There is a time for everything, a time to start and a time to end. The Studium Theologicum Salesianum has now brought its present academic year to an end.
On Wednesday, 10 June 2020, the closing ceremony started at 11:00 a.m. Due to the current restrictions, the ceremony was hosted in the Main Chapel, a more spacious venue in which to avoid crowding. The programme itself was abridged, with the intention of not extending it for more time than the necessary.
After the Words of Welcome & Adieu given by the Student Rep, Bro. Charles Craig Spence, and the speech delivered by the Rep of the 4th-Year Students, Dn. Miguel Ángel Condo Soto, the most important moment of the day then arrived with the presentation of Certificates to the graduating students of both the Diplomas (in Biblical Geography and History, and in Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism), and of the Pontifical Bachelor Degree in Theology. Each student also received a gift from the Institute.
After the presentation of the certificates, the Principal, Fr. Gustavo Cavagnari, concluding his academic service, gave a final speech, a vote of thanks, and welcomed the new appointed Principal, Fr. Andrzej Toczyski, who will lead the STS as its Head from the period 2020-2023.
In his speech, Fr. Cavagnari expressed his gratitude to all staff and students of the STS for the various roles they play to keep the Campus running, to the Church leaders in the Holy Land, and to the religious and academic Salesian authorities. He invited all students to sustain their studies with constancy, consistency, and to avoid dissipation. And he also encouraged the Professors to continue, as far as possible, to give to any student what he or she is capable of, not setting the bar too low.
The following day, the last Assembly of the Teaching Staff was held to evaluate the Academic Year 2019-20. Special thanks were extended to outgoing teachers and a brief report of the student body and a pre-view of the academic calendar for the coming year was shared.
