During more than thirty years of teaching at the Gregorian University in Rome (1974-2006) and later, Gerald O'Collins, SJ, AC, often wrote to his family and friends. This volume contains over 150 of his letters. These letters blend public news of church and state with vivid details about foreign visitors and new, Italian friends. They enter into a struggle as professor and dean of theology to update the oldest Jesuit university, a West Point of the Catholic Church which continues to train future bishops, cardinals and popes. The letters also vividly describe what O'Collins did during summer vacations-on lecturing tours that took him to every continent.

A leading modern theologian, Fr O'Collins has published 76 books that he has authored or co-authored, including seventeen with Oxford University Press and four with Connor Court: A Midlife Journey (2012), On the Left Bank of the Tiber (2013), From Rome to Royal Park (2015) and Portraits (2019). As well as receiving numerous honorary doctorates and other awards, in 2006 with Nicole Kidman he was created a Companion of the General Division of the Order of Australia, the highest civil honour granted through the Australian government.