Collegio Ecclesiastico Internazionale
Sedes Sapientiae
History
The fulfillment of a dream
The direction of the Ecclesiastical College is entrusted to the Prelature of Opus Dei.
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Sedes Sapientiae responds to a desire of St Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, who many years before, moved by his ardent love for the Church and for the Roman Pontiff, had studied the possibility of founding a College next to the See of Peter for the formation of candidates to the priesthood.
This “dream” came true thanks to St Josemaria's first successor, Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, Prelate of Opus Dei.
In the heart of Rome
Since its foundation in the academic year 1990/1991, the Ecclesiastical College has seen a progressive increase in the number of its students.
In early 2000 Sedes Sapientiae moved to its definitive location, the old Conservatory of Saint Paschal Baylon, in the neighborhood of Trastevere, just a few minutes away from Saint Peter's and Piazza Navona, which is near the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. During restoration work, various archeological ruins were discovered which, having been opportunely valued, contribute to giving the College an even more pronounced character of romanitas.
Thanks to this new accommodation it was possible to increase the number of places for seminarians and thus better respond to the multiple requests for admission that are received every year.
At the service of the Church
The students who come to Sedes Sapientiae are sent by their respective Bishops.
The fact that the Ecclesiastical College is situated in Rome favors a keen perception of the unity and universality of the Church.
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Life in the Seminary is characterized by an atmosphere of trust and freedom, order and discipline, and by a climate of serious and responsible study.
Furthermore, living together in the international environment of Sedes Sapientiae stimulates in the students an attitude of openness and understanding towards diverse cultures.