St. Mary Seminarian and Knight of Columbus is Studying in Rome
Contributions by Marlene A. Zloza,
NWIC correspondent
Cardinal Stritch Council #4620 has a brother in Rome.
Ryan Pierce and his fellow Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Seminary graduate, Gianni DiTola of St. John, will attend the Pontifical North American College, specifically Gregorian University, one of several institutions available to U.S. seminarians.
DiTola and Pierce are the first seminarians to study in Rome in about a dozen years.
Ryan, who received his four-year college degree in Philosophy, and fourth year seminarian Leo Marcotte, son of former Cardinal Stritch Deputy Grand Knight Dan Marcotte, are from St. Mary Church.
Council #4620 have been helping them with stipends every semester during their time at in at IHM in Winona, Minnesota to help with living expenses.
Although Ryan has moved on to study Rome, he still receives his stipend through his parents, Ivan and Brianna Pierce.
Ryan became a member of our council in 2024. He transferred to the Knights of Columbus Brother Elzear Council #5202 at the seminary where he served as Grand Knight his senior year.
The two Diocese of Gary seminarians are scheduled to spend at least four years studying in Rome, where they will receive Pontifical degrees in Theology, with the possibility of an additional year to pursue specialties.
Ryan is already feeling the impact of this incredible opportunity of studying in Rome.
“This experience has taught me a lot about the process of maturation in general. I have grown in the virtues of humility and perseverance. I have tried to cultivate gratitude in the midst of the struggles I face, recognizing what an amazing and blessed opportunity I have to be able to live and study in Rome for five years,” he said.
“If there is one thing I continue to learn through my time in seminary, it is that discipleship is truly an adventure. When we surrender to Christ and place our trust completely in Him, we experience the joy of friendship with Christ.”
One of those planning to visit Rome “every six months” during the assignment is Gianni’s mother, Hilary DiTola, of St. John.
“I know he and Ryan will each have a friend in Italy; they have grown together on their journey,” she added.
While Hilary DiTola is promising to hold off on visiting Rome until her son is “settled in,” Brianna Pierce is steeling herself for her first trip to Rome. “My husband, Ivan, has been to Italy twice, but I don’t like to fly,” she admitted. “People have told me that I should go, and I always said, ‘I’ll go when Ryan goes to Rome,’ so now I’m stuck.”
CAPTION: A photo of Ryan Pierce in front of the Pontifical North American College, specifically Gregorian University in Rome.