Merion Mercy Students Explore Italy’s History, Faith, and Culture

Over spring break, 11 Merion Mercy Academy students embarked on an unforgettable journey through Rome and Florence, Italy, accompanied by Latin teacher and Language Department Chair Suzanne Walker and English teacher Hayley Kazlauskas.

The group began their travels in Rome, where they experienced the richness of the Church’s global presence by attending Palm Sunday Mass at the historic Church of the Gesù. A highlight of their time in Rome was a meaningful reunion with a familiar face from home. Reverend Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, PhD—who celebrated many Masses at Merion Mercy during his time as Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University—recently began a new appointment as part of the General Council of the Order of St. Augustine, based in Rome.

Father Kevin’s residence beside St. Peter’s Basilica offered the group a truly extraordinary perspective—one that made their experience of Easter in Rome all the more memorable, with views overlooking St. Peter’s Square as celebrations unfolded.

Beyond these powerful moments of faith, students immersed themselves in the layers of history that define the Eternal City, exploring classical, medieval, Renaissance, and modern Rome. Of course, as Mrs. Walker noted, daily gelato stops became a beloved tradition along the way.

In Florence, the group continued their cultural exploration, balancing time spent admiring Renaissance masterpieces by Michelangelo, Ghiberti, and Donatello with hands-on experiences, including a leather-making demonstration that brought Italian craftsmanship to life.

For many students, the trip was not only educational, but transformative. Junior Brigid Hankee reflected on her experience:

“The Italy trip was outstanding, and we had an amazing time. This was my first time leaving the country, and I’ll admit I was extremely nervous. After this experience, I not only found a love for traveling, but it also opened my eyes to the idea of studying abroad in college. Over the 10 days, we explored museums, churches, historical sites, and more. I learned that Rome was definitely not built in a day with all the walking we did, but it also taught me how to look more deeply at art and architecture. Some of my favorite parts of the trip were our group dinners each night, exploring the Vatican—especially the Sistine Chapel—seeing the statue of David, and experiencing the city of Florence. Overall, this trip was so much fun, and I would recommend it to anyone considering going!”

Experiences like these reflect the depth and breadth of a Merion Mercy education—one that extends far beyond the classroom, inviting students to engage with the world, grow in confidence, and discover new passions along the way.