Pope Benedict Speaks to U.S. Catholic Universities
Are we ready to commit our entire self – intellect and will, mind and heart – to God? Do we accept the truth Christ reveals? Is the faith tangible in our universities and schools?
One can recognize that the contemporary crisis of truth is rooted in a crisis of faith. Only through faith can we freely give our assent to God’s testimony and acknowledge him as the transcendent guarantor of the truth he reveals.
PrintWASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - In the wake of the Notre Dame decision and the incident at Georgetown, Catholics throughout the US are reflecting on the nature and purpose of Catholic education. We present excerpts from the address of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI during his apostolic visit to the United States one year ago:
MEETING WITH CATHOLIC EDUCATORS, ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI,
"… Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth. This relationship elicits a desire to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Christ and his teaching. In this way those who meet him are drawn by the very power of the Gospel to lead a new life characterized by all that is beautiful, good, and true; a life of Christian witness nurtured and strengthened within the community of our Lord’s disciples, the Church.
"… Some today question the Church’s involvement in education, wondering whether her resources might be better placed elsewhere. Certainly in a nation such as this, the State provides ample opportunities for education and attracts committed and generous men and women to this honorable profession. It is timely, then, to reflect on what is particular to our Catholic institutions. How do they contribute to the good of society through the Church’s primary mission of evangelization? All the Church’s activities stem from her awareness that she is the bearer of a message which has its origin in God himself: in his goodness and wisdom, God chose to reveal himself and to make known the hidden purpose of his will (cf. Eph 1:9; Dei Verbum, 2). God’s desire to make himself known, and the innate desire of all human beings to know the truth, provide the context for human inquiry into the meaning of life. This unique encounter is sustained within our Christian community: the one who seeks the truth becomes the one who lives by faith (cf. Fides et Ratio, 31). It can be described as a move from “I” to “we”, leading the individual to be numbered among God’s people.
"...This same dynamic of communal identity – to whom do I belong? – vivifies the ethos of our Catholic institutions. A university or school’s Catholic identity is not simply a question of the number of Catholic students. It is a question of conviction – do we really believe that only in the mystery of the Word made flesh does the mystery of man truly become clear (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 22)? Are we ready to commit our entire self – intellect and will, mind and heart – to God? Do we accept the truth Christ reveals? Is the faith tangible in our universities and schools? Is it given fervent expression liturgically, sacramentally, through prayer, acts of charity, a concern for justice, and respect for God’s creation? Only in this way do we really bear witness to the meaning of who we are and what we uphold. From this perspective one can recognize that the contemporary “crisis of truth” is rooted in a “crisis of faith”. Only through faith can we freely give our assent to God’s testimony and acknowledge him as the transcendent guarantor of the truth he reveals. Again, we see why fostering personal intimacy with Jesus Christ and communal witness to his loving truth is indispensable in Catholic institutions of learning....
"... we observe, with distress, the notion of freedom being distorted. Freedom is not an opting out. It is an opting in – a participation in Being itself. Hence authentic freedom can never be attained by turning away from God. Such a choice would ultimately disregard the very truth we need in order to understand ourselves. A particular responsibility therefore for each of you, and your colleagues, is to evoke among the young the desire for the act of faith, encouraging them to commit themselves to the ecclesial life that follows from this belief. It is here that freedom reaches the certainty of truth. In choosing to live by that truth, we embrace the fullness of the life of faith which is given to us in the Church.
"...Clearly, then, Catholic identity is not dependent upon statistics. Neither can it be equated simply with orthodoxy of course content. It demands and inspires much more: namely that each and every aspect of your learning communities reverberates within the ecclesial life of faith. Only in faith can truth become incarnate and reason truly human, capable of directing the will along the path of freedom. In this way our institutions make a vital contribution to the mission of the Church and truly serve society. They become places in which God’s active presence in human affairs is recognized and in which every young person discovers the joy of entering into Christ’s “being for others”....
"...The Church’s primary mission of evangelization, in which educational institutions play a crucial role, is consonant with a nation’s fundamental aspiration to develop a society truly worthy of the human person’s dignity. At times, however, the value of the Church’s contribution to the public forum is questioned. It is important therefore to recall that the truths of faith and of reason never contradict one another.… We observe today a timidity in the face of the category of the good and an aimless pursuit of novelty parading as the realization of freedom. We witness an assumption that every experience is of equal worth and a reluctance to admit imperfection and mistakes. And particularly disturbing, is the reduction of the precious and delicate area of education in sexuality to management of ‘risk’, bereft of any reference to the beauty of conjugal love. … Teachers and administrators, whether in universities or schools, have the duty and privilege to ensure that students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice. This requires that public witness to the way of Christ, as found in the Gospel and upheld by the Church's Magisterium, shapes all aspects of an institution’s life, both inside and outside the classroom. Divergence from this vision weakens Catholic identity and, far from advancing freedom, inevitably leads to confusion, whether moral, intellectual or spiritual. …"
Click here for full text version of this wonderful address by Pope Benedict XVI
MEETING WITH CATHOLIC EDUCATORS, ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI,
"… Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth. This relationship elicits a desire to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Christ and his teaching. In this way those who meet him are drawn by the very power of the Gospel to lead a new life characterized by all that is beautiful, good, and true; a life of Christian witness nurtured and strengthened within the community of our Lord’s disciples, the Church.
