ROME — For 10 days each summer, the heart of the Catholic Church becomes a classroom.

This year, 43 aspiring journalists, filmmakers, content creators, and media professionals from 26 countries gathered in Rome for the fifth edition of the EWTN Summer Academy, an intensive program that combines professional media training with spiritual formation.

Hosted in the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica, the academy seeks to prepare young Catholics to communicate the Gospel with excellence, integrity, and faith in an increasingly digital world.

For many participants, however, the experience became much more than a journalism course.

Learning to communicate truth

Participants traveled from across the globe—from Ecuador and South Africa to the United Kingdom and the United States—sharing one common goal: to become the next generation of Catholic communicators.

Over 10 intensive days, they attended lectures, completed practical media assignments, and visited some of Rome’s most significant basilicas.

The curriculum covered topics ranging from media in the 21st century and interviewing techniques to filmmaking, writing, theology of communications, and what organizers call the “Way of Beauty”—the Church’s understanding of how beauty can lead people to truth and ultimately to God.

“The whole point of all of these is to convey truth to people,” said participant Jonél Roos of South Africa.

“If we are given the correct tools for that, then we can unlock something that is very beautiful, very potent and ultimately will further the cause of the Church, which is ultimately the salvation of everyone.”

Learning in the heart of the Church

Unlike many journalism programs, the EWTN Summer Academy takes place in Rome itself, where participants study just steps away from St. Peter’s Square.

For filmmaker George Cuesta from Austin, Texas, the setting shapes the entire experience.

“You are learning about the importance of virtue in communicating and creating content while standing on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “Right next to you at the Vatican amongst some of the greatest communicators of our faith, like St. Peter and St. Paul.”

For Ana Belén of Ecuador, the daily view from the classroom served as a constant reminder of the Church’s living history.

“Having this amazing view every day definitely makes you aware of the history and the whole legacy that we have received through the gift of faith,” she said.

Formation rooted in prayer

While professional development is central to the academy, organizers place equal emphasis on spiritual formation.

Each day begins with the celebration of Holy Mass, either in the academy chapel or in one of Rome’s historic basilicas, before participants begin classes.

For Joseph Bracken of the United Kingdom, that daily rhythm transformed his approach to both work and faith.

“It sets you in a headspace that is completely different,” he said. “Starting the day with God is going to be a game changer.”

The impact extended far beyond the classroom.

Bracken shared that before arriving in Rome, he had not gone to confession in three years.

During the academy, he returned to the sacrament, attended his first Traditional Latin Mass, began praying the Rosary daily, and rediscovered a deeper relationship with Christ.

“My view of the world has literally changed,” he said. “Going to daily Mass grounds you for the rest of the day.”

Returning to serve

One distinctive feature of the Summer Academy is the number of alumni who return to mentor new participants.

Lemmy Ijioma of Nigeria attended the academy two years ago and has since returned twice as both tutor and photographer.

“When I take photographs, I see their drive, their passion and their dedication to their faith,” he said.

“We’re all creators and co-creators with God. As creatives, we see God as our creative director.”

Watching participants collaborate throughout the program, he added, continues to inspire him.

“It’s wonderful, really.”

Journalism in service of the Truth

Since its founding in 1981, EWTN has expanded into a global Catholic media network with offices around the world.

Yet the Summer Academy remains firmly rooted in Rome.

According to program director Anthony Johnson, the location is essential to the academy’s mission.

“Rome and the Vatican are the heart of our Church,” he said.

“Every Catholic, if they can, should once in their life make a pilgrimage to Rome.”

For Johnson, journalism is ultimately about far more than reporting events.

“When we work as journalists, we are in the field of reporting the truth,” he said.

“And the ultimate Truth—with a capital T—is Jesus Christ.”

While Catholic journalists must uphold professional integrity and faithfully report the facts, he said, their work should also lead people toward an encounter with Christ.

For many of this year’s participants, that journey began in Rome itself.

Adapted by Jacob Stein