FROM JERUSALEM TO ROME: THE JUBILEE OF UNIVERSITIES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 21, 2000 (VIS) - Organized by the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the Congregation for Catholic Education, the Pontifical Council for Culture and the diocese of Rome, the Jubilee of Universities and the World Meeting of University Professors will take place in Jerusalem, Saida, Lebanon and in Rome and other Italian cities from September 3 through 10. Educators will meet on the theme "The University for a New Humanism."

According to the just-released program, this Jubilee celebration also includes the following related events: World Meeting of Ministers of Education and of Universities; World Meeting of University Rectors and Presidents; World Meeting of University Managers; World Forum of Students; World Meeting of University Chaplains.

The program includes an introductory letter to university professors written by Archbishop Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture and Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome. They remind the professors that, in their world meeting, they "will consider and investigate some of the important questions for human knowledge, which is itself one of the highest forms of man's dignity and responsibility."

They also detailed the two-stage timetable for the Jubilee celebrations.

"From the 3rd to the 8th of September, there will be numerous international congresses in Italy, the Holy Land and Lebanon, organized by professors of various universities, and subdivided according to four areas of investigation: the human person, society, a vision of the sciences, memory and creativity. This will be an opportunity to introduce into different cultural fields the contribution of the scientific world, and to show how faith does not obstruct the progress of human research, but rather enlightens and elevates it.

"From the 8th to the 10th of September, once this journey of investigation and sharing has been concluded, the entire university community will gather in Rome. Here they will meet the Successor of Peter, rediscovering the deep meaning of their vocation and mission, convinced that history is guided by Christ, the Redeemer of mankind and Lord of the Universe. The high point of this event will be the solemn Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, September 10, at which His Holiness Pope John Paul II will preside."

Some of the highlights of the Jubilee of Universities include:

- Sunday, 3: Jerusalem: Opening concert.

- Monday, 4: Jerusalem, Saida, Rome and other Italian cities: Opening of the international congresses which continue throughout the week. In Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University: opening of an exhibition on Blessed Niels Stensen, organized by the University of Tromso in Norway, an ecumenical prayer meeting, the presentation of a 1569 edition of the Vulgate Bible, edited by Scriptorium Publisher and a concert.

- Tuesday, 5: Rome: At 6 p.m. at the Monumental Area of San Michele, opening of the exhibition "Christian Loca, the Christian Space in the Rome of the First Millennium," and a prayer meeting in the Oriental rite.

- Wednesday, 6: Assisi: An inter-religious prayer vigil at the basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Rome: concert of university choirs and other artistic-cultural events.

- Thursday, 7: Rome: In the afternoon the opening of the World meeting of University Managers, and in the evening the meetings of religious movements.

- Friday, 8: Rome: In the morning, the World Meeting of University Chaplains; in the afternoon, the World Forum of Students and the World Meeting of University Rectors; in the evening, a welcome concert for the opening of the Jubilee days.

- Saturday, 9: The Vatican: 9 a.m. meeting with Pope John Paul II, a liturgy of the Word and the presentation of the syntheses of the congresses. In the afternoon, penitential celebrations in eight languages and at 6 p.m., the World Meeting of Ministers of Education and of Universities.

- Sunday, 10: Vatican: Mass presided over by Pope John Paul II.

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