Check out the comments below from participants who attended the recent high school trip to Rome, Italy! Thank you for all your support and prayers. We hope to return in 3 or 4 years! (Fundraising for the next trip begins NOW!)
“The entire trip was spectacular and life changing. Seeing places where major events of the faith occurred has allowed me to explore and understand what I believe more deeply. Seeing the major basilicas and all the churches around every corner allowed me to better center my life around Christ. I know that it wasn't in the tour, but going to Asissi with several of the other people who came was absolutely my favorite part of the trip because it showed me that, even outside of the walls of Rome, there are faithful who will help to guide you in your journey of faith. Within the city of Rome however, the holy steps were the most prominent to me. Being near this artifact and peace of the passion has led me into a deeper thankfulness of His death and resurrection. All in all, an experience I will never forget!” - Roland Adam, 12th Grade
“The favorite part of the Rome trip was attending the Palm Sunday mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The Church was such a beautiful, peaceful, and holy setting and I felt such bliss being there.” - Abby Bartow, 12th Grade
“I think some of my favorite parts in Rome were seeing some of the crazy cool and ruined buildings everywhere we went and how they were thousands of years old. It really made me think about everything I’ve learned about the Romans, all the stories those buildings must’ve held, and, yes, even about Latin!!! I also loved seeing the beautiful churches! I believe seeing those churches made me appreciate my religion very much. But I believe what really moved me and that will truly stay with me forever was going to Assisi and seeing Carlo Acutis’s incorrupt body! I will be forever blessed to have been given such a wonderful opportunity and I will never forget it. -Cecilia Dion, 12th Grade
“My favorite part about the trip was pretty much everything. You can't narrow the trip down to one specific thing we did. Between seeing all the glorious beautiful churches to eating and spending time with family and friends it was all very enjoyable! I loved seeing everything we saw and how it all relates to things we learned in school about and honestly it's still hard to wrap my head around that some of the stuff we learned in school I saw in person. Overall I enjoyed every part of the trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat!” - Alex Ramirez, 12th Grade
“My favorite part about Rome was just getting to really see the city. Taking walks to restaurants and shops was when I felt like I really got to see how beautiful Rome is. And obviously the food is my favorite part too.” - Rosie Love, 11th Grade
“The trip was a fun time to hang out with friends and to see where the early church was formed.” - Oliver Adam, 10th Grade
“Since I've been going to CHA my whole life, I've also been learning about Rome and its history my whole life. When I learned back in middle school that CHA did Rome trips in highschool I got really excited, and then I got to go! I thank everyone who made this trip possible, you all did such a great job!” - Leiana Baxter, 10th Grade
“This trip was possibly the most significant that I have ever been a part of because it allowed me to use virtually everything I have learned at CHA thus far ESPECIALLY LATIN, and has brought me closer to God than I ever thought would be possible for me.” - Elijah Boyle, 10th Grade
“My favorite part of the trip was exploring Rome at night with friends. Also seeing how gorgeous the churches were. All in all the trip was incredible and I will never forget it. Thank you.” -Maria Seeley, 10th Grade
“My favorite parts were seeing the Capuchin Friar Bone Crypt, the Catacombs and the Colosseum. I thought it was interesting to see how different the Roman lifestyle and area were compared to us nowadays. The moment of turning around one corner in an alleyway and the Pantheon being right in front of you was incredible. Just to see how that was everyday life for the Romans, but is such a "wow factor" to us is really interesting.” - Zac Willet, 10th Grade
“Rome was very beautiful. Just walking through the streets was incredible. All the old buildings and beautiful churches were magnificent! My favorite part of the whole trip was on my free day I went to Assisi. It is the most beautiful city in Italy. The views are great, the churches are even better. I highly recommend going there if you have the time and money!” -Cici Love, 9th Grade
“Rome was amazing; it was surreal to be in these huge churches, which your mind cannot grasp the scale of. It was interesting to be in another country which had a different language and culture than America. It was fun to go to restaurants and eat gelato every day. In short, it was fantastical.” - Gus Peterson, 9th Grade
“The most moving part of the trip for me was arriving at St. John Lateran Basilica for our tour and hearing the choir sing the litany of the saints and then hearing the cantor fill the basilica with the refrain "Dio mio, Dio mio". I don't speak Italian but it didn't take a language expert to figure out she was singing the Psalm, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" It was beautiful and holy.” - Bill Jenkins, Headmaster and Parent
