Discovering the Wonders of Rome
This recent summer, a group of enthusiastic students from Donahue Academy’s Classes of 2026 and 2027 embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Rome, Italy. The week and a half long trip was designed to immerse the students in the history, art, religion, and architecture of one of the world’s most iconic cities.
From the moment they arrived, the students were captivated by Rome’s vibrant streets and ancient landmarks. Their first stop was the Vatican City, where they explored and got to experience the Vatican firsthand. They visited St. Peter’s Basilica, where they attended mass in a side chapel underneath the Giant Church. According to Gloria Jasso, “Visiting Vatican City was awesome, seeing all the people from different countries was astonishing, how it brought people together in a common love of God”. The class also visited the Colosseum where they got an in-depth tour of it; their guide told many stories of the architecture and spoke Latin fluently with some of the students. The last two days into the trip they visited Assisi where they went to the Basilicas of Saints Claire and Francis of Assisi.
One of the highlights from a student was the Scala Sancta or Latin for “Holy Stairs,” where the students could not walk up the stairs, but had to kneel up the stairs step by step. Beyond the monuments, the group enjoyed authentic Italian cuisine, practiced Italian and Latin, and got their steps in. Throughout the visit they visited 15 churches. The visit to Rome proved to be more than an educational excursion; it was a transformative experience. As the students returned home, they carried with them not only souvenirs but a deeper appreciation for history, culture, and the joy of discovery.
