Finishing the Academic Year at the International College

Rome. Each year in the month of June we have the official closing of the academic year at the International College ‘San Lorenzo da Brindisi’ of the Capuchin Friars Minor. This year it took place on June 17, with the solemn celebration of the Eucharist at which Br. Mauro Jöhri, General Minister of the Order, presided, to close the academic year 2016-2017.

“The International College is a place of great importance for the Order,” said Br. Mauro in his homily, “not only because one comes to study, but also because here we have a very multicultural place. Here we find ourselves together. Our Order becomes ever more international. It’s clear that it is a struggle to live together in such a multicultural place, because we are very different. But this is a challenge for all of us. The Order is becoming multinational because we are always in greater collaboration and for this reason the College carries out a very important role.”

This year was also special because it marks the end of the service of Br. Isidor Peterhans (PR Tanzania) as Rector of the College and of Br. Jozef Timko (Pr Slovakia) as Spiritual Director. “These years spent in the College,” said Br. Isidor, “have been for me an experience rich with a diverse fraternal life in which all have been called to accept one another with generosity, with a spirit open to the diversity of culture, of origins, and of preferences and personal interests.”

During the celebration the new Rector, Br. Francesco Neri (PR Bari, Italy) was presented. He will begin his service this July. “This is a responsibility that I certainly did not expect, “ says Br. Francesco, “but I am happy to be able to give myself to service to the fraternity, as in the end has happened to me from the beginning of my life in the Order, having always worked as a friar on behalf of the friars, first in twelve years as a formator, then six years as minister, and in the last five years as professor in our theological institute in Bari. I am counting on the collaboration and prayer of all the brothers.”

After the Eucharist there was a grand party on the piazza of the College, together with many friends, during which there were also diverse delicacies to be tasted, prepared by the students themselves according to the cuisines of their various countries of origin.

“Following my recent pastoral visitation to the College, during which I was able to meet all the members of this largest fraternity of our Order,” said Br. Štefan Kožuh, Delegate of the General Minister for the College, “I am especially happy with the growing personal responsibility to seek the necessary balance between the intense commitment to study and the spiritual journey, such that one is able to return to his own circumscription enriched both spiritually and culturally.”

Video of the Eucharist and the party

Photo gallery

Statistical data

International College ‘San Lorenzo da Brindisi’ in Rome

Academic year 2016-2017

Number of friars at the College – 117;

• Permanent community – 20 friars
• Students – 92 friars (studying for licentiate, 50; for doctorate, 13; for Master in Formation, 4; for Italian language course, 24)
• Historical Institute – 6 friars

Other important statistics

Where student friars are from:

• Africa – 19
• Latin America – 9
• Asia – 31
• Europe – 14

Universities attended:

• Antonianum – 26
• Gregorian – 12
• Lateran – 11
• Anselmianum – 6
• Other academic institutes - 8