Michał Jeszke SDB

September 29 2018 - STS - Jerusalem The Opening Ceremony of the new Academic Year 2018-2019 of the Studium Theologicum Salesianum, in conjunction with the Dies Academicus, took place on September 29, 2018. The celebration began with a Eucharist presided by Fr. David Sullivan, M.Afr., the new Director of studies of the Seminary of the Missionaries of Africa. The liturgy was an occasion for the lectures of our University to make a public profession of Catholic faith.

After the Mass we gathered in the Don Bosco Hall for the main function. Firstly, Rev. Sr. Angela Ridout SJA, registrar of our Faculty, presented the report of the Academic Year 2017-2018, highlighting the beginning of the transition from triennium to biennium as well as remembering many initiatives in which we participated. This summary was completed by a video presentation made by Bro. Krzysztof Słapczyński SDB.

Following, words of welcome and encouragement were given by the Principal of the STS, Rev. Fr. Gustavo Cavagnari SDB, who also introduced the topic of the lectio magistralis. Quoting Lucetta Scarafia he underlined the necessity of reflecting upon the issue of women in the Church and society. Fr. Principal read messages sent on the occasion by Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM, Apostolic Administrator of the Holy Land, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine, Fr. Jean Jacques Pérennès OP, Dean of École Biblique in Jerusalem, and Fr. Damasio Medeiros SDB, Dean of the Faculty of Theology of the Salesian Pontifical University.

Afterwards Fr. Matthew Coutinho SDB presented our fellow students who had received the highest marks in the year 2017-2018, namely Bro. Jude Fernando SDB from the 3rd year, Bro. Parfait Balma M.Afr. from the 2nd year, and Bro. Calvin Akunga M.Afr. from the 1st year. The first part of our gathering concluded with the presentations of the new students made by Fr. Moses Wanjala SDB and that of the new staff members made by Fr. Andrzej Toczyski SDB.

The highlight of the day was the lectio magistralis of Sr. Shalini Mulackal PBVM, Professor of Systematic Theology at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi, India. Sr. Shalini was the first woman President of the Indian Theological Association from 2014-2017. After an introductory speech given by Fr. Stanislaus Swammikanu SDB, Sr. Shalini presented her conference entitled: “Gender Sensitivity in Theologizing”. In her lecture she focused on the analysis of the situation of women in society and the role of theology in the process of their appreciation. Our Chief Guest challenged all to rediscover a woman’s place in theological reflection. She stated: “doing theology from the context of women who are subject to various discriminations and whose dignity and rights are negated far too often is not an option of theologians any longer (…). It is a Gospel imperative.” In conclusion, Sr. Shalini postulated that we ought to be practicing theology more sensitive to the fate of women, suggesting a pastoral implications empowering theme and including women into a theologizing process.

Our guest-speaker’s address was followed by short Q&A session, moderated by Fr. Stanislaus. Afterwards, whilst thanking Sr. Shalini Mulackal for her presentation, Sr. Angela remarked that Pope Francis “stressed that the Church acknowledges the indispensable contribution women make through their sensitivity, intuition and other distinctive skills. He stated his delight to see how many women are offering new contributions to theological reflection.”

The whole morning concludes with the official photo session.

Filled with many inspirational thoughts we began the new Academic Year, honoured by the occasion to deepen theological knowledge in the Land of Jesus Christ.

Craig Spence SDB

September 25 2018 - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes - Nahariya On September 25 th 2018, the year of Archaeological Excursions began with visits to Rosh Hanikra and Montefort Castle. Fr Piotr Zelazko once again led the excursion. In a full bus, the student body departed for the beautiful Rosh Hanikra, home to beautiful limestone cliffs and naturally created grottoes. Fr Piotr led the tour of the grottoes and explained the history of the old British train tunnel between Israel and Lebanon. The participants ascended via the infamous cable-car for a visit to the Montfort Castle.

After lunch at Goren Park, the group began the 45-minute hike to the old Crusader castle. It was wonderful to be in such a location surrounded by such history. A short hike to the bus and the return trip home ended another wonderful excursion to begin the new Academic Year.

June 11 2018 - STS - Jerusalem On June 11, three STS Students successfully completed their Baccalaureate exams.

