On the patronal feast of the Society of Saint Sulpice, November 21st, 2013, the Canadian Pontifical College (CPC) formally celebrated its 125th anniversary year at a solemn Eucharist held at 7:00 PM at the Nuova Chiesa in Rome. Cardinal Thomas Christopher COLLINS, Archbishop of Toronto, was principal celebrant of the Eucharist. Sulpician Cardinal Marc OUELLET, pss, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, was also present.

Following the Eucharist a banquet was held for more than one hundred invited guests at L’Eau Vive, a well known restaurant run by the Missionary Workers of the Immaculate. Among the guests attending were Very Rev. Ronald D. WITHERUP, pss, Superior General, Very Rev. Jacques D’ARCY, pss, Provincial Superior of the Province of Canada, several ambassadors to the Holy See or to Italy, representatives from the Anglican and Lutheran Churches, and Father Martin BELANGER, pss, a former Rector of the Canadian College.

The CPC, founded on November 11, 1888, continues to serve as a residence for priest students who come to Rome for various studies, especially for licentiates and doctorates in various fields from the pontifical universities in Rome. This year there are 29 residents of the CPC who come from various countries around the world, with the majority being either priests from Canadian dioceses or Sulpicians. The building, which is owned by the Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Mount of Varallo, also serves as the Generalate for that community.

The Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice congratulates the present Rector, Father Eric SYLVESTRE, pss, and all the residents, Sisters, and staff of the Canadian Pontifical College for organizing and hosting a wonderful celebration. Early next year an updated history of the CPC will be published in English, followed several months later by an edition in French.

Warm congratulations to the Canadian Province, to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and to all at the CPC. Ad multos annos!