Long trip

Left the UPS this morning at 6.45. Jarek took Aldo Giraudo and I to the airport. Aldo has been doing Salesian input in Spain, Belgium and northern Italy since Christmas… this was another one of his trips. Had to report to a new terminal, reserved for flights to Israel and the USA for the increased security. Once there, however, I cleared security very rapidly.

On my same flight was Archbishop Angelo Amato, who had been dean of the theology school of the UPS when I was the student representative, back in the day. He was traveling to Notre Dame in business class… but I managed to greet him when we were moving toward the line to go aboard.

The flight went well from Roma to Washington… but then my luggage never arrived in the immigration clearing area, and I had to wait there for two hours before United found my luggage so as to clear customs. When I got into the terminal at Washington Dulles, my flight was already boarding.

The flight was uneventful. I spent most of the time reading rather than watching any films. At my arrival in Los Angeles, I collected my luggage and rented a car to drive to teh Boenzi home in Bellflower. An hour of visiting with my mother… and to bed, where I'm now sitting as I enter this data. Lots to say in the next few days, but at this moment I just want to say that this Roman chapter is finished. I will be back in Berkeley in few days to pick up again, teaching theology in English at DSPT, ISS and the GTU… once I get over the jetlag.

Ah… to sleep… perchance to dream.

Santa Bibiana, her rain and the end of the semester

Well I have lost track. Is it 40 days and a week since the feastday of Santa Bibiana? That was 2 December. The weather pattern has been seven days of rain, one day of sun, two days of overcast, and seven days of rain again (and again and again). It has been this way right up to the last days of the semester. Yet, the rain has not dampened the enthusiasm of these days: Obama, end of school, start of exams, great expectations for the upcoming months in spite of a broken economy. At least at the UPS among the student population there is a great deal of optimism and hope, rain or not. Maybe Santa Bibiana brings blessings with the raindrops.

My classes ended on 20 January… and of course the inauguration of Barak Obama was on my mind throughout all five classes that I had to teach. Okay, I did not do a lot of teaching, but I facilitated the group discussions and evaluations in the course on Youth Spirituality, and the student presentations in the Seminar on Storytelling the Faith.

The process that I used all along was to lecture for two classes (using powerpoint, media, music and text) and use one class for group discussion on the themes of each chapter of the text. In 36 class sessions, then, there were 25 hours for my presentations and 11 hours for group process.

Luis Daniél and Fabián (right) during group evaluation

At the end of each group process sessions, the groups would rapidly report to the whole class, and then one chosen from each group would email me a more complete summary of the group’s insights, concerns, debate, agreement… All these were posted on a class blog.

Tuesday morning, as the absolutely last day of the semester, was more self contained. The groups mixed, evaluated, and made posters with the main points of their evaluation. Then they presented these to the whole group. Even this was very interesting. Groups with younger students or with those who have youth ministry experience, threw themselves into the concrete stuff; those that come out of religious life and formation backgrounds were more philosophical. The youth and youth ministers used slogans, symbols, icons and colours; the formation-bound used outlines and spoke more abstractly.

Leticia (Spain) & Grea (Philippines) craft poster while Krzysztof (Poland) gives input

These differences made the final evaluation day very rich indeed… and even a lot of fun, from what I could see in the reactions of the groups and individuals. I should have ordered pizza, but even without this final session was like a party!

Leonard (Romania) & Mkail (Siria) explain poster points with Leticia (Spain)

The wrap-up for the seminar was more subdude, of course. The students sat around a conference table and presented the single paper that included the contribution of each. Again, the difference here was between the formators and the youth animators. However, I was very impressed by their research, their insights, their ability to make cultural bridges, and their sense of community among them. This class did end with a bit of a party, as I gathered them in my office for some Sambuca or Whisky, a toast, and a view of the Inauguration on my computer through streaming news.

My sense is that the classes and the courses went very well. Yesterday and today I have worked to get all the grading done. Now I have just returned from the registrar’s office, where I handed in my grades.

Yes! I have a lot of packing to do and I need to back up all my files as well so that I can bring the materials back to Berkeley with me. This means that I will just add a few photographs of the events of the last few days, and then throw myself into the packing process.

In the interests of speaking the truth (bocca della verità), I have to confess that I have very mixed feelings about returning to Berkeley. I would rather like to delay my departure for another five days or so, but this is not possible because of all the commitments for the new semester at DSPT and the ISS.

And darn!!!!! I never went to throw any coins in the fountain to assure my return to Rome! Oh no!!! (j/k).

Pope’s greeting to President

In an e-mail from Zenit, I got the text of the telegram sent by Pope Benedict to Barak Obama. It is worth quoting here because there are so many gossips saying that the Catholic Church cannot accept Obama as president of the USA. I am always amazed when I hear such talk. So I post this for the benefit of those who, like me, believe otherwise.

