2013-Spring-DU-Magazine

Recommendations

Info

BEARING wITNESS To hISToRY continued from previous page Through 2,000 years of upsets, surprises, destruction and failures, the Church has stood, and that stability, that dogged endurance reminiscent of St. Peter, has given Rome its title of the Eternal City. The pomp and majesty of the conclave—red-cloaked cardinals processing into the splendid space of the Sistine Chapel—also helped the students to understand why the beauty of Rome and the grandeur of her churches has meant so much to the city over the years. It often seems that these are old sterile spaces with no purpose in a modern world. But as all eyes were transfixed by the princes of the Church standing before Michelangelo’s mighty Last Judgment, the power of art and architecture leapt out of the textbooks and stood living before their eyes. Peter’s obelisk was the only still object the evening of March 13, when crowds erupted in a delirium of joy at the announcement Habemus Papam. As Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas, stepped onto the balcony, the students became part of history. He is the 265th successor 8 <strong>DU</strong>QUESNE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE <strong>Spring</strong> ‘13 to this unbroken line of tradition, and yet his demeanor and his manner seem completely new. “Beauty ever ancient, ever new, long have I loved you,” sighed St. Augustine, and in this moment of renewal for the Church, these words take on comprehensible meaning for young people. Delighted and dazzled amid the thousands gathered for the installation, they stood within the embrace of the Piazza San Pietro surrounded by people from every corner of the world, and understood what the Church means by universal. All these “people called together,” the exact definition of the word “ecclesia” or church, came to be with the heir of a fisherman from Galilee killed on this spot for a crime he didn’t commit, and yet whose legacy grew into the splendid basilica, the glorious city of Rome and the lasting gift of the papacy. After the Mass, as they turned to go, the “arms” of Bernini’s most famous piazza opened to release them into the world, to recount what their eyes have seen, what their minds have understood and what their hearts have felt. Students from Duquesne’s Italian Campus were in St. Peter’s Square for the momentous events of the recent papal election. As an Italian-American Catholic, I have always felt a special respect for the papacy. I feel truly blessed that I was in Rome for this historical event. My classmates and I were at the epicenter of history for a few weeks, and it was awesome. My friends and I went down to St. Peter’s on Wednesday evening, not expecting to see the white smoke. When it came out and everyone started cheering, my knees went weak with excitement. As soon as the bells started ringing I got goose bumps and it really set in that I was witnessing history. Being with the thousands of other Catholics who camped out all day or dropped whatever they were doing to sprint to the Vatican was a very powerful religious experience for me. I felt a strong sense of unity with my Catholic brothers and sisters. - Louis isabeLLa, PoLiticaL science Major
Pope Benedict’s farewell address was indescribable. Talking to my classmates, mixed emotions were felt: we were sad to see the face of the Church leave, but mostly, we were excited for being a part of such an incredible experience. We all knew that we were here in Rome to learn about the history of the Church, but the fact that we were here to witness such historic events made it even more memorable. Personally, I was moved by all the joy and praise Pope Benedict received. Everyone came together, and at that moment, the Church was truly universal. - rachaeL richter, PharMacy Major I was present for the election of Pope Francis as well as his first appearance. It was a very surreal feeling, and looking back on it, I still can’t believe I saw it happen. I never imagined that I would witness a conclave in Rome during my lifetime, especially one where the past pope was still living! This is the kind of thing that people will read about in history books one day. I truly feel blessed to have experienced it firsthand. It was amazing how united everyone was in St. Peter’s Square when we saw the white smoke appear. I was laughing and smiling with people I didn’t even know, whose language I didn’t speak, and who I will probably never see again. Yet, in that moment, we were all connected through something that was much larger than ourselves. - Marie yarzab, PharMacy Major I was in St. Peter’s to see the white smoke after the ballot that elected Francis and his first appearance in the square. There was something surreal about the whole experience. The square went from being calm and fairly quiet to buzzing with activity as people rushed to get a good spot in front of the basilica. I don’t even think the true gravity of the situation hit me until I looked back and saw the thousands of people crowding into the square. Also, we happened to be standing just a few feet in front of a group from Argentina, so when Francis was announced, they just erupted with elated cheers, which really added to the poignancy of the moment. Having been raised as a Catholic, seeing the pope in person was great enough, but seeing the first appearance of Francis as pope was indescribable; a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. - Dan branagan, history/PoLiticaL science Major BEARING wITNESS To hISToRY People of all different cultures and ages flocked to St. Peter’s Square. I was merely one among them. I felt close to others that I had no connections with at all, except our religion. The most remarkable thing about each time I visited was the unity of the crowd. When Pope Benedict was giving his last blessing, the thousands of people instantly quieted. When the white smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel, thousands roared with excitement, cheering for a new leader of the Catholic faith. I couldn’t help but feel what everyone else around me was feeling. These experiences are forever stamped not only in my passport, but indelibly in my memory and in my heart. Being in Rome during this time is a blessing. Grasping that millions of people of all different cultures rushed to Rome and as one, witnessed the same thing I witnessed, is something not read in books. The emotions, languages and faith of all the people; I could never imagine such things. You had to be there. I was…how lucky and blessed I am. - Lauren Kaiser, sPeech/Language PathoLogy Major www.duq.edu 9
Page 1 and 2: Also in this issue: New Provost and
Page 3 and 4: Thoughts from the President When a
Page 5 and 6: New Deans Selected for Schools of B
Page 7 and 8: New Entrepreneurial Studies Directo
Page 9: ss Reflection on a ‘Spiritual Iro
Page 13 and 14: On the Grant Gerlich, GA’01, rece
Page 15 and 16: “U.S. News” Names DU Law Among
Page 17 and 18: Duquesne Adds Biomedical Engineerin
Page 19 and 20: LASTING MEMoRIES Lasting Memories S
Page 21 and 22: and elicited personal stories that
Page 23 and 24: around, yet for Weaver the gatherin
Page 25 and 26: That unique combination has been dr
Page 27 and 28: “All of the papers, classes, inte
Page 29 and 30: Tom White Duquesne University Archi
Page 31 and 32: SNaPShOtS 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 1. John Ka
Page 33 and 34: DU Team Reports Breakthrough in Pai
Page 35 and 36: Alumni Scholarship Benefits Legacy
Page 37 and 38: ate ate ate FOOTBALL TO PLAY FIVE O
Page 39 and 40: DUQUESNE’S African Ties DU Delive
Page 41 and 42: James Doelling, N’88, was promote
Page 43 and 44: Marriages Joshua D. Rice, E’96, G
Page 45 and 46: in Memoriam: Charles Loch Charles L
Page 47 and 48: Aug. 8, 2013 Duquesne Athletic Fund

2013-Spring-DU-Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?