On the 15th and 16th January, the Pontifical University Antonianum (PUA) held its traditional Feast of the University and the Grand Chancellor in Rome, at the Antonianum Auditorium, this year dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum (SBF) in Jerusalem, now the Faculty of Biblical Sciences and Archaeology of the PUA. On Monday the 15th January, the Rector of the PUA, Prof. Agustín Hernández Vidales, in his words of greeting to those present, recalled Pope Francis' Apostolic Constitution "Veritatis Gaudium", which in No. 4 lists four criteria for the renewal and revival of the contribution of ecclesiastical studies to a Church that goes forth as a missionary (cf. vatican.va).
The Ambassador of Guatemala to the Holy See, Alfredo Vásquez Rivera, then spoke about the figure of St. Anthony of Padua and the statue that the Embassy donated to the University, and which was then unveiled.
The Student of the Year and St. Francis awards were then presented. At the end of the signing ceremony of the agreements with the e-Campus Telematic University and ANORC (National Association of Operators and Managers of the Custody of Digital Content), Prof. Sr. Mary Melone spoke, who spoke about the life of St. Anthony, the first master recognized by Francis himself, in terms of research, study, in-depth study and therefore proclamation of the truth of the Gospel.
On Tuesday the 16th January, the speakers focused on the 100th anniversary of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum. The Rector underlined the importance of the Franciscan presence in the Holy Land, which dates back to St. Francis himself and is therefore over 800 years old. Prof. Rosario Pierri, Dean of the Faculty of Biblical Sciences and Archaeology, quickly went through the history of the Studium, thanking all those who have contributed to its long-lived and prolific activity over the decades. José Cardinal Tolentino De Mendoça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, defined participation in the event as "an imperative ecclesial and cultural duty", because of the valuable work of the Studium over the years. Prof. Giuseppe Buffon, Vice-Rector of the PUA, presented a report entitled "Digging for God: Studium Biblicum Franciscanum 1924-2024", focusing on the themes of political archaeology, the close link between the earth and the historicity of Christian origins, and how closely those stones are linked to the Incarnation.
The speeches were concluded by br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the OFM and Grand Chancellor of the PUA. br. Massimo spoke about the figure of St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, whose 750th anniversary of his death falls this year. In the Prologue of his Breviloquy, the Seraphic Doctor "makes clear the correct procedure with which to approach theological study: one begins with faith, proceeds with humana investigatio to arrive at savouring the truth and goodness of God: therefore the three stages of the journey are faith, reason and contemplation," the Minister said. He then dwelt on the link, not only historical, between the Studium Biblicum and the PUA: "The integration of the Studium into the then a College and then the Athenaeum Antonianum, desired at the beginning by my Predecessor of happy memory, br. Bonaventura Marrani and then constantly followed up by all the Ministers General, is an eloquent sign of the Franciscan approach to the study of theology and philosophy at the same time."
The programme concluded with the inauguration of the exhibition of the centenary of the SBF in the crypt of the Basilica of St. Anthony at the Lateran, presented by br. Gianantonio Urbani.
Read the full text of br. Massimo Fusarelli's speech
