After China, Italy is one of the worst affected countries by COVID-19. When I arrived in Rome on January 31^st this year, there had been concern about the spread of the virus in the north of Italy, but life seemed to continue. The city was busy, still drawing tourists from all over the world. But on the night of March 8^th , it was apparent that the coronavirus crisis had escalated dramatically, and the Italian government announced it would soon be placing the whole country in lockdown. There were now 18000 cases across the nation, mostly in the northern regions. Later that night, with that news to hand, the Rector of the Venerable English College where I was residing, asked all the students to return home as soon as possible. Fortunately, I was able to get a flight early the next morning and returned to Australia on the afternoon of March 11^th.  I then went into 14 days of self-isolation. It all happened quickly. From one day still trying to adjust to being a full-time student at the Angelicum university, I was thankful that I was now safely back in Australia. Over the last few weeks, we have seen our own communities go into lockdown and so many adjustments are needed to cope and make sense of what is happening. Fortunately, the Angelicum University was able to continue its courses online, and so four nights each week, or rather, in the early hours of the morning, from the quiet of the Bishop’s residence, I attend lectures presented from Rome and delivered in real time to students on their computers who are dispersed across the world including throughout parts of Africa, Asia, America and also to the many who decided to stay in Rome.   

The whole experience of having to leave one’s residence or home in the middle of the night is an all too familiar experience for many in our world. It is similar to that recalled in Matthew’s Gospel when Mary and Joseph had to decide in the middle of the night to flee with the child Jesus and head for the relative calm and safety of Egypt. Considering our recent experience, so many people all over the world will be able to relate to this Gospel in a personal way and perhaps also to plight of modern-day refugees who flee and go into a future of uncertainty. Let’s continue to pray for those who have been affected by this virus; those who have died, those have contracted it, those caring for the sick on the front line of hospitals and other places, and of course our wider community and church that is grappling with its long reach. This is now a day to day experience, and we place our world and our lives in God’s care.

Fr. Don White.