The official symbol for Harvard, is a shield bearing one word, Veritas (Truth). It wasn’t always so.

The original symbol had Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae — “Truth for Christ and the Church.” That, in the original, was followed by Jn 8:31-32: “And Jesus said, ‘if you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ ”

In addition, in the original, the shield exhibited three books, two opened and one turned face down, acknowledging the limits of human reason.

Today, Harvard’s symbol makes no reference to Christ and the Church, nor to John 8. In addition, the third book is now opened, suggesting that we know it all, or soon will.

Today, Harvard proclaims just Veritas. Veritas for nothing, which can mean Veritas for anything, which, as human experience instructs us, can turn out to be the death of Veritas.

It seems as though, in these times, many individuals and the various institutions to which they belong, have lost touch with their original purpose or commitments. “Truth is” whatever you say it is in today’s culture. Words are seductively redefined so that what is not normal becomes the “new normal,” today’s version of truth.

On Oct. 11, the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world will enter into a spiritual journey of faith marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, during which time there will be many activities of study, prayer, and spiritual growth in our faith. This Year of Faith will come to a close on The Solemnity of Christ the King, Nov. 24, 2013.

The Year of Faith is intended to contribute to a renewed conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the rediscovery of faith, so that the members of the Church will be credible and joy-filled witnesses to the Risen Lord in the world of today — capable of leading those many people who are seeking it to the “door of faith.”

This “door” opens wide man’s gaze to Jesus Christ, present among us “always, until the end of the age.” He shows us how the “art of living” is learned, “in an intense relationship with him.”

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”

Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

And Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

He’s the “door.”

The only truth.