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DBCS Theological-Pastoral Community Begins the Academic Year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit

By Cl. Juvelan Paul N. Samia, SDB
Photos by Cl. April Jerome Quinto, SDB

Parañaque City, The Philippines, 10 June 2016 –- The Institute of Theological Formation (ITF) of the Don Bosco Center of Studies (DBCS), an affiliate of the Università Pontificia Salesiana (UPS), commenced the Academic Year 2016-2017 with the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Aula Magna.

His Excellency, Most Reverend Bishop Broderick Pabillo, D.D. presided over the Holy Eucharist. Joining the celebration were the academic authorities of DBCS, visiting professors and lecturers, the non-teaching staff, the formators from the different houses of formation, the students of the ITF and the Salesian Brothers taking the Biennium Course.

In his homily, Bishop Pabillo reminded the DBCS Theological-Pastoral community about the real objective of theological studies or any theological undertaking for that matter i.e., “to imbibe the Spirit of Jesus… to form Jesus within us.”

Apropos, he exhorted everyone to consider the importance of calling on the Holy Spirit in both studying and doing theology. He said that the Mass of the Holy Spirit should be celebrated not just as a “formality” but as a real beseeching for God’s help in our theological endeavors.

Taking the cue from the account of the Pentecost in Acts of the Apostles, the Bishop called on everyone to pray not only for the Holy Spirit to powerfully act in the pastors but in the ordinary people as well.

After the homily, in accordance with the requirements of Canon Law (CIC 833) and in conformity to St. Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio Ad Tuendam Fidem, the professors of theology, led by Fr Rafael Rey Dela Cruz, SDB, SThD, Dean and President of the DBCS, recited the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity.

At the end of the Mass, Fr Dela Cruz introduced the different members of the DBCS Theological-Pastoral Community to one another, and officially declared the Academic Year 2016-2017 open.

Fr Dela Cruz emphasized the communitarian dimension of the DBCS saying that each and every member of the Theological-Pastoral Community forms what in the Filipino language is referred to as “TAYO” (which means an inclusive “US”).

Organizational Meetings

After the Holy Mass, the DBCS Theological-Pastoral Community had the traditional picture taking usually done at the beginning of the Academic Year. It was followed by a presentation from the Research Office, and then the simultaneous meetings of DBCS academic authorities with the representative-formators from the different congregations and the election of batch officers of the students of theology.

DBCS Research Office

Fr Vicente Cervania, SDB, MRS, SThL, Director of the Research, Development and Communications Office, together with Ms. Divina Solano, MRS, MaTh, informed the ITF students about the availability of two important documents concerning research: (1) DBCS House Style and Research Code of Practice, and (2) Research Paper Guide, which is published “ad experimentum”.

These are projects undertaken by the office in order to advance the research culture in the DBCS.

DBCS Composition for the Academic Year 2016-2017

It is interesting to note that for this academic year 2016-2017 the DBCS-ITF community is composed of members from 8 congregations, 3 dioceses, and the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines.

Salesians of St. John Bosco (SDB)
Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of our Lord Jesus Christ (CSS)
Franciscan of Our Lady of the Poor (FLP)
Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFMConv)
Order of the Servants of Mary (OSM)
Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (RCJ)
Servants of the Paraclete (sP)
Religious Tertiary Capuchins of Our Lady of Sorrows
Archdiocese of Manila - Redemptoris Mater Missionary
Diocese of Parañaque
Diocese of Monterey, USA

Among the Salesians, there are 53 students of theology and 13 brothers taking the Biennium Course. They come from 14 countries and 12 provinces (+3 Delegations) namely,