For the first time in nearly 20 years, two seminarians from the Diocese of Columbus were sent to Rome to continue their studies for the priesthood.
Michael Rhatican and Christopher Dixon started classes this fall at the North American College (NAC) in the Eternal City. Both are in what is known as the Configuration stage of their vocational journey, which includes the study of theology, pastoral formation and cultivation of leadership virtues.
The two seminarians, who previously studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum, took time out from their schedules before the start of National Vocation Awareness Week in the United States to answer some questions about their experience so far in Rome.
Michael Rhatican
How did it come about that you were selected to study in Rome?
Bishop (Earl) Fernandes asked Chris and I to study in Rome with the goal of receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) after five years. The STL will allow us to teach at a seminary level when we return as priests to the USA. Since Chris and I are both academically inclined, the bishop asked us to come to Rome.
What has the experience been like so far?
The experience has been very positive overall. While it is certainly difficult being away from family, diocesan brother seminarians, friends, a familiar way of a life, and a country where everyone speaks English, the Lord has helped me to surrender more to him each day and to trust in his grace and providence. Already within a few months of being in Italy, I’ve had the opportunity to see a lot of amazing things and have many beautiful experiences, as well as to get accustomed to the way of life here. So far, apart from Rome, I’ve spent a few weeks in Assisi learning Italian. I’ve been to Florence, San Marino, Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. Also, St. Peter’s Basilica is a 10-minute walk from the seminary, which is an indescribable blessing.
Tell us a little about your day.
At the NAC, we have Morning Prayer at 6:15 a.m. followed by Mass. Chris and I are currently taking classes at the Angelicum, which is about a 35-minute walk from the seminary. Those classes are from 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Our next commitment is not until Evening Prayer at 6:45 p.m., so I typically use the afternoons for prayer, studies and exercise. On the days I have more free time, I typically go explore the city of Rome and visit different churches or historic sites.
What courses are you taking?
I am currently taking intro-level theology courses, such as fundamental theology and courses in Sacred Scripture.
How long will you be studying there?
Studies are not completed at the NAC, but at different universities in Rome. The NAC is the house of seminary formation where the seminarians live. After three years of studies at the Angelicum University, I will receive a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB). During the last two years of studies, I will specialize in a particular field of theology to receive the STL, but I do not yet know which university I will attend for the STL. Overall, I will be studying in Rome for five years.
What kinds of things do you do in your free time?
I like to lift weights and play pickup basketball with some friends at the seminary. I also enjoy exploring Rome with my brother seminarians and going to different churches for prayer, going to different restaurants and getting to know Italian culture.
Do you return to the states over Christmas and in the summer?
I will not return to the U.S. during my first two years at the NAC, but after that I will return home each summer before ordination.
How has the experience impacted you spiritually and vocationally so far?
Spiritually, I’ve been growing a lot closer to the saints in prayer, seeking to imitate them in their holiness and asking for their intercession. There are countless relics of the saints in churches around Rome. On the feast days of most saints, it is usually not hard to find a relic of that saint in a church in Rome, so many of us like to go and visit the churches of the saints on their feast days to pray and ask for their intercession. In terms of vocation, the Lord has only been confirming my call to the priesthood during my time in seminary.
Have you gone to the Vatican?
I have been to the Vatican multiple times. I met Pope Francis during a private audience for new seminarians at the NAC. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet other bishops and cardinals, including Bishop Robert Barron, since the NAC is hosting many American bishops and cardinals while they are in Rome for the Synod on Synodality.
Christopher Dixon
How did it come about that you were selected to study in Rome?
Last year, Michael and I were asked to discern coming to Rome for theological studies. Over the course of a few weeks, we decided together to come to Rome. During that time of discernment, we prayed much and talked to many priests (especially our spiritual directors).
What has the experience been like so far?
The experience has been a whirlwind. We are coming up on three months in Rome and in some ways it seems like we arrived just yesterday. At first, it was very hot (90-100 degrees every day) and pasta for every meal was a big change in diet. Once those things subsided some, it has been much easier to enter into learning Italian, getting to know the other seminarians, and go visit the tombs of saints.
Tell us a little about your day.
