about extraordinary goodness. Our students, friars, faculty and endeavors that really find their source in the teachings of the Catholic Church. We want to pay special atten- tion to this reality and become clear about the connection between our Franciscan values-driven mission and the Church, which gives life to Franciscanism. ing the permission of Pope Innocent III. In those days, the Vatican wasn't there in the way we know it today. The Pope's cathedral is much older, and is known as the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. It was at the Lateran where Francis met the Pope. visible symbol of the univer- sal church) Innocent III quickly recalled Francis and gave his bless- ing for the Order of Friars Minor to be founded. Since that day, for more than 800 years, the Order of Friars Minor has been in the service of the Church and the world. service to the Church and the world. This academic year we have opened the Lateran Center for Catholic Identity. has been charged with a variety of initiatives. We are looking into the many ways the Franciscan mission is being lived out on our campus, in an effort to more clearly represent how these are rooted in the tradition and teachings of our Catholic Church. ing a possible vocation to priesthood and consecrated life. Thirdly, we are in dialogue with the bishop of Buf- effort to collaborate for the mission of Catholic education in our dio- cese. The source and the spirit of our Lateran Center for Catholic Iden- tity are prayer and adoration of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are excited to announce that our initiatives will find their genesis in a new Eucharistic Adoration chapel in the center of campus. in your prayers, and I assure you of ours! I wish you peace and all good things. Executive Director The Lateran Center for Catholic Identity Basilica in Rome is pictured. In a dream, Pope Innocent III had a vision of Francis holding up a shattered Basilica, which convinced the Pope to officially recognize the Franciscan Order. N 2 2 cathedral, the new Lateran Center on campus will serve as a catalyst for program development, special events, and student recruitment |