Bishops of England & Wales on retreat in Rome

Palazzolla from Lake Albano

From Friday, 12 April, until Saturday, 20 April 2013, all the bishops of England and Wales will be staying at the Palazzola, the Venerable English College's Summer residence 18 miles south of Rome, for their retreat and biannual meeting.

Following two days of meetings they will remain at Palazzola for a six-day retreat. They will take this opportunity to meet with students training for the priesthood at the Venerable English College, who will visit Palazzola on Sunday, 14 April. The bishops also hope to meet Pope Francis at his General Audience in Saint Peter's Square on Wednesday, 17 April.

Villa Palazzola, a 13th century Cistercian monastery, was bought as a Summer residence for the Venerable English College in 1920 by Mgr (later Cardinal) Arthur Hinsley, a Southwark priest for 13 years, who was rector of the VEC from 1917 - 1929. Students at the VEC in those days would return home only once during their seven-year course. This residence on the shores of Lake Albano was a welcome retreat from the Summer heat in the centre of Rome.

For more information on the Palazzola see: www.palazzola.it/