Newsletter 2017 - Villa Nazareth

Villa Nazareth Ye a r X X I X | N u m b e r 8 0 | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 8

“We give you a world with new and different challenges to face and you have the advantage - but also the risk - of a greater awareness of these problems, a condition that can cause insecurity. We were more protected by established habits. You are less protected, because you do not have - fortunately - those habitual patterns.

Sergio Mattarella In short, we give you an interesting world to face” President of the Italian Republic

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2 Sergio Mattarella

Villa Nazareth | February 2018

IMPORTANT EVENTS

The President of the Italian Republic

The President of the

Italian Republic meets our Community

by Giacomo Baiocchi May younger generations play a central role in

some missed opportunities but also seventy

European Union or the fight against criminal

widespread culture that were unprecedented in

today's challenges such as the future of the

organizations, by entering the institutions or

by operating within the society. This was the wish expressed to the Community of Villa

Nazareth by the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, who on Monday, November 27

visited our University College and dined

together with the students, answering their

questions. The participation of young people in

the country’s political life, the future of the

European Union after Brexit, the role of the younger generations in the fight against crime,

and the thorny issue of public debt in developing countries were among the major

issues raised. In these pages we report some of

the considerations that the President shared

with our community.

YEARS OF PEACE AND NEW CHALLENGES The first question that the students asked the Head of State hinted at the future, the fear of

facing it and the loneliness that young people often experience in today's world. A recurring and pressing question that the younger

generations pose to the previous ones is: "What country are you passing on to us? With what values and what culture?

"We certainly pass on to you several mistakes,

years of peace, democracy, freedom, and

continents we will need to have a political vision that allows the European Union to

control this epochal phenomenon by helping to

our country, as in all of Europe�, said President

develop the countries from which migration

is the result of peace and freedom, is culture,

and sustainable procedures for the reception of

Mattarella. “The most important aspect, which

the spread of education, the greater cultural

awareness compared to the past. Today we are

freer and more aware, but also more exposed to uncertainties. In the past there were

habitual, repetitive, perhaps even protective

flows and, together, preparing legal, orderly migrants no longer able to survive if not by

moving. This phenomenon must be regulated and cannot be ignored. These are important

challenges that you will have before you. But the main one I think you have is the greater

patterns of social life. They limited social

awareness of problems compared to my

This allows a more open navigation for young

challenge that presents any moment some

mobility, fortunately they have disappeared. people.

The

greater

culture,

which

is

providential, gives us greater awareness of the

generation: this is a challenge for you, a

changes to be faced. In Italy, from the Second

World War up to the beginning of this financial

difficulties that were not fully perceived before.

crisis, social mobility has made our society

mistakes but also many results which, despite

communities, but this phenomenon has slowed

ties and challenges. There are numerous

of the national and partly European dimension

We therefore give you a country with many

the difficulties, presents you with opportuni-

grow a lot, spreading wellbeing, mixing social down for some time, also because we came out

problems today: fundamentalism, terrorism,

and we entered a global dimension. This is

example, a few days ago I met with some

with new and different challenges to face and

environmental challenges and more. For

Presidents of Oceanian states. Their countries include many Pacific Islands at risk of

disappearing due to glacial retreat which could

cause a rise in the sea level. Then there is the

new global problem of great migrations. In just under thirty years, according to demographers,

Europe will have 700 million inhabitants and Africa 2.5 billion, doubling their population.

With these conditions in two neighboring

another challenge for you. We give you a world you have the advantage - but also the risk - of

a greater awareness of these problems, a

condition that can cause insecurity. We were

more protected by established habits. You are less protected, because you do not have -

fortunately - those habitual patterns. In short,

we give you an interesting world to face".

Villa Nazareth | February 2018

Sr. Barbara Huber 3

IMPORTANT EVENTS

The President’s speech

THE FIGHT AGAINST MAFIA STARTS FROM EVERYDAY LIFE Among the many questions, the students of Villa Nazareth asked the President what should

be the role of young people in the fight against criminal organizations, in order to start hoping in a fair, uncorrupted society and to build a different future.

