The visit to Marburg, site of the most ancient Lutheran Faculty of Theology, has been a real experience of ecumenical, historical, cultural and artistic exchange, dialogue, mutual understanding and development. 17 I.S.E. students and lecturers participated from the 2nd to the 9th of July 2007.
In Marburg, the visit to the Church of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary, first example of Germanic-Gothic architecture, matched a seminar on Elisabeth, a modern saint, during which Prof. Dietrich Korsch' lecture and Prof. Jörg Lauster' speech on the topic of sanctity in Protestant Theology have been particularly meaningful.
Many exhibitions were displayed in different cities in Germany in memory of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary, whose celebration fell during our trip to Marburg, they have been a concrete testimony of the centrality given by the Protestant world to the memory of this saint, inspired by the Franciscan spirituality, which is the foundation root of: hospitals, welfare commitments and cultural formation initiatives, in their dedication to the poor and sick.
At the Old University of Marburg, built on an ancient Dominican Convent and wanted by Philip the Magnanimous to foster the education of worthy poor students, the Chancellor Dr. Nonne and the Dean of the Faculty Prof. Dr. Angela Standhartinger gave us a warm welcoming and greeting. At the University we met the President of the Evangelical Church Council of Germany, the Bishop Wolfgang Huber and Prof. Hans Martin Barth.
Particularly exciting were the visit to the hall where the historic Marburg Colloquy took place in the majestic Castle of Marburg, which overlooks the city, and the visit to the Castle of Wartburg, in which Luther, between 1521 and 1522, translated the New Testament into German. Also important was the visit to Frankenberg and to Eisenach.
We participated in some moments of university life within the Faculty at Marburg, mixing also with students in official and convivial occasions during lunch in the residence of the University. The industrious presence of Prof. Dietrich Korsch and Prof. Jörg Lauster added to this trip an experience of fraternity and exchange, and a certainty of continuity through ways of future collaboration.
C/o Convento S. Francesco della Vigna - Castello 2786 - 30122 VENEZIA - tel. 041.5235341 - fax 041.2414020