Bernardi

Well, I thought that it would be good to talk about where I am living this semester while I am in Rome because one of the biggest parts of the Rome experience is the community life.  I live at what is called the Bernardi Campus, which is a house owned by the University of St. Thomas.  The house, built about 100 years ago, used to be both a private home and a Carmelite monastery.  It now houses about 35 college students who are spending 4 months of their lives experiencing the city of Rome.  Located on the banks of the Tiber River, it is about a 25 minute walk to the Vatican and about a 40 minute walk to class everyday at the Angelicum.  It is really an ideal location for the semester and I am really enjoying living here.  One of the best parts about living at Bernardi is the community life.  I live with 34 other students, 14 of whom are seminarians, and the rest are lay men and women.  It has been such a blessing to live in a Catholic community where it is evident that everyone there is truly pursuing holiness.  And while you may say, "Well isn't that what seminary is like?"  And the answer is yes, everyone in seminary is pursuing holiness.  But the fact that I get the privilege to live with people who are pursuing holiness and different vocations really helps shape the community.  It is very edifying to see men and women who are seriously seeking holiness not because they desire to be priests or religious  but rather because they know that they are called to be holy.  The reality of it is that all of us are called to be holy, to be saints in the world, no matter what our vocation is.  Now, I could rant on this for quite a while, but I need to talk about the house, so I will.  But remember, YOU are called to be a saint.  And that, my friends  is awesome.  

Anyways, the most important room in the house is the chapel.  While it is a small space, we have Mass there together Wednesday night, which we call community nights.  It is also just great to have a place where everyone can go and pray really any time they want.  To live in the same house as Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist, now that is a gift.      

One of the coolest features of the house is the rooftop terrace.  We have absolutely stunning views of St. Peter's Basilica and the Roman city center.  So it is definitely a cool place to hang out and relax.  When we get out of the dead of winter (highs in the 50s) I am sure that I will be spending quite a bit of time up there.               

My Room!

So that is the house in a nutshell.  It is a real blessing to live with such a great community while I am here in Rome.  Overall, my experience has been just surreal.  Between living in the Eternal City, the Holy Father's resignation, and encountering myself in a new way because I am out of my own "bubble," Rome has been a great gift from God.  Pray that I may continue to grow in relationship with the Lord and truly take advantage of this incredible opportunity.  Please be assured of my prayers for all of you!