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CV NEWS FEED // The Rome-based Pontifical Irish College, a Catholic seminary, is expanding its mission of Catholic formation to lay young adults, enabling them to spend a semester at the college growing spiritually and intellectually.
According to the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference website, the semester-long program for individuals 18 to 30 gives students the opportunity to experience authentic Roman culture through weekly field trips exploring locations rich in Christian history. Catholic studies departments at higher education institutions in the United States are collaborating too.
The Catholic Studies Consortium states on its website that students pursuing Catholic Studies in Rome live together at the Pontifical Irish College and have a regular schedule of study, prayer, and leisure while taking classes at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
The Irish College campus hosts three communities: clergy, seminarians, and laity. It is structured to support the pillars of formation for the lay vocation, including spiritual accompaniment, intellectual growth, human development, and community engagement.
According to the Conference, the human development program aims to help prepare students “for the challenges of living as Christians in the modern world. This pillar of formation encourages growth in self-awareness, emotional resilience, and interpersonal skills, fostering a strong foundation for authentic relationships and meaningful engagement in both personal and professional spheres.”
The program will offer daily Mass, accredited courses in Catholic studies, and weekly community formation nights.
“They are also involved in hospitality and outreach efforts, engaging with visiting pilgrims to the Irish College,” the Conference explained. “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.”
