On April 17, I had the privilege of attending a session with Pope Benedict XVI where he addressed the presidents of the nation’s 200 Catholic colleges and universities and superintendents of diocesan schools on the topic of Catholic education. What an honor to be with the Holy Father in such an intimate setting. It is something that one can only dream of as a child growing up within a Catholic school environment. For me, the experience exceeded the dream. After going through a security and credential check maze, we assembled in the designated room which then was sealed off one hour before the scheduled arrival. Excitement and anticipation was evident. Greatly divergent speculation on his message and its tone preceded his trip. My assigned seat (even bearing your name less you err) was only six rows back and six seats in from the aisle through which he entered. At first glance I felt a kinship: we are both “height challenged.”

After a genuinely warm reception from the invited audience and welcoming remarks by Catholic University’s president, he proceeded to deliver a beautiful, yet challenging message of hope in harmony with the theme of his apostolic journey, Christ Our Hope. His remarks underscored how profoundly he comprehends and feels the tensions that exist in a society rooted in a crisis of faith, in defining the adjective “Catholic” when applied to the noun “University,” and the financial struggles many diocese have in trying to continue offering K-12 Catholic school opportunities as provided historically, something he applauded for its contribution to our country and Church as we accepted waves of immigrants to our shores. But just as strongly, he avers since God is Truth, Catholic education is obliged to help us find the truth that brings us closer to God. Catholic education cannot justify free inquiry down paths antithetical to our basic tenets of faith.

The message was not surprising, but its clarity impressed me. I was moved even more by other remarks, insights, and tone. He commented that a Catholic college’s identity is not based on statistics but on authenticity to mission as expressed liturgically, in respecting others, in service, in how we bear witness to who we claim to be, and to bear witness, with joy, to hope by living the truth we proclaim. God’s active presence should be recognized on our campuses. He reminded us, as educators, we are disciples of one teacher, Jesus.

There is so much more I could write on his Holy Father’s substantive message, but my task is to share my personal impressions with you. I was overwhelmed by his warmth, the firmness in his beliefs, yet the calmness and love in his tone; his hope in our faith helping this hurt society; his description of education as “intellectual charity” leading others to truth; and his challenge to Catholic universities to produce a society worthy of the dignity of the human person gave me a greater sense of hope and uplifting. I thank God for that privilege of personally seeing a true shepherd among us.

— Michael Vinciguerra, president of University of St. Francis, Joliet