From 17-18 August, the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, will host a special icon presented to the world’s universities by Pope John Paul II.
“Make the University an environment where knowledge is cultivated, a place where the individual finds direction for the future, knowledge, inspiration for effective service of society.”
This was the request by Pope John Paul II to teachers and staff when he began the journey to the world’s universities of his commissioned icon of Mary and Jesus – Our Lady Seat of Wisdom as part of the Jubilee celebration in 2000.
Notre Dame’s Fremantle Campus will take part in this journey when it welcomes the icon at 11:30am on Monday 17 August.
The arrival will be celebrated with a welcoming liturgy prior to Mass at 12:35pm.
Whilst on Campus, the icon will be hosted in the Holy Spirit Chapel (Cnr Mouat and Croke Streets) and will be available for veneration, meditation and prayer. Talks will also occur at various times. A meditation service will be held from 7:30-8:30pm on Tuesday, August 18.
The broader community is encouraged to visit and participate in the visit of the icon to Notre Dame; a number of talks are scheduled to take place on understanding and praying with icons.
Notre Dame Philosophy and Theology lecturer Dr Angela McCarthy said icons are part of the ancient Christian tradition of making sacred images that lead people into the presence of God and are therefore often termed ‘windows to heaven’.
“They are not simply religious art, but are sacred objects, ‘written’ by an iconographer who faithfully records the Church’s theological understanding of the subject of the icon,” she said.
“Prayer and fasting are often included in the preparation and the result is an image that brings us into the reality of the Incarnation – God is in the world. “Everything about an icon is symbolic and food for meditation.”
University Chaplain, Father Gerry Conlan OMI said that the the Notre Dame Community is grateful for the opportunity to host the Icon.
“We encourage all staff and students, especially, to avail themselves of this unique opportunity. We pray that the Icon’s visit will inspire many to remember the source of all Wisdom whenever the name Notre Dame (Our Lady) is seen, or heard, long after the icon has continued its journey around the world.”
The icon Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, commissioned by Pope John Paul II will be in Fremantle on August 17 and 18.