(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 08.26.2024).- A unique blend of spirituality and science will take center stage at the Vatican Observatory from August 30 to September 1, 2024. The workshop titled «Spirituality and Astronomy 2024: ‘When They Saw the Star, They Rejoiced with Great Joy'» will bring together a diverse group of participants for a weekend of exploration, reflection, and celestial observation. This event promises an enriching experience that intertwines faith with the wonders of the cosmos.
Kicking off the workshop on Friday, August 30, Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, will deliver a general introduction. Following his welcome, Father Gabriele Gionti, the Observatory’s subdirector for Castel Gandolfo, will delve into the history of Jesuit contributions to science, tracing the legacy from Christopher Clavius to George Coyne. The day will continue with a mass at Castel Gandolfo and a guided tour of the telescopes housed within the Papal Palace. As night falls, participants will gather at the Specola’s Visitor Center, where amateur astronomer Claudio Costa will lead a skywatching session.
Saturday, August 31, will begin with a keynote address by Monsignor Tomasz Trafny of the General Secretariat of the Synod, who will discuss the intersection of spirituality and astronomy. This will be followed by a thought-provoking presentation by Sister Irene Tranquillini, of the Ursuline Sisters of Mary Immaculate, titled «Look Up at the Sky and Count the Stars.» Participants will then break into groups for discussions, followed by solar observations in the courtyard of the Specola. The afternoon will feature Monsignor Carlo Maria Polvani, Deputy Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, who will explore the impact of scientific culture on contemporary thought. The day will conclude with a mass at the Vatican Observatory, capping a day rich in intellectual and spiritual inquiry.
The final day, Sunday, September 1, begins in the early hours with a special skywatching session from the courtyard of the Vatican Observatory. As dawn approaches, Father Guidalberto Bormolini will lead a moment of prayer, setting the tone for a day focused on deep spiritual reflection. Jesuit philosopher and physicist Father Robert Janusz will then present on «Christian Spirituality and Creation,» followed by another session with Father Bormolini on «Cosmology from Ancient Peoples to the Church Fathers.» The workshop will conclude with a final review and a closing mass at the Specola.
This workshop offers a rare opportunity to connect the spiritual with the scientific, providing a space for participants to ponder the mysteries of the universe in the context of their faith. The weekend promises to be a deeply enriching experience, offering new insights into how the heavens can inspire both wonder and worship.
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