Focusing on the emblematic example of so many women in history to restore momentum and hope to the many challenges that characterize the dynamic contemporary world. This is the purpose of the International Academic Conference “Female Doctors of the Church and Patrons of Europe in Dialogue with Today’s World,” scheduled for March 7 and 8, 2022, at the Pontifical Urbaniana University.

The event, promoted by the Catholic University of Avila (UCAV), in collaboration with the Pontifical Urbaniana University and the Institute for Advanced Studies on Women of the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum, intends to celebrate figures such as Teresa of Ávila, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Lisieux and Hildegard of Bingen, proclaimed Doctors of the Church, also with Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Bridget of Sweden who, with Catherine of Siena, were declared Patrons of Europe in 1999.

COMECE, the Congregation of Oriental Churches, the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, and the Teresianum Theological Faculty, as well as organizations such as BICE, UISG, FPS, and L’Oeuvre d’Orient, have contributed to the initiative. Other sponsoring bodies are the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Embassies of the European Union, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany to the Holy See.

“This is a project that is the result of a collaboration between universities – said at the presentation press conference Professor Maria del Rosario Sáez Yuguero, rector of the Catholic University of Ávila – for a common cause and that also has a solidarity purpose. It is an opportunity to make known the example of these women today.” The Conference also has a charitable-social purpose as registration fees, along with any voluntary offerings, will be used to support projects and youth training in Lebanon.

We sincerely thank those who have contributed with their participation fee. Until March 12, through the link www.congresomujeresdoctoras.com, it will be possible to send further offers and donations to benefit the following youth literacy projects in Lebanon:

° orphanage Centre Saint Charbel Fondation Marie Abel of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts;

° Father Roberts Institute Special School of the Basilian Sisters Soarite;

° Oeuvre Sociale de la Jeune Fille Libanaise of the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

Participation in person:

The participation to the conference will be in person, with a limited capacity, according to the current measures for the containment and management of the epidemiological emergency by Covid-19 (reinforced green pass and FFP2 mask).

Online mode:

It will be possible to follow the Conference via streaming through the following Vatican News youtube channels:

Female Doctors of the Church and Patrons Saints of Europe

7 mar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8CZ8PLk6dE 8 mar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKG6PHKSQxI