church, and that you can find the image of the Holy Spirit in almost every single dome in Rome—at least 99% of the time. If you chase a bus, there is a good chance that you will catch it—all you need to do is run fast enough. Be sure to look both ways before running headlong into traffic though, especially if it is a four-lane street. Maps are particularly helpful in Rome. Don’t rely on the bus to give you an accurate perspective of where things are. Places are closer than they appear, and maps are just plain awesome. The word “strike” is an interesting term here. I am still debating if a planned, monthly, or half-day strike actually constitutes a strike. Either way it does end up being inconvenient when you end up walking to the train station to leave for a free weekend—but it is a great way to see the city!
Although you can meet characters of all sorts here, I have met some of the nicest people ever. Angels do come in all shapes and sizes. Of course, we did learn a lot about each other these past few months. For instance, we learned that some of us have different methods for making a pot of coffee, have a knack for understanding and speaking Italian, have culinary skills, have a great ability to get lost in Rome, and have late-night cravings for donuts or kebabs. Even though we joke around about the differences in culture, there is something to be said about the Italian culture. It taught us a lot about ourselves and others and widened our perspective on life.
The most wonderful part of our time here, though, was just living and experiencing the Catholic Faith, rich and alive, in the heart of the Church—linking antiquity to the present. Rome truly is the heart of the Church, the city of Faith, where every ancient, pagan monument is a symbol of the triumph of the martyrs and of the Church. Saint Peter’s Basilica itself is such a powerful witness of what the Church is and her role in salvation history. Rome is one of those things that you simply need to experience. Though her significance is universal to Catholics, it is something
different for each one of us. It is a personal journey. This article originally appeared in the “Rome Report” of The Chronicler, a weekly online publication of the Admissions Office. Subscribe to it at christendom.edu/chronicler. In their Junior year, students are given the opportunity to spend a semester in Rome. They live and study just outside the Vatican. For more information visit christendom.edu/rome.
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