© 2013 - PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE HOLY CROSS Communication Office [email protected] PRESS RELEASE International Conference St. Josemaría and theological thought 14-16 November 2013 * * * ROME, 11 NOV 2013 – What do the saints represent for theology? It will be this ba- sic question that will accompany the undertakings of the International Conference St. Josemaria and theological thought, to be held from Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 November at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce (Piazza St. Apollinaris, 49) Organized by the Chair of St. Josemaria active in the Faculty of Theology, gathers for three days experts, professors and students interested – as the Rev. Prof. Javier López of the organizing committee explains – “the renewal of Theology through the means of the life and writings of the saints.” To this regard, “we will focus in particu- lar on the teachings of St. Josemaria, not because it is treated as an isolated case, but because there are very well suited to highlight the value of saints for Theology.” The origin of the setting of this conference goes back to the message of the then Car- dinal Joseph Ratzinger addressing participants at a preceding Theological Sympo- sium on the teachings of St. Josemaria held at Santa Croce in 1993, in which he noted that “Theology, science in the full sense of the word (…) is subordinate to the knowledge that God has of Himself and of which the blessed enjoy.” The future Benedict XVI was not only referring to the knowledge which the saints enjoy in glory, but also to those that themselves have begun to have it on this earth and which are arrived at with their writings, their words and their example. This is because they have entered into the knowledge of God “not only with the intelligence, but also the totality of heart” as the power of love leads them to be penetrated by the divine good and to deepen its truth. The Conference will open with a lecture by Monsignor Javier Echevarría, Prelate Bishop of Opus Dei, on St. Josemaría as precursor to the Second Vatican Council, in which that it constitutes the very core: the universal call to sanctity, which means, for most of the faithful, a call to holiness in daily life. They will follow five sessions dedicated to the impulse that diverse parts of Theology can receive from the teachings of San Josemaria. In addition to teachers from Santa Croce, they will be attended by experts and scholars from other universities, such as Prof. Réal Tremblay, from the Pontifical Academy Alfonsiana and Prof. François- Marie Léthel, from the Pontifical Faculty of Theology Teresianum. There will also be a session dedicated to the inspiration that in the thought of St. Josemaria can be found philosophic reflections, with the intervention of Prof. Ana Marta González, from the University of Navarra. Another session will be dedicated to Canon Law. Piazza di Sant’Apollinare, 49 – 00186 ROMA – Tel. +39 06 68164399 – Fax +39 06 68164400 © 2013 - PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE HOLY CROSS Communication Office [email protected] On the last day is finally scheduled the report of Cardinale Kurt Kock on “the Saints and Theology in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI.” At the close of the Conference will be presented the “Dictionary of St. Josemaria,” that offers a summary of the teachings of the Founder of Opus Dei on diverse themes ordered alphabetically, which also includes a brief bibliography on each point. Sev- eral authors have collaborated to the achievement of Theology, History, Philosophy and Law, that they signed individual entries. It was published by the editorial Monte Carmelo and was coordinated by the Rev. Prof. José Luis Illanes, Director of the Historical Institute of Josemaria Escriva. For the detailed program: http://en.pusc.it/teo/escriva2013/programma REQUIRED ACCREDATION FOR GIORNALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND TV PROFESSIONALS http://eventi.pusc.it/accreditamento/index.jsp?e=Convegno-San-Josemaria __________________________________________________ FOR OTHER INFORMATION: Communications and Press Office: Giovanni Tridente – [email protected] – 380.3463384 – 06.68164411 Piazza di Sant’Apollinare, 49 – 00186 ROMA – Tel. +39 06 68164399 – Fax +39 06 68164400.