Building unity in diversity” “

In preparation for the 18th World Youth Day, which will be celebrated in each diocese on 13 April, Palm Sunday, the CCEE (Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe) and the European Committee of university chaplains, in collaboration with the Office for university apostolate of the diocese of Rome, promoted the first “European Day of University Students” in recent days on the theme “Intellectual charity, soul of the new Europe”. “The young can and must participate in the construction of the new Europe, with their contribution of aspirations and ideals, study and work, creativity and generous dedication. Young Christians, in a special way, are called to proclaim and bear witness to Christ and to be, in his name, builders of unity in diversity, freedom in truth, peace in justice, the peace of which the world has a particular need today”. So said John Paul II in addressing the delegates from all over the continent in the Paul VI Hall for the Marian prayer vigil held at the end of the meeting. “Dear young friends – concluded the Pope, inviting them to meet him again in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday, 10 April for the solemn act of entrusting to Mary and the recitation of the rosary – I would like to confide to you a wish close to my heart: that the new generations may be faithful to the noble spiritual and moral principles that inspired the Fathers of united Europe”. Below, some “thoughts” and testimonies of young people linked via satellite with the Paul VI Hall from their own universities. Germany. “In recent days we have clearly seen the suffering of the world. We have seen the crosses brought by war and violence in the life of the populations”. Despite that, “we hope in a new world in which justice and peace may reign. Whoever goes under the cross with Mary shall be a witness of hope”. (Tobias Weber, University of Cologne, Faculty of Theatre Sciences) Slovakia. “Our university pastoral centre has existed for five years. It’s the first in Slovakia after 40 years of Communism. For me it’s a place where I can grow as a person. Swimming against the tide is often tiring. That’s why we young people have a need for persons who may help us in difficult times and in moments of crisis”. (Juraj Kovac, University of Bratislava, Faculty of Economics) Poland. “From the dawn of his existence man has borne inside himself the nostalgia for God. Often, however, we are not conscious of it. As a university community living at the turn of the millennium, we have the honour to be the heirs of the great and precious values” testified by “St John of Kety and Sister Faustina” and “are given the privilege of transmitting them to the following generations”. (Ewelina Wyderka, Jagellonian University of Cracow, Faculty of Philology) Austria. “Here, in our chapel, dedicated to Edith Stein, I could and can relive each day the most seminal experience of my life: the meeting with God. The celebration of the eucharist gives me the strength to remain steadfast in my course of studies, with all its exertions and joys. The main efforts of my group are directed at the beauty of the liturgy, through which we can experience the closeness of the Lord”. (Andreas Bieringer, University of Vienna “Alma mater Rudolphina”, Faculty of Theology) Portugal. “It is with intelligence that we build and consolidate the pillars that support our freedom. The decision what model of society to construct lies in our hands. There are moments when all our knowledge seems insufficient to take us where we want to go: it is in such moments that the faith is aroused in us like a lamp that lights up our steps in a journey” that unites “wisdom, culture and faith”. (Maria do Mar Adragao, University of Lisbon, Faculty of Social Sciences) Sweden. “It’s not easy to be Christians in this country. Having faith is important for me. It accompanies me in good and in ill and I can bring everything I experience to God; my life, my work at the university, my good results and my failures”. ( Sabine Samples, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala)