The Regina Mundi Pontifical Institute, which has been observing its 50th anniversary, closed the celebrations on Saturday with a thanksgiving Mass in Santa Maria in Trastevere.
In his homily at the Mass, Archbishop Franc Rodé, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, praised the work of Regina Mundi, which offered formation to women who were not yet allowed to study at pontifical universities.
The prefect said that the main reason for closing Regina Mundi is that it is no longer indispensable.
«In 1954, when it was created, it was the only possibility for the spiritual and theological formation of women religious,» he told ZENIT. «Today there are many other institutions, both in Rome as well as in several countries.»
Religious Sister of Mercy Clare McGovern, rector of the institute, said its academic activity will cease at the end of the school year, in June. The students would be able to continue their studies without problems in other centers of Rome.
