Hallowtide at Catholic Institute of Technology

Students, faculty, and staff at Catholic Institute of Technology had an eventful Hallowtide involving a campus-wide All Hallows’ Eve celebration followed by a trip to the historic birthplace of the Franciscans—Assisi. 

On Thursday, October 31st, members of the CatholicTech community joined together to prepare Villa Santa Caterina for the school’s first annual All Hallows’ Eve celebration through campus beautification projects and cooking and baking food for guests. As we work to permanently establish our campus life here in Italy, the school’s members are proud to call Castel Gandolfo their home away from home. We are always grateful when we can foster relationships with the townspeople, especially on an occasion such as All Hallows’ Eve—an important Holy day for the local Italian community. Families from Castel Gandolfo came to campus with their children to “trick-or-treat,” while local vendors set up food, drink, and sweet stations in the piazza outside of O’Connell Hall.  It was a privilege for CatholicTech to host its neighbors and join with them in commemorating the saints of the Catholic Church. We look forward to next year’s gathering and look forward to welcoming more guests in the future!

On Thursday afternoon, before festivities began, CatholicTech welcomed to campus Fr. Arokiam John O.F.M.—Assistant Theology Professor at the Pontificia Università Antonianum. To prepare students for the school’s pilgrimage to the town of Assisi, Fr. John delivered a presentation entitled, “Lessons from the Franciscan Theology: Reflecting on 800 Years since the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi.” The lecture focused on the Christo-centric nature of Franciscan Spirituality, and the experienced or “lived” theology of St. Francis, as opposed to a more academic, scholastic theology. Fr. John also emphasized the importance of God’s bestowal of the stigmata on St. Francis in answer to his prayers to know how to understand who God is and how to love Him. 

Following mass on All Saints’ Day, students and faculty set off to spend two days exploring St. Francis’s home. “The serenity and beauty of the town made the simple act of walking around a source of great joy, and the grandeur of the Basilica of St. Francis was a marvel to behold,” said Peter Thompson ’27. “The Basilica has multiple levels, each featuring a church or chapel with a distinct, somber beauty that inspires a spirit of quiet reflection,” Mr. Thompson continued. “We also made our way up to Rocca Maggiore at night-time and had a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside and the stars.”

This Hallowtide, CatholicTech prays to all the Holy Saints for the success of our mission and, in a special way, asks for the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi as we strive to form the next generation of saints, scholars, and scientists.