Priory students are broadening their horizons through global experiences – whether discovering La Dolce Vita in Rome, serving others in Bethlehem Farm, or trekking the Andes.
La Dolce Vita – Rome Trip
By Patrick Chahoud
In March, we took a pilgrimage to the city of Rome, Italy, visiting the religious center of Catholicism. This trip was a great experience, and we created lifelong memories.
We visited many famous sites throughout Rome including the Vatican, Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and finally, the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican is a beautiful place, providing us with great insight into the history and strength of the Catholic Church. We even walked up the thousands of stairs to the top of the Basilica, and with our teenage-boy minds, we couldn’t help but race to the top.
In addition, we visited the St. Callixtus Catacombs, where many of the early Christians were buried. The best part of the catacombs, however, was not the tombs themselves, but when we celebrated Mass in one of the chambers. It was an eye-opening experience that I’m glad we got to share.
On the fourth day, we went to the Pantheon, an architectural masterpiece and a perfect sphere, built by Emperor Hadrian. The Pantheon is also home to the tomb of Raphael, the famous artist who painted many frescoes in the Vatican Museums. Finally, we visited one of the most famous sites in Rome, the Colosseum, which was basically pickpocket central. The Colosseum was super cool to visit, especially seeing where the ancient gladiator fights took place, and sadly, where many Christians were martyred.
Some of the other important places we visited include Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. We also took a day trip to Orvieto, a small town in the countryside of Rome, which was a very nice experience outside of the bustling city. Finally, along with visiting all these beautiful places, we visited an astonishing 67 churches throughout our week in Rome. That must be some sort of world record.
Throughout our trip, we got to know and grow closer to each other as a group. We spent time with people we had never had a conversation with before. The group included 11 sophomores, two freshmen, and one senior. We walked at least 10 miles every day, which paved the way for great experiences along the streets of Rome.
One especially meaningful experience was participating in Mass, followed by dinner, at the Venerable English College where seminarians study to become priests. We all had the opportunity to talk with the seminarians during dinner and learn about why they chose their vocation.
Perhaps the most impactful experience of all was climbing the scala sancta, the very stairs which Jesus climbed on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate. The scala sancta consists of 28 marble steps, which Jesus climbed, covered by a wooden casing with windows and openings to see and feel the actual stairs. People are only allowed to go up the stairs on their knees, with certain prayers designated for each step. This experience was a fantastic opportunity to meditate on the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us, and in a way, we could suffer with Jesus through the discomfort of kneeling on the stairs. We were able to envision the predecessors of our faith and grow closer to God.
Bethlehem Farm Service Trip
Ten Priory juniors and seniors spent a week this summer in the beautiful mountains of central Appalachia at Bethlehem Farm in Summers County, West Virginia. Since its founding in 2004, Bethlehem Farm is an intentional Christian community that strives to live out the Gospels through the four cornerstones of service, simplicity, prayer, and community.
Priory students joined volunteers from St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) and St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City) to build community and fellowship through their prayer and work together.
On the farm, the students and chaperones fed chickens, chopped wood, weeded gardens, picked berries, prepared meals, washed dishes, performed skits, and led prayer. They also hiked, played guitar and piano, sat by a campfire, viewed millions of stars in the rural sky, played pick-up soccer and basketball, and celebrated Mass together.
Volunteers also spent time each day working in nearby communities providing home repair for low-income families and service to local organizations. The boys repaired a roof, installed windows, built a porch and wheelchair ramp, and helped clean and restore a community center for the homeless.
During the week at Bethlehem Farm, Priory students formed a true community with each other by working, praying, laughing, and loving together. “We lived simply to appreciate the gifts that God has given us,” said Director of the Writing Center and Academic Tutoria John Mohrmann. “We prayed together to grow closer to God and to one another. We served with local people, we served each other, and we also opened ourselves to be served by others. By living out the Gospel cornerstones, we were blessed to experience a profound and joyous way of life.”
Adventure in the Andes
By Director of College Counseling Nikki Hostnik
The Peru Odyssey trip immersed us in culture, faith, language – and adventure! After landing in Lima, we spent two weeks exploring the country by plane, bus, train, and boat.
Of course, Machu Picchu was a must-see, but our journey took us far beyond. We began in Paracas, enjoying the Pacific coast before the real adventure kicked off with a boat tour to Ballestas Islands, home to Humboldt penguins, sea lions, and striking rock formations. A highlight nearby was Huacachina, a desert oasis where we raced across the dunes in buggies and sand boarded the tallest sand dunes in South America.
From there, we flew to Cusco, perched nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, where we acclimated before tackling the Inca Trail. While many visitors take the train to Machu Picchu, our group hiked the challenging switchback route, fueled by determination and the encouragement of our guides. After leaving our hotel at 4 a.m., we reached the final stretch nearly 13 hours later, just before sunset. Watching Machu Picchu emerge from the clouds in the Andes was breathtaking – an experience we’ll never forget. Some students said it was the hardest thing they’ve ever done; one even shared that the awe of Machu Picchu reaffirmed his dream to become an engineer.
Next, we boarded a train to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. On the way, we stopped at La Raya Pass – 14,232 feet above sea level – where we met local villagers, admired their chapel, and bought handmade crafts. On Lake Titicaca, we visited the Uros floating islands, built entirely from reeds and still home to a small community of Uro people who welcomed us with kindness and humility.
We closed our journey in Pachacamac at a Benedictine monastery guesthouse. There, we celebrated Mass for Corpus Christi, harvested fruit from the monastery farm (limes, avocados, apples, oranges, blackberries, and dragon fruit!), and hiked to the Cross of St. Benedict – a peaceful, meaningful conclusion to our adventure in the Andes.
This summer’s trip to Peru was much more than just travelling to an unknown land; it was a chance to experience another culture, the history that built it, and grow in brotherhood. From the bustling streets of Lima, to the top of Machu Picchu, we were lucky enough to experience wonders few will. But beyond the sights, what made this trip truly unforgettable were the memories we built in the quiet moments: sharing a meal with local families, struggling together up the Inca Trail, and the quiet nights spent in the monastery. We grew closer as both classmates and brothers.