Students from The Catholic University of America joined students from Europe and Latin America in an international satellite prayer session with Pope Benedict XVI on March 1. Other CUA students also participated in person at the Vatican.

The students joined the Pope in reciting the Rosary in conjunction with the Sixth European Day for University Students. CUA was the only U.S. institution invited to participate. Information on the event is on the university website here.

Joseph A. Esposito, director of the Cardinal Newman Society’s new Center for the Study of Catholic Higher Education, said, “We applaud Catholic University’s students for their participation and the university administration for helping to arrange it.” This is a small, but important way in which a Catholic university can show solidarity with the Holy Father.

“U.S. Catholic colleges and universities will be strengthened by joining hands with the Universal Church. We urge them to seek out such opportunities in the future,” he added.

Pope Benedict will visit Catholic University in mid-April, and students who participated in the Rosary session held a banner, “46 Days and Counting. See You Soon.” The Pope also referred to his impending visit to the United States. The service was broadcast on EWTN.

The Catholic University of America is one of 21 Catholic colleges and universities recommended in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, which was published in November 2007. For information on The Guide, see www.TheNewmanGuide.com.