2021–2022 Annual Report
INTELLECTUAL FORMATION:
Crossroads of Culture REV. MR. ALEXANDER WYVILL ’22, ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON
Intellectual formation at The Pontifical North American College places us at a crossroads of culture. We learn constantly from experiences of newness and unfamiliarity: the bustling city of Rome, the global perspectives of our university classmates, and the myriad conferences and reading groups available both in-house and in the city. Our lectures are enlivened by dialogue between different cultures and theological disciplines, equipping us to communicate thoughtfully with a broad range of people. Our intellectual formation integrates rigorous study with pastoral practice. In formation, we must regularly translate the content of our faith into concrete, accessible language. In preparing homilies, for example, we often speak of complex theological topics (like the Trinity, or the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ) in a way that highlights their relevance within everyday life. Far from staying “up in the clouds,” our coursework, formation conferences, and liturgical practica challenge us to keep our “feet on the ground.” We anchor our thinking to the real challenges faced by those we serve.
20
The Pontifical North American College
