SISTER PATRICE EXPERIENCES 'HOPE' AND JOY OF POPE BENEDICT'S APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO THE U.S.
When Pope Benedict XVI spoke to presidents of Catholic universities and colleges on Thursday April 17, Caldwell College President Sister Patrice Werner, O.P., Ph.D. was one of the presidents in that special audience.
Held at Catholic University in Washington D.C., Sister Patrice said she was encouraged by the fact that The Holy Father expressed appreciation to the presidents both at the beginning of his address to them and at the end.
"How beautiful are the footsteps of those who bring good news" (Rom 10:15-17). With these words of Isaiah quoted by Saint Paul, I warmly greet each of you - bearers of wisdom - and through you the staff, students and families of the many and varied institutions of learning that you represent, " Pope Benedict said.
Sister Patrice said she came away from the talk with a real appreciation for the man himself and the warmth of his personality. "We were encouraged. We were recognized for what we do in often difficult circumstances."
"The Catholic community here has in fact made education one of its highest priorities. This undertaking has not come without great sacrifice," Pope Benedict said.
"Our founders were recognized for their courage. There was a total feeling of respect for us and our ministries, all in line with the theme of hope," Sister Patrice said.
And hope was certainly his message-a hope that the beautiful work of good Catholic colleges would continue and that those working at those institutions would continue to seek out and live out truth.
"To all of you I say: bear witness to hope. Nourish your witness with prayer. Account for the hope that characterizes your lives (cf. 1 Pet 3:15) by living the truth which you propose to your students. Help them to know and love the One you have encountered, whose truth and goodness you have experienced with joy. With Saint Augustine, let us say: "we who speak and you who listen acknowledge ourselves as fellow disciples of a single teacher" (Sermons, 23:2). With these sentiments of communion, I gladly impart to you, your colleagues and students, and to your families, my Apostolic Blessing," Pope Benedict said.