S.P.Q.R.

God has poured infinite blessings upon me! My mind staggers at the thought that I am actually living in Rome! I am fully moved in at Bernardi Campus. The building was built in the early 20th century as a private residence. For about 50 years, an order of nuns used it as their convent. The University of St. Thomas purchased it in 1999 and ever since, semester after semester of students have come to experience life in the Eternal City.





Our first days are filled with orientation and becoming acquainted with our new way of life. One of the full-year students took us to Piazza del Popolo yesterday to a great first view of the city. We will walk through this square every time we walk to class at the Angelicum.







During the first Mass as a group in the Chapel at Bernardi, Father Carola, chaplain for the residence, reminded us that the Eucharist is the centre of life at Bernardi; It is the life-blood and reason for all we do. The whole group is united by one goal: We are here to love and serve the Lord, doing whatever He asks us to do.

On Wednesday, we have the privilege to attend a General Wednesday Audience with Pope Benedict XVI. The closeness of the Holy Father these next four months will be filled with such graces. All one has to do is climb to the terrace atop Bernardi to realize the power of the Roman Catholic Church and the Shepherd’s promise to be with us always until the end of the age.