By: Álvaro Zapata, SJ
The Beginning of a New Chapter: Life in Rome
After years of formation, I’ve moved to Rome this academic year to continue my studies, this time for a licentiate in theology. As you might imagine, this process hasn’t been without its challenges, but it has also brought a cultural and spiritual richness I didn’t expect to find so completely.
An International Microcosm of Faith and Culture
The Collegio San Roberto Bellarmino houses an international community of 77 Jesuits from 34 different countries. This year, 16 new companions from all corners of the world have joined us. Without a doubt, this international microcosm of the Society of Jesus has been one of the most striking aspects of my first few weeks here. Sharing life with people from such varied cultures, backgrounds, and experiences has been a true gift, though it has also required some effort to adapt. The constant exchange with companions who think and see the world differently has made me rethink many of my certainties, but it has also broadened my horizons and allowed me to understand more deeply the universality of both the Church and the Society. Experiencing this within the context of Rome is a tremendous grace.
Adapting to Rome has been quite a process in itself. This city, with its millennia-old history and vibrant urban life, offers a unique context for study and formation. Simply walking through its streets serves as a constant reminder of the countless saints, martyrs, and theologians who have come before us.
The Eternal City: A Constant Reminder of the Saints
Living in Rome has been particularly exciting because of the chance to walk through and live in the setting where the Society of Jesus was born. From the very first day, the churches of the Gesù and Sant’Ignazio have become part of daily life. The presence of St. Ignatius, St. Francis Xavier, St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, and so many other Jesuits is almost tangible. It’s impossible to be in these places without feeling part of a story far bigger than yourself, a story that preceded us and, in some way, drives us forward.
One of the most moving moments was visiting St. Ignatius’ rooms in the Church of the Gesù, where we celebrated the Eucharist together, all the new students of the Collegio Bellarmino. Being physically present in those places where Ignatius and his first companions dreamed of a world transformed by the Gospel, where the Constitutions were written, and where the Society took its first steps, was a profound spiritual experience.
A Greeting from Pope Francis
On the 15th of September, all the first-year students had the blessing of attending the Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis gave us a special greeting and blessing as new students in Rome. With his warm words, he welcomed us to the eternal city, encouraging us to live this time with dedication and faith. In response to his fatherly gesture, we greeted him with a vibrant “Viva il Papa!”, filling the square with our enthusiasm and gratitude. It was an unforgettable moment of communion with the Holy Father and the universal Church.
A Connection with the First Jesuits: Celebrations and Origins
Like the first companions, we form a diverse group, trusting that, just as the Lord was gracious to Ignatius and his companions, He will also be to us in Rome. But without losing sight of the fact that this diversity sometimes poses challenges in daily communication and living together, it simultaneously offers us a living image of what it means to be a truly universal Society. The welcoming dynamics and preparation for community life at the Collegio Bellarmino have helped us to integrate this diversity and embrace it as an enrichment.
Exploring the Historical Archives: The Spiritual Richness of the Society
One of the most fascinating experiences we’ve had in these early days was our visit to the Historical Archives at the General Curia. There, we had the chance to view the original foundational documents of the Society of Jesus, annotated by St. Ignatius, as well as many documents we’ve studied during our formation. Seeing these pages, which have miraculously survived so many trials, filled with history and spirituality, we couldn’t help but feel a deep connection with those first Jesuits who, with boldness and faith, set in motion a project that continues to transform lives around the world today. That visit was undoubtedly a reminder of the responsibility we bear as members of the Society: not only to inherit a tradition but also to contribute actively to its development and renewal. This is why we undergo such extensive formation, seeking depth in our studies.
Lessons Learned: Growth Through Diversity
In these first few weeks, we’ve learned that living with Jesuits from so many different cultures forces us to let go of many of our comforts and certainties, but it also offers us the chance to grow in ways we never imagined. Life in community, especially in a context as diverse as ours, can sometimes be difficult, but it is precisely in these challenges that we find the deepest opportunities for growth and transformation.
A Path of Service: In Service to the Church and the World
I am convinced that this time in Rome will be fruitful for each of us and will be a key stage in our journey as Jesuits, as we continue our vocation to serve the Church and the world through the Gospel.
Álvaro Zapata, SJ, is a Spanish Jesuit who will begin his licentiate in Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in October 2024.
This article was originally written in Spanish.
