Bro. Bancha Saenghiran with fellow delegates at Aula Paolo VI, Vatican City, where the welcoming concert "I Solisti Aquilani" was performed on September 8.
Bro. Bancha Saenghiran at the meeting of univerity professors held at Aula Magna, University La Sapienza of Rome with frescoed walls as the backdrop.
A PILGRIMAGE TO THE JUBILEE OF UNIVERSITIES AND THE VATICAN.

I was commissioned by the University President, Bro. Prathip Martin Komolmas, to attend the World Meeting of University Professors in Rome in celebration of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, which the Church organised for both Christians and all other people of goodwill. It is the expression of the love of God made manifest in the Incarnation of His Son Jesus.

The Jubilee of Universities covered five related events which were scheduled in parallel, namely, World Meeting of University Rectors and Presidents, World Meeting of University Professors, World Meeting of University Administrators, World Forum of Students, and World Meeting of University Chaplains.

The key organizers were the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Political Council for Culture, Diocese of Rome, with the collaboration of the Ministry for Universities and Scientific and Technological Research of the Italian Republic.

The event took place from September 3 to September 10, 2000 to reflect upon the theme: The University for a New Humanism. The proceedings were divided into two parts:

  1. Part I: International congresses organized by professors of various universities in four areas (the human person, society, vision of the sciences, memory and creativity). This was held from September 4-8, 2000.

  2. Part II: after investigation and sharing on human knowledge, the entire university community gathered together to meet the Successor of Peter to rediscover the deep meaning of their vocation and mission, convinced that history is guided by Christ, the Redeemer of mankind.

In particular, on Friday September 8, the participants to the Jubilee of Universities were invited to conferences at Aula Magna, University of Rome (La Sapienza), Rome. Late in the evening, a welcoming concert was organized for the participants at Aula Paolo VI, Vatican City.

On Saturday, September 9, the academic community had an audience with the Yope at which the synthesis of the 58 international congresses ofthe world meeting of university professors in four areas was presented to the Pope.

The Pope addressed the community of about 5000 and gave his Apostolic Blessing. That ended the morning session. The afternoon session was dedicated to penitential celebrations.

The conclusion of the Jubilee of University Rectors was highlighted by a solemn Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, September 10, presided over by His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

This unique experience, in one way or other, contributes to and enhances my dedication and desire to accomplish things in the pursuit, promotion and propagation of Truth. I pray that God may bless the Thai people as a whole, the Brothers of St. Gabriel in Thailand and their mission, Assumption University and the rest of the world so that God’s Kingdom will reign in the hearts of all.

For better appreciation of the significance as well as the depth and breadth of the proceedings I have given the programme details for September 8, 9, 10 and reproduced the address delivered by Professor Peter W. Sheehan, AO, Vice Chancellor and President of the Austration Catholic University on September 8, 2000.

Reported by Bro.Bancha Saenghirun
ABAC Today Assumption University, Thailand