2008 Woodie Awards
The Right of Free Speech
Dana Mannino
Issue date: 9/1/06 Section: Faith
"To all of you I appeal: Open wide your hearts to God! Let yourselves be surprised by Christ! Let him have 'the right of free speech' during these days!"
These words are part of the welcome Pope Benedict XVI gave to the pilgrims at last year's World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany. Given the opportunity, these are the words that I would share with every freshman who comes through the Ad Building doors.
It's orientation time. You are being bombarded with advice from all sides (this magazine included), and most of it comes from complete strangers. They all know what they are talking about, but do they know whom they are talking to?
I know someone who does.
Right now you are swirling down a vortex of change. You have been given an opportunity to start afresh, to re-evaluate and redefine everything that you are. If you are here with old friends, you may have already reached out to them instinctively, longing for a lifeline of continuity that you can cling to while the world is in flux. These friends know who you have been. Do they know who you want to become? Do they see the potential within you? Can you rest secure that there is room in their love for you to let you grow? If so, they're a lot like someone else I know.
Imagine someone who knows you better than you know yourself. Imagine someone who knows your past, the good and the bad and the beautiful. Imagine someone who can connect that past with who you are today, and with who you will become. Imagine someone who planted seeds of talents and abilities within you that even you might not know are there. Imagine someone who is completely present to you all the time, who never leaves you. Imagine someone who understands your emotions, your fears, your longings, your joys and what brings you peace, and understands all these things completely. This someone is your Creator. He is the Person who can be your everything: the rock of stability who helps you be yourself amidst all the changes of life, the mentor who guides you to the paths that will help you become the best you can be, the companion in your afflictions, the cause of and partner in your joy.
This person exists. Have you checked in with Him lately? Have you let Him speak to you?
With the image of this Person before me, I relinquish my editorial right to give you advice. I point to Him instead. Ask Him what He advises. "Let him have 'the right of free speech' " during your college years.
These words are part of the welcome Pope Benedict XVI gave to the pilgrims at last year's World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany. Given the opportunity, these are the words that I would share with every freshman who comes through the Ad Building doors.
It's orientation time. You are being bombarded with advice from all sides (this magazine included), and most of it comes from complete strangers. They all know what they are talking about, but do they know whom they are talking to?
I know someone who does.
Right now you are swirling down a vortex of change. You have been given an opportunity to start afresh, to re-evaluate and redefine everything that you are. If you are here with old friends, you may have already reached out to them instinctively, longing for a lifeline of continuity that you can cling to while the world is in flux. These friends know who you have been. Do they know who you want to become? Do they see the potential within you? Can you rest secure that there is room in their love for you to let you grow? If so, they're a lot like someone else I know.
Imagine someone who knows you better than you know yourself. Imagine someone who knows your past, the good and the bad and the beautiful. Imagine someone who can connect that past with who you are today, and with who you will become. Imagine someone who planted seeds of talents and abilities within you that even you might not know are there. Imagine someone who is completely present to you all the time, who never leaves you. Imagine someone who understands your emotions, your fears, your longings, your joys and what brings you peace, and understands all these things completely. This someone is your Creator. He is the Person who can be your everything: the rock of stability who helps you be yourself amidst all the changes of life, the mentor who guides you to the paths that will help you become the best you can be, the companion in your afflictions, the cause of and partner in your joy.
This person exists. Have you checked in with Him lately? Have you let Him speak to you?
With the image of this Person before me, I relinquish my editorial right to give you advice. I point to Him instead. Ask Him what He advises. "Let him have 'the right of free speech' " during your college years.
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