Focolare Movement

Inauguration of 5th Academic Year At Sophia University Institute

Oct 19, 2012

Many innovations: specializations in Economy, Politics and Trinitarian Ontology; the constitution of the Senate and Council for student affairs; Sophia University Institute Statutes well underway

“We feel called to be active players in the construction of Sophia, a project by no means complete, but one that requires the contribution of each and every one of us,” said Ines Tolintino Da Silva from Portugal and representative of the Seat Council as she spoke for the student body during the opening of the fifth academic year at Sophia University Institute, which was held on 18 October 2012. To date, forty-nine students have obtained a degree in “Foundations and perspectives of a culture of unity” and eighty students from several countries are enrolled in other specialisations as well. A greeting message punctually arrived from Vice Chancellor Maria Voce, president of the Focolare Movement, who was unable to be present because she is attending the Synod of Bishops. While highlighting the prerequisite for the Sophia experience, she stated: “the project is daring, but for this reason no less thrilling, It demands a mutual willingness to listen, to deeply share common purposes, renewed fidelity to the original insight, a common gaze towards a future that must be built together. In a word, it even more decisively demands love from us, that we live, and that we be love for each other.”

Theologian Dr Piero Coda, President of the Institute

Then, newly re-elected president of Sophia University Institute, theologian Piero Coda, gave the commitment guidelines for the next four years. Three new disciplines have been introduced in Economics and Management, Trinitarian Ontology and Political Studies. A committee is working on revising the Statutes of the institute in view of a final approval. Furthermore, in order to better incarnate the  “unity of life and of thought” feature at Sophia, proposals were made for establishment of an Academic Senate to be a place where representatives of all the components could converge for the community life of the students, alongside the already approved Academic Council.

Professor Pasquale Ferrara

Finally, this year’s inaugural lecture was given by Professor Pasquale Ferrara, a professor at Sophia University Institute, longtime diplomat and secretary General Secretary of the European University Institute. In a broad political-historical overview, Ferrara addressed the issue of “constitutional peace” that has recently received more than authoritative and legitimising confirmation with the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union.

___

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

In April 1984, the Jubilee of the Youth was celebrated, a few days before the conclusion of the extraordinary Jubilee of the Redemption. There were 300 thousand young people present. Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, held a catechesis on joy for the young people gathered in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran on the 12th of April. Here is an excerpt of her talk.

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

On 3rd July 2025, Paolo Rovea, an Italian doctor and married focolarino, completed his earthly life. Following his passing, many messages arrived from all over the world, coming together to form a unique and very rich mosaic, just like Paolo himself.

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

The parable of the good Samaritan teaches us not only to draw close, touching the wounds of those around us and breaking down the walls of prejudice, but through this Word we come to understand the art of compassion and the infinite mercy with which God embraces us, cares for us and leaves us free to abandon ourselves to his love.