be followed by a renewal of the Chinese culture, transformed in a new ways and in further dialogue with the other great traditions of the world.
Was it difficult to adapt to life in China? When I first came to China, I faced many
challenges in terms of language and barriers. In the 1980s some Chinese people would feel the presence of a foreigner odd, or even danger- ous. When I started teaching in my department, some of my colleagues could find my presence disturbing. In China, it takes time to form per- sonal bonds with people, to develop relations which are mutually beneficial. China is a school of patience.
Where is your favorite place to travel? Of course I am personally attached to Beijing.
I lived there during my studies and developed many connections. As a Jesuit, Beijing is also an important place. Matteo Ricci [the first Jesuit to begin a ministry in China] realized very soon that the Jesuits should get acceptance in the capital in order to be allowed to work in the other parts of the country. Ricci arrived in Bei- jing in 1601 and since then, Jesuits have main- tained a strong presence. There are many places in Beijing related to the Jesuits and I myself wrote a guide book on the subject (Following the Footsteps of the Jesuits in Beijing). Today you can still visit three churches built by the Jesuits, two Jesuit cemeteries, and the astronomical observatory where they worked for more than 200 years.
Learning about China and Chinese history/ culture is essential because of its growing influence on the world. What skills and experi- ences at TBC give its students an advantage in that aspect?
Today, understanding China is not anymore a matter of choice but a necessity, an absolute priority. Our future is going to be impacted and shaped by China. There is a great probability that Loyola students will be working in America for a Chinese company, or they will go to China and work there for a Chinese or a Western com- pany. The ability to speak Chinese language, to understand with some depth the culture and society, to have Chinese friends—all these are skills and experiences that you gain at TBC that will prove vital in the future.
JOHN FELICE ROME CENTER Half a century in Rome
The John Felice Rome Center celebrated its 50th anniversary with Cinquanta! the weekend of September 28–30. The highlight of the weekend was La Festa, held Saturday evening at Chicago’s Union Station. The party, welcomed
by JFRC Director Emilio Iodice, included a three-course dinner followed by a night of dancing and cocktails. Approxi- mately 800 guests attended, including special guests Michael Garanzini, S.J., and Kate Felice. A raffle of Italian-themed prizes was held, including Fiat of Chicago’s exciting donation of a brand new Fiat 500. Proceeds benefited the Insieme per il futuro (Together for the future) campaign to raise funds for the JFRC.
Attendees were also given copies of the commemorative book Fifty Years of the Rome Center, a collection of photographs, letters, and postcards submitted by almost 100 JFRC alumni.
LUC.edu/romearchives.
- tive book, a limited number of complimentary copies are avail- able. Please contact Loretta Namovic at
jfrcannounce@LUC.edu.
FALL 2012
23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80