AUGUSTINUS
PASTORALE ETUDIANTS INTERNATIONAUX
PASTORAAL INTERNATIONALE STUDENTEN
European Network
EUROPEAN MEETING OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ROME 9TH – 12TH OF JULY 2009
A.On the way to the pilgrimage from 6th to 9th of July
Via Giambattista Pagano nr. 35, I-0067 Roma/ (www.fracarita.org)
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On Wednesday 28 May 2008, Bro. René Stockman, Superior General and president of the International Institute Canon Triest, and Prof. Walter Nonneman, executive director of UCSIA (University Centre Saint Ignatius Antwerp), have had the honour to present the Dutch translation of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church to Pope Benedict XVI during an audience in Rome. |
B. The European meeting of university students 9th - 12th of July
The agency AGENZIA mentions that “about 1,500 young people from 31 nations” attended the European meeting of university students in Rome. The opening ceremony presided by Mgr. M. Jedraszewski1, took place on July the 9th in the Basilica of St John Lateran. The following days were spent at the Faculty of Economics of “Tor Vergata University”, where workshops were organized on the three following topics:
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Mgr. Lorenzo Leuzzy + his colleague |
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The
highlight of this Rome pilgrimage has been on Saturday 11th of July,
Feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe, when after the Pontifical
Eucharist presided by
Father C. de Hemptinne, National Chaplain Though our Belgian delegation was very small in number: only six of them (2 from Argentine, 2 from Malawi, 1 from Lithuania and 1 from Belgium, namely Canon de Hemptinne, National chaplain of foreign students) the Belgium flag could be present among all the others!! |
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COMMISSION OF THE
COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN BISHOP'S CONFERENCES (CCEE)
Hall of Blessing,
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Your Eminence,
Venerable Brothers in
the Episcopate and in the Priesthood,
Dear Brothers and
Sisters,
I warmly thank you for your visit that is taking place on the day of the Feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe, on the occasion of the first European Meeting of University Students, organized by the Catechesis-School-University Commission of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). I extend my most cordial welcome to each one of you present here. I greet first of all Bishop Marek Jedraszewski, Vice-President of the Commission, and I thank him for the words he addressed to me in your name. I greet in a special way the Cardinal Vicar Agostino Vallini, and express to him all my gratitude for the precious service that the university ministry of Rome renders to the Church in Europe. Also I cannot but praise Mons. Lorenzo Leuzzi, the tireless animator of the Diocesan Office, and I greet with deep gratitude Prof. Renato Lauro, Rector Magnificent of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. I address my thoughts especially to you, dear young people: welcome to Peter's house! You belong to some 31 nations and are preparing to take on important roles and tasks in the Europe of the third millennium. May you always be aware of your potential and, at the same time, of your responsibilities?
What does the Church expect of you? It is the very theme on which you are reflecting that suggests the appropriate response: "New Disciples of Emmaus: Being Christians in the University". After the meeting of European professors that took place two years ago, now you students are also coming together to offer the Bishops' Conferences of Europe your willingness to continue on the path of cultural elaboration that St Benedict intuited would be necessary for the human and Christian maturation of the European peoples. This can happen if, like the disciples of Emmaus, you encounter the Risen Lord in a practical experience of Church and, in particular, in the Eucharistic celebration. As I reminded your peers a year ago during the World Youth Day held in Sydney, "At each Mass, in fact, the Holy Spirit descends anew, invoked by the solemn prayer of the Church, not only to transform our gifts of bread and wine into the Lord's body and blood but also to transform our lives, to make us, in his power, "one body, one spirit in Christ' (World Youth Day Mass, Randwick Race Course, Sydney, Australia). Your missionary commitment in the university context therefore consists in witnessing to the personal encounter you have had with Jesus Christ, the Truth that illuminates the path of every person. That "newness of heart" capable of giving a new sense of direction to personal existence originates from the encounter with him; and it is only in this way that one becomes a ferment and leaven of a society enlivened by evangelical love.
