The Work of Reconciliation
Michael C. McFarland, SJ
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This year our Lenten retreat is based on the third week of the Spiritual Exercises, which follows Christ through his passion to his death on the cross. It seems like the focus on the humiliation and suffering of Jesus would be a depressing experience; but it has been just the opposite, as the presenters have focused on the power of Christ’s love to overcome the hatred, violence and betrayal confronting him.
In reflecting on the Last Supper, Fr. Michael Rossman, SJ pointed out that Jesus was just as willing to share himself through the Eucharist with Judas as with all of the other disciples, even though he knew too well that Judas was about to betray him. Jesus loved them all, as he loves us all, uncritically, without judgement; and there is no limit to the generosity and intimacy he offers us. Fr. Christopher Staab, SJ, in his consideration of the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, focused on how Jesus allowed Judas to kiss him at the moment of betrayal, taking Jesus’ words, “Are you to betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” not as irony or accusation, but as a sign of genuine surprise and hurt. Jesus loved Judas, had called him “friend,” and continued to care for him and grieve over his fall, even as Judas delivered Jesus over to the brutality and injustice of the authorities.
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2023 Lenten Retreat
Deepening our Friendship with Christ: A Virtual Retreat Based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola
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It's not too late to participate in our guided Lenten retreat! The reflections are based on themes from the Spiritual Exercises and related Scripture. The talks are posted each Sunday and Wednesday during Lent and are available for viewing whenever is convenient. Please sign up below.
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Dinner with Gregorian University Rector Fr Mark Lewis SJ
March 14 in New York, NY
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On Tuesday, March 14 the GUF hosted a dinner for new Gregorian University Rector, Fr Mark Lewis SJ, at the Jesuit Province in New York. Area benefactors appreciated an update and the chance to ask Fr Lewis questions. Attending alumni who shared Greg experiences, favorite faculty and impact the Greg has on their service to the Church were: Msgr Luke Sweeney and Fr Peter Heasley of the Archdiocese of New York and Msgr Robert Murphy, a counselor at the Holy See Mission to the United Nations.
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Colloquium 2021 reunion! David Ralston, Fr Lewis, Tim Grozier, Carolyn and Dave Marren
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Msgr Luke Sweeney, Fr Peter Heasley, Fr Mark Lewis SJ, Msgr Robert Murphy and Fr Michael McFarland SJ
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Reception for the IADC
March 2 in Miami Lakes, FL
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During the GUF's 2022 Rome Colloquium last October, Barbara and Albert del Castillo met Fr Hans Zollner SJ, Director of the Greg's IADC (Institute for Safeguarding). They wanted to do something to promote the good work of the IADC back in Florica and invited him to give a talk in their beautiful home in Miami Lakes. On Thursday, March 2, over 60 of their friends and area leaders turned out to support the IADC. All were especially glad to be joined by favorite Miami Greg alumni Fr Mark Reeves and Fr Christian Saenz SJ.
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Fr Zollner talks with guests
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Hosts Barbara & Albert del Castillo with Fr McFarland, SJ
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Fr McFarland, SJ, Fr Christian Saenz, SJ, Fr Zollner, SJ, Fr Mark Reeves
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A crowd of over 60 guests gathered to hear Fr Zollner's presentation
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Reception for the IADC
March 3 in Naples, FL
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GUF Trustee Emeritus John Ferguson also wanted to help raise funds for Fr. Hans Zollner SJ and the IADC. He hosted a dinner for over 70 friends at the Royal Poinciana Club in Naples, Florida. Jim Kelleher, GUF Trustee, introduced Greg alumnus, Most Reverend Frank Dewane, Bishop of Venice (FL), who gave the blessing before dinner. Paul and Irene Soden, GUF Trustees, also brought several friends to hear Fr. Zollner and all were glad to meet recent Greg alumnus Fr. Alex Pince (Venice) at the event.
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Fr Zollner, SJ and Bishop Dewane
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George and Nan VanSetter, Paul Soden, Bishop Dewane, Irene Soden, Cherie Gerry
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Event hosts Karen and John Ferguson
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Susan and Jim Kelleher, Diana Ward and Frank Corvino
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A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
November 4 - 12, 2023
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Walk in the steps of St Ignatius as he came 500 years ago to the Holy Land. With him, learn to know the Lord Jesus better in his own land, to love him more and to follow him more nearly.
