For students, staff and parents of the College, summer definitely did begin in the eternal city of Rome. A party of 37 from all parts of the College community, accompanied by Fr Paul Seddon of St Richard's Parish in Atherton (Fr Paul has been a friend of the College for some years now contributing to retreat days, Mission Week and previous Rome visits), flew out from Manchester to Rome in July.

In the summer heat of the Italian capital, the group immersed themselves in Roman life. Using metro and tram, we made our way through the sights and sounds of the city. Visits to St Giovanni in Latereno, St Maria Maggiore and St Pietro allowed the group to see 3 of the regions 4 basilicas. Alongside this classical Rome was never far away, the Pantheon and the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and Via Foro Imperiale were breathtaking reminders of the glory that was the Empire. The majesty of the Vatican Museums the stanza di Raphael and the glory of Michaelangelo Buonarotti's Sistine Chapel could only be topped by the groups audience with Pope Benedict at the General Audience Hall of Paul VI.

From photographs with Swiss Guards, to gelati at Fontana di Trevi, the group returned on July 10th exhausted but all the better for the experience. My thanks go to Mrs Hearty, Frau McKean, Mrs Howard, Mr Daniel McKean, Mr and Mrs Piert, Siobhan Jolley, Matt McCall and Fr Paul.

Che vediamo presto Roma....forse?

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