Founded by Saint John Paul II and entrusted to the Legion of Christ, the Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae (PCIMME) gave thanks to God for the abundant spiritual fruits it has offered to the universal Church. To date, the institution has trained more than 1,300 priests who currently serve in 295 dioceses across 52 countries. In addition, twelve of its alumni are bishops.

On Monday, May 25, 2026, the Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae (PCIMME) celebrated its 35th anniversary, coinciding with the liturgical memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church.

The central event of the commemoration was the concelebrated Mass held in the College’s chapel, in which 110 priests participated. The holy mass was presided over by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, and concelebrated by Monsignor Rubival Cabral Brito, Bishop of Bom Jesus da Lapa (Brazil), along with various members of the Roman Curia, including Monsignor Eamonn McLaughlin, of the Dicastery for the Clergy; Monsignor Graziano Borgonovo, of the Dicastery for the New Evangelization; and Father Karilian Vale, of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, celebrated the anniversary mass of the PCIMME

Also present were Father Carlos Gutiérrez, L.C., Director General of the Legionaries of Christ; Father Hernán Jiménez, L.C., Vicar General of the Legion of Christ; Father Salvador Rodea González, CR, Superior General of the Theatine Fathers; Father José María Laxague, CR, Superior General of the Institute of Christ the King; Father José Enrique Oyarzún, LC, Rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (APRA); Monsignor Valdir Cândido de Morais, Rector of the Pontifical Brazilian College; Father Sergio Tapia-Velasco, Rector of the International Ecclesiastical College Sedes Sapientiae in Rome; as well as Fathers Juan Pablo Durán, L.C., and Rigoberto Cano, L.C., Rectors of the theology and philosophy programs of the Legionaries of Christ, respectively. Several priests, former students, and parish priests from the parishes where the seminarians carry out their pastoral work also concelebrated the Mass.

Founded 35 years ago through the inspiration of Saint John Paul II, the PCIMME gave thanks to God for the abundant spiritual fruits it has offered to the universal Church. To date, the institution has trained more than 1,300 priests who currently serve in 295 dioceses across 52 countries. Twelve of its alumni have been ordained bishops.

Left: Initially, the PCIMME was located in the Castel de Guido area outside Rome / Right: Current facilities in the Largo Girolamo Minervini area, Rome

The College is characterized by a clear identity of universality, which is lived daily in the community life of the center, where student priests, deacons and seminarians from diverse nations and liturgical traditions live together in close fraternity, united around Christ and the successor of Peter.

In his testimony, Father Pierre Salabert, L.C., rector of the PCIMME, explained the value of the formative experience in Rome:

«The experience of being formed in Rome is one of broadening the horizons of perspective and vision of the Church. The young person leaves their family, parish or diocesan environment, and grows in their experience of faith. Upon arriving in Rome, this universal dimension makes their horizons expand even further».

Y añadió:

«Many discover that the Church is much larger than they imagined. This experience of openness is very positive, because it allows us to contemplate the greatness of the mystery of faith and of ecclesial communion, which becomes concrete in united diversity. What unites us is much deeper and more permanent than what can divide us, because we all proclaim the same faith in the Eucharist. In love for Christ and the Church we find true unity».

Many discover that the Church is much larger than they imagined. This experience of openness is very positive, because it allows one to contemplate the grandeur of the mystery of faith and of ecclesial communion, which is made concrete in united diversity.

The rector also emphasized that this training does not weaken the diocesan identity, but rather strengthens it:

«Those who are formed here return with a greater love for their diocese and a broader vision of the universal Church. They learn to value their own identity, but also to integrate it into the rich tapestry of the Church».

Following the holy mass for the 35th anniversary, various commemorative events took place in the school auditorium, where an institutional video was shown and the school choir gave a musical performance.

During the ceremony, Father Carlos Gutiérrez, L.C., superior general of the Legion of Christ, to which the PCIMME is entrusted, spoke. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of priestly identity, taking up Saint John Paul II’s motto of “learning Rome” (Imparare Roma), and joined the call of Pope Leo XIV to renew the missionary impulse with courage and pastoral charity.

As a sign of gratitude, the rector of the College, Father Pierre Salabert, L.C., presented Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The day concluded with a fellowship dinner that brought together some 300 guests, including members of the Legionaries of Christ philosophy community, invited lay people, and the school community. Currently, the PCIMME has 11 Legionary formators, 30 diocesan priest students, and 115 seminarians from more than 40 dioceses.

We share the institutional video that traces the path and mission of PCIMME: