I came to Rome on 1st September 2010 to take up the role of Treasurer General in the Society. This is an eight year term of office, and I will be living full time in Rome for at least some of that time.

Being in Rome is a fascinating experience. Externally, in the city, there is much noise and bustle. The traffic is crazy and the people are very noisy, but extremely friendly. I frequently have people try to engage me in lively conversation on the bus, despite my total lack of any Italian language yet! The sense of history is profound. Everywhere you walk, there are iconic sights; the Coliseum, Forum, St Peters, Il Gesu Church, Santa Maria Maggiore & all on bus routes I frequently use. Somehow it is difficult to feel impatient waiting for the buses when standing beside such scenes. The Trastevere area, which always seems to me to be the perfect subject for picture postcards, is quaint and simply beautiful.

In the Casa Generalizia the community of the General Council and their staff, there is a constant flow of departures and arrivals. The Council themselves travel a lot, but also we have many visitors. There are RSCJ coming from around the world, to talk with the Probation group, to attend meetings, to visit the archives. All these visits are a rich source of conversation and information flow.

I think the eight years will fly by!

 

 

 

 

 

Bernie Porter RSCJ.