Therefore it is easy to understand why pastoral ministry within the university must be expressed with its full theological and spiritual value, helping young people to ensure that communion with Christ leads them to perceive the deepest mystery of mankind and of history. And, precisely because of their specific evangelizing action, the ecclesial communities involved in this missionary action such as for example the university chaplaincies can be the place for the formation of mature believers, men and women aware of being loved by God and called, in Christ, to become animators of university ministry. The Christian presence within universities becomes increasingly demanding and at the same time fascinating, because faith, as in past centuries, is called to offer its irreplaceable service to knowledge, which in contemporary society is the true driving force behind development. It is on knowledge, enriched with the contribution of faith, that a people's ability to know how to look to the future with hope overcoming the temptations of a purely materialistic vision of our essence and of history depends.
Dear young people, you are the future of Europe. Immersed in these years of study in the world of knowledge you are called to make use of your best resources not only intellectual in order to build your characters and to contribute to the common good. Working for the development of knowledge is the specific vocation of universities and, in the face of the vastness and complexity of knowledge available to humanity, it requires a higher and higher moral and spiritual quality. The new cultural synthesis being formed in our time in Europe and the globalized world needs the contribution of intellectuals who can present the subject of God anew in academic lecture halls, or rather regenerate that human desire to seek God "quaerere Deum" which I have mentioned on other occasions.
As I thank all those who work in the field of university ministry, under the guidance of the institutions of the CCEE, I hope that the fruitful journey begun several years ago may continue, and I express my deepest encouragement and appreciation of it. I am sure that your meeting in Rome in these days will propose further stages on the journey toward more integral planning, which will foster involvement and communion among the different practices already operative in many countries. Dear young people, together with your teachers you help to create laboratories of faith and culture, sharing the efforts of study and research with all the friends whom you meet at university. Love your universities, which are training grounds for virtue and service. The Church in Europe places deep trust in all of your generous apostolic commitment, aware of the challenges and difficulties but also of the great potential of pastoral action in the university sphere. As for me, I assure you of my support in prayer and I know that in turn I can count on your enthusiasm, on your testimony, above all on your friendship which you have expressed to me today and for which I thank you wholeheartedly. May St Benedict, Patron of Europe and my personal Patron in the Pontificate, and above all the Virgin Mary, whom you call upon as Sedes Sapientae, accompany you and guide your steps. God blessing you all.
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the Holy Father Benedict XVI entering the room2. |
the Holy Father Benedict XVI leaving the room. |
B.A few commentaries given by some participants as first
fruits of this encounter:
Commentary written down by Mr. Gustavo Gudesblat (Argentines)
The
first “European meeting of university students” in Rome was
organized around the idea of "New disciples of Emmaus… in
today’s context, this means: “behaving as Christians today
in our Universities". The story of the disciples of Emmaus was chosen
to symbolize the situation of catholic students in European
universities See the
story of the disciples of Emmaus in Saint
Luke’s Gospel chapter 24, from v. 31 to v. 35.
The meeting, which was attended by around 900 students from almost every European country, started with a very impressive mass celebrated in the basilica of Saint John of Lateran, followed on the next day by three lectures by professors Alexander Studenikin (Moscow State University, Russia), Philippe Nemo (Centre de Recherche en Philosophie et Economie, France) and Peter Koslowski (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Holland) on scientific, historical and cultural aspects of the relationship between catholic religion and universities in Europe. After the lectures, students where divided in groups according to their languages, and discussed for two days about the status of the catholic religion in each one’s university and about the ways how to improve it. During the debates, we were given the gift of attending a splendid mass celebration at Saint Peter's church, followed by an audience with the Pope. On the last day, representatives of all participating groups summarized the experiences shared and conclusions reached during the debates.
The main topic of discussion went about the crisis of modernity. Students pointed out that in modern society the horizons of mankind are limited to what can be proved and demonstrated on an empirical way. The spiritual dimension is missing. The family, for instance, has lost its fundamental role of transmission of human values. In such society, the role of the university is typically limited to transmission of technical knowledge, and students don’t get a more general view of man. It was also mentioned that changes introduced in universities since the process of Bologna in 1999 have greatly stimulated mobility of European students between the institutions. But, on the other hand, it has failed to take in consideration the integral formation of the students as citizens, for whom excessive mobility may even have a detrimental effect. Last but not least, antichristian ideologies, including relativism or unconditional praise of limitless progress and ambition, have often supplanted spaces that were dedicated in the past to Christian ideals.
