I follow Christ

+JMJ+

I am moving to Rome.

That sentence is a simple statement, composed of only five words, but in those five words is a significant life change. In a little over a month I will pick up my life and move to Rome, Italy for at least two years. What takes me to Rome? Graduate school, naturally.

The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, referred to as Santa Croce (the Italian name), is a university and catholic seminary in the heart of Rome that offers a program in Church Communications. It is one of two schools in the world that offer this program (the other of which is also in Rome, less than a mile away). The goal of the program is to develop communications professionals to work for the Church so that the Church is better able to transmit the faith in a secular society amongst public opinion.

With this degree I would be able to work for a radio station, newspaper, television station, work in a communications office, etc. My dream job is to be the spokesperson for the Vatican, we will see if that happens! Until that day, I would like to work in a media relations office or communications office for a diocese, writing press releases and statements for bishops and helping to create and maintain a positive catholic image for a diocese.

There are a variety of reactions and questions I get once people hear I am moving to Rome. The first reaction is excitement followed by "do you speak italian?"

No. I do not speak Italian.

Yes. I realize that might be a problem.

I will be going to an italian language immersion program for the month before my classes start, and I have begun the process of learning basic italian this summer. My favorite and most needed phrase for survival is "Ho bisogno di un cafe," which means "I need coffee." See! I am good to go!

The next questions usually pertains to how long I will be there or when will I come back to visit. To the first, I will be in Rome for at least two years to complete one degree, and if I choose I can stay two more years to complete a higher degree. To the second, I am not sure when I will come home first, I can't imagine being able to stay away for long, but I also need to immerse myself in the culture and language and come out of my comfort zone.

Although I am aware this is a beautiful opportunity and it will be a wonderful adventure, I am also aware that it will be tough. I will know about three people in the whole country, studying a subject I have never studied academically in a new language, and I will be far away from the comforts of home. My life is changing completely and that makes me a tad nervous. More deeply rooted than the nervousness is a beautiful sense of peace  and trust because I am not going to Rome just because I want to or I can, I am going because I follow Christ. This is where He is calling me, and I know in my heart this is how He wants to use my life to glorify Him.

So yes, I am nervous, but I think that is natural when being removed from the familiarity of home and loved ones. I am extremely blessed to have the family and friends that I do, and being away from them for an extended period of time will be hard. But at the root of this change is the surety of Christ. No matter where I go, He is there. I go with the Holy Spirit, as a daughter of the Father, and with my heart settled in the Eucharist, and with that...onward to Rome!