Catholic Tech

Guess What’s Happening in Castel Gandolfo!

Aug 23, 2024
News

As freshmen move-in day approaches, Cardinal Newman Fellows, faculty, and staff arrive to campus in Castel Gandolfo

In just 10 days, Catholic Institute of Technology will open its doors to welcoming its freshman to campus in Castel Gandolfo, Italy! With our faculty, staff, and Cardinal Newman Fellows already settling into campus life, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our inaugural freshman class. 

The Newman Fellows touched down in Italy on Wednesday, August 20, and have been immersing themselves in the enchanting life of Castel Gandolfo. For their first taste of campus, students were greeted upon arrival with local pizza, followed by a tour of the buildings and grounds of our beautiful campus. Some students then headed straight to the pool on campus to cool off from the summer heat. Then, they strolled through the charming streets of Castel Gandolfo and the Palazzo Pontificio, a mere 15-minute walk from our grounds. There, under the rosy Italian summer sunset, they looked out on Lake Albano and the beauty of the surrounding region. They ended their afternoon on the town with some gelato, and then enjoyed dinner on campus with faculty and staff with delicious cuisine and conversation. 

Students and staff gathered for mass in one of the chapels on campus

After a restful night recovering from jetlag, the community of Catholic Institute of Technology gathered together for breakfast and then mass, celebrating the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The day’s adventures included a trip back into town to visit the Pope’s summer palace. There, Fellows had the opportunity to wander through the Papal portrait gallery, the Pope’s private apartment, and take a walk through the Pope’s secret garden.

A trip to the Papal Palace – the former summer home of the Pope’s in Palazzo Pontificio

Today, Fellows are off on a journey to explore the neighboring town of Albano. This weekend holds even more excitement, as students will venture into the heart of Rome, and spend a leisurely day by the lake, soaking in the Italian sun and enjoying an experience that they will remember for a lifetime. Here at CatholicTech, students are not only learning, but also gaining life experience, growing in life, having meaningful adventures, and forming lifelong relationships, and above all deepening their relationship with God. 

Scenic views of Castel Gandolfo 

Stay tuned for more about the journeys of our Fellows, and please pray for the safe travels of our incoming freshmen to campus!