"The Catholic Church now numbers more than one billion people. This growth poses an extraordinary challenge at the educational level. We believe that it is of fundamental importance to form the scholars, professors and leaders of tomorrow's Church now, so that they will be capable of carrying forward and adapting the rich heritage of the Chruch to new situations. Only a small percentage of this immense population will be educated in Rome, but this small group will greatly enrich the Church as a community with people whose personal bonds extend across oceans and continents. We believe that here at Sant' Anselmo we play a significant role in realizing that international communion represented by the Church. What we accomplish this year will be of importance not only for our personal spiritual and intellectual enrichment but also for the future of the Church."

--Very Rev. Mark Sheridan, Rector, Sant' Anselmo Inaugural Address for the academic year 2005