VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received 45 members of the administration of La Scuola Publishers, based in Brescia, Italy on the occasion of the centenary of this company which was founded, as he noted in his talk to them, in May 1904 by a group of Catholic lay people, including the father of Pope Paul VI and by a number of priests.
He spoke of the company's history and its "difficult days, including when it was bombed during World War II and destroyed," and then rebuilt with "the help and courage of many generous people." Also present this morning were Bishops Giulio Sanguineti of Brescia and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, who is from the diocese of Brescia.
The Pope remarked that La Scuola, which means school in Italian, has in the last century "sought to always remain faithful, even in changing social and cultural situations, to the design and scope of the founders. ... It was conceived and planned to be an instrument to assure Christian inspiration in Italian schools. (It was) not an easy undertaking considering the orientations by not a small portion of current culture. ... The truth of Christ ... is a good for all school workers: parents and children, teachers and students, state and non-state schools."
Reviewing the past, said John Paul II, is also a good time "to look at the future. Trials and problems are not lacking. The Church has great faith in you as you prepare opportune proposals for the scholastic formation of the new generations. In communion with your bishop and in cordial dialogue with the Italian Catholic community, continue to be sowers of hope, remaining faithful to the ideals of your founders."
AC/LA SCUOLA PUBLISHERS/… VIS 20041028 (290)
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