FAREWELL PARTY IN HONOUR OF PROF. G. I. ONAH BY THE PHILOSOPHY FACULTY, P.U.U., ROME.

ROME, MAY 28, 2013 in the Philosophy Department of Pontifical Urban University Rome, Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah and a group of African students in the Licentiate class bid one another farewell as they rounded up his course “FL1041: Kwasi Wiredu, Cultural Universals and Particulars (a Seminar in English Language on African Philosophy). Prof. Onah introduced the course this academic year (the only course taught in English language in the faculty). It was a project aimed at teaching African Philosophy, alternating between English and French languages every academic year. But like he said in a lighter mood in one of his classes, the appointment has terminated a dream when it just started getting sweeter. However, he told his students that as a servant, one needs always to be ready and docile to respond to duty calls.

Speaking to his students, Prof. Onah admitted that he habitually handles his students, lay and clergy, as adults and fellow priests respectively, and not just as mere students. He believes that every priest and lay student in the university is an adult, and should be treated as such. He also expressed his age-long disapproval for the title “My Lord” being used for Bishops. According to him, he prefers the title ‘Father Bishop’ (‘Nna-anyi Bishop’) to ‘My Lord Bishop’ (‘Onyenwe m/Dinwenu m Bishop’), and expressed his intention to prudently continue to insist on the former as much as he would be able to. 

Responding to a question from one of his students on whether homosexuality has a moral or social consequence, he reasoned that it is a problem of human nature. As such, that it is an anthropological issue with moral, social, economic and political consequences. Nature he said, made no mistakes in fashioning beings as male and female. That someone enjoys or prefers eating through the nose and not the mouth, or walking on the hands and not the legs does not remove the fact that what is abnormal is abnormal. The same people who are propagating artificial birth control are the same people championing homosexuality. And their major aim, he suspects, is to reduce nature’s control over the issue of procreation and limit it within the confines of science, so that it would be monopolized by scientists, and made affordable to those who can afford it, when and how it would be affordable, he argued. And he expressed fear that his suspicion is gradually becoming a reality.

Prof Onah called on his students to dismiss their fears about Nigeria which is based on the media reports about Boko Haram and the ugly pictures painted by the movies about Nigeria. Now that they have a friend like him in Nigeria, he expressed the hope to see each and every one of them in Nsukka at one time or the other in the future. In a vote of thanks, the class representative for the course, Rev. Fr. Hyuwa Y. Everest from Nigeria, thanked him on behalf of the class for his fatherly and selfless efforts towards the academic growth of his students, and for his contributions towards the growth of the mother Church in general. Prof Onah and his students wished one another the best in their future endeavors.

The following day, May 29, the entire Philosophy Faculty gathered in his honour to bid him farewell in gratitude for his immense contributions to the faculty, and wish him well in his new assignment. Present at the occasion were Rev. Fr. Prof. G. Mazzotta (Dean of the Faculty), Prof. (Mrs.) L. Congiunti (successor to Prof. Onah as Vice Rector), Rev. Fr. Prof. L. Sileo (director of Licentiate Program in Philosophy), Prof. P. Miccoli (one-time lecturer to Prof. Onah), Prof. L. Tuninetti, and many other lecturers. In a brief remark, Prof Onah thanked his fellow professors, some of whom were his own teachers in the past, and at least one of them who was his own student. He also thanked the entire students for the fraternity he enjoyed in the faculty. He recalled that he has spent about twenty five years learning to be a professor. And now that he should start rendering account of what he has learnt, he has been called for another responsibility which he has not learnt about. Finally, he expressed his wish to host anyone who would be able to make it to Nsukka any day.

It would be recalled that Msgr. G. I. Onah was appointed the bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka –Nigeria on April 13, 2013, by His Holiness Pope Francis to succeed Bishop Francis E. O. Okobo, who is due for retirement. Until his appointment Msgr. Onah was holding the chair of Philosophical Anthropology, and at the same time serving his second tenure as the first African Vice Rector of his alma mater, the Pontifical Urban University Rome, Italy. He was also a consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. His episcopal ordination comes up in Nsukka on July 4, 2013.

