Last month, the six Seniors of Redeemer Classical School, Humanities teacher Annie Leach, and Upper School Principal Aaron Cosner embarked on the inaugural Senior Trip to Rome and Florence. Far from being merely touristy, the experience was designed to facilitate fellowship and immersive learning. It let our students put their feet on the ground in one of the places where classical education began.
Our one-week itinerary (crafted in-house) balanced learning, fellowship, and rest as we took in Roman culture and history. The students marveled at the towering expanse of the Colosseum, stood in awe under the Sistine Chapel, and were overcome by the beauty of Saint Peter’s Basilica. They were bereft of words while gazing over the Roman Forum, the very stones trod upon by emperors. And, being Italy, there was certainly no end to wonderful cuisine. However, several students claimed that the best dish was what they cooked during a pasta-cooking lesson with a renowned Italian chef.
We also preserved time for rest and reflection — the valuable practice of scholé in the classical tradition. Moments of quiet reverence were abundant as students descended into Mamertine Prison (where Paul and Peter were imprisoned) and the winding catacombs of Saint Sebastian, wherein 4th-century Christians still rest. The students enjoyed unhurried conversation as they stood before the tombs of the very theologians, philosophers, and artists whose works they have studied since their Grammar School days. In quiet corners under the domes of basilicas, they found time to write reflectively in their journals. In these moments, they demonstrated a skill precious in the classical tradition: the simple act of beholding beauty amid a frantic and hurried world.
The journey transformed the essentials of classical learning from abstract concepts into real-world experiences. More than just educational, it was a life-enriching experience that left the students (and adults) with a profound appreciation for the timelessness of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful.