"Given the severity of the consequences of the

particular vocation to fight organized crime. It

is a general habit that must be applied. What

teach children. Even this small battle front

great battle fronts and the minor ones, which

of crime ".

can you do? We must distinguish between the

are not less important. The big battle fronts are

those assigned to judiciary and law enforce-

ment agencies, efficient and transparent public

administrations, and adequate employment conditions to have a more solid social fabric. A

fourth battle front is the formation of

consciences, a growing one. Alongside these

great battle fronts, there are other small and

formed - there have been consequences that

the rejection of oppression and arrogance.

also seriously affect development, economy,

not secondary, because it contributes to the

not only limit the actual personal freedom, but investments”,

the

President

said

while

discussing with the students. “Coping with the

Mafia influence has cost the lives of many

creates education and prevents the formation

the activities of prevention and repression,

Mafia presence - which has expanded to new regions from those where it traditionally

arrogance. This is a very important criterion to

daily ones, such as the obedience to rules and Complying with the rules, even in daily life, is

formation of the collective mental habit of

OUR NEW WEBSITE To

read

the

full

interview

to

President Sergio Mattarella and keep

up to date with the activities of Villa Nazareth you can visit our new

website.

villanazareth.org/mattarella/

respecting the rules, of rejecting abuse and

people, who fought with strength, courage and

awareness. They were people from many

different walks of life: judges, police officers,

journalists, politicians, and other professionals.

They had no vocation to heroism, they were

normal people who loved life and their jobs. But

they had a very strong sense of personal dignity and of their role. They cared about dignity and defended it, even though they knew

the danger they faced. This makes it clear that

this is not a problem for the few who have a

TO OUR BELOVED SR.BARBARA A Brief Memory by Her “Villa Nazareth Boys” The news of Sr. Barbara’s passing has deeply

have supported them by staying at the Mother

saddened all of us, alumni of Villa Nazareth.

House in Cincinnati. In our youth, they were

anniversary of the founding of Villa Nazareth,

taught us and shared with us studies and

Last year, on the occasion of the 70th we were looking forward to seeing her again in

Rome, along with Sr. Joan, Sr. Jean, and Sr.

Grace Ann. Our desire was to share with them the

joy

of

celebrating

such

a

special

anniversary. Unfortunately, though, because of

the date change on the part of the Holy Father,

the Sisters were unable to join us. We were

extremely saddened. For numerous years, a

strong bond has kept together Villa Nazareth

and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. Such a

bond only becomes stronger, as time goes by.

with us as mothers and older sisters. They

with pride to anyone near us: “These are our Sisters! ”. Sr. Barbara is now with all the other

Sisters who preceded her to the House of the

its economic needs. Several years ago, during

express our solidarity and love to all of you

Villa Nazareth and generously contributing to

our last meeting in Rome, Sr. Barbara

recounted her experience at Villa Nazareth: for

all the Sisters, their life at Villa was a

continuous

encounter

with

values

and

Lord. All of us who have known her wish to Sisters with a special prayer for the repose of

her soul and confident that she will always be with you as well as with all of us.

customs, perhaps different than the American

ones, but equally positive and fruitful for their

culture and formation. We have been following

From all of her Villa Nazareth ‘boys’: (Tonino

throughout the years the activities of our

Casamassimi,

Nicaragua, and at the UN) always in favor of

Luciano Santi, Piero Ballanti, Enrico Dossi,

Sisters in the world (in Colorado, New Mexico,

Ann, and Sr. Grace Elizabeth are still in our

children, poors, immigrants, and outcasts,

memory as well as all the other Sisters who

filled with joy and we have been able to tell

games, while taking care of the management of

Sr. Mary Omer, Sr. Anna Monica, Sr. Mary Rose,

Sr. Augustine, Sr. Barbara, Sr. Jean, Sr. Grace

Knowing this, our hearts have always been

working for peace in the world and against war.

Nino

Castrovillari,

Placido

Putzolu, Giuseppe Tonizzo, Paolo Saolini, Renato

Cibin,

Gianni

Baldi,

Michele

Guastaferro, Massimo De Marchis, et al.)

4 Experience

Villa Nazareth | February 2018

An American student in Rome

EXPERIENCE

A UNIQUE SUMMER IN ITALY Sharing Daily Moments in Villa Nazareth by Brandon Keip During my Spring semester at Duquesne

that day. We visited the Trevi Fountain, a

The majority were college students studying at

famous fountain with amazing sculptures. Next

different universities across Rome. We dined

Relations

set of steps, climbing a steep slope between the

the days of the week. It was nice eating Italian

Relations, Dr. Carla Lucente, who organizes the

dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti

I was interacted with everyone, I began to

University, I decided to apply for the Villa

Nazareth

exclusively students.