"… Some today question the Church’s involvement in education, wondering whether her resources might be better placed elsewhere. Certainly in a nation such as this, the State provides ample opportunities for education and attracts committed and generous men and women to this honorable profession. It is timely, then, to reflect on what is particular to our Catholic institutions. How do they contribute to the good of society through the Church’s primary mission of evangelization? All the Church’s activities stem from her awareness that she is the bearer of a message which has its origin in God himself: in his goodness and wisdom, God chose to reveal himself and to make known the hidden purpose of his will (cf. Eph 1:9; Dei Verbum, 2). God’s desire to make himself known, and the innate desire of all human beings to know the truth, provide the context for human inquiry into the meaning of life. This unique encounter is sustained within our Christian community: the one who seeks the truth becomes the one who lives by faith (cf. Fides et Ratio, 31). It can be described as a move from “I” to “we”, leading the individual to be numbered among God’s people.
"...This same dynamic of communal identity – to whom do I belong? – vivifies the ethos of our Catholic institutions. A university or school’s Catholic identity is not simply a question of the number of Catholic students. It is a question of conviction – do we really believe that only in the mystery of the Word made flesh does the mystery of man truly become clear (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 22)? Are we ready to commit our entire self – intellect and will, mind and heart – to God? Do we accept the truth Christ reveals? Is the faith tangible in our universities and schools? Is it given fervent expression liturgically, sacramentally, through prayer, acts of charity, a concern for justice, and respect for God’s creation? Only in this way do we really bear witness to the meaning of who we are and what we uphold. From this perspective one can recognize that the contemporary “crisis of truth” is rooted in a “crisis of faith”. Only through faith can we freely give our assent to God’s testimony and acknowledge him as the transcendent guarantor of the truth he reveals. Again, we see why fostering personal intimacy with Jesus Christ and communal witness to his loving truth is indispensable in Catholic institutions of learning....
"... we observe, with distress, the notion of freedom being distorted. Freedom is not an opting out. It is an opting in – a participation in Being itself. Hence authentic freedom can never be attained by turning away from God. Such a choice would ultimately disregard the very truth we need in order to understand ourselves. A particular responsibility therefore for each of you, and your colleagues, is to evoke among the young the desire for the act of faith, encouraging them to commit themselves to the ecclesial life that follows from this belief. It is here that freedom reaches the certainty of truth. In choosing to live by that truth, we embrace the fullness of the life of faith which is given to us in the Church.
"...Clearly, then, Catholic identity is not dependent upon statistics. Neither can it be equated simply with orthodoxy of course content. It demands and inspires much more: namely that each and every aspect of your learning communities reverberates within the ecclesial life of faith. Only in faith can truth become incarnate and reason truly human, capable of directing the will along the path of freedom. In this way our institutions make a vital contribution to the mission of the Church and truly serve society. They become places in which God’s active presence in human affairs is recognized and in which every young person discovers the joy of entering into Christ’s “being for others”....
"...The Church’s primary mission of evangelization, in which educational institutions play a crucial role, is consonant with a nation’s fundamental aspiration to develop a society truly worthy of the human person’s dignity. At times, however, the value of the Church’s contribution to the public forum is questioned. It is important therefore to recall that the truths of faith and of reason never contradict one another.… We observe today a timidity in the face of the category of the good and an aimless pursuit of novelty parading as the realization of freedom. We witness an assumption that every experience is of equal worth and a reluctance to admit imperfection and mistakes. And particularly disturbing, is the reduction of the precious and delicate area of education in sexuality to management of ‘risk’, bereft of any reference to the beauty of conjugal love. … Teachers and administrators, whether in universities or schools, have the duty and privilege to ensure that students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice. This requires that public witness to the way of Christ, as found in the Gospel and upheld by the Church's Magisterium, shapes all aspects of an institution’s life, both inside and outside the classroom. Divergence from this vision weakens Catholic identity and, far from advancing freedom, inevitably leads to confusion, whether moral, intellectual or spiritual. …"
Click here for full text version of this wonderful address by Pope Benedict XVI
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
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I attend Saint Leo University, which is attached to a Benedictine Monastery of the same name. I am a 47 year old male and Catholic since birth. I attend this school on its online campus. Recently I questioned a Professor about Catholic morals and ethics and the lack of such in the classes at this University. He was greatly appalled that I would question the wisdom of allowing every and anything on any subject no matter how sensitive it might be.
