Jesuits Sack Foster

In very disappointing news from Rome today, J.P. Sonnen was present as Fr. Reginald Foster announced that the Jesuits had decided to discontinue his Latin course at the Gregoriana. This course has run for thirty years and has drawn students from all over the world. The ostensible reason given by the Jesuits is that the course, basically, was too popular and that there were too many students taking the course who were not, in fact, paying tuition. Sonnen writes:

Fr. Foster, in good spirits, explained to us today: "Well you see, the Jesuits were rather Jesuitical about the whole thing, now weren't they?" Then, he went on to explain: "I'm taking this opportunity to announce the founding of a new Latin institute in Rome! We don't yet have a place to meet yet, but I'll keep you all informed! Latin lives!"

Vivit Latinitas! Amen. Please God, through the work of Reggie and like-minded men, we can say again some day, viget latinitas.

Our prayers are with Reggie as he seeks to establish this new institute. This man is a Carmelite religious, and though I don't know if he will sollicit donations towards this work, he has long taken contributions to defray the costs of running his summer Latin course. He teaches this course completely free of charge, and I imagine, if he could, he would do the same at this new Institute. I think that it would mean the world to him if any of our readers would send a small contribution or a letter of support to him (Latin or English!). His address is as follows:

Reginald Foster
Piazza San Pancrazio 5A
I-00152 Rome ITALY

I also commend to your attention the numerous posts which Sonnen has about Reggie's last day at the Gregoriana. I extend my thanks to him for sharing with us this news, sad as it is.

These are the words in which Reggie announced the formation of a new institute, though it has no home as of yet.

ACADEMIA ROMAE LATINITATIS

REGINALDO FOSTER AUCTORE

SINGULIS PRIVATIM ANNIS
MENSE AB OCTOBRI AD MAIUM
QUINAS PER 'EXPERIENTIAS' HABENDA

Wonderful. Please say a "Ave Maria" for Reggie and for the foundation of a new institute. If such a thing were successfully erected, it could have a great influence far beyond the years of his own life.

I understand that Reggie is a liberal, fine, but this move doesn't say good things about the culture in Rome. Not that I think conservative Jesuits gave him the boot - just that there ought to be some group, party, college, study house or, goodness, even the Pope himself who could give this man a home in which to continue the great work he has done to spread the love and knowledge of the Latin language.


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