The celebration year for the thirtieth anniversary of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum began last October 31st with the Inauguration Ceremony of the New Academic Year 2023-2024.

Our pontifical university, located in Rome (Italy), marks three decades of work in training apostles, Christian leaders – clergy and laity – serving the Church to testify to the mystery of Christ; to create, in full communion with the Magisterium of the Church, currents of thought that respond to the existential theoretical questions of man and that permeate society with an evangelical spirit. The Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, directed by the Legionaries of Christ, was canonically erected by the Congregation for Catholic Education on September 15, 1993, with faculties in Theology and Philosophy. On July 11, 1998, John Paul II conferred upon it the title of “Pontifical”. On September 3, 2004, it was granted the decree of definitive canonical erection.

On the occasion of this important celebration, Pope Francis sent a letter to the Rector, P. José Enrique Oyarzún, L.C., in the context of the start of the 2023-2024 academic year of the APRA and to recognize the work that the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum has carried out over the past 30 years.

The letter was dated October 30 and was read a day later during the opening ceremony of the academic year. That ceremony was attended by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Education and Culture of the Holy See.

During the inauguration ceremony, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça delivered words of greeting and gratitude and gave the Lectio Magistralis which addressed the theme of the germination of knowledge through an appropriate literary excursus.

Subsequently, a moment was dedicated to the students where the Academic Excellence recognition was awarded by the deans of the Faculties, and some students shared words with the attendees. To conclude the inaugural event of the academic year, the Holy Mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated at the International College.

Next, we present the translation of the Holy Father’s letter:

To Rev. P. José Enrique Oyarzún, LC, Rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum

I wish to extend my warmest greetings to you and to the entire academic community of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum on the occasion of the inauguration of the Academic Year and the 30th anniversary of its foundation. I share the common joy of these happy events, accompanying you with my remembrance in prayer.

Thirty years of history, with Faculties, Institutes, and a large number of students, testify to the passion and desire for human, intellectual, and spiritual growth. As I congratulate you on this milestone, I invite you to thank God for the gifts He has granted you, and I hope that the anniversary initiatives and the spiritual and formative acts will contribute to comprehensive growth, especially of the students. May there be no lack, on this occasion, of gratitude to all those – superiors, professors, and students – who over the years have contributed their valuable contribution to the life of the Institution.

May knowledge and study always serve the Church and society. May your activities be aimed at learning to read and facing the great cultural challenges of our time, to devise “evangelization strategies”. The mission is realized in the commitment and effort of each day, to promote an academic community driven by the pursuit of truth and the desire to evangelize the present and the future. I encourage you to keep alive your enthusiasm, dedication, and ingenuity. And remember to “make choir” and do so with joy.

Entrusting the academic year and the 30th anniversary to Mary, Queen of the Apostles, I cordially bless you, wish you much success, and ask you to pray for me.

From the Vatican, October 30, 2023

Francisco