(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 11.24.2024).- In a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the 2024 Ratzinger Prize ceremony celebrated the profound ideals of faith, reason, and beauty. Held on November 22 in the Sala Regia of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, the event underscored Benedict XVI’s timeless vision of hope amid the challenges of the modern world.
A Global Recognition of Excellence
This year’s laureates, Prof. Cyril O’Regan, a theologian from the University of Notre Dame, and Maestro Etsurō Sotoo, a Japanese sculptor renowned for his work on Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, reflect the prize’s wide-ranging scope. Both recipients epitomize the harmony of intellectual pursuit and artistic creation that aligns with Benedict’s enduring call to be «cooperators of truth.»
The ceremony began with remarks from Father Federico Lombardi, president of the Vatican Foundation Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI, who noted the global and ecumenical dimensions of the prize. With recipients hailing from 18 countries across five continents, the Ratzinger Prize has grown into a symbol of cultural and spiritual unity.
“This is a community,” Lombardi said, “a global network of scholars and artists who share Joseph Ratzinger’s vision of an ‘open reason,’ one that embraces dialogue and transcends disciplines to inspire minds, hearts, and lives.”
Cardinal Parolin on Benedict’s Enduring Hope
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin delivered the keynote address, highlighting Benedict XVI’s remarkable ability to infuse hope into the darkest moments of history. Reflecting on the forthcoming Jubilee Year, Parolin called Benedict a “master of hope,” whose theological depth offers enduring guidance.
“Even in the face of evil and historical tragedies,” Parolin remarked, “he lifts our gaze toward unity, truth, beauty, and love.” He emphasized Benedict’s insistence on keeping human reason open to questions of meaning and existence, rejecting the reductionism of sterile positivism.
The Laureates: Voices of Faith and Creation
The prize recognizes individuals whose work resonates deeply with Benedict’s intellectual and spiritual vision.
– Cyril O’Regan was honored for his extensive theological scholarship, particularly his exploration of Joseph Ratzinger’s teachings. Parolin lauded O’Regan’s ability to capture Benedict’s humility and unwavering focus on God’s revelation as the ultimate source of truth and goodness.
– Etsurō Sotoo, meanwhile, was celebrated for his artistic genius, which brings the divine to life through matter. Sotoo’s sculptures on the Sagrada Familia embody what Parolin described as “art making the material transparent to the spirit.” The cardinal reflected on how Sotoo’s work transforms stone into a vessel of beauty, revealing God’s love and inviting worshippers to encounter the sacred.
A Celebration of Benedict’s Vision
The ceremony was rich with symbolism and continuity. In his remarks, Parolin highlighted Benedict XVI’s episcopal motto, “Cooperatores Veritatis” (Cooperators of Truth), as the guiding principle for the laureates’ contributions. He also drew attention to the Pope Emeritus’s “Spe Salvi” encyclical, which remains a beacon of Christian hope amid contemporary challenges.
The day began with a Mass at the Vatican Grottoes near Benedict’s tomb, presided over by Archbishop Georg Gänswein. Later, Pope Francis received the honorees in a private audience, affirming their dedication to the Church’s mission.
A Global Legacy Continues
With its 30th edition, the Ratzinger Prize has become a hallmark of intellectual and artistic achievement within the Church. Past winners include theologians, philosophers, sociologists, and artists from diverse Christian traditions and even Judaism, underscoring the prize’s commitment to dialogue and universal truth.
As the world anticipates the Jubilee Year, the 2024 Ratzinger Prize reminds us that Benedict XVI’s legacy is not a relic of the past but a dynamic force pointing toward the future. Through the lives and works of scholars like O’Regan and artists like Sotoo, his vision continues to inspire unity, deepen faith, and renew hope for generations to come.
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