On Monday, October 16, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure (Seraphicum) in Rome celebrated the inauguration of its 2023-24 Academic Year.
The keynote address was given by His Eminence, Cardinal Marcello SEMERARO, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. The Rector of the Seraphicum, Friar Raffaele DI MURO, introduced the cardinal, highlighting not only his current assignment at the Dicastery but also his valuable contribution to theological studies, through teaching and many important publications.
The distinguished speaker lectured on the theme: “Holiness: The Path of Christology in Daily Life.” He emphasized two dimensions of holiness, individual and communal. The first dimension is inspired by the Letter to the Galatians 2:20, a text that recurs in the lives of the greatest saints, “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.” The cardinal explained that the path of holiness is a progressive path towards Christ. It is laying one’s foundations upon Him, with Him and for Him. The greatest example of conforming oneself to Christ is St. Francis. The second dimension discussed was holiness as a communal vocation, as a path requiring constant feedback with one’s community. One is never a saint alone.
The Vicar General and Vice Grand Chancellor of the Faculty, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, thanked the cardinal for his lecture and the event concluded with the awarding of diplomas to the students who participated in the first part of the online course on Franciscan Studies entitled “In the Footsteps of Francis and Clare of Assisi.”
We wish the Seraphicum faculty and students a good year of study, research and individual growth as they acquire deeper theological knowledge.
Friar Marco PERRUCCI