“Being an art tutor and teaching master artists such as Michelangelo, this trip brought those teachings to life. I got to see, firsthand, the masterpieces that I show the students each year. I can now add to my teachings the emotional aspect of seeing such monumental works of art in person. My favorite was after we entered the Sistine Chapel and I was standing in the middle of the room taking in my surroundings, I finally looked up to the ceiling and realized I was standing directly underneath the Creation of Adam. It was a sense of awe that I had never felt before.” -Allison Gillespie-Jenkins, Parent
“All of the ‘first’ moments were absolutely incredible. The first moment when the bus turned the corner and there was the Colosseum- It is HUGE! The first moment when we passed by the Roman Baths, the Circus Maximus, the Pantheon- WOW! The first moment stepping into the red circle where Charlemagne was crowned emperor (800!), or walking into the Sistine Chapel, or seeing the hill where Peter was crucified, or witnessing the Pieta. I could keep going. Those moments are all seared into my memory.” - Tracey Willet, Parent
“Abby and I have truly enjoyed every minute of the trip. In so many ways I can say that it’s been a miracle for us. To be in the Sistine Chapel was greatly extraordinary. Learning about the Renaissance was captivating when I was Abby’s age or younger. So being there was a wonderful gift. Being at St. Peter’s Square made me go back in time and rapidly come back to the present as we see it in the movies. God indeed has a purpose for everything. I’m grateful to live the time I do, the time when we freely practice our faith and the time of a very robust Church, an unbreakable Church since it was founded by Christ. Saint Peter and millions of Christians gave their lives because of their conviction of faith. The Romans persecuted and severely punished Christians, and it’s precisely Rome, the center of the Empire, that became the physical enclave of Christianity. It’s been a delightful privilege to be able to visit such an amazing and memorable place. I love art in all its forms, so the architecture and all the paintings have given me so much delight. In general, viewing and appreciating such a high caliber in art quality translates into an unforgettable experience for both of us. And yes, the gelato is very unique. Madonna Mia! Greece and Rome civilizations have greatly contributed to the world in the most sustainable manner, therefore I can only close this message saying Thank you CHA from the bottom of our hearts for all the dedication and efforts towards the organization of this trip. -Emma Bartow, Parent
“My favorite part was bonding with fellow believers in a city so rich in church history. This trip was a perfect example of who we are at Christiana. A group of believers who all come together at the core beliefs. Each seeing the same things but taking something different away.” - Stacy Baxter, Parent
“Rome felt like part of my history personally as a Christian but especially as a Catholic. God used Rome to spread the message of Christ throughout the world - and spread it has!” -Sadie Peterson, Parent
“The ice cream, because it was delicious.” -Robbie Byrd, 12th Grade
“The entire trip was spectacular and life changing. Seeing places where major events of the faith occurred has allowed me to explore and understand what I believe more deeply. Seeing the major basilicas and all the churches around every corner allowed me to better center my life around Christ. I know that it wasn't in the tour, but going to Asissi with several of the other people who came was absolutely my favorite part of the trip because it showed me that, even outside of the walls of Rome, there are faithful who will help to guide you in your journey of faith. Within the city of Rome however, the holy steps were the most prominent to me. Being near this artifact and peace of the passion has led me into a deeper thankfulness of His death and resurrection. All in all, an experience I will never forget!” - Roland Adam, 12th Grade
“The favorite part of the Rome trip was attending the Palm Sunday mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The Church was such a beautiful, peaceful, and holy setting and I felt such bliss being there.” - Abby Bartow, 12th Grade
“I think some of my favorite parts in Rome were seeing some of the crazy cool and ruined buildings everywhere we went and how they were thousands of years old. It really made me think about everything I’ve learned about the Romans, all the stories those buildings must’ve held, and, yes, even about Latin!!! I also loved seeing the beautiful churches! I believe seeing those churches made me appreciate my religion very much. But I believe what really moved me and that will truly stay with me forever was going to Assisi and seeing Carlo Acutis’s incorrupt body! I will be forever blessed to have been given such a wonderful opportunity and I will never forget it. -Cecilia Dion, 12th Grade
“My favorite part about the trip was pretty much everything. You can't narrow the trip down to one specific thing we did. Between seeing all the glorious beautiful churches to eating and spending time with family and friends it was all very enjoyable! I loved seeing everything we saw and how it all relates to things we learned in school about and honestly it's still hard to wrap my head around that some of the stuff we learned in school I saw in person. Overall I enjoyed every part of the trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat!” - Alex Ramirez, 12th Grade
“My favorite part about Rome was just getting to really see the city. Taking walks to restaurants and shops was when I felt like I really got to see how beautiful Rome is. And obviously the food is my favorite part too.” - Rosie Love, 11th Grade
“The trip was a fun time to hang out with friends and to see where the early church was formed.” - Oliver Adam, 10th Grade
