The O’Shaughnessy Education Center was buzzing with excitement on Monday, October 4 in waits for George Weigel to speak about his new book on the Venerable Pope John Paul II. The book is titled End of the Beginning-Pontificate of JPII.  As a Catholic Leadership Intern, I had the privilege of being a greeter at the front doors of the auditorium. “Welcome. Thanks for coming! Enjoy the talk” echoed throughout the lobby.  The mob of people was diversely populated with professors, priests, friends, students, and probably many more distinguished (yet unidentified) guests. From my vantage point, it was nice to see Weigel’s reception was a warm one. As the clock approached 7:30pm, Dr. Briel urged us (the super cool greeters) to herd people into the auditorium so the talk could begin. Being a 5’ 4” girl with a relatively “unbooming” voice, it wasn’t a surprise that no one really listened to me. However, once Weigel took the stage, people’s attention turned towards the front and my stature didn’t matter anymore.

Something that I think was the coolest thing George Weigel said was that the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of Saint Thomas was a model for Catholic higher education. That’s right-a model. Coming from such a prominent Catholic theologian and writer, this is a great compliment. I, along with the other Catholic Studies students present, beamed with delight for our program that we all love so dearly. In my opinion, I assume that these kinds of compliments are not rare; however, it is definitely something the Center for Catholic Studies should always take pride in.

As the talk commenced, Weigel essentially summarized his book as giving the reader a sense of the sheer magnitude of JPII’s impact on the Church and the world. His role as the Father of the Catholic Church was not sought; but yet, he humbly served in his role as a Christian disciple. Among the countless enduring accomplishments of JPII, Weigel pointed out several accomplishments he found most influential. These included the reimagining of the Papacy, bringing Vatican II to a successful conclusion, having a crucial part in the collapse of Communism in Europe, redefining Catholic social doctrine, working towards Christian unity, having a groundbreaking effect in the outreach to Jewish communities, putting the Church in dialogue with science and other world religions, and finally, by boldly facing the crises of the western world head on. Above all, what Weigel made clear was that we responded (and still respond) so positively to JPII because of his unfailing, unyielding, and faithful witness to Jesus Christ as Lord.

Above all, the witness to Jesus Christ is the most important. Regardless of fancy dinners, warm welcomes, famous Catholic writers, distinguished guests, or super cool greeters, Catholic Studies remains loyal to the true point of it all-the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Thank goodness for George Weigel and his expanding efforts to witness to Our Lord through his new book on JPII! It was a pleasure to have him here at St. Thomas.

 

~Written by Monica, Leadership Intern