Deede Uche’s World wishes Msgr. Onah all the best in his future endeavors, both in the priestly ministry and in his personal life. May God who has begun this good work in him bring it to fulfillment, Amen.

JOHN PAUL II TO ENTER GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS

He's a man who has every right to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. During his pontificate,  John Paul II, quickly broke all the records set by his predecessors. In fact, just a few months after being elected Pope, he was nicknamed Hurricane Wojtyla. 

He visited 129 countries. He made 104 trips abroad and another 146 within Italy.  He traveled over 1,200,000 kilometers, which is more than three times the distance from Earth to the Moon or the equivalent of going around the world 30 times. 

Card. Angelo Amato Prefect, Congregation for the Causes of Saints [says:] “He launched himself  with fervor and courage to all parts of the world. He visited hundreds of countries, not for pleasure or curiosity, but to preach the gospel of peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 He celebrated the biggest Mass in history. It was in the Philippines during World Youth Day in Manila back in 1995, where more than 4 million people attended. 

Card. Gaudencio Rosales Archbishop of Manila (Philippines) [says:] “I remember the Pope's spokesman said that the crowd prevented the passage of the so called “popemobile. " We had to walk two miles to reach the stage. It was supposed to begin at 9, but we started at around 11. The spokesman described the WYD in Manila as an excess of success." 

These are all records that show the personal power of the Pope and his tireless dedication to the Church. A reign full of achievements that will mark forever the history of Catholicism and Christianity of the third millennium. 

 But the Pope also  celebrated smaller masses, like the one held before 200 people during a 1989 visit to the Nordic countries. He also held a mass in  Azerbaijan in May 2002. He became the first pope to visit those places. 

Joaquin Navarro Valls Former Pope's spokesman 
"The Pope could no longer walk. It was a tremendous sacrifice for him to speak at that point. But, he decided to go to Azerbaijan, where the total number of Catholics was less than 200.” The Pope wanted to go because he valued how that small group, the handful of Catholics who were in that country, had the right to celebrate Mass. They had the right to be with the Pope as if it were a country in which there were 200 million Catholics." 

The figures of his reign are impressive. It was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first Slavic pope in history. His pontificate lasted 26 years and 5 months, the third longest after Pius IX and St. Peter. 

As a bishop of Rome, he  made 301 visits to parishes within that city. 

He held 1,160 general audiences attended by more than 17 million people. He also named 231 cardinals from all continents.   

He met with nearly 1,600 heads of State and Government. No one else has ever led so many people in such a diverse cultural context. 

He held many catechisms for children, whom he called "the little friends of Jesus." John Paul II was also the first pope to write a papal document for children, in this case it was a pastoral letter.

He was also a  great writer. He signed more than 100 solemn documents,  including 14 encyclicals, 45 apostolic letters and 14 apostolic exhortations. Throughout the years, his speeches added to more than 100,000 pages. 

He declared more saints and blessed than his predecessors all together. He canonized 482 people and beatified another 1,338.
Arch. Piero Marini Master of Ceremonies John Paul II 
"John Paul II proclaimed more saints than all other popes together since Urban VIII to Paul VI." 

His vision of dialogue with people of all religions  was innovative. He was the first modern Pope to visit a synagogue, the first to enter a Protestant church and a mosque. He promoted dialogue with Jews and with representatives of other religions while calling for prayer and peace, especially in Assisi in October 1986.
These are all records that show the personal power of the Pope and his tireless dedication to the Church. A reign full of achievements that will mark forever the history of Catholicism and Christianity of the third millennium. 

< April, 27, 2011. Romereports.com

POPE FRANCIS MEETS WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD

 Pope Francis met on Sunday May 5, 2013 with the members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. In his address to the Guards, the Holy Father reminded them “The Faith that God gave you on the day of Baptism is the most precious treasure you have! And your mission in the service of the Pope and of the Church finds in the Faith its source . . . Dear Swiss Guards, do not forget, the Lord walks with you.” 

Each year on May 6th , the Swiss Guard commemorates the sacrifice of 147 soldiers who died defending Pope Clement VII during the “Sack of Rome,” in 1527. To commemorate the heroic death of the soldiers, the anniversary is also the occasion of the solemn oath of 35 new recruits, which took place this afternoon in the courtyard of San Damaso in the Apostolic Palace.