The first thing on our schedules most days is Morning Prayer and Mass at 6:15. By 7:40, I’m walking the 35-minute commute to classes on the other side of the city. This usually provides me an opportunity to get to know another seminarian or encounter the poor of Rome. When classes end at 12:15, I walk back to the seminary for lunch, which is at 1:15. If I get out earlier, I’ll sometimes take that time to visit a new church. After lunch, our schedules are free, allowing time for meetings, study, prayer or a passeggiata (a little walk). Evening Prayer is at 6:45 with dinner afterward. After dinner, I usually have an hour or two to hang out with the other seminarians or continue studying before I need to go to bed.
What courses are you taking?
I am taking classes on Introduction to Theology (in Italian), Pentateuch, Synoptic Gospels, Theology of Creation, and Fundamental Theology. The scripture classes (Pentateuch and Synoptic Gospels) have been great to encounter the Word of God in a new way. The other classes are really building on my past philosophy studies, so seeing the fruits of the past few years of study has been wonderful.
How long will you be studying there?
I will be in Rome for the next 4 1/2 years. The next 2 1/2 years, I will be completing a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology at the Angelicum. The following two years are a little more murky. At some point around that time, God willing, I will be ordained a deacon and begin pursuing a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. The license will be in a particular theological topic, to be decided at a later date between myself and the bishop. After that (or maybe during that), I will be ordained a priest.
Have you met seminarians from other dioceses and countries?
We live with over 100 seminarians from across the United States, with two of the largest dioceses here being Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon. There is also a large contingent from the various Texas dioceses and the northeast. The NAC is also home to three seminarians from Australia. In our classes at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, there are students from all over the world. I have classmates from across Europe, China, Philippines, Lebanon, India, England, Cameroon, and many more.
What kinds of things do you do in your free time?
Being here at the NAC, free time looks different than it was in the states. We have less free time insofar as we spend over an hour each day walking and certain hobbies are harder to do here than in the U.S. One of the important things I do in my free time is write a couple paragraph update to the parishioners of my home parish, New Albany Church of the Resurrection, each month. This allows me to stay in touch with them.
Do you return to the states over Christmas and in the summer?
As of now, the plan is for us not to return until Summer 2026. Of course, if our bishop wanted or there was a family emergency, we could return home sooner. After that, we will regularly return home for the summers. Once ordained, the NAC also allows seminarians to come home for Christmas to serve their dioceses. Until that time, we have had and will continue to have family and friends who come to visit us.
How has the experience impacted you spiritually and vocationally so far?
One of the most impactful experiences for me was when were we on a trip in Rimini, Italy. (Once a month, the NAC encourages us to travel Italy and Europe to take advantage of our time here.) There, we walked into a convent and asked to enter the nearby church, which was closed, to pray. Upon entering the church, we looked to our right and saw a saint and to the left and saw another saint. It was very moving to know that the saints are on every corner here. Overall, the experience here has strengthened my faith and vocation — I am living out a five-year pilgrimage.
Is it beneficial to have a seminary experience outside Columbus?
It is amazing to have the experience of seminary formation in Rome. Our rector calls Rome the fifth dimension of priestly formation because it plays into our spiritual, intellectual, human and pastoral dimensions. A major example of this is how everything we do here, everything we see here, we will one day be able to take back to the parishioners of the Diocese of Columbus. We also have four (diocesan) priests studying here in Rome, which is a huge blessing as they witness the priesthood I one day hope to have. I am thankful that our diocese is sending to more seminaries now as hopefully it will allow for a diversity of formation experiences that will in turn enrich the presbyterate of the diocese.
Have you gone to the Vatican?
We have been to the Vatican many times, as it is just a 10-minute walk from where we live. Every time I see St. Peter’s it is a magnificent sight. Each visit there or to any other church in Rome I realize that some people never get to do or only do once — and I can do it every day. During orientation, we had a private audience with Pope Francis and I was able to shake his hand. It reshaped the way that I consider the Church hierarchy because of his humility, humor and joy. The NAC also hosts the visiting U.S. bishops, so I have met a number of U.S. bishops and cardinals.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Please continue to pray for me and all my seminarian brothers.