He accused me of wanting to take the education system back to the Dark Ages. He said that even though the school is affiliated with the Monastery it has no bearing on the classes taught at the University or if they are in line with Catholic moral or ethics. If anyone know a Catholic college or University that keeps its Catholic identity in the teaching of its courses please email me @ jrocampo@hawaiiantel.net
Of coarse the Pope is saying which ever discipline the Catholic student chooses, frequent and humble confession unified with fervent and regular devout reception of the Blessed Sacrament, which is accompanied with deep, fervent, persevering, confident and lovingly intimate prayer offered through the Most Pure Heart of the Blessed Virgin cannot fail to help one 'excel' and produce a ‘spill over’ effect for all humanity for all to share in.
Our Lady will crush the head of Satan. She is calling us to "battle" with Her.
Where are all the other universities? Why aren't all the students of all Catholic Universities banning together with the Notre Dame students, staff, Pope, bishops, priest, religious, faithful to conquer this demon, this voice of a president of a Catholic University? How can one voice be so powerful? We are all whining if we are not all behind these ProLife Catholics and defending OUR FAITH. It is not just about them. It is about us and our future generations and their Catholic education too.
Our Lady calls us to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, and FAST! What happens when a mother or father tells their children the right thing to do and they do not do it? What happens?
MArchibald
It's so easy to tell other to take their kids out of school to show one's displeasure. GG & Michael, let me ask you, will you in the middle of the school year? You may be talking out of the side of your mouth.
My daughter graduated from ND. She has been away for a year, I am still upset of the situation, not because of anything but, like it or not to a lot of people ND is THE Catholic University. And that represents my FAITH, and it hurt.
Maybe we should cool down on personal stabbing.
James I agree with G.G...Take him out..Right now in the middle of the semester, and let Jenkins know why it was done..
Unless parents take control of their childrens education ND will never change..Only when it hits the "pocketbook" will it matter...
There are a few "real" Catholic Colleges and Universities left..Yes they don't that a "Touchdown Jesus" looking over the campus, but maybe thats a part of the problem also.....
James, You say that your son attends Notre Dame and that Notre Dame is working to destroy the faith of students - and quite effectively. Then, take him OUT of that University. Evidently, you must be teaching your kid that Christianity doesn't matter, because you send your kid to Notre Dame and allow him to stay there as a student. What have you got to say for yourself as a parent? You pay the bill so put him in a good Catholic University or quit complaining. You are enabling ND to keep going against our Catholic teachings by paying your sons tuition. DON'T GIVE NOTRE DAME ANY MORE MONEY!
If you and all the other parents that believe Catholic teaching is important took your kids out of ND ot at least threatened to take your kid out then believe me they would get back to Catholic teaching VERY FAST!! You sound like the false Catholic politicians. They're Catholic, but they're Pro-Choice! Again, I say take your kid out of Notre Dame and put him in a good and honest Catholic university. And, for GOD'S sake, quit whining! And, do something constructive about this obscene promotion and honoring of evil if you honestly believe what you wrote.
I'm afraid our Catholic universities, Bishops, church pastors (not all, but too many to count) have fallen victim to the lure of money, whining sinners (demons) and what the world offers. It is now permeating governments around the world, society, families everywhere. You would not have been able to convince me that we would find ourselves in such a dangerously sinful position and that the Bishops and priests would not speak out from the pulpit.
Instead we are working on stemming the outflow of money by closing down beautiful and venerable old churches, the likes of which will never be seen again. We all are called to reconversion - daily - and we are failing at an alarming rate. This is Divine Mercy Sunday, and we have never been more in need of this great gift. Lord Have Mercy. Mary, pray for us.
I feel sad that the late Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict seem to always need to baby sit the United States in our behaviour. These good Popes don't have time to only care for the United States, they have many many many other countries that are in dire need of care too. That's the reason we have bishops. I'm telling you it's manifesting slowly but surely from our prayers of frustrated laity.
Well let's see how the U.S. Bishops and priests react. Since they don't listen to us, I hope they have the obedience to listen to their Pope. If not, we are definitely doomed.
God bless you Pope Benedict.
The sad thing is, that we can't wait on some of the leaders of the Church to teach and stand up for the FULLNESS of TRUTH. We as laity need to help our children in ways we have never reached out to them before. Helping to implement the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Apologetic books, Canon Law, and the many other books written by saints. There is no time to waste. But yes we still need to pray for are leaders at the same time. Remember a lie is equated with murder.And as far as I'm concern, so is a guilty silence.