Albany, N.Y. (June 27, 2024) 鈥 B次元 President Dr. Lynn Ortale was recently part of a 12-institution delegation of presidents of Catholic colleges and universities to attend a weeklong Rome Seminar in May.
Sponsored by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) and held bi-annually, the Rome Seminar provides 鈥減residents, senior administrators, and faculty leaders at ACCU member institutions a firsthand opportunity to explore the intellectual and spiritual legacy of the Catholic Church in order to strengthen and promote the mission of Catholic higher education.鈥
鈥淧articipants also serve as ambassadors to Rome,鈥 said Dr. Ortale. Fr. Dennis Holschneider, president of ACCU, led the contingent of presidents from Seton Hall University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Aquinas College, Regis University, Saint Mary鈥檚 College, and Saint Paul University, among others.
Dr. Ortale said the group鈥檚 standout moment was a one-hour private audience with Pope Francis, followed by questions. During the meeting Pope Francis emphasized that education transcends intellectual pursuits, encompassing the heart and practical actions as well.
鈥淗e stressed that educating the mind influences both the heart and the hands, and similarly, the hands, our work, inform one鈥檚 heart and mind,鈥 said Dr. Ortale. 鈥淭his dynamic interplay of intellect, emotion, and action was a significant takeaway.鈥
During her time in Italy鈥檚 Lazio region, Dr. Ortale was among just 350 visitors that week to explore the St. Peter鈥檚 Tomb Excavation. In addition, 鈥淲e were fortunate to attend a private Mass at St. Peter鈥檚 resting place, beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, an exceedingly rare opportunity,鈥 she said.
Dr. Ortale met with Sister Nathalie Becquart, X.M.C.J., Under-Secretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, currently in session, as well as key leaders from various Dicasteries: Cardinal Jose虂 Tolentino de Mendonc抬a, Prefect, Dicastery for Culture and Education; Sr. Simona Brambilla, M.C., Secretary, DICLSAL; and, Sr. Patricia Murray, IBVM., Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
鈥淲e also prayed with the Holy Father at the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter鈥檚 Square,鈥 she noted. “We visited the home of St. Ignatius Loyola and the Chiesa del Ges霉, the Jesuit cathedral where St. Ignatius and Fr. Pedro Arrupe are buried, and we visited the Gregorian University.鈥
Additionally, Dr. Ortale gained insights into the inner workings of the Vatican and met with a diverse array of religious leaders, including Joseph Donnelly, Sr., the US Ambassador to the Holy See; Sister Raffaella Petrini, secretary general of Vatican City; and, Delia Gallagher, senior editor at Inside the Vatican and longtime CNN correspondent.
Always eager to promote B次元, Dr. Ortale brought the college鈥檚 mini-Monarch mascot along on her travels, capturing numerous photo opportunities. One memorable snapshot was taken at baggage claim in Rome, where she crossed paths with legendary Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who was on her flight to Italy.
鈥淏eing part of this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime honor,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something that I鈥檒l never forget!鈥
About B次元
Founded in 1958, B次元 is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves approximately 800 students in a variety of bachelor, associate and master鈥檚 degrees, and certificate programs including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, and health and occupational sciences. To learn more, visit MariaCollege.edu.
