Theological UpdateEnlightened by the person of Christ and by his Gospel, lived according to Don Bosco’s spirit, the Salesian commits himself to a formation process which will last all his life and which will keep pace with his developing maturity. [SDB Constitutions, 98]
The Institute of Salesian Spirituality designs programs of ongoing formation of the Salesian Family for the life and hope of the young. To make this hope a reality, each program sponsored by the Institute is made up of five components: the study of spirituality for mission in community, a place of personal growth.
The study component of the ISS revolves around a core curriculum in Salesian history, pastoral or functional theology, and spiritual theology. The Fall Program curriculum is designed with the training of formation personnel in mind; Spring Program courses are geared for those preparing for leadership in apostolic communities.
Courses offered during the Fall Program delve into Salesian origins with a look at the
spirit of St Francis de Sales, and with special emphasis on the vocation of Don Bosco Don Bosco as Founder through a critical analysis of the development of his life and work. The origins are brought to bear on contemporary needs by considering models of Youth Spirituality and various approaches for fostering faith development.The core considerations of the Spring Program highlight the figure of Don Bosco Don Bosco as Builder in articulating and developing the Salesian mission. This calls for a theological investigation into Salesian Identity and Charism, while researching changing paradigms for Leadership and Ministry with and among the Young.
The ISS program cannot be conceived independently of theological updating. In the Fall and Spring semesters, Institute participants are required to take a minimum of one full course (3.0 units) from the wider GTU offerings. Course titles and descriptions are found in the GTU catalogue. The course may be taken from any of the 9 areas of study offered at the Union (historical, systematic, scriptural, pastoral, liturgical, moral, etc.). Students will work out their course choices with the ISS program coordinator or with their academic advisor at DSPT.
Obviously, this minimum requirement cannot satisfy the demands of thorough theological updating, but it is our confident expectation that one’s theological background will be enhanced and enriched.
Wednesdays are non-academic days at the GTU, allowing affiliated Institutes to offer specialized programs and process-oriented in-services, retreats, and similar presentations. The ISS takes this opportunity to process what is offered in academic courses and in community experiences. We concentrate on the areas of community building, human growth, and spiritual development as essential components of Salesian renewal and transformation. These components encourage the men and women who participate in the ISS to delve more deeply into the areas of spiritual and personal development in a holistic manner.
The Wednesday sessions are designed to move in the direction of an interdisciplinary, hermeneutical model for doing Salesian spirituality. The thrust is formative, for Salesians conceive spirituality as a vital, ongoing interaction between the human spirit and the Spirit of God. According to this model, spirituality is a process more than an academic discipline. It incorporates the anthropological, theological and cultural, including psychology and sociology and other human disciplines.
The approach of the Institute Days is experiential. Sessions center on content and process, and explore areas of human growth, personality development, prayer and liturgical renewal, spiritual direction, collaborative ministry and processes for pastoral planning. Through this component of the ISS, the community strives to foster the leadership potential of each one, honoring and affirming the contribution of each offered in the diversity of cultures and vocations.
To facilitate personal processing, personal spiritual companioning is a characteristic feature of the program.
Fall Program: Salesian Spirituality
Instructor: Fr Arthur J. Lenti, SDBMeeting Information: Fall 2010 - ISS - M/TH - 08:10AM-09:30AM.
SP-2130
SALESIAN IDENTITY AND CHARISM
Description - As a platform for understanding specific charism of Don Bosco and the various branches of the Salesian Family, students unpack the Christian concept of charism especially with reference to vocation and mission. The course begins with a survey of biblical concepts and follows the development of the theology of charism. The emphasis then shifts to consecrated life. Methods for identifying and rediscovering (refounding) the charisms of the founder will be explored. Format: Lecture/discussion. Evaluation: Group work, class presentation/paper.
Meeting Information: Fall 2010 - ISS - T/F - 08:10AM-09:30AM.
STSP-3080 INTERACTIVE EVANGELISMDescription - This course examines the present moment in both the Church and culture within a North American context. By examining the cumulative impacts of globalization and secularization and by referencing prophetic voices addressing these evolving realities, the students will become conversant with various models of theology and spirituality which aptly demonstrate and reinforce the conviction that the Gospels are up to the challenges and tasks presented in this milieu. Among many of these prophetic voices a discernible strain has arisen advocating the power of the shared journey of faith and a spirituality of accompaniment. A special focus will be given to various models of this shared journey as a fecund response to this challenging new moment. The course is facilitated by lecture, personal reading, and group discussion integrating three reflection papers designed for three distinct movements in the examination of this historical and cultural moment. Format: Lecture/discussion. Evaluation: Reflection papers.
Meeting Information: Fall 2010 - ISS - M/TH - 11:10AM-12:30PM
