WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Word on Fire Catholic Ministries were presented with chasubles worn by Pope Benedict XVI at the Mass celebrated for the Solemnity of All Saints, Friday, Nov. 1, at Saint Mary’s Winona Campus in the Saint Thomas More Chapel. The chasuble is the sacred vestment worn by priests (including bishops and popes) during celebration of the Holy Mass. These chasubles were worn by the Holy Father for special occasions.
Pierluca Azzaro, Ph.D., the Benedict XVI Chair and executive secretary of the Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation, presented the special chasubles to the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president, and the Most Reverend Robert Barron, S.T.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
Azzaro was in both Minneapolis and Winona Oct. 27–Nov. 1 for the formal launch of the Benedict XVI Chair, as well as to meet with and present to faculty, staff, and students. The donor-funded chair position is named in honor of the late Pope Benedict XVI (formerly Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger). From 2005 to 2013, Pope Benedict XVI reigned as the Vicar of Christ, profoundly shaping both the social order and the direction of contemporary society, addressing pressing global issues with a focus on human dignity, ethical responsibility, and peace. His teachings revitalized Catholic thought, engaging deeply with the challenges of modernity while reinforcing the Church’s intellectual tradition. Through his writings and addresses, he offered a nuanced vision of faith that resonated within and beyond the Catholic community, encouraging dialogue between faith and reason and inspiring a renewed understanding of moral and spiritual values in an increasingly complex world.
“We are deeply honored to receive this extraordinary gift, which symbolizes the profound partnership between Saint Mary’s and the Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation,” said Father Burns. “This collaboration strengthens our mission to provide transformative experiences to the Saint Mary’s community, Minnesota, and beyond. The cherished papal chasubles serve as a poignant reminder of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a dedicated advocate for those without a voice, whose commitment to Catholic education has left a lasting impact. It is fitting that this Chair, bearing his name, is housed within our Lasallian Catholic university. The Chair exemplifies our mission: ‘to awaken, nurture, and empower learners to lead ethical lives of service and leadership.’”
The Benedict XVI Chair represents the first time the Vatican Foundation has partnered with an American university. The chair is part of a wider initiative that will further advance a partnership between the Vatican and Saint Mary’s, including:
- Academic Enrichment: Azzaro will support symposia, lectures, workshops, research and scholarship in all disciplines, offering students and faculty unique opportunities to engage in scholarly pursuits such as internships, sabbaticals, and other engagements especially with world-renowned scholars.
- Knowledge Stewardship: Azzaro will support the publication of the Opera Omnia, the collected works of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, ensuring the continued dissemination of his profoundly influential writings. This will be completed in joint partnership with Word on Fire and Libreria Editrice Vaticana (the Vatican publishing arm).
- Global Impact: These initiatives seek to bring international recognition to Saint Mary’s while having a generative effect on all aspects of the university.
In his role as the Benedict XVI Chair, Azzaro will significantly contribute to Saint Mary’s mission of fostering a deep and reflective understanding of the complementarity of faith and reason and the unity of knowledge. The role will be overseen by the president’s office and academic affairs, collaborating with Saint Mary’s academic programs and its Character and Virtue initiative.