Dr Donald Prudlo, associate professor of medieval history at Jacksonville State University in Alabama (USA) told us more about the Swiss Guard.

“For hundreds of years Swiss guards formed part of the bodyguards of the monarchs of Europe. This began in the late middle ages, when Swiss mercenary companies were highly sought after. Kings and princes soon discovered that their Swiss troops were loyal and far less open to corruption than other military forces. Their history is full of heroic stories about their protection of various sovereigns, not the least of which was their defence of King Louis XVI in 1792, when hundreds of them lost their lives defending the Tuileries Palace from revolutionaries.

“Like other monarchs, the popes too appreciated this kind of dedication and incorporated Swiss volunteers into the forces of the papal states in the late 1400s. In 1503 Pope Julius II, an exceptionally able pontiff, foresaw the establishment of a permanent corps of 200 Swiss for the papacy. In 1506 the corps was formally founded, and they have defended the popes from that day to this, having just recently celebrated their 500^th anniversary in 2006. 

“Their most famous moment in papal service came in 1527, when Protestant troops, having mutinied from the armies of Charles V, sacked Rome. 147 Swiss guardsmen laid down their lives in defending Clement VII. As a result of their sacrifice the Pope was given enough time to flee down the famous Passetto di Borgo from the Vatican to the safety of the fortress of Castel Sant’ Angelo. The guard has had other tense moments in its history as well, such as in 1848, when they only barely held the Roman revolutionaries back from doing violence to Bl. Pius IX at the Quirinal palace.

“Though there were other papal military units in existence, such as the Palatine guard, since 1970 the Swiss guards have assumed all the ceremonial roles for papal events and liturgies and can always be seen, in their colorful ceremonial costume with halberd, flanking the supreme pontiff.
“Yet their duties are not all ceremonial, they are a real military force with excellent training and modern weaponry. One can see them, in their daily attire, as they guard the working entrance to Vatican City State, the Porta Santa Anna. They are an army, bodyguard, and border protection all rolled into one.

“In terms of the place of the Swiss Guards in the Catholic Church, they are far from being an outdated ceremonial body. Pope Francis put it best a few days ago. He offered the soldiers a greeting of affection and gratitude. ‘The Church,’ he said, ‘loves you so much . . . and so do I’.”

< http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-swiss-guard-the-lord-walks-with-yo

EVERY PASTOR WHO COLLECTS TITHES IS NOTHING BUT “A THIEF AND A ROBBER.”

As far as many pastors are concerned, the most important scripture of all is not to be found in the word of Jesus.  Neither is it even in the New Testament.  That scripture says: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” (Malachi 3:10).

This scripture is drummed repeatedly into Christians on Sundays.  However, the only time Jesus mentioned tithing in scripture, he pointed out that it was not a weighty matter of the law. (Matthew 23:23).  Hebrews says people only receive tithes “according to the law.” (Hebrews 7:5).  It then insists tithing (and everything else under the law) has been annulled: “The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless.” (Hebrews 7:18-19).  Nevertheless, mercenary pastors continue to insist on the payment of tithes.

Latter-day Pharisees

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for keeping part instead of the whole law. (Matthew 23:23). That is what tithe-collecting pastors do today.  If we insist our congregants must pay tithes, we must also insist that they keep the rest of the law.  James says: “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10).  Therefore, if we insist on tithing, we should also refrain from eating pork.  We should stone adulterers, execute homosexuals, kill Sabbath violators and restore blood-sacrifices.

Tithe-collecting pastors counter this by maintaining the payment of tithes pre-dated the law.  Here Abraham is cited as the cardinal example of someone who paid tithes before the promulgation of the Law of Moses, as did Jacob, his grandson.  However, such arguments are disingenuous.

Before the law, tithing was at best an example but not a commandment.  Moreover, pastors fail to mention that Abraham only tithed once in his lifetime.  When he did, he did not even tithe his own money: he tithed the spoils of war.  He gave ten percent of the plunder he took when he rescued Lot to Melchisedec, king of Salem.  But then he did not even keep the rest but returned it (all ninety percent) to the king of Sodom.

