing next to you beforehand you certainly did by the time you got off the bus. After getting off the bus at the wrong stop we then had to get a taxi from Piazza Barbarini to St. John's, and were conned. Anyway we eventually get to the restaurant we were having lunch in, which was very enjoyable. We then went to St. John Lateran's for our visit. I took the chance to go to confession and felt much better for it. The priest was very good and gave me a lot to think about.

In evening instead of having the cold supper, a group of us decided to have pizza, so myself and another student went to order them. This too was an experience, it must be our accents becasue instead of 4 pizzas we nearly ended up with 6! All part of the experience.

Tomorrow we are off on a field trip to the Aventine Hill to visit the churches around it.