Pope Benedict Greets UNIV Congress

(19 Mar 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI met students in Rome for the Opus Dei-sponsored UNIV Congress. Charles Collins has this report...

Pope Benedict met with 3000 members of the UNIV Congress, which since 1968 has brought several thousand students to Rome during Holy Week.

Throughout the week, ICU provides students with various cultural encounters, conferences, roundtables, showrooms and concerts.

The Holy Father greeted them in St. Peter’s Basilica.

“I offer a cordial welcome to all of you who have come to Rome from various countries and universities to celebrate Holy Week together, and to take part in the International UNIV Congress. In this way, you will be able to benefit from moments of common prayer, cultural enrichment and a helpful exchange of the experiences gained from your association with the centres and activities of Christian formation sponsored by the Prelature of Opus Dei in your respective cities and nations.”

After meeting with the students, the Pope went to the Paul VI Audience Hall, where he held his weekly general audience. During his catechesis, he spoke about the Holy Triduum.

“The Easter Triduum, which the Church now prepares to celebrate, invites us to share in the mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. These days are the heart of the liturgical year. On Holy Thursday the Church recalls the Last Supper. At the Chrism Mass, the Bishop and his priests renew their priestly promises and the sacramental oils are blessed. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates Jesus’ institution of the sacrament of his Body and Blood and his commandment that we should love one another. On Good Friday, we ponder the mystery of sin as we listen to the account of the Lord’s passion and venerate the wood of his Cross. Holy Saturday, a day of silence and prayer, prepares for the joy of the Easter Vigil, when the light of Christ dispels all darkness, and the saving power of his Paschal Mystery is communicated in the sacrament of Baptism. May our sharing in these solemn celebrations deepen our conversion to Christ, particularly through the sacrament of Reconciliation, and our communion, in the hope of the resurrection, with all our suffering brothers and sisters throughout the world.”