(ANS – Rome) – The meeting of principals of Salesian centres of philosophical studies, of centres affiliated and aggregated to the Faculty of Philosophy  of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) and directors of post-novitiate studies who use non-Salesian centres concluded on Sunday March 25th.

The meeting began in the afternoon of Thursday March 21st. It was attended by 51 Principals and Directors from the various regions, 8 lecturers from the Faculty of Philosophy of the UPS, three members of the Department of Formation and some students of Philosophy from the UPS. This participation surpassed all expectations.

Fundamental interventions were made by the General Councillor for Formation, Fr. Francis Cereda, and by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of the UPS, Fr. Mauro Montovani.  In the light of the “Decree of Reform of Ecclesiastical Studies of Philosophy”, promulgated by the Congregation for Catholic Education, they explained  the proposal of a three year course leading to a Bachelor’s degree and a two year course for the Diploma.

This proposal sought to meet the requirements of the Decree. It singled out the elements which can characterize the curriculum from a Salesian angle, and it indicated the possible specific (and hence optional) areas for each centre of study. These interventions enabled the regional groups and the whole assembly to make comparisons and offer suggestions about the proposals put forward.

 A study was made of the pattern of the minimum requirements to meet the demands of the Decree of Reform. With the various two-year courses proposed students will be able to gain a Pontifical Diploma, recognized by the UPS. The possibility was outlined of creating a link between the Salesian centres and the Faculty of Philosophy of the UPS. Besides affiliation, aggregation and incorporation it is now possible have an “association” with the Faculty of Philosophy, obtaining a Diploma recognized by the UPS.

The members were asked to make a rigorous study of the identity of philosophical studies  in Salesian centres; to understand present-day culture in their own context and in that of our globalized world, in order to single out the roots, affinities and challenges in relation to the Christian view of life. The aim of post-novitiate studies is to build up in the minds and hearts of the students a philosophical wisdom based on the human person  in all it aspects, open to theological wisdom, which is fruit of divine revelation, and besides, to motivate and support  vocational choice, laying a solid foundation for the mission of education and evangelization. Fr. Cereda specified: “For us Salesians these studies take place in the post-noviciate; they form the consecrated Salesian, whether cleric or coadjutor, as educator and pastor; they enter into dialogue with the human sciences.”

The meeting was concluded by the Rector Major in a masterly address in which he showed the need to take care of the post-novitiate which today is the most complex and difficult phase and in which there persists a notable vocational fragility. For this reason Philosophical studies must contribute to reinforce vocational identity in consecrated life.  He proposed the actuation of some aspects regarding the need for study, the importance of knowledge, depth of culture and care of the processes of inculturation. Fr. Pascual Chávez then presided at the final Eucharist.

Published 27/03/2012