Two seminarians studying for the priesthood in the Columbus diocese returned from Rome after two years.
Seminarians Christopher Dixon and Michael Rhatican landed at John Glenn Columbus International Airport Thursday, June 4 after a multi-hour flight. They were greeted by several diocesan seminarians including Deacon Shane Gerrity, who was ordained to the transitional diaconate earlier this year.
Dixon and Rhatican are studying at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
The Dominican institution, also known as the Angelicum, offers studies in theology, philosophy, canon law and the social sciences. The university offers education in Italian and English for students representing approximately 100 nationalities.
The two seminarians reside at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, located a couple of miles west of the Angelicum.
The young men will remain in Columbus for the duration of the summer.
Dixon will serve at Columbus-Powell St. Peter St. Joan of Arc parish. Rhatican is assigned to Worthington St. Michael the Archangel Church.
After their summer assignments, the two will depart to Rome for an additional year of study and expect to return to Columbus next summer.
To learn more about vocations in the Diocese of Columbus, visit Live the Incredible | Columbus Catholic Vocations.