This pilgrimage is organized by the Gregorian University Foundation, in close collaboration with the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem. Fr Josef Mario Briffa, Director of the PBI in Jerusalem, will accompany the group throughout the pilgrimage. Fr Josef teaches archaeology and geography of the Holy Land at the PBI in Rome and Jerusalem, and is currently writing a guide book on Ignatius pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
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ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE
Nazareth
The Sea of Galilee
Capernaum
Mount Tabor
Jerusalem
The Holy Sepulcher
The Dead Sea
Bethlehem
Temple Mount
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FEATURES
Stays at 5-star hotels
Meals
all local transportation
admission fees for tours and gratuities
Reservation due 1 May
The Pilgrimage is limited to 30 people
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Learn more and register by clicking below.
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Three professors from the Pontifical Gregorian University were appointed as Consultors of Dicastery for Culture and Education
The Holy Father appointed the Reverend Fathers Paolo Benanti, T.O.R. (Extraordinary Professor, Faculty of Theology) and Ulrich Rhode, S.I. (Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law); and the Reverend Priest Matthias Ambros (Lecturer in Charge, Faculty of Canon Law) as Consultors of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
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The latest issue of the magazine Gregorianum is now available.
Abstracts from the new issue of Gregorianum, which is published quarterly by the Pontifical Gregorian University, can be viewed HERE.
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Pope Francis has announced the establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri and the appointment of Pontifical Biblical Institute Bishop Denis Isizoh as its pioneer Bishop. The creation of the new Catholic Diocese in Nigeria and the appointment of Bishop Isizoh of the new Episcopal See was announced on Sunday, February 12.
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Pope Francis appointed Gregorian University alumnus Monsignor Vusumuzi Francis Mazibuko as the new Vicar Apostolic for the Apostolic Vicariate of Ingwavuma in South Africa on March 20. At the time of his appointment, Mons. Mazibuko has been serving as the parish priest of St. Mary's Catholic Church Pietermaritzburg in the Archdiocese of Durban.
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After decades of extraordinary service to Seattle University, Biblicum alumnus John Topel, SJ, is retiring.
Fr. John Topel, SJ has served as the Jesuit adviser to the law school dean at Seattle University since 2016 and has been a senior member of SU’s theology faculty since 1973. He also served Seattle University as acting president, vice president for Academic Affairs, and a member of the Board of Trustees. His academic background includes a BA degree in classical languages and literature and an MA in philosophy from Gonzaga University, an MA in doctrinal theology from Santa Clara University, a licentiate in biblical exegesis from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and a research PhD in biblical theology from Marquette University.
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The Archbishop John J. Myers Lecture Series on Law, Society & Faith, sponsored by the Department of Catholic Studies and the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture at Seton Hall University, will present "Bergoglio's (Reading) List: The Importance of Literature in Pope Francis' Pastoral and Political Vision" on Wednesday, April 12 at 2 pm. The distinguished guest-speaker is Pontifical Gregorian University alumnus Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ.
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This annual lecture series is a tribute to the Most Reverend John J. Myers, also an alumnus of the Pontifical Gregorian University and the fifth Archbishop of Newark, NJ. View more HERE.
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Rev. David Abadías Aurín,
currently parish priest and professor at the Facultat de Teologia de Catalunya (Spain),
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Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Barcelona (Spain)
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Rev. András Dobos,
former student in the Baccalaureate and Licentiate cycles in the Faculty of Theology
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Consultor of the Special Commission for the Liturgy of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches
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Rev. Gerardo Villalonga Hellín,
currently Vicar General and Diocesan Administrator of Menorca (Spain),
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Bishop of the Diocese of Menorca (Spain)
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Rev. P. Vusumuzi Francis Mazibuko, OMI,
currently parish priest of St. Mary's in Pietermaritzburg, archdiocese of Durban (South Africa),
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Apostolic Vicar of Ingwavuma (South Africa)
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Rev. Mons. Giuseppe Mengoli,
currently Vicar General of the Diocese of San Severo and parish priest of Maria SS.ma Immacolata in Maglie (Italy),
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Bishop of the Diocese of San Severo (Italy)
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Mass Cards
available online
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The Gregorian University Foundation is pleased to offer Mass cards for the living and for the deceased.
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Praying with the Pope in March
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Pope Francis' Universal prayer intention for March is for:
Victims of abuse
We pray for those who have suffered harm from members of the Church; may they find within the Church herself a concrete response to their pain and suffering.
Reflect further on the Prayer Intention for March and unite yourself with the Pope's Prayer Network Watch the Pope's Video >>
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