The Rome-based Pontifical Irish College is opening up its doors for lay Catholics to spend a semester deepening their faith and religious education. For nearly four centuries this institution has been dedicated to priestly formation, but it is also welcoming young adults aged 18 to 30 to join the seminarians on the path of Christian discipleship.
According to the website of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, participants will spend a semester in Rome studying at the Pontifical Irish College. Located in the heart of the city, students will be just two blocks from St. John Lateran, and just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum. They will also benefit from interacting with the College community, which includes clergy members, seminarians, and lay students.
This central location will offer students many opportunities to experience the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of Rome by means of weekly field trips that complement and support the lessons they learn through the program.
Of the program, the bishops explain that it is structured around four pillars of formation, expressly tailored for the lay vocation: Spiritual Accompaniment, Intellectual Growth, Human Development, and Community Engagement.
Education on Spiritual Accompaniment begins by fostering a rhythm of prayer and worship through attending daily Mass and a regular community Holy Hour. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of receiving the Sunday Eucharist by organizing vibrant community celebrations that draw in the three resident communities, as well as a local congregation of parishioners and English-speaking pilgrims visiting Rome. The College also provides private spiritual direction for individuals.
On the topic of Human Development, the College has tailored its program for both male and female participants, with the goals of helping them mature as individuals and prepare for the challenges of living as Christians in the modern world. In order to instill a foundation for authentic relationships and meaningful engagement in both personal and professional circles, this pillar encourages “growth in self-awareness, emotional resilience, and interpersonal skills.”
The program will foster Intellectual Growth through certified and accredited courses in Catholic studies. This includes the opportunity to take courses in Philosophy and Theology at a Roman University. Through this academic component of the program, students will deepen their understanding of the faith and be equipped with tools to better engage in the life of the Church.
The spiritual and intellectual elements are rounded out with Community Engagement, which sees participants take part in weekly community formation nights. They will also spend time engaging with pilgrims who visit the Irish College, supporting its hospitality and outreach efforts.
The bishops wrote of the program:
“These experiences provide practical opportunities to live out the call to service, fostering a spirit of generosity and openness that is at the heart of the Christian life.”
Learn more about the Pontifical Irish College’s Catholic Studies in Rome Program at the Catholic Studies Consortium.