For his part, Jacob also tithed only once.  He did this in a “let’s make a deal” arrangement he offered to God: “Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.  And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you.’” (Genesis 28:20-22).  This kind of deal about accepting God only under certain self-serving conditions should certainly not be a term of reference for any serious believer.

Femi Aribisala,  Fellowship Coordinator of Healing Wings, a Pentecostal Christian fellowship.

Lies upon lies

The first lie pastors tell Christians is what some have referred to as “the eleventh commandment:” “Thou shalt pay thy tithes to thy local church.”  But the bible says no such thing.  The storehouse of Malachi was not a church.  It was a place where food was kept.

Pastors hide from church-members the fact that money was not acceptable as tithe.  The tithe was a tenth of the seed and fruit of the land and of the animals which ate of the land. (Leviticus 27:30-32).  That is why God says: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be FOOD in my house.” (Malachi 3:10).  He does not say “that there may be MONEY in my house.”  The food was used to feed the Levites, the poor, widows, orphans and strangers.

Pastors also conveniently fail to teach the biblical tithe.  The principles of tithing were not laid down by Malachi.  They were laid down by Moses.  The study of Moses’ guidelines quickly reveals that the biblical tithe has no application whatsoever to Christians and is mischievously violated by tithe-collecting pastors today.

According to the Law of Moses, the tithe was divided into three allocations.  The first year, it was given to the Levite.  The second year, it was given to widows, orphans and the poor.  The third year, it was eaten in the company of the faithful before the Lord as thanksgiving for his faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 14:22-28).  In the seventh year, there was no planting and no reaping and therefore no tithing.

So the next time your pastor asks you to pay tithe, ask him about the seventh-year reprieve.  Also ask him if you can give your tithe to the orphanage, or bring it as food items to be eaten in church.  Believe me; he will not agree with you because it is your money he is after.

Inapplicability of tithes

Tithing was only applicable to Jews and to the land of Israel.  When large populations of Jews lived in Babylon, Ammon, Moab, Egypt, and Syria, these lands became tithe-able lands.  However, tithes were not acceptable from strictly Gentile lands.  So you need to ask your pastor how come he is collecting tithes in Nigeria.

Servants or slaves who worked on the land did not tithe because the land did not belong to them.  Since only agricultural and animal resources were included, a fisherman gave no tithe of his fisheries.  Neither did a miner or a carpenter pay tithes, nor anyone from the various professional occupations.  So if you are not a farmer or a keeper of livestock, tell your 419 pastor tithing is biblically inapplicable to you.

Moreover, the only people authorised to receive tithes were the Levites. (Hebrews 7:5).  So if your Pastor is a “tithe-collector,” ask him if he happens to be a Jew.  Remind him that, even though a Jew, Jesus could not receive the tithe because he was not from the tribe of Levi but from that of Judah.

The trick, of course, is for pastors today to claim we are “Levites.”  If your pastor is one such dissembler, ask him if he lives as a Levite.  Remind him that Levites had no land and did not have private property.  Ask him also how he knows he is from the tribe of Levi, which happens to be one of the lost tribes of Israel.  Point out to him that even Jewish rabbis don’t claim to be Levites today because all Jewish genealogical records were lost with the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, ensuring that it is no longer possible to ascertain the true identity of Levites.

Therefore, if Jews no longer tithe because the Levites are a lost tribe, how can Christian pastors collect tithes when we are not even Jewish, how much more Levites?  If Jewish rabbis, whose terms of reference remain the Old Testament no longer collect tithes, then pastors who insist Christians are under a New Testament have no business doing so.

The conclusion then is inescapable. Every pastor who collects tithes is nothing but “a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1).

<http://www.femiaribisala.com/13-articles-of-faith/pastors/276-tithing-bananas

• The author of this article, Femi Aribisala,  is the Fellowship Coordinator of Healing Wings, a Pentecostal Christian fellowship. I may not agree with all his premises, but his general conclusion is interesting. I do not support the idea of “tithes” according to the contemporary redefinition of the concept by Private Church Entrepreneurs.

POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI RETURNS TO THE VATICAN

POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI  

It has been two months since Benedict XVI left the Vatican by helicopter. In the last few hours of his pontificate Pope Benedict XVI traveled to the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. Now he comes back to the Vatican as Pope emeritus.   

As the Vatican got ready for the conclave, the remodeling of Benedict XVI's new residence was underway. From now on, he will live at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, located within Vatican territory. 

Two months after he headed out to Castel Gandolfo, he comes back to the Vatican in a similar fashion, arriving by helicopter. 

Upon his arrival, Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was waiting for Benedict XVI, along with Angelo Sodano who serves as the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Also there was the president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello. 

As Benedict XVI made his way to the former monastery, Pope Francis was there, ready to welcome him back to the Vatican. They both went to pray in the chapel. 

According to the Vatican's press release, Benedict XVI will serve the Church through prayer. He will live with his personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein who will also serve as the prefect of the Papal Household. Four consecrated lay women from the Communion and Liberation movement will also live there to help out with every day chores. 

More than likely, Benedict XVI will be visited by his 88 year old brother Georg Ratzinger, who is his only living relative. 

The Mater Ecclesiae was used as a monastery for 19 years. Before that, employees of the Vatican Radio lived there, including the director. The living area is about 650 feet. The actual residence of Benedict XVI will be on the floor level, so he doesn't have to go up and down the stairs. The four story building has a small garden. 

For now Pope Francis will continue to live in the so called Casa Santa Marta which is a Vatican guest house. So the first Latin American Pope and Benedict XVI will live just a few meters away from each other. Despite having a Pope and a Pope emeritus living in the Vatican, ironically, the Papal apartment, to this day, remains empty. 

< Romereports.com May 2, 2013.

POPE FRANCIS WELCOMES POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XIV BACK TO THE VATICAN

ITALY GETS FIRST BLACK MINISTER FROM CONGO

Dr. Cecile Kyenge, first Italian black minister from Congo. 

Cecile Kyenge, a doctor who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is set to become Italy’s first black minister after being named in premier designate Enrico Letta’s new cabinet. Kyenge, a 48-year-old MP for the Centre-left Democratic Party, will be sworn in as Integration minister on Sunday.

She was elected to Parliament last February on the Democratic Party ticket. For years, Ms. Kyenge has been fighting for rights of immigrants in Italy as one of the officials of the Democratic Party’s Immigration Forum.

Immediately she was elected to Parliament, Ms. Kyenge said she’ll seek to focus Parliament’s attention on the values they have been sharing at the Democratic Party’s Immigration Forum.

The former Provincial Councillor in Modena is a committed fighter for the full political participation of all and citizenship rights. She also strongly believes the Bossi-Fini Immigration Law must be abolished and a new just immigration law approved. She believes that Italy needs to guarantee fundamental rights to all, including immigrants.

Ms. Kyenge has in the past warned that depriving part of the society of their rights would take the entire society backwards, and eventually lead to a society where nobody’s rights are guaranteed.

Explaining the importance of citizenship law reform, Ms. Kyenge said a new law was necessary as a recognition of the change that has already taken place in the country.

There are almost a million minor children of immigrants who represent the future of the country, Ms. Kyenge said. Out of these, more than 570,000 were born in Italy and more than 600,000 go to Italian schools.

She noted that the social security contributions of immigrant workers amount to 8 billion Euros while they pay at the same time taxes amounting to 4 billion Euros.

Ms. Kyenge said new citizens should have the right to fully participate in the society’s affairs and be granted the right to vote in local elections.

Her long experience in fighting for immigrants’ rights will be handy to her in heading the government’s Integration Department.

<http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/italy/2013/04/27/, http://www.africa-news.eu/immigration-news/italy/5338-

TOP CHARACTERISTICS OF POPE FRANCIS WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HIS PONTIFICATE

The election of Pope Francis came as a surprise to many. His papal style became quite obvious, the moment he stepped out on St. Peter’s Balcony. Those who know him closely say that to truly understand what he says, one must first understand what he does. According to Msgr. Eduardo Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina): He is very receptive to what is happening. You've noticed these past few days that he prepares what he says, but if something happens, or if he sees something that strikes him, he will stop and mention it.