“Since I've been going to CHA my whole life, I've also been learning about Rome and its history my whole life. When I learned back in middle school that CHA did Rome trips in highschool I got really excited, and then I got to go! I thank everyone who made this trip possible, you all did such a great job!” - Leiana Baxter, 10th Grade
“This trip was possibly the most significant that I have ever been a part of because it allowed me to use virtually everything I have learned at CHA thus far ESPECIALLY LATIN, and has brought me closer to God than I ever thought would be possible for me.” - Elijah Boyle, 10th Grade
“My favorite part of the trip was exploring Rome at night with friends. Also seeing how gorgeous the churches were. All in all the trip was incredible and I will never forget it. Thank you.” -Maria Seeley, 10th Grade
“My favorite parts were seeing the Capuchin Friar Bone Crypt, the Catacombs and the Colosseum. I thought it was interesting to see how different the Roman lifestyle and area were compared to us nowadays. The moment of turning around one corner in an alleyway and the Pantheon being right in front of you was incredible. Just to see how that was everyday life for the Romans, but is such a "wow factor" to us is really interesting.” - Zac Willet, 10th Grade
“Rome was very beautiful. Just walking through the streets was incredible. All the old buildings and beautiful churches were magnificent! My favorite part of the whole trip was on my free day I went to Assisi. It is the most beautiful city in Italy. The views are great, the churches are even better. I highly recommend going there if you have the time and money!” -Cici Love, 9th Grade
“Rome was amazing; it was surreal to be in these huge churches, which your mind cannot grasp the scale of. It was interesting to be in another country which had a different language and culture than America. It was fun to go to restaurants and eat gelato every day. In short, it was fantastical.” - Gus Peterson, 9th Grade
“The most moving part of the trip for me was arriving at St. John Lateran Basilica for our tour and hearing the choir sing the litany of the saints and then hearing the cantor fill the basilica with the refrain "Dio mio, Dio mio". I don't speak Italian but it didn't take a language expert to figure out she was singing the Psalm, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" It was beautiful and holy.” - Bill Jenkins, Headmaster and Parent
“Being an art tutor and teaching master artists such as Michelangelo, this trip brought those teachings to life. I got to see, firsthand, the masterpieces that I show the students each year. I can now add to my teachings the emotional aspect of seeing such monumental works of art in person. My favorite was after we entered the Sistine Chapel and I was standing in the middle of the room taking in my surroundings, I finally looked up to the ceiling and realized I was standing directly underneath the Creation of Adam. It was a sense of awe that I had never felt before.” -Allison Gillespie-Jenkins, Parent
“All of the ‘first’ moments were absolutely incredible. The first moment when the bus turned the corner and there was the Colosseum- It is HUGE! The first moment when we passed by the Roman Baths, the Circus Maximus, the Pantheon- WOW! The first moment stepping into the red circle where Charlemagne was crowned emperor (800!), or walking into the Sistine Chapel, or seeing the hill where Peter was crucified, or witnessing the Pieta. I could keep going. Those moments are all seared into my memory.” - Tracey Willet, Parent
“Abby and I have truly enjoyed every minute of the trip. In so many ways I can say that it’s been a miracle for us. To be in the Sistine Chapel was greatly extraordinary. Learning about the Renaissance was captivating when I was Abby’s age or younger. So being there was a wonderful gift. Being at St. Peter’s Square made me go back in time and rapidly come back to the present as we see it in the movies. God indeed has a purpose for everything. I’m grateful to live the time I do, the time when we freely practice our faith and the time of a very robust Church, an unbreakable Church since it was founded by Christ. Saint Peter and millions of Christians gave their lives because of their conviction of faith. The Romans persecuted and severely punished Christians, and it’s precisely Rome, the center of the Empire, that became the physical enclave of Christianity. It’s been a delightful privilege to be able to visit such an amazing and memorable place. I love art in all its forms, so the architecture and all the paintings have given me so much delight. In general, viewing and appreciating such a high caliber in art quality translates into an unforgettable experience for both of us. And yes, the gelato is very unique. Madonna Mia! Greece and Rome civilizations have greatly contributed to the world in the most sustainable manner, therefore I can only close this message saying Thank you CHA from the bottom of our hearts for all the dedication and efforts towards the organization of this trip. -Emma Bartow, Parent
“My favorite part was bonding with fellow believers in a city so rich in church history. This trip was a perfect example of who we are at Christiana. A group of believers who all come together at the core beliefs. Each seeing the same things but taking something different away.” - Stacy Baxter, Parent
“Rome felt like part of my history personally as a Christian but especially as a Catholic. God used Rome to spread the message of Christ throughout the world - and spread it has!” -Sadie Peterson, Parent
“The ice cream, because it was delicious.” -Robbie Byrd, 12th Grade
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