There are almost 5 thousand kilometers that separate Cosmas from Nigeria, his country of origin. The young Augustinian student couldn’t be more smiling.
We met him at the International College of Santa Monica, «a place of welcome for students from all over the world, members of Osafund, both simple devotees, priests, and professors of the Patristic Institute, where we study» – Cosmas explains, with great detail and enthusiasm.
Cosmas is 25 years old and is in Rome for the patristic license. We had the pleasure of listening to his story, when he arrived in Rome, in the Eternal City – he is keen to point out. «Classes hadn’t started yet and I felt like a tourist. I felt closer to all the places I have always heard about, such as the Vatican and the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. I discovered a new way of studying.» The young man spoke about his first days in the capital city, far from home but surrounded by brothers, with whom he learned to relate day after day. So that cultural shock – as Cosmas defined it – leaves room for the beauty of sharing and everyday life with people from different parts of the world.
From tourist to Augustinian missionary
During his journey he learned a lot, both on a human and educational level. Attending the S. Monica College and the Patristic Institute is like a training ground for life. Cosmas has grown a lot in recent years and has learned many lessons, including that of «not taking things for granted». At the end of the chat we learned something from him: «The Augustinian journey is very long, it lasts about 9 years and must be faced with patience. Every day should be lived as it comes, without thinking too much about the future, but welcoming and appreciating the present.»
Follow Osafund to discover the entire journey Cosmas has made and what awaits him in the future. Like him, like Fabiano, many young people from all over the world come to Rome, welcomed by the Augustinian Foundation, which takes care of their education.