Rome, Italy, May 25, 2018 / 09:29 am
For the first time in five years, seminarians and student priests from the North American College in Rome will hit the soccer field to battle it out for the winning title in the city's holiest tournament – the Clericus Cup.
An annual soccer tournament among the priests and seminarians of Rome's pontifical universities, the Clericus Cup started in 2007. In 11 years, the North American College has been in the semi-finals six times, even snagging first place back-to-back in 2012 and 2013.
But since then, the North American Martyrs have fallen short of the final four. Until now, when they have the opportunity for redemption May 26 in a face-off against the reigning champs, the Pontifical Urban University.
It has been long enough since 2013 that none of the team's 25 or so players, even the most senior, have witnessed a tournament win for the Martyrs.