Last April 22-24, 2009 the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra organized the XXX International Symposium of Theology with the theme: "Communio" in the Fathers of the Church". Present on these days of the symposium were the known experts in the fields of Patristics and Theology. Enrique Eguiarte, an augustinian recollect and editor of the publication, Augustinus participated with an intervention entitled: "La comunion en San Agustin en un sermon de Pascua" (Communion in St. Augustine in a Paschal sermon).
His presentation was well appreciated by the participants. In his talk he underscored the general characteristics of the sermon on Easter morning within the augustinian perspective and the constant allusions to the sacraments referred to in these texts. Particularly he focused on sermon 227 and the sacrament of the eucharist. He presented the foundations of communion as reflected in this sermon and with the augustinian line of thought. He made a short allusion to the two parts that made up the sermon, which are marked with two pauline texts. The first part is with a donatist leaning, while the second part is with pelagian polemics.
In attendance of the symposium were: augustinian recollect Miguel Flores together with the known experts in patristics like professors Vittorino Grossi, Juan Jose Ayan Calvo, Manuel Belda, Pio Alves de Sousa, Domingo Ramos-Lisson, Ephrem Carr, Juan Antonio Gil Tamayo, Philip Mollac, Jose Rico Paves, Giulia Sfameni Gasparro, Patricio de Navascues and Hubertus Drbner. The symposium concluded with the presence of Ricardo Blasquez, bishop of Bilbao and Vicepresident of Spain Episcopal Conference.
Augustinian Allusions
During the course of the gathering there was a constant allusion to St. Augustine following what was initiated by Pope Benedict XVI in his traditional Wednesday catecheses on the Holy Fathers of the Church. Speaking on the work of St. Augustine, the pope says: " When I read the writings of St. Augustine it seems to me that he is not a man who died more or less 1,600 years ago, rather he is a man of today, like a friend, a contemporary person who speaks to me with a vibrant and living faith. In St. Augustine who speaks to us through his writings, we can discover the faith that comes from Christ, eternal Word of God, Son of God and Son of Man. We can also find out that this faith is not of yesterday, despite being preached in times past, it remains as always present because Christ is yesterday, today and forever".
Fray Luis de Leon
Enrique Eguiarte, the augustinian researcher/scholar also presented another conference in the cultural hall of IberCaja last April 15 in Logrono, La Rioja, Spain. He talked on "Fray Luis de Leon: el hombre, el fraile y el poeta" (Fray Luis de Leon, the man, the friar and the poet). The gathering is organized by the Association of Friends of the Monastery of San Millan de la Cogolla. Among the participants were people who have interest in literature and the culture of Spain's Golden Age.