For the second year in a row, Fr. Clemens Gutberlet, LC, is leading the “Tour to France” which aims to spread awareness about the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and raise money for their scholarship fund.
Last year’s inaugural “Tour to France“ was held in honor of the University’s 25th anniversary. It began in St Peter’s Square and ended six days later in Lourdes, after an 8 stage-ride of 1550 km (963 miles) through three countries.
Fr Clemens Gutberlet, LC, graduated from the Regina Apostolorum in 2003 after his studies in Theology and Philosophy. Currently he works in the Vatican in the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. He is also an untiring cyclist with a passion for uniting faith and sports. Over the years, Fr Clemens and his bicycle have completed many long and hard trips. In 2009 he participated in and won the Clericus Bike Cup, a race reserved for priests and seminarians from all over the world. The race was held before the conclusive stage of the Giro d’Italia of that year.
The “Tour to France” was born from Fr Clemens‘ desire to unite the two great passions of his life: cycling and Christian Integral Formation. He explains that, “The path of living the faith and giving testimony of the Love of God is a service. Love, as the way of authentic humanity, always becomes concrete in real works.”
The mission of Regina Apostolorum is the formation of apostles and Christian leaders. “Every year we welcome thousands of students from all over the world, we foster dialogue and discussion, we join the knowledge of the tradition of the magisterium with the understanding of transformation in global society to form true leaders capable of acting efficaciously, guaranteeing a formation of excellence,” affirms Fr. Thomas Montanaro, LC, Administrative Vice Rector of the Athenaeum, who is also participating in the cycling tour. “Thanks to the push from Fr. Clemens, we have made our own the words of Pope Francis, “In Life as well as in Sport, the important thing is to get out there, with the others and with God in the search of the good, in the Church and in society, without fear, with courage and enthusiasm.”
This year’s tour began in Saint Peter’s Square on July 6th and will end in Paray-le-Monial, France on July 13th. The Tour will cross Italy and France, this year also riding 150 km across the Swiss Alps, for a total of 1275 km!
Last year the Tour to France raised US $8,450. As of this date, three days into the event, the 2019 tour has already raised about US $11,160 ( €9,959.00).
You can follow and support the physical and spiritual endeavor of Fr. Clemens Gutberlet, LC, who is currently working in the Vatican Congregation for Religious Life on Facebook and on the Athenaeum’s website.
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