This course allows students to complete two subjects from the “ADN Anáhuac” curriculum through a unique international experience. Following an initial week of online classes, the in-person phase took place in Rome from July 13 to 25, 2026.
The 2026 edition of the APRA Summer School—an intensive course titled “Person, Transcendence, and Humanism” organized by the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in collaboration with the Anáhuac Universities of Mexico—has concluded with great success. This course allows students to complete two subjects from the “ADN Anáhuac” curriculum through a unique international experience. After an initial week of online classes, the in-person phase took place in Rome from July 13 to 25, 2026. A group of 31 students of diverse nationalities and religious backgrounds participated, experiencing two intense weeks of study, gatherings, and exploration of the Eternal City to deepen their understanding of the roots and tenets of Christian humanism.
The team accompanying the students consisted of Fr. Gabriel Wendt, LC (director), Fr. Giovanni Malgaroli, LC, Br. Sebastián Camacho, LC, Br. Jardel Moraes, LC, Anita Cadavid, and Alice Bresolin.
Two weeks between classrooms and monuments
The program alternated morning lectures with afternoons dedicated to cultural visits and academic tours of the city, allowing students to experience firsthand the sites that hold two thousand years of history, faith, and Western culture. Highlights included the evocative Colosseum—the heart of ancient Rome—and the majestic St. Peter’s Basilica—the heart of Christendom. The group also enjoyed a day in Florence, taking in the masterpieces at the Accademia Gallery and the streets of the historic center, and concluded the itinerary with a visit to Assisi, where they viewed Giotto’s works and the Romanesque and Gothic basilicas in person.
An unforgettable moment: the Angelus with the Pope
Undoubtedly, one of the most cherished memories of this edition was participating in the Angelus prayer on Sunday, July 19, at Castel Gandolfo. This activity was not part of the original program; however, knowing the Holy Father would be close to the crowd in the square, the course team wanted to try to offer the students a chance for direct contact with the Pope. And a wonderful surprise awaited them! Not only did they get a close-up view of the Holy Father, but two of them even managed to shake his hand. It was a moment of immense emotion that will remain forever etched in the memories of the entire group.
Enthusiastic students, an experience that leaves a lasting mark
At the end of the course, the students expressed great enthusiasm for the experience: classes on the human person and the major currents of Western humanism were interwoven with firsthand experiences of Rome—its iconic sites and spiritual dimension—creating a journey of growth that was not only academic but also human and personal. Indeed, a recurring theme in the participants’ testimonials was the richness of the encounters with their fellow students. They had not known each other previously, coming as they did from different campuses and diverse fields of study such as medicine, economics, music, law, and engineering. Beyond the humanistic training, the Italian experience, and the academic credits earned, they returned to their home countries with valuable new friendships.
The value of an established partnership
This edition confirmed the effectiveness and fruitfulness of the collaboration between the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and the Regnum Christi International University Network (RIU)—particularly with the Anáhuac Universities—a partnership that opens up new horizons for human and Christian formation across the entire RIU.
Save the Date for 2027
Given the great reception of this course, the third edition of the Summer School has already been scheduled; it will take place in Rome from July 11 to 25, 2027.
