One of the most beautiful experiences of my last two years of seminary has been the opportunity to study at a pontifical university. After returning from our experience of mission that comes halfway through seminary, the last years of our formation include attending the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, in the heart of Rome: we go to class every morning, take exams, and, when we can, we also try to study.
This experience has been edifying for me because it has given me the opportunity to meet young men and women from all over the world, from a wide variety of ecclesial experiences, each one containing a unique and particular history. These have been two years in which we have been able to breathe in the catholicity of our faith, the greatness of the Church, and hope for its future every day. We met seminarians who come from persecuted lands such as Nicaragua, others from countries where the faith is still fresh, such as the Philippines, and still others from secularized societies where the Church is being reborn, such as France.
Getting to know each other was also an opportunity to exchange our experiences. From some we learned greater radicalism in certain aspects of life, from others greater simplicity in living the faith. With everyone, we were able to share the challenges that each community is facing, to show solidarity with those who are going through difficult times, and to pray that we may be faithful to the call that God has given us.
In my story, I have recognized the manifestation of a great preference.
Within this variety and richness, we seminarians of the Fraternity of St. Charles also wanted to propose something of our own. Every two weeks, at the end of classes, we invite our classmates to participate in the School of Community on Fr. Giussani’s The Religious Sense and then to stay for lunch together.
This proposal addressed one of our concerns: we find ourselves in a unique place within the Church, and we want to share what is most dear to us—our faith—with those who are beside us every day. So we invited many friends, and over the years, several people from other continents have participated in our School of Community. Some came only once, while others became faithful participants in this moment, which became something they looked forward to and desired.
For us, it has been an opportunity to put our friendship and creativity at the service of the Church, and this has enriched us beyond measure. These years at university have confirmed how much Don Giussani’s charism can be a leaven for the whole Church, a heritage from which many can draw a new understanding of the faith and a renewed experience of communion. We have learned to love the Church and the Movement of Communion and Liberation more, precisely because we have seen how much they enrich each other within a unity that precedes them.