Even though it has only been a month since he was elected, there have been a set of gestures that come up time and time again. 

• Simplicity: He introduced himself to the world wearing plain papal vestments, without the red so called mozzetta shoulder cover, that was worn by his predecessors.  
• Approachability: For now, he has chosen to stay at the Casa Santa Marta, instead of the Apostolic Palace to be more readily available. He celebrates Mass for small groups of people, and continues calling friends over the phone. 
• Continuity and Fidelity to the Magisterium of his Predecessors: Visually speaking, the meeting between Pope Francis and Benedict XVI is what struck people the most. It happened just weeks after the Jesuit Pope was elected. 
• Tenderness: Pope Francis has shown that he wants to represent his closeness towards others, especially towards the needy and sick. 
• Service: In fact during his first Mass, he said the true power of a Pope, comes in service. The image of him washing the feet of young prisoners on Holy Thursday, was seen throughout the world. Surely in the future, the spontaneous Pope will give many more surprises.

Msgr. Eduardo Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina) further says that: In addition to shock and surprise, I think his election was providential and that will be a lot more clear with time. I'm convinced that in the future, Pope Francis, will surprise us even more through power of the Holy Spirit.

What is quite clear is that the language Pope Francis speaks best is that of gestures and actions.

> April 13, 2013. (Romereports.com) 

MSGR. GODFREY I. ONAH APPOINTED AS BISHOP-ELECT OF NSUKKA DIOCESE, NIGERIA.

Today April 13, 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Msgr. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah as Bishop elect of Nsukka Diocese, Nigeria.

Born in Imilike Ani, Enugu -Nigeria in 1956, Msgr. G. I. Onah was ordained a priest in 1984. He is an alumnus of Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, where he obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree respectively, both with First Class Honour. He did his doctorate degree in Philosophy in the Pontifical Urban University Rome, Italy. He defended his thesis in 1992 with First Class Honour, on the topic: “Self-transcendence and Human History in Wolfhart Pannenberg”. After his defense, he was appointed a lecturer of Philosophical Anthropology, and later succeeded Prof. Batista Mondin who was his moderator, and was occupying the chair of Philosophical Anthropology.

Until his appointment as bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Prof. Onah was holding the chair of Philosophical Anthropology, and at the same time serving his second tenure as the first African Vice Rector of his alma mater, the Pontifical Urban University Rome, Italy. He was also a consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

Msgr. G. I. Onah would succeed Bishop Francis E. O. Okobo, who is retiring from the pastoral care of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka having reached the age limit.

Deede Uche’s World wishes to congratulate the Bishop-elect, Msgr. Prof. G. I. Onah on this appointment, and wishes him a successful episcopal ministry.

< http://visnews-en.blogspot.it/

SOME SECRETS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL WOMEN

“Don’t take ‘no’ as an answer. You’re going to fail. Failing is very natural, and it’s all part of getting a decent job,” Williams said. “Don’t stop doing it. If you work hard and you’re really nice to people, it’ll happen.”

These talented young women were recognized by the iconic magazine for their outstanding achievements and goals at Barnard College in New York City.

In addition to the awards ceremony hosted by Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive, a panel discussion took place examining the topic of “How to Build Your Personal Brand and Land Your Dream Job.” Moderated by MSNBC’s Alex Wagner, Chief Digital Officer for the City of New York Rachel Sterne Haot, the panelists included “Veep” actress Anna Chlumsky, Teach For America founder Wendy Kopp, “Covert Affairs” star Piper Perabo and the hilarious “Daily Show” correspondent Jessica Williams.

These empowering ladies spilled their secrets to success and shared some of the best lessons they learned along the way. Check out the seven most inspiring pieces of advice we took away from the panel — and prepare to feel ready to take on the world.

1. Take a Risk.

Before she snagged the leading role in the hit USA show “Covert Affairs,”

Piper Perabo got her big break when she crashed her boyfriend’s audition. While waiting for him, a casting director approached her and said, “You look like one of the parts.” She asked Perabo if she could be ready to audition in 10 minutes. Perabo grabbed her boyfriend, went into a stairwell and quickly learned her lines. Although she didn’t nab the part that day, she did find a manager, proving that sometimes taking a leap of faith is worth it.