However, the experience of the students from different countries that were in the “European Meeting” shows that many students feels in their heart “nostalgia” for God. Wouldn’t that explain for a part the tragic increase of students’ suicides in universities? There is indeed a quest by many students of finding true love and also a deep sense of their life. Catholic students could be and should be diligent workers in the construction of a new humanism, in which faith and science will play fundamental and complementary roles. In order to play this role, as pointed out by many students and priests present in the meeting, it is of fundamental importance to be able to study and understand deeply the fundamentals of our faith. It is indeed very important not only to deepen our faith but also to be capable of defending and justifying it from a rational point of view, and not only by emotions.
The Russian language students’ group, debated mostly about the gradual but stimulating returning to the Catholic Faith, that they experienced after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They had it also about the difficulties they had experienced on the way. Some of them belonged to the Orthodox Church.
The Spanish language group summarized its discussion (and probably the feelings of many participants in the meeting) in these nice words:
“A group of disciples of Jesus was walking during some days through a city called Rome, distant many miles from their homes. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened in their universities, the lack of values of their students, because they don’t know what path to follow in their life: their lack of information in spite of the excess of it in our modern world; the vicious trap of wide spread relativism, which misguides their actions. They also talked about the ease of just following the routine of daily life and the dictate of passing fashions and styles. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, one person came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
And they answered: “Haven't you heard about all that happens to young people in our universities? The society is lost among mass media, passing styles and materialism. University students are satisfied with the vanity of getting a degree, while receiving little else than technical knowledge during their student period. Their habits consume their lives, leaving them with an empty soul!”
He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, and science and history, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
After some days, when each of them had to follow its own path, they invited the pilgrim to stay with them. And only then they realized that it was Christ himself, the same that had been present during the meeting in Eucharist, who had been with them. They asked each other how was that no one had recognized that it was Him who had accompanied them in the way, when Christ disappeared. At this point they realized how He had loved them with his regard, and they remembered all He had said. So they understood that they should imitate Christ's example in their attitude towards their fellow students. They should approach them and listen to their words, making them feel loved. And they should do it like Christ, in a humble way and without confrontation. Only then a sincere and open dialogue would arise, which would let them offer the Gospels as a truth on which to build their lives. This dialogue had to be based on rational fundamentals, and should not be based on a mere sentimentalism, to be prepared for which the disciples had to take proper care of their own spiritual formation. Only then a family environment, in which the presence and love of God would be evident, would arise.
After all this, the disciples decided to go back to their home lands, to tell everybody that Jesus was resurrected, and all they had heard from Him”.
From a personal point of view: this meeting European Meeting of University Students” left me with the joy of having met so many students from so many countries engaging themselves with a humble attitude, but also with all their intellectual and emotional abilities and with great enthusiasm, in order to transmit the good news of the Gospel to other student, bringing them so closer to Jesus himself. Many students pointed out that the number of enthusiastic catholic students could be higher, but one must not forget that Jesus' began with only 12 apostles and the result after all was not so bad!
This first “European meeting of university students” in Rome was a reflection about the motto: "New disciples of Emmaus being Christians in University". The story of the disciples of Emmaus was chosen to symbolize the situation of catholic students in European universities.
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Photo of the Belgium team: Laura Drukteinyte Titi and Gustavo Gudesblat Mphattso Chapotera Rachel Mkandawire |
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Commentary written down by Laura Drukteinyte (Lithuania)
I received a special gift from God - the pilgrimage trip to Rome together with father Charles and two friends from Argentina and two from Africa. That it was a present for me, I realised only after a time.
Strange, but sometimes it happens, that we can meet someone, who leaves special memories, but also a secret. There was one pilgrim from Lithuania. He was an intellectual and interesting guy. I liked his view on life, his values and what even intrigued me more, that he is orthodox. He told me that God has truly chosen me for the pilgrimage trip to Rome and that it was my mission.
Being there I had received many spiritual presents and it was like a holiday for my soul. My participation in the European meeting of university students was so special and unforgettable for a variety of things.
