Those who know…

…don’t tell, and those who tell, don’t know. That’s a pretty good rule of thumb for most Church things.

This one, nearly everyone now knows. And yes, it’s an inside thing for Latinists and all those in the world who have ever encountered Fr. Reggie Foster. That’s an impressive number, and they’re all no doubt emailing each other a lot right now. Which is fitting, since that’s how the news came down that Fr. Foster had his first assignment change in 30 years.

The Jesuit administration at the Gregorian cancelled the classes of “the Pope’s Latinist” rather abruptly.

However, in breaking the news with great regret to his students yesterday, Fr. Foster also announced his intention to found a new Latin institute in the Eternal City.

That was quick. The whole thing was quick.

Fr. Foster said his new Latin institute did not yet have a locale but he would keep students informed.

According to the source, Fr. Foster, in good spirits, explained to his students the roundabout way he found out he was being fired: “Well you see, the Jesuits were rather Jesuitical about the whole thing, now weren’t they?”   After informing them of his plans for an institute, Foster exclaimed, “Latin lives!” 

“Jesuitical.” That’s so….FrFosterlike.