COLLEGIO SAN ROBERTO BELLARMINO
Studies for the Church, Service for the World
Located in the heart of Rome, the Collegio Bellarmino is not just a place of formation for Jesuits engaged in academic pursuits, but also a space for cultural exchange, spiritual growth, and community life. Here, students from all over the world come together not only to deepen their academic competence but also to experience a unique community founded on Christian fraternity and pastoral service. We welcome anyone interested in learning more about our mission and the contributions Jesuits, trained at the Bellarmino, offer to both the Church and global society.
This document aims to present the current Collegio San Roberto Bellarmino in Rome and is primarily addressed to Provincials and students residing in this house, as members of the community, engaged in a programme of Special Studies in the Society of Jesus.
1. Description:
- The Collegio Bellarmino is a formation house in Rome, mainly intended for Jesuits undertaking a ‘Special Studies’ programme, with a focus on obtaining a Licentiate or Doctorate degree. Some Jesuits are also admitted for a programme of renewal (typically during a ‘sabbatical’), of varying duration, depending on their individual plans.
- The College is led by a Rector, appointed by the Superior General, and supported by a team, including a Minister, a Spiritual Father, a Prefect of Studies, and other experienced Jesuits, who may serve as professors or carry out other missions in Rome.
2. Purpose:
- With a long-standing tradition in Rome (celebrating its 75th anniversary as a college in 2024), the Bellarmino is well-known, not as a guest house, but as a religious community within the Society of Jesus. Its mission is to offer formative support to Jesuits in the early years of their priesthood, still in need of guidance from a Superior and a Spiritual Father. The young Jesuit continues his personal development process in preparation for Tertianship or for assuming apostolic responsibilities in the Society after obtaining the academic degree assigned by his Provincial.
3. Community Life:
- While the primary purpose of sending our students to Rome is for the attainment of their academic degree, we also consider other aspects of Jesuit life: religious, community, and pastoral. We seek the harmonious integration of all these dimensions, fostering both human and religious maturation during their mission in Rome. To this end, various activities are organised beyond the academic sphere, such as spiritual retreats (including the eight-day Spiritual Exercises), reflection meetings, celebratory gatherings, and conferences, all aimed at promoting Jesuit maturation.
- The pastoral aspect is also noteworthy: the Bellarmino is highly regarded by many diocesan and religious communities in Rome, and even by numerous parishes in different regions of Italy, for the ministerial services provided over the years. We strive to organise the various services we can offer, providing a valuable opportunity for our students to exercise their priestly ministry. Proficiency in Italian is, of course, necessary, as it facilitates integration with the local people and opens the door to the rich cultural and artistic heritage of this host country.
4. International Character:
- An important aspect of our community is its international character. Members come from all continents and many nations, bringing a wealth of cultural diversity but also presenting a challenge: the need for understanding, open-mindedness, and an openness of heart to share life with confrères from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, languages, and worldviews. We seek to foster the integration of all members, overcoming the temptation towards individualistic, independent, and personalist lifestyles, which are contrary to our way of proceeding. We are aware that community life is now considered part of our mission within the Society of Jesus.
- This international dimension also extends to the aspect of hospitality: being a well-known house, many Jesuits from different Provinces, who have lived here in the past, seek accommodation with us. The Collegio Bellarmino is a house open to the Society, and we have the opportunity to meet confrères from various Provinces who come to Rome for specific purposes. Their stay with us may last a few days or an extended period, such as a sabbatical.
5. Religious Authority:
- Once a student is assigned to the international mission of the Society in Rome, he becomes a member of the DIR (Interprovincial Delegation in Rome) and is thus admitted to one of these interprovincial communities. From that point on, the student’s superior is the Delegate of the Superior General, for the duration of his stay with us. The student’s continued reference to his own Provincial may sometimes cause confusion. The Provincial entrusts his student to us for the duration of his programme in Rome.
6. Preparation – To the Provincials:
- Regarding the preparation or preliminary stage: the Provincial who has decided to send one of his confrères to study in Rome, and specifically to integrate into our community, must make a request to the Delegate of the Superior General for the DIR.
- The Provincial should carefully evaluate whether the chosen Jesuit is sufficiently qualified for such a demanding commitment, considering not only intellectual capabilities but also adaptability to other cultures, as this requires the necessary openness to share life with companions from different countries. Religious maturity must also be assessed, including responsibility in the use of time and resources provided for the mission in Rome. Although these conditions may seem obvious, experience has shown that they have not always been adequately considered.
- The academic programme’s duration should be clearly defined, ensuring that the time in Rome is sufficient to complete the prescribed programme but avoiding the unnecessary prolongation of studies.
- Whenever possible, the objective of the programme should be made clear: what mission is the student being prepared for after completing his demanding studies.
- It is advisable to give the student a period of rest before coming to Rome, allowing time between his previous assignment and the academic programme ahead.
- Once the Provincial Delegate’s approval has been received, the student should contact the College’s authorities to prepare the necessary documentation for the mission in Rome. Ideally, the student should arrive at Bellarmino during the last week of June or earlier, to prepare the required documents and participate in the Italian course offered in July and August.
Conclusion:
The Collegio San Roberto Bellarmino is much more than a mere academic institution; it is a vibrant community where cultural exchange, spiritual growth, and preparation for apostolic service intertwine in a comprehensive formation process. We are proud to be part of the educational tradition of the Society of Jesus, while also embracing the new challenges and opportunities that the contemporary world presents. Our commitment is to form Jesuits ready to serve the Church and the world with competence, dedication, and a spirit of Christ-like fraternity. We invite everyone to share in our journey and to discover the richness that life at the Collegio Bellarmino offers.
