Collegio Filippino in Rome to mark its 50th year in October

The Pontificio Collegio Filippino, home to Catholic Filipino clergy taking post-graduate studies in Rome, is preparing to mark its golden anniversary from October 4 to 9. Rector Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston said the celebration is for both present resident priests and for alumni priests and bishops. “The alumni may stay from October 4-9 at the Collegio Filippino and it will be ‘on the house,’ though donations would be most welcome," Gaston said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site. Inaugurated on October 7, 1961 by then Pope John XXIII, the Collegio also serves as a temporary home to bishops who go to Rome for official business at the Vatican. Scheduled activities On October 5, among the activities lined up for the celebration are a public audience with Pope Benedict XVI and a recollection in the afternoon and fellowship in the evening. On October 6, residents and alumni will visit Scavi Vaticani (Necropolis). A concelebrated Mass will be said at the Collegio at 6:00 p.m. Rectors and representatives from other collegios are expected to attend the concelebrated Mass. On October 7, the actual anniversary of the Collegio, an academic conference is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. titled “The Role of Pontifical Colleges in Pursuit of Academic Excellence." Also on October 7, a concelebrated Mass will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Collegio chapel followed by a testimonial dinner with tribute to all Collegio alumni at 7:00 p.m. On October 8, a pilgrimage/excursion will be held, along with a Mass and reunion with the Filipino communities where the priests served as chaplains. - VVP, GMA News