Feast Days and Local Exploration

Campus life is flourishing as students continue to settle into their studies and activities. This week, we celebrated the feast day of St. Agnes of Rome, a day rich in meaning and tradition for both the Church and the city. On Wednesday, Pope Leo blessed two small white lambs in Saint Peter’s Basilica in honor of St. Agnes, who is often depicted in art holding a lamb as a symbol of her purity and innocence. The wool of these lambs, along with others, was later sheared by Benedictine nuns and will eventually be woven into palliums, which are wool vestments bestowed upon archbishops around the world.

Beyond the classroom, students embraced the beauty of the surrounding region. Several explored Lago Albano and its many hiking trails, enjoying the area’s lush evergreen foliage, diverse wildlife, and even glimpses of ancient Roman ruins. As academic responsibilities increase, students are still finding time for community and recreation through movie nights, board games, and local adventures.

One of the week’s standout moments was taco night, when a few students teamed up with our kitchen staff to share the art of a taco feast in celebration of completing the second week of classes. It was an evening full of laughter, collaboration, and good food, and one that will surely become a new campus tradition.

Together, these moments reflect a campus that is not only academically engaged, but also deeply rooted in faith, fellowship, and shared joy as the semester continues to unfold.