Heroic virtues of Matteo Ricci recognized

 

On 17 December 2022, the Holy Father authorised the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the Decree concerning the heroic virtues of Matteo Ricci, Professed Priest of the Society of Jesus

Born on 6 October 1552 in Macerata (Italy) and died on 11 May 1610 in Beijing (China), Matteo Ricci was educated at the Roman College. These formative years (1572-1577) were decisive, in particular the lessons of the Jesuit mathematician Cristoforo Clavius, from whom Ricci learnt the knowledge essential for his later missionary method. The Pontifical Gregorian University, heir and continuator of the Roman College, keeps Father Matteo Ricci's work alive in its memory: it has named the Congress Centre it houses after him, and his example remains a constant point of reference.

This is confirmed by the words of Prof. Ambrogio Bongiovanni, Director of the Gregorian Centre for Interreligious Studies: 'The missionary work of Matteo Ricci, a man of dialogue between the West and the East, is a source of great inspiration for the work of the entire Gregorian University and in particular for the Centre for Interreligious Studies and the Faculty of Missiology, expressing a great pedagogical value in its capacity for profound relationship and friendship with the Chinese culture and people, and for the loving proclamation of the Gospel through words and deeds'.

Precisely to the peculiar evangelising method of Venerable Matteo Ricci will be dedicated one of the next Forums of the Centre for Interreligious Studies (20 March 2023).

 

 

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  • Sezioni: Gregorian Centre for Interreligious Studies PUG