杏MAP导航 at Gregorian University: Scholars should be 鈥榖eggars for knowledge'
By Joseph Tulloch
Earlier this year, the Pontifical Gregorian University 鈥� a renowned Jesuit-run institution founded by St Ignatius in the 16th century 鈥� merged with the nearby Pontifical Biblical and Oriental institutes.
On Tuesday, 5th November, 杏MAP导航 Francis paid a visit to the newly-merged institution, and delivered a lengthy lectio magistralis to assembled faculty, staff, and students.
A return to the origins
In his address, the 杏MAP导航 reflected on the sign that once hung on the door of a Jesuit house in the centre of 16th century Rome 鈥� the institution that would one day become the Roman College and, later, the Gregorian University.
The sign, the 杏MAP导航 said, read: 鈥淪chool of grammar, humanities, and Christian doctrine鈥�.
What can we learn today, the 杏MAP导航 asked, from this simple sign? The first lesson, he suggested, comes from the mixture of subjects the Jesuits offered, blending religious sciences with humanities. Today, he suggested, this reads as an invitation to 鈥渉umanise the religious sciences, to ignite and reanimate the spark of grace in what is human.鈥�
The second lesson, the 杏MAP导航 said, can be drawn from the fact that the lessons were offered for free (in Italian 鈥榞ratis鈥�).
It is this gratuitousness, the 杏MAP导航 said, that 鈥渙pens us to the surprises of God 鈥� It is gratuitousness that educates without manipulating, that rejoices in growth and fosters imagination.鈥�
鈥楤eggars for knowledge鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis also stressed the necessity of humility in Catholic education.
For too long, he said, 鈥渢he sacred sciences looked down on everyone else鈥�, with a mentality of 鈥渦s vs the others鈥� 鈥� an approach, he stressed, which led to 鈥渕any mistakes.鈥�
Now, the 杏MAP导航 said, is the time for teachers in the Church 鈥渢o be humble, to acknowledge that we do not know everything 鈥� This is a complex world and research calls for everyone鈥檚 input.鈥�
What is needed, the 杏MAP导航 urged, are universities with 鈥渓ess hierarchy, more tables side-by-side - everyone a beggar for knowledge, touching the wounds of history.鈥�
A broader vision
Reflecting on the recent merger of the Gregorian, the 杏MAP导航 said he had given his approval in the hope that it would not be a case of 鈥渕ere administrative restructuring鈥�, but rather the occasion for 鈥渁 redefinition of your mission鈥�.
In this regard, the 杏MAP导航 warned university staff against limiting themselves to 鈥渕ergers, suspensions and closures鈥� without a broader vision of 鈥渨hat is happening in the world and the Church鈥�.
鈥淗ave you asked yourself,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 questioned, 鈥渨here you are going and why you are doing the things you are doing? You have to know where you鈥檙e going, and not lose sight of the horizon.鈥�
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