For Grace Young, a budding engineer and award recipient, she lives by Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer’s mantra: “Do something that you’re not ready to do. Worst case, you’ll discover your limitations.” Young said, “That advice that I read has really encouraged me to do a lot of the things that I thought I’d never have the courage to do, like drop out of high school to go to MIT or work alone in Geneva one summer programming.” Next on Young’s list? Running a marathon in May.

2. Don’t take Things Personally.

As an actor, rejection can become an all too familiar feeling — but that doesn’t mean you’re not good at what you do. Anna Chlumsky said, “You could be a great actor, but not right for the role.” She recalled a time where she went to an audition and wasn’t sure if she wanted to work with the director. “I’m auditioning them as much as they’re auditioning for me. Not every project is going to be exactly right.” In the meantime, try not to sweat the small stuff — better opportunities will come along.

3. You Only Need One “Yes.”

For Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach For America, the idea of recruiting recent college graduates to teach in low-income areas across the country came in the form of her senior thesis proposal at Princeton University. “I was obsessed with this idea. I was convinced that this had to happen,” Kopp said. The problem was finding someone to fund it. After drafting dozens of letters to CEOs, Mobil Corporation agreed to give her$26,000 as a seed grant towards Teach For America.

“I tell people all the time. there are lots and lots of ‘no’s,’” said Kopp. “Keep on asking. You only need one or two ‘yeses.’ It’s just about the search for allies.”

4. Believe in Yourself.

Even at a young age, Jessica Williams always knew she wanted to be a comedian. She convinced her parents to let her go to Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre if she took part-time classes. Throughout college, she balanced doing schoolwork, commuting to L.A. to take Citizens classes and then trying to be seen by as many people as possible. Williams was on the quad meeting her best friend at Panda Express when she got a call from her manager to audition for “The Daily Show.” Wearing a T.J. Maxx suit for her big day, she left knowing she got the gig. “I walked into the audition and I could feel that they weren’t trying to intimidate me. I knew I got it when I left. I knew it was mine.” Lesson learned: Hard work pays off.

5. Own It.

Confidence is key in getting what you want. Perabo shared the story of being on the set on her second movie with the legendary Robert DeNiro and how his words inspired her. “We’d have coffee and talk and stuff. I was like, ‘I’m so nervous,’” remembered Parabo. “And he [DeNiro] said, ‘I love auditioning. When I would go in, this is my 10 minutes to show them. If I was gonna do it, this is what you’d get.’ It was a revelation.”

6. It’s OK to Fail.

Even when we’re excited about something, we all know that little voice that pops up in our head and asks, “WHAT are you doing?” Williams says, “Acknowledge that voice, but do it anyway.”

“Don’t take ‘no’ as an answer. You’re going to fail. Failing is very natural, and it’s all part of getting a decent job,” Williams said. “Don’t stop doing it. If you work hard and you’re really nice to people, it’ll happen.”

As you make your way to the top, Williams advises to remember to appreciate those who have helped you along the way. “I try to thank people and look them in the eye and remember who helped me,” said Williams. “It is making sure that it’s clear because no matter what, people aren’t going to like you. You just have to know that you are true to yourself. You have to know what you are and what that means to you.”

7. Trust Yourself.

“Trust yourself. I remember as a teen, you worry about everything. ‘My hair doesn’t look right’ and ‘I wish I had that thing.’” remembered Perabo. “Or ‘he didn’t talk to me, maybe he doesn’t like me.’ Or ‘if I fail this class, my grade point average is gonna be this’ and you’re worried about all this crazy sh*t. Trust yourself that you are doing the right thing to become who you want to be. And keep listening to your own inner-voice about who you are and what you feel and try and make decisions from that place. Teenagers worry so much and it’s all OK. You can take a deep breath. I didn’t know that then, and I was so worried.”

Say it with us: Inhale. Exhale. You’ve got this.

Cf http://www.weddingdigestnaija.com/7-piece-of-advice-from-highly-successful-women-to-you/