Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and grand chancellor of the university, made that appeal Monday during a Mass for the opening of the academic year.
«I know that much has been done in the different schools,» the cardinal said during his homily. «But I ask for an even greater effort so that this university, unique in the world, will become a school of missionary spirituality.»
The prefect thanked God for «being able to be missionaries of the Gospel,» and referred to Mary as «Queen of the Mission,» praying «that she help us» in the aspects of «generosity, intelligence and love.»
Unlike other pontifical universities, the Urban University decided to begin the year only with the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Classes begin later this month.
The Urban University began as the Urban College, founded by Pope Urban VIII on Aug. 1, 1627. The task of the university is the formation of priests for the missions.
