Greg Maloney

Greg Moloney is a seminarian from Minneapolis, Minnesota in the US. He availed of the study abroad opportunity for seminarians via the College's partnership with the St. John Vianney Seminary in Minnesota. It has been in place for a number of years and offers the opportunity to these young seminarians to experience life and study in Rome while living in a College environment and soaking up both Roman and Irish traditions. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to spend time in the Eternal City, the heart of the global church and the Irish College provides a safe, and welcoming place of residence and worship. Greg is 21 years of age and had the opportunity to study in at the College last year. This is his account of his experience.

In the Spring of 2026, I had the opportunity to spend four months at the Pontifical Irish College (PIC) as part of a decade-long relationship the PIC has with my seminary in the United States. Having been to Rome briefly once before, I was very excited to return to the heart of the Church and to live at the place where many of my older brother seminarians had had a great experience before.

When I moved into the PIC, I very quickly realized that I was not only going to experience Italian culture in Rome, but Irish and many others as well.  I was able to spend time with priests from Eastern Europe, South America, Africa, Eastern Asia, and Australia, along with the Irish priests on staff and the Irish students.  It was truly eye-opening to learn about all those different cultures, especially with regard to the state of the Catholic Church in each of those areas. And yet, the PIC still very much retains its Irish identity with its Irish liturgies—with even occasional Gaelige—some Irish food at almost every meal, and, of course, a most festive St. Patrick’s Day celebration.  It felt truly universal, and truly Irish.

As a seminarian, my days at the PIC revolved mostly around prayer and studies.  I attended classes at the Angelicum University, and with no shortage of available priests, I was present at Mass daily and had much time for silent prayer. This usually occurred in the main chapel at the college, but I could not resist also spending much time praying at the many churches and holy sites in Rome. Outside of prayer and academics, community meals and a bit of football became a great opportunity to get to know the others at the PIC, especially the Irish students.

To anyone who is thinking about living at the PIC, I have this to say: people come to the PIC for two reasons; to be in Rome, and to be immersed in the community at the PIC. Therefore, if you come, be in Rome! Be immersed in the PIC community! Rome is the heart of the Church, so see the beautiful churches, pray with the saints, and grow in your love for the Catholic Church. At the College, get to know others and invest in the rich history of the Church in Ireland. It will never be easier for you to befriend people so deeply from different cultures and parts of the world. Take advantage of it—it is a great blessing.