Past, Present, and Future Fill us with Gratitude REV. EDWARD LINTON, O.S.B. Looking back over the past academic year, we at the
The spring program is a general renewal course, offering
Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE) are
a variety of classes that focus on topics from Canon
grateful to have been able to continue serving priests amid
Law to Pauline theology. This offers the priests a great
pandemic restrictions. Despite the continuing difficulties
opportunity to review various topics they studied in
of travel, sabbaticants came to Rome to renew their
seminary. Their years of pastoral experience always
commitment to the priesthood. Their desire to draw ever
enhance classroom discussion, but we don’t spend all our
closer to the Lord as priests was an inspiration to us all.
time in the classroom! Not only do we visit the churches and museums in Rome, but we are also able to make day
During our autumn modules, nine priests from seven
trips to beautiful places like Subiaco, the Castelli Romani,
different dioceses and two religious orders joined us. The
and Tivoli. We also make a five-day preached retreat in
theme of the autumn 2021 modules was discernment.
Assisi. There is, certainly, lots for which to be grateful!
The priests studied the art of discernment from the perspective of spiritual masters such as St. Ignatius
At ICTE, we are not only grateful for the past and present,
of Loyola, St. Alphonsus Liguori, and St. Benedict.
but also for the promising future! In the coming autumn
Presentations were offered on how to discern the
we have planned some great programs. Our theme for
Word of God through Lectio Divina. We considered how
autumn will be “The Passion of Christ.” There is still some
listening is essential to preaching. Conversations and
room in each of our three autumn modules.
exchanges with one another were the most formative experience for the priests during their sabbatical.
Module 1 (September 5-30) will focus on the theology of the Passion. It will include a trip to the famous passion
We were very grateful that the lifting of restrictions within
play at Oberammergau, Germany. Module 2 (October
Italy allowed us to travel more widely. We were able to
3-21) will focus on preaching the Passion. It will include
take the priests on several enriching tours—for six days
many trips within Rome, and we will offer an optional trip
during the first module, we visited Naples, and for six
to see the inspiring crucifixes of Florence. Module 3
days during the third module, we visited Florence. Both
(October 24-November 18) will focus on art and the
trips offered an occasion to visit incredible churches and
Passion. This module will feature presentations by
to view breathtaking art.
renowned art historian Elizabeth Lev. She will take us on unforgettable tours of Rome. This module will also
Fifteen priests from ten different dioceses, three different
include a six-day tour of Venice, where we will visit the
religious orders and three different countries joined us
incredible Passion cycles in that beautiful city.
for the spring 2022 program. It was the largest group of priests we have hosted since 2020, when the pandemic
Indeed, looking behind us and ahead of us, our hearts
forced us to end the sabbatical early. This sign of normalcy
overflow with gratitude!
filled our hearts with gratitude!
30
The Pontifical North American College