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
Washington, D.C.

On the occasion of your inauguration as the Forty-fourth president of the United States of America I offer cordial good wishes, together with the assurance of my prayers that the Almighty God will grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high responsibilities.

Under your leadership may the American people continue to find in their impressive religious and political heritage the spiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in the building of a truly just and free society, marked by respect for the dignity, equality and rights of each of its members, especially the poor, the outcast and those who have no voice.

At a time when so many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world yearn for liberation from the scourge of poverty, hunger and violence, I pray that you will be confirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, cooperation and peace among the nations, so that all may share in the banquet of life which God wills to set for the whole human family (cf. Isaiah 25:6-7). Upon you and your family, and upon all the American people, I willingly invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy and peace.

A wonderful message that speaks in blessings for joy and peace! Those who thrive on division and condemnation would do well to reflect on it. Or maybe they need just the blessing themselves.

Hail to the chief!

Inauguration Day 2009 in the USA. The event captured the attention of Europe as well as the USA. It was also the last day of class in this semester, and I had five hours of lessons to attend to in order to wrap up two graduate courses. I had to contain myself, therefore, so that I could get the work done. But 10 minutes before 18.00 CET (noon EST), the classes finally wrapped up (interesting how after each of the sessions there were students who wanted to linger and chat). I brought the remaining 4 students into my office, opened Facebook’s link to CNN, poured glasses of Glenlivet or Sambuca, and we toasted Joe Biden and Barak Obama as they took their oaths of office.

After the students left my office, I continued to watch the new president give his inauguration address. Thanks to live streaming video, I could «attend» the entire process in English, rather than hear the voice-over of the RAI (Italian television). Later I was able to see the RAI reports, and they were excellent: half dedicated to US foreign policy; half dedicated to the fashion report of the First Family and their entourage.

There would be many profound thoughts to write, but since everyone else on the planet is writing, texting, blogging, journaling on this event, there is no need to do this myself. Still, I just want to quote something from that discourse that I found to be the most significant.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

Some have been complaining that this is all euphoria, shallow giddiness. I don’t think it is. Barak Obama is not promising an easy time; he is challenging America to work.

Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.

It is a long time since I have heard similar words. Maybe the last to speak in such a way was JFK. Later perhaps I will share a thought on that, but I want to just cite another phrase from today’s speech.

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.

Exactly. But it is time for me to say goodnight now. I go to sleep smiling and very grateful.

∞∞∞∞∞

Thesis defense - Salesian studies deepen

This afternoon, the Salesian priest Jose Vettath (India Guwahati) defended his doctoral dissertation in the presence of a large contingent of students, professors, and Salesian confreres from other centers in Rome.

The dissertation, called The Mode of Government of Blessed Michael Rua, Rector Major of the Salesian Society (1888-1910), is a most timely one. It comes on the vigil of the centenary of the death of Blessed Michael Rua, first successor of Don Bosco. This fact in itself places the thesis in the context of what will be, for the entire Salesian Congregation and the apostolic family of Don Bosco, a year of reflection and celebration. Without doubt Fr Vettath’s contribution will find immediate use, particularly in English-speaking areas of the Salesian World.

The dissertation begins with a presentation of the state of the craft: who has studied the figure and writings of Michael Rua; the primary and secondary sources; the relevance of continued study of one of Saint John Bosco’s first collaborators in his mission among at-risk youth and his first successor as father and charismatic center of the Salesian apostolic world. Chapters one and two, then, offers us a historical grounding, while chapters three and four give us insights into the Blessed’s works, concrete and literary. Chapter five, finally, looks at Michael Rua’s governance itself. This chapter is something of a synthesis of all that has gone before and gives us a picture of an original and defining moment in the Salesian experience: the impact of Don Rua’s person and mission on Salesian life.

In allowing us to see the many elements of Don Rua’s governance – both in style and content – the candidate offers us a foundation, a study and a compendium. His presentation is meticulous. This makes it easy for others to reconstruct the period and to understand the inner dimensions of the Salesian Society in the earliest years. A compendium, yes, and quite valuable indeed!

∞∞∞∞

Jose Vettath (center) successfully defended his doctoral thesis today. Also pictured L-R are Jarek Rochowiak (registrar UPS), Francesco Motto (2nd reader), Giorgio Zevini (dean, theology school), Aldo Giraudo (thesis director), Joseph Boenzi (3rd reader).

Aldo Giraudo directed the scholar in his research and the writing of his dissertation, and Francesco Motto was the second reader. At Christmastime I had been asked to be the third member of the committee for the doctoral examination. I am grateful for that opportunity, for it allowed me access to Jose Vetthath’s work. Three years ago he frequented my course on the spirituality of St Francis de Sales, and at the time we had a number of conversations on the importance of creating an international team of Salesian scholars to share the sources of Don Bosco’s charism with the rising generations. I am very pleased to see that Jose has continued along this line. It is a day of pride for Salesian India, and for us all.

