Pray, Study, Grow: Welcome

The Importance of Enrolling Early

Timely enrollment is essential to ensure a smooth transition and full integration of new residents. It allows our administration to allocate resources effectively, plan academic schedules, and ensure that each monk receives the support and guidance needed for their formation. It also allows new residents to enroll in an Italian course during the summer months.

Abbots and priors play a vital role in this process, ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared and submitted on time. Give your monks the best possible start by completing enrollment now!

Enrollment: As Simple as an Email

The enrollment process at the Collegio di Sant’Anselmo is designed to be quick and efficient. To get started, please contact Prior Brendan Coffey at priore@anselmianum.com.

Anastasis by Fr. Ruberval Montiero OSB
Photographic mosaic of the residents of Sant’Anselmo
Jubilee Year 2025

Welcome to the International College of the Benedictine Confederation in Rome! From an idea and a desire of Pope Leo XIII, a college for Benedictine students was established in the Eternal City, and for more than 130 years, Collegio Sant’Anselmo has become a “home away from home” for hundreds of young monks.

Both brothers in temporary vows and those in solemn vows are invited to use our facilities to pursue their studies here at our athenaeum or at other pontifical universities in Rome. In an appropriate monastic environment, these young men can study, pray and grow, both in their monastic journey and as men. The international environment helps them to broaden their horizons and to be inspired by other congregations and cultures. We are grateful that the confederation generously supports Sant’Anselmo. Thanks to this support, the college has become the principal college of the Benedictine Order.

At the center of our life is our common liturgy. In the morning we celebrate Lauds and Mass. We interrupt our studies for Ora Media. We close the day by singing Vespers and Compline. We have monthly opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In the Liturgy of the Hours, we sing Gregorian Chant and maintain our own and the ancient tradition of the Church. Singing in the language of our Holy Father Benedict gives our students a lived experience of this tradition. During Mass we use the Graduale Romanum. A schola of professors and students leads the choir. Many students are involved as cantors, organists, or masters of ceremonies. The choirmaster organizes choir rehearsals and rehearsals for special liturgies. We also offer the opportunity for individual singing lessons. Our singing is truly respected by many in the Eternal City.

Mass is celebrated in Italian. Once a month we celebrate the evening Mass differently, choosing one of the original languages ​​of our social groups. We continue the celebration by dining in the style of the respective culture.

Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of ongoing formation. The years of our young brothers in Rome are precious, and should be used not only for their academic careers, but also for their spiritual and human growth. To this end, we use the deaneries suggested in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Each resident is a member of a small deanery group, led by an experienced priest who helps him live in the new situation, spiritually, culturally and academically, during his studies.

The abbot primate and the prior give regular conferences, which are complemented by community days of reflection, and days of silence at the beginning of Advent and Lent. Twice a year there is a mandatory formation day in which we invite experienced facilitators. In addition, we train the brothers and priests in a safe environment and in awareness-raising to avoid any kind of abuse.

We meet regularly in groups organized by social language in which we are free to mix and practice the languages ​​we are learning. There is a special program for priestly and pastoral formation for those preparing for ordination. They learn how to connect their monastic vocation with the call to the diaconate or priesthood.

Regularly, Sant’Anselmo hosts representatives of other Christian churches and denominations who help broaden the ecumenical perspective of the residents. On occasion, we have also hosted monks of other religions.

The Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm is committed to imparting a sense of sapiential theology that combines intellectual mastery with a life of prayer and Benedictine spirituality.

Monks are sent to the athenaeum to earn a baccalaureate in philosophy or theology, or for advanced studies for a licentiate or doctorate. In addition to the Faculties of Theology and Philosophy, the athenaeum offers studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute and the Monastic Institute. The college houses a library of more than 200,000 volumes. In addition, the city of Rome offers endless opportunities to enrich one’s studies.

Living together as students and professors, we help each other become proficient in foreign languages ​​and support each other in our academic pursuits.

Collegio Sant’Anselmo is more than a student dormitory. We live as a community, as we do in our home monasteries, helping one another. Many elements contribute to a sense of monastic community: family-style meals in the refectory, partly with conversation, partly in silence with reading or music at the table; taking turns serving at table; responsibility for washing dishes; and serving in different capacities at the liturgy. At the fountain, at the coffee machine, or at recess after Sunday Mass, all serve as informal meeting points. We also organize community gatherings for liturgical feasts, secular holidays, personal milestones, and even barbecues. The guesthouse of the Collegio is open to men and women, and to relatives and friends of the resident monks. Weekends and holidays may be used by the brothers for trips in Italy and elsewhere.

Collegio Sant’Anselmo is located on the beautiful Aventine Hill. It is the perfect location for a monastery in the midst of the city, because we are away from its noise.

Soccer

On campus, residents can join our soccer team to practice on our own field and compete with other teams of the Clericus Cup, a soccer league for seminarians and priests enrolled in the universities of Rome.

Fitness Room

The exercise room is equipped with the latest cardio- and strength-training equipment, including a treadmill, exercise bike, elliptical machine, weight machine, free weights, dumbbells, mats and more.

Swimming and Volleyball

The large swimming pool is opened during the warmer months, generally from May to October. It is equipped with patio furniture and outside shower facilities with dressing rooms. The Collegio has volleyball equipment that residents are free to use.

Cycling

The Collegio reserves a safe space for parking bicycles, which are becoming increasingly popular as Rome expands its system of dedicated bike paths.

Music Room

The Collegio offers a well-isolated room for practicing the piano, the organ, or other instruments. It is also used for voice lessons. The grand piano is an inheritance of a former abbot primate!

Collegio Sant’Anselmo is more than a student dormitory. We live as a community, as we do in our home monasteries, helping one another. Many elements contribute to a sense of monastic community: family-style meals in the refectory, partly with conversation, partly in silence with reading or music at the table; taking turns serving at table; responsibility for washing dishes; and serving in different capacities at the liturgy. At the fountain, at the coffee machine, or at recess after Sunday Mass, all serve as informal meeting points. We also organize community gatherings for liturgical feasts, secular holidays, personal milestones, and even barbecues. The guesthouse of the Collegio is open to men and women, and to relatives and friends of the resident monks. Weekends and holidays may be used by the brothers for trips in Italy and elsewhere.

Our community generally comprises 110 residents from more than 45 different countries. Our diversity is the great wealth of Sant’Anselmo. As our founders desired from the beginning, the monks are familiar with the traditions and customs of other congregations and monastic houses. They learn from different cultures and mentalities. They make friends with other monks and benefit from the network of contacts.

Every week in the cloister we present a “Monastery of the Week” poster that introduces a new house of our confederation to the residents. It is very gratifying for them to discover that — considering all the differences — we have common ground: the Rule and the life of Saint Benedict. In this way, a residence at Sant’Anselmo becomes an opportunity to strengthen and broaden the Benedictine identity of the young monk.