Life at Bernardi
A burst of laughter erupts from the small group gathered in the dark room as that familiar piano intro begins. Muscles tighten and eager glances are exchanged as the keyboard builds in quick crescendo. The theme song to The Office is playing once again in the lounge. As the instrumental chorus breaks out, a raucous accompaniment of drumming on sofas, tables, walls, and floor emphasizes the catchy beat of the tune and echoes throughout the halls of Bernardi letting everyone know that another episode has begun. This little piece of American Television imported in the form of a 4-DVD box set has become a favorite way for our remarkably close group to relax after another busy day in Roma.
A burst of laughter erupts from the small group gathered in the dark room as that familiar piano intro begins. Muscles tighten and eager glances are exchanged as the keyboard builds in quick crescendo. The theme song to The Office is playing once again in the lounge. As the instrumental chorus breaks out, a raucous accompaniment of drumming on sofas, tables, walls, and floor emphasizes the catchy beat of the tune and echoes throughout the halls of Bernardi letting everyone know that another episode has begun. This little piece of American Television imported in the form of a 4-DVD box set has become a favorite way for our remarkably close group to relax after another busy day in Roma.
Life at the Bernardi Residence is great…mostly. It is our own little palazzo (Italian for “palace”) conveniently located in a nice, quiet neighborhood within walking distance from everything. From the fourth floor terrace we can enjoy a cigar while gazing out over the cityscape and St. Peter’s before heading downstairs to jump in bed and gaze up at the 15 foot, crown-molded ceilings. Progressing renovations mean that the Men’s floor is equipped with beautiful, new bathrooms. A student lounge with TV and DVD player provides for our Office fix. In the basement, eight new computers provide for our computing and internet needs next to a library well stocked with donated books including an abundance of travel guides to Rome, Italy, and all over Europe. I have yet to even mention the greatest blessing of all, the chapel located on the first floor. Having access to a chapel in house makes it so easy to establish a regular prayer life which fits so naturally with the Catholic Studies program.
This spacious palazzo is teeming with a richness of life provided by the students, faculty, and staff. I heard from a number of previous students of the program that as much as they enjoyed all that Rome had to offer, it was the people they shared Rome with that made the experience so fulfilling. Not being a very sentimental person, I did not think much of such statements until I arrived here and started to experience the joys of community life myself. We fill the chapel for 5:45 AM morning prayer. We gather to discuss the Aquinas in the evening. We bring enough people to the 7 AM Mass at the nearby parish that they had to add extra pews. We gather a crowd saying evening prayer and singing the Salve Regina in St. Peter’s Square before walking to a tiny, local Chinese restaurant and asking if they can seat a group of twenty. Our days our filled with joy; and this joy is not superficial but stems from our revelry in the multitude of blessings poured out upon this program. God’s hand is amazingly active in the Catholic Studies Rome Program. I wake up each day wondering how I have been so blessed to be a part of it.
