Each year, the Sophomore class at Thomas More College embarks on a transformative Rome Semester, immersing themselves in the Eternal City’s rich history and culture. While Rome itself offers endless exploration, the program also provides students with unique opportunities for Thomas More Travel throughout Europe during long weekends. A year after their travels, four students from the class of 2025 reflect on their most memorable experiences venturing beyond Rome.
Classmates in Kevelaer, Germany, visiting churches built in German Gothic style
Growing up in Germany, the Rome semester abroad was the perfect chance to share my homeland with my Thomas More College classmates. For spring break, I invited friends to experience Germany with my family, specifically wanting to introduce them to Kevelaer, a significant Marian pilgrimage site from my childhood. Returning to Kevelaer brought back cherished memories and reconnected me with the deep-rooted Catholic traditions of Germany. The town boasts several churches showcasing ornate German Gothic architecture. Beyond the churches, Kevelaer is a peaceful town filled with charming restaurants, cafes, and shops offering traditional German crafts, art, and clothing. A highlight of our visit was the outdoor Stations of the Cross, featuring life-sized stone statues along a path up a hill leading to a cemetery. Given it was Lent, praying the Stations of the Cross felt particularly meaningful. Although our trip included other notable destinations, the humble and spiritually rich town of Kevelaer remained our favorite.
My personal connection to Kevelaer and Germany deepened through sharing it with friends. I realized that Kevelaer’s appeal extends beyond personal nostalgia. In our modern world, places like Kevelaer still preserve ancestral piety and allow a region’s spiritual essence to shine. Their beauty, goodness, and holiness possess a universal appeal, embodying the true essence of Catholicism.
–Marie Vyleta ’25
Monks at Silverstream Priory in Ireland, a peaceful and holy place for liturgical prayer
My Thomas More travel experiences during the Rome semester included a deeply moving visit to County Meath, Ireland. There, amidst the serene Irish countryside, I discovered Silverstream Priory, a small, tranquil, and sacred monastery removed from the hustle of the world. I was particularly inspired by the monks’ commitment to perpetual Adoration at Silverstream. Joining them for prayer, I acquired a Monastic Diurnal and began to deepen my practice of liturgical prayer. An overwhelming sense of peace permeated this simple, holy place. Exploring the expansive grounds, with its lush green pastures and grazing livestock, I found myself in a memorable, albeit humorous, situation. While praying the Rosary by the cow pond, I slipped and fell waist-deep into the water! The monks quickly assisted, jokingly pointing me towards the dryer and their “luxurious swimming facilities.”
Sharing meals with the monks was another enriching experience. During Lent, expecting a typical fast day, I was surprised to find a festive atmosphere on St. Patrick’s Day. The monks, devoted to honoring Ireland’s patron saint, served corned beef and cabbage, and even offered me a pint of Guinness! After Vespers, the monks further celebrated my onomastico with a special song.
Leaving Silverstream Priory, I felt profound gratitude for the opportunity to share in the lives of these devoted servants of God.
–Patrick Nagle ’25
Thomas More College students exploring Valletta, Malta, admiring baroque churches and cityscapes
The extended weekends of the Thomas More College Rome semester are undeniably a major highlight. The three-day breaks from Friday to Sunday provided ample opportunities for Thomas More travel to destinations across Italy and Europe. A classmate proposed a weekend trip to Malta for the men in our program, and the incredibly affordable airfare and accommodation made it an unmissable adventure.
This trip to Malta became the backdrop for some of my most cherished experiences of natural beauty, artistic wonders, camaraderie, and exploration. The stunning azure Mediterranean Sea, the dramatic coastline, and the rugged Maltese landscape created a breathtaking setting. My classmates and I immersed ourselves in the island’s nature and culture, exploring charming towns, valleys, and hills throughout this small island nation. From the baroque splendor of Valletta’s churches to the majestic cliffs overlooking the sea, Malta’s beauty was captivating. The bonds of friendship within our group strengthened as we shared these Maltese experiences. We cooked, dined, conversed, hiked, traveled, and prayed together in a new and foreign land. The nine of us were united in adventures far from home. We hiked along rugged coastlines in the rain, ascended steep hills while reciting the Rosary, and sat upon ancient ruins watching the sunset over the Mediterranean.
I am certain that vivid memories of this Thomas More travel experience in Malta will stay with me for years to come.
–Liam Beecher ’25
Students at the Rock of Cashel in Ireland, witnessing the beauty of Irish natural landscapes and historical sites
We sometimes overlook the natural beauty of the world as a divine masterpiece, often taking for granted the gift it truly is. My Thomas More travel to Ireland during our Rome semester served as a powerful reminder of this gift. From the rolling emerald hills to the ancient castles dotting the landscape and the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, I was completely captivated by Ireland’s rich natural beauty. Among the many places my classmates and I visited, the Rock of Cashel was particularly stunning. Also known as St. Patrick’s Rock, it rises dramatically from a rocky hill, surrounded by valleys and rolling hills. A grand Gothic cathedral stands majestically at its center, alongside smaller ruins and a cemetery. Below, nestled in the cathedral’s shadow, lie the remains of a thirteenth-century Benedictine abbey.
Our initial arrival was marked by cold, rain, and darkness, casting a somber mood as we explored the gravestones. However, as we descended towards the old abbey, the sun finally emerged, transforming the landscape around us. The fields turned an unbelievably vibrant green, and the warm sunlight illuminated the ruins. The silent stones, steeped in history and set atop the hill amidst green fields, created a breathtaking scene. The peaceful Irish countryside, mostly untouched save for winding roads, was deeply moving. I remember feeling a strong desire to stay, to simply sit on that hill and absorb the magnificent masterpiece the Lord had created.
–Kateri Davis ’25
For further reading on Thomas More College travel programs:
Rome Semester
The Building Blocks of Critical Thinking: An Interview with Micah O’Leary Kurtz CFP® ’11