study

for

abroad

program

International

Co-director

of

offered

International

trips, has been taking Duquesne Students to

Villa Nazareth in Rome, Italy for years. It was a

was the Spanish Step. The Spanish Steps are a Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità

church at the top. The following visits included

the Pantheon and numerous churches. Walking

with the residents for lunch and dinner most of

food, and immersing myself in their culture. As

develop close friendships. I loved getting to

know these people. The moments that we

one month program where students would

throughout the squares, and visiting a lot of

shared impacted my life in the most positive

taking two classes there. Villa Nazareth is a

said to myself that I never have seen a more

Italian culture because of them. The feeling

immerse themselves in Italian culture while

prestigious program in Rome where they house and feed many Italian students who study at

Universities all over Rome. I applied for the

program along with five others. Fortunately,

we all got accepted and were looking forward to this journey together. After a long-awaited

large churches made me extremely happy. I

beautiful city in my life. The architecture throughout Rome was supreme. When I had my

way you can imagine. I came to know and love that went through my head while bonding with

these students was that I was blessed. I learned

first good sleep at Villa, I knew I was home.

that as an American I should think and care

many places around Italy. We spent a day in Ti-

countryman. The Italians opened my eyes, and

Over the course of the trip, my class visited

voli, Italy where we explored two historical

about everyone in the world, not just my fellow

this experience drove me to be the best human

semester, the day finally came on Wednesday

villas. The views from the small town were not

being I can be for this world. If anyone ever

embarked on my one month stay at Villa

Pennsylvania. It was breathtaking, and seeing

they take it. You will always feel loved and at

was priceless. We also got to visit Florence,

delicious gelato to praying the rosary after

May 31st, where I left the United States, and

like anything I have seen back home in

Nazareth. As I landed I could not help but feel

all the old Roman architecture, and artwork

airport with my professor, Marco Centurione,

Venice and Naples. In all three of these cities

excited for my adventure in Italy. I left the and we headed to our destination, Villa

Nazareth. I could not help being in awe when I

we got to explore and delve into the history of

them by visiting many historical places. One of

gets a chance to stay at Villa Nazareth, I hope

home while staying there. From eating

lunch, my time at Villa Nazareth was fantastic.

I will truly never forget these moments in my

life. I will never forget the people that I have

saw the Italian landscape. It was truly beautiful.

my favorite stops was in Florence, where we

become friends with, especially the Bishop of

know it then, but my stay there would end up

had priceless artwork from a lot of important

amazing and inspirational man who cares for

We finally arrived at Villa Nazareth. I did not changing my life for the better. The first day,

we explored Villa learning the layout. I enjoyed

the scenery and layout, especially the small

chapel. I could not help but feel like I was home

in a certain way. It almost felt like I belonged

there. After looking around our new home, my

fellow students and I went out to explore Rome

visited the oldest museum in the world. They

people, including Michelangelo. Every city had its own unique cachet, whether it was traditions to food. However, my favorite city

Villa Nazareth don Claudio Celli. He is a truly

everyone. More Duquesne students should visit here. It would be a positive impact on their lives, because I see Duquesne’s mission state-

out of all of them was Rome. Everything about

ment “Serve God by serving students” in Villa

about Rome was the people who lived and

Lucente, Marco Centurione, and everyone at

that city exuded joy. One of my favorite things

worked at Villa Nazareth. While taking only two

Nazareth. I want to thank don Claudio, Dr. Villa Nazareth for providing me the opportu-

Villa Nazareth

with our professor. We explored all over Rome

classes, I got to know a large amount of them.

nity of staying at this life changing place.

NEWSLETTER

Authorized by the Court of Rome, n. 676/89 of April 12, 1989

DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO

EDITORIAL OFFICE: Via D. Tardini, 35 00167 Rome E-MAIL: inter.rel@villanazareth.org TEL: +39 06 895981 FAX: +39 06 6621754

COORDINATORS: Antonio D’Arcangelo, Vitamaria Papa, Ilaria Valentini

His Eminence Achille Card. Silvestrini President of Villa Nazareth via Domenico Tardini, 35 - 00167 Rome, Italy

GRAPHICS: Stefano Esposito

TEL: +39 06 895981 FAX: +39 06 6621754

Non-Profit Foundation

COVER: Dario D’Amato

E-MAIL: info@villanazareth.org

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Giovanni Augello

THIS ISSUE WAS EDITED BY: Roberto De Biasi, Marco Centurione, Brandon Keip

PROPRIETY OF: “Comunità Domenico Tardini”