On Saturday, 18th December, at “Il Carmelo” Centre in Sassone (Rome) a meeting of professors and students inscribed in the license and degree courses at the Pontifical Universities and Faculties of Rome and Naples took place. The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., who led the meeting together with Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O. Carm., President of the Institutum Carmelitanum, and other members of the General Council, around 20 professors and students residing at CISA and in Italy participated. The objective was to encourage an exchange of experiences and ideas. Studies, teaching, and research are often perceived as “useless” work, a heavy weight to carry in solitude. But in reality, if they are lived in a spirit of service, of self-giving, and of sharing personal talents, in another way, they are necessary and specific, serving the people of God, encouraging spiritual, moral, and cultural growth with a view to giving an ever stronger and more authentic witness. Besides sharing the projects being worked on, in the afternoon, the participants listened to a profound conference on the value of theological studies given by Archbishop Luís Ladária Ferrer, Secretary to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. His words, delivered with the lively enthusiasm by one who is called to explore the mystery in order to reveal its beauty and vital power, generated lively debate with interesting questions, to which he responded graciously.
The discussion and exchange were useful to all, so much so that it is proposed to give the initiative a broader dimension. Members of other geographical areas could be involved in periodic meetings: a concrete sign of the importance with which the Order considers formation and the work of research and teaching.