Vatican City (AsiaNews) – A “network” which unites Europe and Asia and finds its reason for being in intellectual love, “strength of the human spirit”, capable of uniting the formative itinerary of entire generations. Uniting “the existential journey of young people, who though divided by great distances, feel a bond of personal introspection and common witness”. This is how Benedict XVI today described the prayer vigil which he presided over in the Paul VI audience hall to mark the V day for European Universities. A meeting which following the tradition of the world youth day saw united with the Pope via satellite students from Turin, Bologna, Manchester, Coimbra, Krackow, Prague, Tirana, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Manila and Islamabad Rawalpindi.
The vigil, centered on the theme “Intellectual Charity: the way for a new cooperation between Europe and Asia”, was a collage of experiences of faith and of study – shared by the students of before the Popes arrival - of images of Churches and sanctuaries distant from each other – such as the crypt of the Missionary house of Charity, where the mortal remains of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta lie – and of the Ave Maria recited in diverse languages.
The Pope spoke of a “network” which unites the youth of the two continents, defining it as a “sign of the times, a sign of hope”. “It is a network – he added – which shows its value in the context of today’s theme: ‘Intellectual Charity: the way for a new cooperation between Europe and Asia’. It is suggestive to think of intellectual charity as strength of human spirit, capable of uniting the formative itinerary of new generations. On a global scale, intellectual charity can unite the existential journey of young people, who, even though they live great distances from one and other, can feel a deep bond uniting them in their search for inner truth and common witness. This evening we are creating a perfect bridge between Europe and Asia, both continents steeped in rich spiritual traditions, where humanity’s most ancient and noble cultural traditions have developed. This makes our coming together all the more meaningful! Rome’s young university students are the promoters of a brotherhood of intellectual love, they perceiver in a solidarity that is not animated by economic or political interests, but by there interest in study and their search for the truth”.
Benedict XVI underlined “In short, we are in a true “university”, that is, in a community of knowledge which was one of the foundations of Europe. Thank you my dear young people!”
“Dear friends – the Pope added – we are in the Lenten season and the liturgy urges us to continuously reinforce our union with Christ. This vigil following the tradition of world youth day may be considered part of our spiritual pilgrimage guided by the Cross. The mystery of the cross is not distinct from the theme of intellectual charity, rather it illuminates it. Christian wisdom is the wisdom of the Cross: students, and to a greater extent, Christian teachers interpret every single reality in the light of the mystery of God’s love, which has its highest form of revelation in the Cross. Once again, my dear young people, I entrust you with Christ’s Cross: welcome it, embrace it, and follow it. It is the tree of life! At its feet you will always find Mary, Mother of Jesus. Together with Her, Font of Wisdom, turn your gaze to Him whom they have pierced (John 19, 37), contemplate the inexhaustible source of love and truth and you may also become disciples and witnesses full of joy. This is my wish – he concluded – for each one of you”.