John Paul Soro SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "God’s Progressive Revelation: Creation, Fullness in Christ, the Holy Spirit in the Church, and the Beatific Vision at the Parousia".

Desta Wolde Milkisa SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "The Priesthood of Christ and of Christians: The Nature and Exercise of the Common and the Ministerial Priesthood and the Treatment of These Themes in Ecumenical Dialogue".

Paolo Negrini SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "'He Loved Them to the End' (Jn 13:1). Christ’s Self-Giving Love for Us, Revealed in Its Fullness in the Paschal Mystery, Enables Us to Live Our Life in Him, in the Trinity, in the Church and for the World, so That We Become Self-Giving, like Him".

June 9 2018 - STS - Jerusalem On June 9, three STS Students successfully completed their Baccalaureate exams.

Vladimir Plasek SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "Christians Are Sons and Daughters in the Son: “But When the Fullness of Time Had Come, God Sent His Son, Born of a Woman, Born under the Law, to Ransom Those under the Law, So That We Might Receive Adoption. As Proof That You Are Children, God Sent the Spirit of His Son into Our Hearts, Crying Out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Gal 4:4-6)".

Gnana Pragash Rayappan SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "'God Became Man So That Man Could Become the Son Of God' (Athanasius). The Incarnation Reveals the Holy Trinity’s Project of Eternal Love and Manifests the Model of a New Humanity in Christ".

Andrea Lupi SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "The Parousia of the Lord As Condition For The Full Realization Of The Life In Christ".

June 8 2018 - STS - Jerusalem On June 8, two STS Students successfully completed their Baccalaureate exams.

Vernon Lushibashi SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "Jesus Transcends Social Barriers, Offers Himself as the Sacrificial Lamb and Unites Divided Humanity".

Anil Kido SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "The Eucharist as an "Action of Christ and of the People of God Hierarchically Ordered" Is the Summit of Christian Life and the Source from Which the Church’s Action Takes Its Origin".

June 7 2018 - STS - Jerusalem On June 7, three STS Students successfully completed their Baccalaureate exams.

Benedetto Di Bitonto successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "'We Saw His Star at Its Rising and Have Come to Do Him Homage.' A Sign of Fulfillment, Salvation, Divinity and Universality: Theological Implications of Matthew 2:1-12".

Joel Moreira successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "Jesus’ Hour and Human Redemption: 'Amen, Amen, I Say to You, Unless a Grain of Wheat Falls to the Ground and Dies, It Remains Just a Grain of Wheat, but if It Dies, It Produces Much Fruit' (Jn 12:24)".

Tiziano Conti SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "'Truth, Freedom and Conscience: Christ, Who Taught That 'The Truth Will Set You Free' (Jn 8:32) and Described Himself as 'The Way, the Truth and the Life' (Jn 14:6) Illumines the Individual Conscience, Bringing Human Beings into the Fullness of Truth and Setting Them Free".

June 6 2018 - STS - Jerusalem On June 6, three STS Students successfully completed their Baccalaureate exams.

Asmare Degeffe SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "The Trinitarian Love of God Fully Revealed in Jesus Christ and Offered to the Whole of Humanity through the Cooperation of His Mother Mary".

June 5 2018 - STS - Jerusalem On June 5, three STS Students successfully completed their Baccalaureate exams.

Alemayehu Bedassa Tura SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "To Imitate the Father, to Live in Christ and to Be Led by the Spirit as Distinctive Characteristics of Christian Life".

June 4 2018 - STS - Jerusalem On June 4, the summer session of Baccalaureate exams began.  Three STS Students successfully completed their Baccalaureate exams.

Mathew Nice Kurian SDB successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "The Identity and Mission of Those Called to Follow Christ: Discipleship in Its Apostolic Origins and in Contemporary Christian Practice".

Raphael Patrick Sebyera Ndirenganya M.Afr successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "Universality of the Call to Be Children of God".

Simon Chege Njuguna M.Afr successfully presented his Theological Synthesis, "Jesus Christ, the Only Mediator between God and Humanity, Who Fulfilled His Universal Salvific Mission in His Paschal Mystery and Makes It Operative Now through His Church".