The visit of the Prelate of Opus Dei on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the University
October 3, 2018 - “I was very happy on this day, here at the Campus Bio-Medico University, seeing the stupendous development achieved in these 25 years, with the inspiration of Blessed Álvaro and the encouragement of dearest Msgr. Javier Echevarría. I pray to the Lord, through the intercession of St. Josemaría, for all the members of the Campus and their families".
These are the words signed by the Prelate of Opus Dei left as a legacy toUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma at the end of a warm and participatory visit. It's in the year that UCBM celebrates its 25th anniversary and a few days after the resumption of teaching activities that a packed great hall welcomed Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz, in a meeting open to teachers, students and all staff.
"I am surprised to see how far has been traveled in such a short time, since Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, only in 1988, encouraged the project of this work - said the Prelate - A work fruit of dedication, study, work but also of the faith of thousands of men and women who work in the University, in the Polyclinic and in the other initiatives that have sprung up around these buildings”.
To the figure of Don Álvaro, who inspired the birth ofUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma the President referred UCBM Felice Barela in his initial greeting, quoting the very words pronounced during the inauguration of the University, in 1993, with the reference to "service", as a "key word" never to be forgotten. A look at the memories that for Barela it is "the opportunity to return to the ideal roots of UCBM, to draw once again on those original inspirations, so that each of us can, in everyday life, implement and transmit the values that motivated its birth, and which are summarized in the expression: 'Science for the 'man', who embodies the desire for knowledge, progress, a job well done, and the spirit of service for the integral good of the person”.
It is in fact on the role of the university in society that Msgr. focused. Ocáriz in his speech. “We will always need a place where knowledge is cultivated in a profound way, out of love for truth, and transmitted in a disinterested way. We need a place where the study of problems and the search for solutions are entrusted to competence and professionalism, not to partisan logic, personal interests, superficiality or fashions". It was the Rector Raffaele Calabrò, at the beginning of the meeting, to talk about all-round training, not just technical and scientific. “Our desire – she said – is to train complete people who know how to combine science, professional ability but above all humanity. We want to raise our children in freedom, responsibility but also in magnanimity, that is, the ability to see beyond their own horizons and to dream even beyond their own expectations."
And the Prelate continues: “We believe that the university is a place where culture becomes a service to man and not a pretext for self-affirmation or the exercise of power. A place, essentially, where words like truth e common good go together and continue to question us seriously; where scientific progress e human progress may both grow without pernicious dissociation”. We then entered into the heart of the meeting with an open dialogue, in a family atmosphere, in which students, doctors, nurses and teachers asked questions about delicate topics such as the care of the sick, the relationship with the end of life, the ethics in research and the reconciliation of professional and family life.
“I wish, with all my heart, to encourage the renewal of motivation of all those who work in the University and in the health facilities on the Campus. I am well aware that all of you must face multiple difficulties every day, precisely because you operate on delicate and important fronts. Optimism should not be founded in the abstract. (...) Instead, I encourage you to found it on the small and concrete fruits that you recognize in your daily work”, is the Father's final invitation to the entire academic community.
