CELTIC have confirmed they will visit the Pontifical Scots College in Rome next Thursday before the Scottish Champions place Lazio in the Europa League.
And Scots seminarians have revealed they have organised a mass for travelling Celtic supporters in the Eternal city.
Speaking to the Scottish Catholic Observer a spokesperson for Celtic said: “We can confirm that we are pleased to accept an invitation for representatives of the Club to visit the College and we are aware a Mass will also be held for supporters.”
Celtic have not played in Rome for 60 years and are expected to have between 10-15,000 supporters travelling for the game.
The Scots College have confirmed they are delighted to host representatives of the club ahead of the game and are looking forward to welcoming so many Scottish people to the city.
Fr Dan Fitzpatrick, Rector of the Pontifical Scots College said: “We are delighted that the club have accepted the invitation to attend the College and we are excited at the thought of so many Scots coming out to Rome.”
The College have still to finalise arrangements with Celtic and were unaware how many representatives of the Club will attend the College for a private reception.
“We have still to establish the finer details with Celtic regarding their visit and exactly who will be able to attend a reception prior to the game,” Fr Dan said.
“Additionally, we have organised a mass for supporters in the city and it is will be celebrated on Thursday morning.
“It’s a big occasion and a significant event as its ben so long since a football club like Celtic has played here.”
Seminarians from the College, which is the oldest continuing Scottish institution outside of Scotland in the world, have been working to make the historic visit one to remember for travelling Scots.
Celtic supporter’s who wish to attend Mass on the day of the game will be catered to a Pontifical Scots College welcome at St Ignazio Church in the city centre, near the Pantheon.
The mass for fans will take place at 9am local time with two Motherwell Diocese Frs Frank Dougan and Stephen Reilly the main celebrants, as seminarians provide music and assist at the altar.
The Scottish Catholic Observer also reported that Celtic have given the college a number of tickets for seminarians to travel the Olympic Stadium to take in the match in a ‘celebration of Scottish connections’.
Eddie Toner, a former General Secretary of Celtic Supporter’s Association (CSA), has a son currently studying at the Pontifical College.
Mr Toner said: “I approached Celtic’s liaison officer who put me in touch with Peter Lawwell about tickets for the College. As a member of the CSA I got them to flag it up at their meeting with the club and from there it has became a nice gesture as the club have made the tickets available to the College free of charge.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the club to acknowledge the Scots College and the Scottish Community which has existed in Rome for over 400 years.
“Because of my links to the College, a lot of supporters got in touch to ask where they could attend Mass on the day of the game.
“Therefore, I suggested to my son Edward that maybe the College could help with facilitating a Mass for the fans in a central place in Rome on the day of the game, and they have taken it forward since then.”
Celtic was formed by Br Walfrid an Irish Marist Brother in St Mary’s Church Hall, Calton on 6 November 6 1888, and the mass in Rome for supporter’s is scheduled for the 7 November.
“I think it’s important that Celtic and the Church reinforce those links and ties from time to time and it’s fitting that the mass will be so close to the 132nd anniversary,” Eddie stated.
“Hopefully it comes together and the mass is well attended.”
Celtic last played in Rome back in 1958 in a friendly match with Lazio and attended the 80,000 papal audience. On that occasion Pope Pius XII gave them a personal greeting and said that “the Glasgow Celtic from Scotland were with us today.”
Celtic to visit Pontifical College ahead of historic game in Rome next week.https://t.co/zHpMOAbG0D pic.twitter.com/YVyINGiEJQ
— Scottish Catholic Observer (@SCO_NEWS) November 1, 2019
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