Now Entering: Normal Rome Schedule
Second week of classes at the Gregorian University just wrapped up, yet I just passed the three-month mark of being in Italy. Things have been going well, but very busy. While the schedule is different everyday, I thought you may want to know what consists of an average day studying for the priesthood at the North American College.
I begin the day at 5:15am and arrive in the Immaculate Conception Chapel for the 6:15am Morning Prayer, followed by Mass. Mass is normally over around 7:10am, which gives me just enough time to grab a quick bowl of cereal in the refectory and then leave for the Gregorian University at 7:45am.
5:15am Wake-up
6:15am Morning Prayer in the Immaculate Conception Chapel
6:30am Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel
7:15am Breakfast in the refectory
7:45am Leave for classes at the Gregorian University
8:15am Arrive at the Gregorian University
8:30am First class begins
9:30am Second class begins
10:30am Third class begins
11:30am Fourth class begins
12:30pm Depart the Gregorian University for the North American College
1:00pm Arrive at the North American College
1:15pm Pranzo (Italian word for “lunch”)
2:10pm Finish pranzo
2:45pm Workout time
4:00pm Study, Seminars, Meetings, etc.
5:45pm Eucharistic Adoration
6:45pm Benediction and Evening Prayer
7:00pm Cena (Italian word for “dinner”)
7:30pm Get together with friends in the Student Lounge, study, formation conferences, etc.
9:30pm Shower, pack book bag for following day, and read
10:00pm Go to sleep
On top of this general schedule, I have meetings with my formation advisor and spiritual director on a regular basis and there is always something going on. It is a tight schedule, but it makes the days go by quickly. One thing is for sure, I am always looking forward to the weekend!
Getting Ready for a Change
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. My name is Brian Buettner and I am a Catholic seminarian from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in Zoology – Biomedical Science in 2006, and then attended Conception Seminary College where I obtained a Bachelor’s of Philosophical and Theological Studies. It seems like I have been in school forever, but this next step is going to be completely different from anything I have every done. I have been assigned to study Theology in Rome, Italy! I will be living at the Pontifical North American College and will attend classes at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
I began the completing the application packet and visa process in February and finished my last preparatory step two weeks ago when I shipped my personal affects to the Eternal City. I am now living out of just two suitcases. It is hard to describe what it feels like to prepare to leave the country with a one-way plane ticket. It is exciting because of the wonderful experience that I know is waiting for me in Rome, but it is so hard to leave my family, friends, and even my hometown. I will not be able to come back home to visit for two years. So many things have been swirling through my mind about what things will be like when I return. However, I am happy to know that I will be able to still be connected to everyone with today’s technology. I think e-mail and Skype will be a huge asset!
I wanted this first blog entry to be a very general introduction and I look forward to keeping this blog up-to-date.
