Stories intellectual converts to prepare for WYD Madrid 2010

The Colegio Mayor Moncloa (Christian-inspired university founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá in 1943) wants to help prepare the meeting with Benedict XVI's World Youth Day Madrid 2010, proposing to the university and society at cycle conference "Surprised by Truth. Intellectuals and Christians. "

According to the suggestions of the Holy Father, it is to root faith, built on a solid foundation to make it final. This work has much to do with the intellectual and cultural development with social embodiment of Christian commitment. It is therefore a very appropriate mission for a university.

The conference will focus on characters who have stood by the pursuit of knowledge and beauty, and have been surprised by the Christian truth. Converts many of them, along with other Christians that are relevant to their lives the unity that exists between the desire to know itself of human reason and Christian revelation. And how faith keeps open the intelligence of the great themes of existence.

The surprises are dangerous, the truth is suspect

We like the new, strong emotions and changes of pace, as ways to avoid boredom. But we do not want anything altered our existence, that nothing commits us and limit our ability to have future. We must avoid any surprises that requires us to radically change their lives. There are truths on which it is best not to ask. The surprises are dangerous.

But at the same time we can not endure a life built on lies. The mere appearance leaves us unsatisfied, though it may be entertaining. But those who say we have the truth are suspect: it is probably a strategy to dominate. Each has its truth, but only worth it to him. The truth is the lie that the powerful use to keep us under.

It may be worth strive to acquire some skills that provide access to money, power, fame. But they have no interest-bored-to questions about life, death, truth, goodness, beauty. And, of course, are outside the radar Christian proposals: the set of outdated ideas and practices that served to limit our freedom in the name of truth.

They broke stereotypes

If we keep this way of seeing things, we will not be surprised by anything, build a cynical attitude to protect us. But something tells us that "no wonder the man would fall into the routine and little by little, it would be unable to live a truly personal existence (John Paul II, Encyclical Fides et Ratio, n. 4).

This situation can be a source of wonder and inspiration to find some people who break the stereotypes. People who have risked revealing appearances, although that may conflict with their interests. Intellectuals, writers, artists, who have faced major problems of their existence face to face, working to unravel the truth ... until he discovered that the Truth in person met them.

And that they have not become scurfy or violent, or have been isolated from society and its problems. On the contrary, are extremely happy people, who have thrown the world back to help every human being resolved injustice and gave hope to the marginalized, are conscious of having a mission, one aim in life, and keep until the end. They have the infectious joy and strength of those who are aware of being loved by someone gives them strength and forgive their mistakes.

Christian ritualistic or exceeded the private view of their faith, converts who broke with his former life to start a new life, fascinated, surprised by the Truth.

Colegio Mayor Moncloa, September 2010