From St. Peter’s to the Hill: Reflections from Rome
Walking Through Our Dominican History

Contributed by: Marc M. Camille, Ed.D., President of Albertus Magnus College

One of the greatest gifts of the Rome Seminar was the opportunity for Becky and me to visit places that connect directly to Albertus Magnus College’s Dominican heritage. Much as our students are transformed through experiential learning, visiting these sacred sites made history tangible and deeply personal.

At the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, we prayed in the presence of two figures whose lives continue to shape the Albertus story: Saint Catherine of Siena, whose courage and faith helped renew the Church and for whom our College Chapel is named; and Blessed Fra Angelico, the Dominican friar whose artistic gifts reflected the beauty of Veritas—truth. Standing in that sacred space, I was reminded that the Dominican tradition has always embraced faith and intellect, contemplation and creativity.

We also visited Santa Sabina, the worldwide headquarters of the Dominican Order. It was here that Saint Dominic established the early life of the Order of Preachers. St. Albert the Great, the College’s namesake, and Saint Thomas Aquinas each lived and studied there at different times. Walking through Santa Sabina, its adjacent orange grove, where tradition tells us Saint Dominic planted an orange tree that came to symbolize a faith taking root and bearing fruit, I found myself reflecting on Albertus in a new way.

Albertus Magnus College was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace, women whose vision for Catholic education was shaped by this very tradition. The mission they entrusted to Albertus did not begin in New Haven in 1925. Its roots extend back more than eight centuries to places like Santa Sabina, where study, prayer, community, and service became the foundation of Dominican life.

As Albertus begins its second century, this realization was both humbling and inspiring. We are not simply the beneficiaries of an extraordinary Dominican heritage. We are its stewards for the next century. Our responsibility is not only to preserve this legacy, but to carry it forward by preparing new generations to seek Veritas, serve with compassion, and lead with purpose.

Next Week: Saint Peter’s Basilica