I could meet many young people who came a long way to Rome to experience their belief. I deepened my knowledge in Christian religion. Being there, I learned some important things for the rest of my life, or in other words, I received the right lessons I had to experience. I also had a chance to visit many wonderful places and to see monuments from the ancient Roman history.
The pilgrimage program was well organized, starting from the transport, meetings, different activities and masses. It is incredible how good everything could be organised to be able to lead hundreds of young people from different countries.
I tried to take plenty of information from most of the meetings and discussions with pilgrimage students, and also to experience beautiful praying moments. I was nicely surprised by a lot of young people, how they are so strong in their faith, in their prayer and how they are trusting on an association together with God for their future life. I got many good minds and also spiritual strength during the workshop which was going on for 2 days. There I had heard nice stories about life together with God.
All the days, which I spent in Rome, were unforgettable, but one more thing that I want to mention: our meeting with the Holy Father Benedict XVI. It was a really special and exciting moment. I have never dreamt that I can have such a chance to see the Pope and even more, to give him a hand! This moment was so special for me, that till now I remember the soft touch of his hand.
I want to express my sincere thanks to father Charles who was helping us during the trip to Rome. I feel very happy to have been a pilgrim in this trip.
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I am an Ukrainian student and I am going to represent the Slovak group. In our group there were representatives from Russia, Ukraine and Russian students from Congo.
First of all, I would like to mention that the situation with the faith and education in Ukraine and Russia is different from that of Western Europe.
During Soviet times the church could only be lived out secretly. Many people were persecuted and even killed because they were Christians. Today, the Church lives in a visible way: the profession of Christians across the whole town is no longer exception.
However, the church situation in Ukraine is different from that of Russia. In Ukraine the Catholic Church is alive. In Western Ukraine in the city of Lviv and around it, not far from Polish border, there is a meeting of two Church traditions: Western and Eastern. In Russia the Orthodox Church is the main Church of the country.
And now how the Church and our personal faith influence the university life in our country?
The university system is in the process of changing in the present moment. Due to Bologna process our system is now not so subjective, we are estimated by tests. The strong point is that we still have a lot of classes, not much is covered by individual tasks. It gives the opportunity to gain the experience of our teachers, which helps to understand the subject better.
The biggest problem which we have with our education system is corruption. Often people who study don’t value it in the beginning. They search and follow for the easier ways. Doing so, they lose what is most important in life.
Most of the pupils in Ukraine want now to get a higher education, and to enter universities. They don’t choose often to follow God’s will or a kind of vocation but mostly to get a nice diploma… just a paper in reality. It is the problem that we have to tackle now: how can we bring more hope, faith and true joy to our fellow students.
In our Slovak group many young people shared about how they try to witness their faith in the university. There were examples when they invited the group-mates for the pilgrimages to the near-by villages. During it some students had their first confession, did their first steps on the path of faith. Bringing Christian love to the university life changes everything deeply. The atmosphere of joy, of hope and faith becomes present.
All agreed that teaching our faith to others is less important than living ourselves a faithful Christian life. The living example of a true Christian life can change the world. Pope John Paul II used to say that too many people talk about faith, but true living examples of Christian life are often lacking! Despite all the difficulties, the members of our group agreed that, with God’s help, we can live honest lives by studying not for greed and self-esteem but in order to gain more knowledge and wisdom as the greatest gifts that God can give us.
Life can be hard by whiles and difficulties can arouse. In such cases we should remember the words of our confirmation: God never leaves us alone. He even “has graven us on the palms of his hands” says Isaiah (49,16). That is so even while we may feel absolutely lonely.
A girl from our group gave us following testimony: once upon a time she
had many difficulties both with her studies and in her personal life.
As she had no free time in the afternoon, she started to get up earlier
in the morning so that she could go to the Liturgy each day at 7:00 AM
. Suddenly everything in her life was canceled, the difficulties were
settled and her life changed for the better.
Most universities need to improve “open relations between teachers and students”. If teachers accept students not only as those who search knowledge, but also as equals, who need help not only for their studies but also for their personal lives. Wouldn’t that make their relations more effective? Whatever may be, we students should try to witness our faith to all those we meet in our universities, bringing to all more hope, energy and strength for the future.
Mphattso and Rachel of Malawi
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