FR PAUL GRAHAM OSA, an old friend of The Tablet, now lives in the Augustinians’ headquarters in Rome, where he is a member of the Prior General’s team, helping oversee the global work of one of the great religious orders.

There are about a dozen in the community, and they have a few spare rooms. They had a call last year from a diocesan bishop of a small country who had been asked to take up a job in the Roman curia. Could he stay with them until the Vatican sorted out his accommodation? “He’s still with us,” Fr Paul tells me. “He joins us for prayers, meals and recreation; he even joined us on some of our summer hikes in the Apennines. He is affable, easy company, serves at table and clears away the dishes.”