On Sunday, November 19th, the I World Day of the Poor was celebrated with the theme “Let us not love with words but with deeds.” Pope Francis wrote in his message for that day: “We are called, therefore, to reach out to the poor, to find them, to look into their eyes, to embrace them, to make them feel the warmth of love that breaks the circle of loneliness. Their outstretched hand towards us is also a call to step out of our certainties and comforts, and to recognize the value that poverty has in itself.”
The Holy Father presided over the Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica, which was attended by nearly 7,000 people in need. After the Angelus, 1,500 people stayed for a meal offered by Pope Francis in the Aula Paolo VI, and the others were distributed to various centers, one of which was the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and the European University of Rome, which hosted 260 poor for the meal.
Father Jesús Villagrasa, LC, rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, commented: “Our universities gladly accepted the request from the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, which thus gave us the opportunity to open our doors and hearts to practice an act of mercy. The chaplaincies of the two universities managed to gather more than 60 volunteers, including students, professors, family members, and administrative and secretarial staff, who joyfully and generously served the meal and collected basic necessities to be given to associations that usually care for people in need.” Vatican Radio conducted a interview with Father Jesús Villagrasa about the meaning of the World Day of the Poor in university life.
Father Sebastián Rodríguez, LC, assistant to the vice-rector for administration at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum, commented: “This small gesture is part of the university’s third mission; namely: in addition to teaching and research, service to society. This is one of a thousand possible ways, some more academic, others more material, of our service.”
Father André LaSana, LC, participated in this event and commented: “When we walk through the city streets, we encounter many poor people. We make contact with some, but very briefly. This encounter allowed me to spend more time with these people, to put a face and a name to the reality of poverty that is seen from afar on the street.”
