By Alora Peters, Editor-in-Chief
It is not often that a university gets to host an historical event of both international and interreligious significance. However, with the recent Papal Knighthood investiture of Rabbi A. James Rudin, Saint Leo University got to do exactly that.
Rudin, who is a co-founder of Saint Leo’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS), has worked extensively and passionately towards promoting interreligious dialogue and understanding across the globe, particularly between Jews and Christians. He has served for over 30 years as a member of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and currently serves as their senior interreligious advisor.
“Rabbi Rudin…is an interreligious leader among the Jewish people,” said Dr. Matthew Tapie, the director of the CCJS. “He’s really built a bridge between Catholics and Jews and taught Catholics to try to understand Jewish people before they make a decision about what Judaism is.”
In recognition of Rudin’s international contributions to Catholic-Jewish dialogue, Pope Francis selected Rudin to receive the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
“Papal Knighthood is a very ancient honor, it’s something that kind of hearkens back to the Middle Ages,” said Tapie. “The Church bestows the Knighthood on someone when they make a major contribution to society or to the Church, but it’s really rare for someone from another faith to get that honor.”
Rudin is the third rabbi in history to be recognized with this honor, and is the first rabbi to be given the Knighthood during the papacy of Pope Francis. The global importance and historical uniqueness of Rudin’s Knighthood cannot be made an understatement.
“This is the universal church. This is not local, this is the Pope giving the highest honor, not only to a non-Catholic, but the highest honor for a lay Catholic,” said Bishop Mark O’Connell, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, who represented the Pope in the conferral of the Knighthood upon Rudin. “It’s a great honor on my part to be able to represent Pope Francis and to meet Rabbi Rudin, to see the enormous work that he has begun, to see his passion to keep it going.”
The event began with a brunch reception in the Wellness Center at University Campus for the many distinguished guests.
Following the brunch, leaders from the Saint Leo community introduced the event and welcomed visitors to the university. Dr. Edward Dadez, the university president, Sister Roberta Bailey, the Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida at Holy Name Monastery, and Abbot Isaac Camacho, of the Benedictine monks of Saint Leo Abbey, all gave remarks.
Tapie and Rabbi David Maayan, the assistant director of the CCJS, also presented on the ongoing mission of the CCJS to foster interreligious dialogue among Catholics, Jews, and other faiths.
“The challenge of this work is its greatest promise,” said Maayan.
Following the introductory presentations, Rudin was officially inducted into the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
“To be selected for Papal Knighthood is a highlight of both my professional and personal life,” said Rudin.
Following the induction, Rudin delivered a speech titled, “All Real Living is Meeting,” referencing Jewish philosopher Martin Buber’s definition of interreligious dialogue.
In his speech, Rudin emphasized that the effort to strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations is far from over, and now, with a recent rise in anti-Semitic attacks, it is more important than ever for the two religions to work together.
Rudin also stressed that the most important part of interreligious dialogue is in the “personally lived experiences” and “the encounters in daily life” that help to foster understanding and community among different religions.
Rudin’s induction to the Knighthood is a reminder that different religions do have much to learn from each other.
“I think it’s very important to lift up…dedicated examples, good examples of…friends of ours who aren’t Catholic, who are helping us to be better Catholics,” said Fr. David Michael, who delivered the closing remarks of the ceremony.
The conferral of the Knighthood marks not only a momentous occasion and honor for Rudin, but for the CCJS as well.
“It’s exhilarating. Jim [Rudin]…established the Center almost 25 years ago. We feel like we’re standing on the shoulders of giants,” said Tapie. “That’s one of the nice things about these religious traditions, is that you learn that you are working and are able to live and thrive because of the sacrifice of a lot of the people who came before you. That’s what this day is about.”
The conferral of the Knighthood was originally intended to take place in Boston; however, due to seasonal scheduling conflicts, an alternative location needed to be found.
“I proposed that we have it down here, in Florida, and that’s how we connected with the CCJS,” said Michael. “I think it was the right move because this community is really [Rudin’s] community.”
This change in plans allowed Saint Leo the opportunity to become involved in the planning and hosting of the event.
“[This is] amazing, to say the least, because we are the only university doing this, not only today, but most likely for this year and the years to come,” said Fr. Lucius Amarillas, the prior of Saint Leo Abbey. “This is history in the making. It’s a very beautiful thing to be a part of.”
The Knighthood Ceremony was the culmination of hard work and dedication of many staff and faculty at Saint Leo.
“Making the event come together has been a real team effort,” said Tapie. “All different departments from Saint Leo have really chipped in to help.”
The CCJS plans to continue hosting events to foster interreligious dialogue and learning, with their next planned event, “Why Dialogue Matters,” scheduled for December 8. Those who are interested in learning more about the CCJS and its mission should contact Tapie at matthew.tapie@saintleo.edu, follow the CCJS on social media @ccjs_slu, or stop by the CCJS office on the second floor of Saint Francis Hall.
