KUL celebrated Patronal Feast day

Archbishop Józef Guzdek, Archbishop of Białystok, reminded the audience during the Patronal Feast of KUL that the special mission of a Catholic university is to discover the truth about God, who is merciful love. The Rector of KUL, Rev. prof. Mirosław Kalinowski emphasized that faithfulness to the Gospel lies at the source of the prestige and elitism of KUL. The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin celebrates the Patronal Feast on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"Today's ceremony directs our gaze towards the cross and the pierced heart of Jesus." Archbishop Budzik, the Metropolitan of Lublin and the Great Chancellor of KUL gave this reminder, noting that the Church has its beginning in the pierced heart of the Savior, and universities were born from the heart of the Church. "No wonder then that the founder of KUL, Rev. Idzi Radziszewski, entrusted the emerging university to the Heart of Jesus," he further emphasized. The celebration of the patronal feast began with the Holy Mass celebrated in the Academic Church by Archbishop Józef Guzdek, who began the homily with a reminder that God is love. It was He who first loved us with an unconditional love and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Whereas the search for truth is the task of every university, the special mission of a Catholic university is to discover the truth about God who is merciful love. Service to the truth, its discovery and transmission, is the task of professors and lecturers, and the search for the truth is the task of every student and PhD student.

"Modern man, experiencing a crisis of faith and lack of religious knowledge, needs your scientific inquisitiveness, courage in asking questions and honesty in searching for answers." Having said while addressing the academic community of KUL, the Archbishop added: "Particularly valuable are your efforts aimed at opening man to the mystery of God."

During the solemn celebration, the Rector, Rev. prof. Miroslaw Kalinowski, underlined that fact that "fidelity to the Gospel lies at the source of the prestige and elitism of KUL." The elite position of the university is confirmed by the results of parameterization - all parameterized disciplines received at least the B+ category. Recently, other three disciplines (biblical studies, family studies and medical biology) have been granted the right to award doctoral and postdoctoral degrees, and more titles published at KUL have been added to the databases of indexed journals. Rev. Kalinowski also emphasized that the medical field of studies, which will be launched in October, is enjoying popularity among candidates - 480 candidates have already applied for the 60 available seats. He also mentioned about the involvement of the KUL Heschel Center in the Polish-Jewish dialogue and about the KUL offer for the Polish diaspora under the framework of the Study for the Polish community and Poles Abroad, as well as the all-day adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Academic Church, attended by an increasing number of workers and students, from inside and outside KUL.

The patronal feast was an opportunity to honor many employees of the university. The Rector of KUL, Rev. prof. Miroslaw Kalinowski emphasized: "Your successes are a significant contribution to the development and growth of our University." The honorees included Prof. Mirosława Ołdakowska-Kufel, who received the badge of Merit for the Lubelskie Voivodship, awarded for research projects on literature, culture, art, and language of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland. In their turn, Rev. prof. Stanisław Janeczek and dr Anna Starościc were honored with the Angela of Countess Potulicka for outstanding scientific achievements in line with the ideas of Christian humanism. The distinction was awarded for the three-volume publication "Social Philosophy".

During the ceremony, two people received a certificate of a habilitated doctor, and 64 young scientists came forward for doctoral promotions. Another group of lecturers who received outstanding marks as part of the periodic evaluation of academic teachers was honored. A group of this year's graduates, among whom were the first graduates of nursing, also received their certificates for the successful completion of their studies.