On January 28, 2022, within the celebration of the liturgical feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Mons. Dario Gervasi, auxiliary bishop of Rome, inaugurated the new chapel of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (APRA) and of the European University of Rome (UER), as well as the halls for the university pastoral center.

“At this sacred place, we can find Christ who has told us ‘Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world’ (Mt 28:20). A place for prayer, adoration, and experiencing His presence and mercy,” writes Fr. José E. Oyarzún, LC, rector of the Athenaeum, in a letter sent to the university community on the occasion of the new chapel.

The new chapel contains two relics, one of Saint Philip Neri and another of Saint Thomas Aquinas, created and decorated by artist Erika Venditti. “Both, in their diversity, as exemplary followers of Jesus Christ, with their example and intercession, help us to live our mission of evangelizing culture to the fullest,” adds Fr. José.

Saint Philip Neri was described as the “second apostle of Rome” and was an evangelizing example regardless of the difficulties of his time, valuing the cultural richness of the city of Rome. Pope Saint John Paul II, when speaking about Saint Philip Neri, said that his preferred itinerary was the pilgrimage of the seven churches. Above all, he dedicated time to prayer in the catacombs of Saint Sebastian.

Saint Thomas Aquinas holds a special significance in the Athenaeum dedicated to research and teaching. On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of his death, Pope Saint Paul VI presented him as someone who “possessed the highest value of truth, spiritual freedom to face new problems, and intellectual honesty of one who does not allow the profanation of Christianity with pagan philosophy.” Saint Thomas entered the history of Christian thought as a pioneer of the new path of philosophy and universal culture.

Currently, Fr. Michael Ryan, LC, is chaplain of the Athenaeum, and Fr. Nicola Tovagliari, LC, is chaplain of the University. Present at the blessing were both the rector of APRA, P. José Enrique Oyarzún, LC, and the rector of UER, P. Pedro Barrajón, LC.

A gallery of images from the blessing of the new chapel can be viewed at this link.