May 6, 2012. (Romereports.com) Many bishops would want nothing more than to send the priests of their dioceses to study in Rome. It's a way for them to see the universal impact of the Church and also a way to be near the Pope. But one of the biggest challenges in making this happen is finding proper accommodation for the students.

For example to study in any Pontifical university in Rome, one can't just live anywhere... They must find a residence that correlates with their specific training.


In Rome, some students reside in Pontifical North American College, or the Spanish College of San Jose. Then there's other ecclesiastical colleges like San Carlos Borromeo, or the Future International College of Altomonte.  This residence is in its final phase of construction. It will eventually house the priests and deacons who study at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

JUAN CARLOS DOMINGUEZ
Dean, Altomonte College
“Here a priest doesn't just find a hotel or a place to eat and sleep. It's not like that. Above all else, he must find a healthy environment, a family atmosphere, a place of liturgy, brotherhood, knowledge of other cultures and other environments.”

After five years of fundraising and construction, next year, this house will open its doors to 35 residents. This is the first phase. The second phase comes in August 2013 when 70 residents will be welcomed. They will be divided into two groups to keep a unique family atmosphere.

It's something priests can't find easily in regular college courses.

JUAN CARLOS DOMINGUEZ
Dean, Altomonte College
“It's a good way to see how other priests interact, how they study, pray, how they lives out  their charity and brotherhood. Also, how they carry out their vows of poverty, obedience. How they integrate their dioceses. By seeing all this, we all learn from each other.”

Living with people from all continents will help priests and deacons to have a universal vision of the Church, which will of course be positive when the priests go back to their dioceses.

JUAN CARLOS DOMINGUEZ
Dean, Altomonte College
“They can come in contact with new information and even remember old things that they thought they had  forgotten.  It's a way to  recognize that we ourselves are constantly changing and facing new situations that also require new solutions.”

No one knows this better than Juan Carlos Dominguez. He is the rector of the Altomonte College. This July, just two months before classes begin, he will be living there, to make sure everything is ready for future tenants....so they may find in that College a true home.


OFL/KLH
FF
-
- PR