Officially 2009

Classes resumed this morning at the UPS. First period is (always) at 8.45.

Not only did classes resume, but all the other services began today as well. It was only this morning that I realized how many people were on holidays. The cleaning crews were back; the library staff returned in full force; the kitchen staff was back to his full complement; the secretarial staff, which had only worked part time, were back in full. It was obvious at the start of the day, and at coffee times, and in the moments of transition.

Of course, 12 days of Christmas mean also 12 days of things to catch up on, beginning with the cleaning crew. How they can possibly clean all the environments (classrooms, computer labs, library, hallways, lecture and assembly areas, chapels) at the same time as all the students are involved is, well… no small feat!

Breakfast conversation was stimulating as usually, with professors commenting on the economy. Everyone of the Italian professors noted how tourism is down in their home towns during the holidays. I commented that the US dollar is still low against the euro, which makes it hard for the “americani” to arrive in streams as they have in previous years. This comment led to a comment on the next encyclical, projected to be published soon. It would seem to be on justice in the economy: a development in the social justice doctrine. I can’t wait to see it.

In the meantime, I need to stimulate the academic economy of the UPS by finishing to prepare all my classes and getting the exams ready. Will this be possible? Or will I be too nostalgic for the holidays?

Today’s class in youth spirituality went well, despite the fact that some genius had turned off all the electricity in the smart classroom and it took three students and I 10 minutes to get everything in working order again. Turns out the projector remote was not functioning, so instead of reporting this to the university secretariat that deals with facilities, professor genius went to the power board and switched off the entire room. Brilliant! Well, I reported the breakage to the segretario, and he sent a crew in during the afternoon.

You see, professor genius? It is really easy when you speak up.

Okay, enough venting on this silly blog.

Chinese student-priests Giovanni Liu and Paolo Liu sign up for exams

It rained today… lots of rumbling of thunder and a steady wind that sounded like the soundtrack of a horror movie. Still, it turned out to be a pleasant first day back to school. This was the first day that the students were able to book their examination dates (exams go for three weeks following the end of first semester classes on 20 January). From what I can see, most of the graduate students are pretty confident and ready to roll. Beyond all this, as I said, the class I had in youth spirituality was one of the best this term, and the participation rate was very high, notwithstanding the power being cut, the wind howling, the thunder cracking, the rain pouring. 2009 is officially underway.

Holidays are swept away

Epiphany began as a warm day but overcast… it got progressively colder, and by nightfall another storm was threatening.

The old Roman proverb kicks in today: «Epifania, tutte le feste spazza via» - «Epiphany arrives today and all the holidays sweeps away».

In the Roman liturgy, this is the day when the date of Easter is announced to the faithful. the text is in the Roman Missal. I have never heard this announcement in English, but I have heard it every year when I am in Italy on this feast. It may be worth reproducing the announcement here.

Dearest brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord has been made manifest
and always will be manifest among us
until his return.

In the rhythm and events of time
we recall and we live
the mysteries of salvation.
At the center of the entire liturgical year is the Triduum of the Lord
crucified, buried and risen,
which will culminate on Easter Sunday, 12 April.

In every Sunday
Easter of the week,
the Holy Church makes present
this great event
in which Christ has conquered sin and death.

From Easter all the other holy days flow:
Ash Wednesday, beginning Lent, 25 February;
Ascension of the Lord, 24 May;
Pentecost, 31 May;
First Sunday of Advent, 29 November.

Even in the feasts of the Holy Mother of God,
of the Apostles, of the saints,
and the commemoration of the faithful departed,
the pilgrim Church on earth
proclaims the Passover of the Lord.

To Christ
who was, who is and who comes,
Lord of time and of history,
be everlasting praise in age upon age.

Amen

This is a bit stilted, I realize. It is my own translation of the text… Remind me to polish it sometimes, okay?

In his words at the Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI spoke from the Scriptures and noted that “All Jerusalem was troubled.” We are all part of Jerusalem, troubled by what is happening around us, even as we look at the Holy Land today, troubled by yet another war. In this sense, the pope said, “The Virgin Mary helps us to welcome Jesus with faith, to not close our hearts to his Gospel of salvation. Let us allow ourselves to be won over and transformed by Him, Emmanuel, God come among us to make ourselves a gift of peace and of His love for the world.”

So now Epiphany is winding down, sweeping away all the holidays, and carrying us back into the real world, lacerated by war and struggle, but open to Hope because God-with-us has made Himself manifest.

Buone feste!