Pope: a Model of Inspiration and Courage: Rector, Gregorian University

February 26, 2013: "Pope Benedict XVI has asked us to pray for him and for the Church, to pray that the Spirit of God enlighten and guide those who will choose his successor. And we are here as a family which wishes to express our closeness, love, admiration and gratitude to the Holy Father, said Jesuit Father François-Xavier Dumortier, Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He said this during his homily on Monday while celebrating a thanksgiving Mass at the Church of Jesus for the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

We are together with feelings of great emotion and deep respect. We have learned from the Holy Father The Importance of Silence Within and without, because "only in silence the word can be found dwelling in us "Because silence in the eyes of the heart can Reorient to God" he observed.

Father Dumortier also announced the suspension of classes in the Gregorian University on Wednesday to facilitate everyone’s participation in the last Papal General Audience. During his homily, the Rector focused on the salient features of this pontificate, namely, the following of Christ, an encounter with the Risen One, service to the Church, Courage Under Fire, and the understanding of faith.

Citing the Pope’s encyclical Deus Caritas, he said the pope "has tirelessly encouraged to follow and to love the Lord on the path of mercy and love, a path from the past to the future. "The Christian life cannot be anything other than an encounter with a living Person.

Father Dumortier Also invited to meditate on the person and the communication style of Benedict XVI, saying "As always, without many words, the Pope reminded us of what is at the heart of faith."

Work always at the service of the Lord and of the Church, which Pope Benedict XVI led through so many Difficulties, obstacles and trials. But it is deeply rooted because of her attentive listening to God who has spoken and continues to speak. This was the source of his courage. We cannot forget his freedom and his impressive determination not to accept what resists the truth or deny it. The power of truth is liberating and it is important to have the courage to look at reality with open eyes to obey the Lord. The Church walks with the grace of God along the paths of history, and always remember that it is not the power of the world, but the power of the Cross, humility and love. The courage of truth and the spiritual battle for the truth opens the way to an ever deeper faith " he added.

Recalling Pope Benedict XVI’s speech at the Gregorian on 3 November 2006, he said "the Holy Father has called us to dedicated ourselves to the intelligence of faith with the commitment and dedication of Those Who Know That many challenges of our time are at the bottom of Intellectuals and require the resources of reason, knowledge of our tradition and awareness of the issues of today. It is to engage without fear in this service to give to today's man the message of faith, the Word who gives life and hope."