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From the Director's Desk...
In this Woodstock Report we celebrate the great French Jesuit
scientist, theologian, and mystic, Pierre Teilhard de
Chardin, S.J., on the fiftieth anniversary of his
death. The lasting power of Teilhard's ideas was on
display in April, when a standing-room-only crowd
packed the Bunn Intercultural Center Auditorium on
Georgetown's campus to be part of a Woodstock
Forum that explored Teilhard's legacy. |
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The appeal of Teilhard's thought for today's
uncertain world should not be a surprise, as he was a
thoroughly modern Jesuit, and anticipated many issues
that we find ourselves grappling with today. Teilhard's
meticulous labors as a paleontologist won him the
esteem of other scientists; but at the same time,
Teilhard was a man of profound faith in God who lived
out his life as a Jesuit priest with deep theological
sensitivity and imagination. He offers us a model of
how personal faith and scientific knowledge can unite
to provide a rich understanding of God and the
universe. As the frontiers of science and technology
push relentlessly outward - toward new opportunities
and new dangers - Teilhard's thought is more
relevant than ever.
Highlights of the Woodstock Forum on "Teilhard de
Chardin and His Relevance for Today" are presented here.
Father James F. Salmon, S.J., Woodstock fellow and
professor of chemistry and theology at Loyola College,
Maryland, organized the Forum and moderated the
discussion. The panelists were Dr. Philip Hefner, who
spoke about Teilhard's mystical thought; former U.S.
Senator Harris L. Wofford, who addressed Teilhard's
impact on the political sphere; and Woodstock fellow
Nicole Schmitz-Moormann, who highlighted intriguing
passages from Teilhard's personal Journal. This
Report's "In
Focus" section sheds more light on Nicole's
years of painstaking work in transcribing Teilhard's
Journal. Her scholarly labors are, through
Woodstock, a gift to the entire Society of Jesus.
Teilhard was also celebrated through a fascinating Woodstock
Library exhibit prepared by the head of the
Library, Leon Hooper, S.J. It provides a unique
glimpse into Teilhard's way of reflecting, as
paleontologist, theologian, and son of St. Ignatius of
Loyola. Documentary footage shot by a companion lets
us see through Teilhard's own eyes the social and
scientific realities that confronted him during his
field excavations. As he trekked through Chinese
steppe country, Teilhard was coming to a new
understanding of how the creation of a true global
community was being made possible. Teilhard saw
biological evolution as one part of this process; and
yet that did not diminish his understanding that God
is the ultimate source of the unity and harmony of the
entire cosmos - a unity we all desire.
I wish also to honor two
former Woodstock fellows. Woodstock salutes the
accomplishments of Tom Reese, S.J., as he leaves his
post as editor of America
magazine, to which he has given much new life. At the
same time we congratulate Drew
Christiansen, S.J., as he takes over at the helm
of America. We offer Tom and Drew our heartfelt
appreciation and support.
I hope that you will offer Woodstock your support, as
well. This Report includes my Spring Appeal letter,
which explains how - with your prayers and financial
help - Woodstock brings the light of faith to bear on
the social issues and world events that confront us.
Finally, please SAVE THE DATE. We invite you to join
us in celebrating Woodstock's thirtieth anniversary
at a festive Eucharistic Liturgy on September 25,
2005, at Georgetown University.
Gasper F. Lo
Biondo, S.J.
Director
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