Volunteer journals

Summer has arrived in Rome. The days are long and bright. The weather is consistently hot, humid, and sunny. Tourism is buzzing throughout the city. Every local gelateria is packed full. We are, however, very fortunate at Sant’Anselmo because we have one commodity that is perfect for enjoying the summertime heat: an outdoor pool.

I remember when I first arrived in Rome I was in a taxi from the airport to the city center. I experienced the roads for the first time from the backseat and I said to myself, “This is complete chaos!” As a volunteer here at Sant’Anselmo, I serve primarily as the driver for the Abbot Primate. . .

Living in the Eternal City surrounded by an eternity of gorgeous parks, museums, churches, shops, and architecture raises one important question: How do I see it all? The succinct and accurate answer is “you won’t”. But if you want to give it a good ol’ college try, I recommend the bicycle as the way.

The time has finally come when Sant'Anselmo's gardener, Victor, has deemed his baby turtles big enough to make the move to the big leagues. Video and photos document the drama.

INTRO from Jake and Tyler: Learning Italian has been a core experience for us both, so we’ve decided to collaborate on this journal entry. This has benefited us in our personal reflections, and we hope that having the ability to read from us both will benefit you also, whether for utility or pleasure. Buona lettura!

My name is Tyler Johnson and like this journal’s usual author, Jake Kutina, I am a Benedictine Volunteer from Collegeville, Minnesota, USA, serving at Sant’Anselmo. I am writing to you from an area colloquially referred to as “The Box”, a glass-enclosed workspace at the entrance of the library here at Sant’Anselmo, where I spend a few hours each morning doing volunteer work.

So, unfortunately, I had Covid. Right from the start, I knew I was in good hands. I began isolation on a Friday and by noon on the same day, the lead chef and workers in the kitchen had sent a care package to my room. A tray filled with fruit, bread, marmalade, honey, juice, water, and… cookies.

One of Rome’s best features that is overshadowed by other popular tourist attractions are the Roman Aqueducts. Bonus : These videos will teach you how to drink from a Roman fountain CORRECTLY.