On Monday, May 25, The Rome Experience welcomed the Class of 2026 to the program orientation held at Mundelein Seminary before departing for the 6-week summer program in Italy.
The group will begin their time in Italy with two days in Florence, taking in religious and cultural sites, before travelling to Bracciano for a 5-day silent retreat at Villaggio Betania, a retreat center managed by the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia (Nashville). Upon concluding the retreat, the group will travel to Rome, staying at Casa di Santa Brigida—the home of St. Bridget in Rome which is managed by the Order of the Most Holy Savior of Saint Bridget.
During their time in Rome, the seminarians will visit the major basilicas and historical sites, attend the Papal audience and liturgies, and take classes at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce). The summer program concludes with a trip to Ars, France, where the seminarians will have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.
The Rome Experience immerses the seminarians in the heart of the Catholic Church and helps them focus on the key characteristics of priestly identity and spiritual growth. Courses and excursions are planned within a daily schedule centered on the celebration of the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, and an hour of meditation before the Blessed Sacrament, emphasizing the importance of daily prayer and developing a spiritual plan of life.
Images provided by The Rome Experience
