The presence of Opus Dei within the University
The Athenaeum was born because Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, then Prelate of Opus Dei, encouraged some faithful of the Prelature to found a hospital and university in Rome inspired by the message of St. Josemaría: to live Christian faith and charity in a consistent and daring in daily pursuits and especially in work. Don Álvaro's dream of a job carried out with competence and dedication to the person (in all his dimensions, especially when he is frail and ill) inspires the University's mission and its intentions in the fields of teaching, research and health care.
There is, then, an institutional relationship, regulated by an agreement between theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and the Prelature of Opus Dei, which supports the mission of the University with its doctrinal and spiritual training activities, promotes its Christian identity and spiritually assists those who work there and wish to do so, also through the chaplains appointed by it.
Furthermore, some faithful of the Prelature and cooperators of Opus Dei, who are employees, teachers, students, etc., try to live in a manner consistent with its spirit. Even many other people, although not faithful to the Prelature, recognize themselves in this Christian style and in its ideals. This presence consists above all in the testimony of life and in the dedication that each one offers to colleagues and friends. Furthermore, in a spontaneous and personal way, everyone can organize activities, in-depth meetings, moments of prayer, etc. to discover and help live this spirit: to love God and others in one's daily commitments, in personal relationships and at work.
L'Opus Dei has the task of remembering that all Christians are called to holiness, that is, to one life completely inspired by faith, in particular in ordinary realities: affections, study, work, the small everyday things, which become big when they are experienced with love. To help live this ideal offers various training aids to deepen one's faith (conferences or courses on matters of faith), to improve one's family life and professional commitment, to live a filial and trust-filled relationship with God (meditations, monthly and annual retreats, etc.). Anyone interested in learning more about this way of living the faith and receiving these training aids can contact Don Luca Brenna, Director of the Chaplaincy. In particular, help for personal spiritual orientation can be requested to live this spirit and this message of a Christian life in the midst of the world.
Opus Dei does not enter into professional, technical, economic matters, which fall totally (and secularly) under the responsibility of the competent authorities and, ultimately, of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the provisions of the University Statute.
