On October 3rd, the inauguration of the 2016-2017 academic year took place at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, beginning with the Annual Report by Fr. Jesús Villagrasa, L.C., Rector Magnífico of the Athenaeum, who after greeting Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, L.C., Grand Chancellor of the Athenaeum and General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, and the academic community, said: “At the start of our twenty-fourth year of academic life, we turn to God our Lord, “who does all things in all” (1 Cor 12:6), with fervent gratitude for entrusting us with this delicate mission. We lift up our prayers to the Most High, through the intercession of Mary Queen of the Apostles, that she may guide us along the path of our mission in service of our brothers and for the glory of God.”

Father Jesús Villagrasa emphasized in his speech that for the year 2016-2017, the Regina Apostolorum also renews its commitment to form apostles, Christian leaders, in service to society and to promote study and research, and – he continued – the Athenaeum aims to continue developing its “third mission” by fostering the appreciation of knowledge and seeking to contribute concretely to the spiritual, economic, social, and cultural development of society. It does this by promoting dialogue and communication with culture.

After his speech, followed the Lectio Magistralis by Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and of the International Theological Commission, which focused on the theme of the Year of Mercy from the perspective of the Most Holy Virgin Mary: “Living the Year of Mercy with Mary.”

“To carry out a reflection on the theme of mercy,” – said the Cardinal – “and more generally on the figure of Mary, the text of Lumen Gentium is cited, which aims to ‘explain carefully both the function of the Most Holy Virgin in the mystery of the Incarnate Word and of the Mystical Body, as well as the duties of redeemed men towards the Mother of God, Mother of Christ, and Mother of men, especially of the faithful.’”

After speaking about the importance of Mary in salvation history, he said: “Mary, in her Immaculate Conception and Annunciation, indicates to us the way to live the ‘year’ of mercy: even before any merciful action, we are called to think about this infinite power of God the Creator, who makes his creature capable of responding to him, even responding perfectly, infinitely.”

After the Lectio Magistralis, the protagonists of the inaugural ceremony were the students awarded for their excellent grades during the previous school year. At noon, the entire academic community of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum gathered in the chapel of the Center for Higher Studies of the Legionaries of Christ to participate in the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller.

The following video clip from the Athenaeum was also broadcast to all participants: