The course continued after two weeks into the month of September with lectures bothering on spiritual direction, Homiletics, Catechetical pedagogy, Parish Administration, Ars celebrandi of the Holy Mass, an insight into Redemptionis Sacramentum and other documents of Magisterium; also lessons on the origin of the universe, sacred music, divine reading in the spiritual and religious life and a special moment with Patrizio and Daniela Romano (from FarFamiglia association) on the pastoral dimension of the family. Likewise, we were privileged with the presence of Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran (the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Roman Curia) on the theme bothering on the possibility of dialogue with Islam. The themes were well handled by our formators and the invited guests.
As a continuation of the Course of September, we visited the catacomb of Saint Callistus. It is one of the notable and oldest catacombs that once contained the tombs of several popes from the second to fourth centuries. The catacomb is believed to have been created by future Pope Callistus I, then a deacon of Rome, under the direction of Pope Zephyrinus. Furthermore, the area of the catacomb is about fifteen hectares, going down to five levels with an estimate length of twenty kilometres and the occupancy of half a million bodies.
On the same note, we paid a glorious visit to the See of the Prelature of Opus Dei; the church of Our Lady, Mother of Peace, where we had a holy mass concelebrated by don Javier Canosa, don Eduardo and don Josefo. After the mass, we had a tour around the house guided by Fr Rodolfo Valdés through the relics of St Josemaria Escrivá and Blessed Alvaro of Portillo. Towards the end of our visit, we were graced with the fatherly presence of the Prelate of Opus Dei, Mons Fernando Ocáriz, who advised and encouraged us to always study and pray very hard. Finally, he prayed and blessed us.
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