For the next few weeks, I am fortunate enough to be in Rome to study at the Centro Pro Unione (Centre for Promoting Christian Unity) run by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. This is my second full day in the Eternal City, and I can already say that it’s been a wonderful experience. In fact, just earlier today, I was sitting on my balcony reading Paul’s epistle to the Romans, and realised that I was, for the first time, in a city to which Paul sent one of his letters. I am walking the streets where its recipients walked. I am in the “capital city” of the world’s largest and one of the oldest Christian denominations. And I am at the centre of what was once the most powerful cities in the Western world, the influence of which is still felt to this day! I am in a place that inspires a love the likes of which I have not experienced for any other place, apart from the comfort of home.

In short, there’s a lot I want to say about my time here already, even though it’s only been a couple of days. I’m sure I’ll speak of it for years to come. To be and study here for the next three weeks is the opportunity of a lifetime for me. However, I will not be posting about my experiences here. My class from Toronto has its own blog to which I will be a contributor, and if you’re hoping to follow along with my thoughts and experiences in real time, that will be the best place. As an added bonus, you’ll get the perspective of my brilliant classmates, who I am most fortunate to share my time here with.

Here is the URL: rometrip2023.blogspot.com.

Also, here is a link to the Centro Pro Unione if you are at all interested to know more about the kind of work that they do: prounione.it/en/. They are wonderful and incredibly knowledgable people. I’ve immensely enjoyed our lectures so far.

This also would not be possible for me without some help, not least from my family who’ve helped me financially and have asked only for pictures of my experience, but also from the University of St Michael’s College, University of Toronto, who provided me with a bursary to cover my accommodations while I’m here. They haven’t asked me to mention this, but I thought I ought to, since I’m immensely grateful to all who have helped me to be here.

I’m really looking forward to the next three weeks.