Celebrating 20 Years of STS in Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Campus of the Faculty of Theology of the Salesian Pontifical University was erected by decree of the Congregation for Catholic Education on February 2, 2011. The Study Centre has inherited the legacy of the Studium Theologicum Salesianum (STS) initially located in Bethlehem (1929), then transferred to Tantur (1949) and Cremisan (1957), and lately moved to the premises of the “Salesian Monastery Ratisbonne” in Jerusalem (2004).
The goal of the STS, as a Faculty of Theology, aims particularly at the theological formation of Salesian candidates to the priesthood. It is also open to students from other religious congregations, to diocesan students, and to lay students. The students ordinarily conclude their studies with the Bachelor’s degree in Theology.
On Saturday October 19, the Studium Theologicum Salesianum (STS), Jerusalem campus, held their annual Dies Academicus. The event is a scholarly event in which the Lectio Magistralis is presented to the seminarians, professors, and distinguished guests. It is especially beneficial to the seminarians, who get to experience a glimpse into an academic’s newly minted research and appreciate the conclusions drawn from many years of investigation, study, and erudition. One important reason for this annual tradition, if not the primary purpose, is to potentially ignite a student and future academic to initiate their own scholarship, with the dream of one day presenting the fruits of their own intellectual labor to the Pontifical University.
Thanks to the meticulous efforts and organization of the University President, Fr. Andrzej Toczyski, SDB and Vice President Samuel Obu, SDB, the event was a huge success. Warmly hosted by student body president, Bro. Kelvin Mutalala, M.Afr it commenced with an invocation by the Rector of the Ratisbonne Monastery, Fr. Jose Kochamkunnel SDB, and a song performed by some of the current seminarians. Then, the audience was able to enjoy a montage video of last year’s academic year- including all of the amazing excursions they were privileged to experience- including an academic trip to Egypt! Following this retrospective, the University Secretary, Fr. Vincent Bosco, SDB welcomed the first year seminarians by providing a brief and humorous spotlight into the brothers and their countries of origin. He also introduced the new and distinguished professors that fill out the already eminent faculty. In a light-hearted Salesian fashion, Fr. Vincent displayed the great strength and diversity of the student body and faculty of the STS Jerusalem.
This event also celebrated the twenty year anniversary of the Pontifical University in Jerusalem at the Ratisbonne Monastery. Surprisingly, this year’s Lectio Magistralis, Fr. Alessandro Coniglio OFM, was a student here in 2004- the very year that the Jerusalem campus opened its doors. He described this event as a personal honor to be able to present his findings in the same location that began his scholarly endeavors. Father Coniglo is currently a professor of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem.
After being Introduced by a distinguished professor in his own right, Fr. Daniel W. Stabryła OSB, Fr. Alessandro commenced his lecture titled: The Origin of Psalms in Public Worship and Private Meditation- A Modern Perspective. Indeed the results of his findings were as long winded as his title, but were absolutely fascinating. Fr Alessandro discovered that, despite previous theories that the Psalms were exclusively the work of 2nd Temple authors and editors (or “hymnal for 2nd Temple worship” as he would describe it), there is sufficient evidence that some of the Psalms date back several centuries prior- to cultish origins such as Babylonian- Assyrian, Egyptian, and Persian work. After presenting this stunning revelation, Fr. Alessandro would then reveal to the captured audience the esoteric arrangements underlying the collection of 150 Psalms themselves. From thematic or emotive structures to alphabetic ordering, Fr. Allessandro gave the attendees a systematic lesson on the book of Psalms. He demonstrated these arrangements through juxtapositions of the Psalms themselves. The plethora of examples of Psalmic structures and hidden configurations seemingly compressed an entire semester into a ninety minute talk.
After the exhaustive and comprehensive talk, it seemed as if Fr. Alessandro was pleasantly surprised at the penetrating questions many Seminarians had. He took questions for about thirty minutes until Fr. Daniel, who facilitated the question and answer period, was forced to conclude in order to satiate the empty and growling stomachs.
The event ended with a wonderful lunch. The mood was jovial and spirited. All were grateful, not only for the stimulating talk, but also the diverse gathering of men and women religious- all in pursuit of knowledge to serve the Church and the world. Given that Fr. Alessandro is an alumni of this prestigious university, It was truly inspiring to see the type of caliber that the STS Jerusalem campus can produce.
Bro. Leo A. Imbert, SDB
