As per the tradition of the theologate, right from its inception, every year on 29 June, the solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, a papal document is taken by DBTC for serious study and theological reflection. This year the focus was on ‘Synodality: the specific modus vivendi et operandi of the Church in India’.
Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Maddhichetty, the Principal of the college, set the tone for this serious theological refection, highlighting the scope and relevance of the theme in the life of the Church and that of every believer. Then began the seminar with the presentation of the three dimensions of Synodality, namely, Communion (by Bro. Vimal Joseph), Participation (by Bro. Jerome Arockiasamy) and Mission (by Bro. Britto Vikash), all belonging to the second year of theology. After their presentation, Dr. Arnald Mahesh SDB, the Dean of Philosophy, from St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, delivered his keynote address on realising the synodal church in India.
It was followed by seventy-five minutes of immersed floor-discussion moderated by Fr. John Richard, during which everyone listened with the ear of the heart and expressed frankly their experiences, insights and ideas. As a take-away of the seminar, everyone was convinced of some do’s and don’ts that might help towards establishing a synodal Church in India. The invitation to begin the processes of listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other, personal and pastoral conversion and reconciliation, and to practice the methodology of inclusion in every sector of the family, parish, religious institution, society and diocese was received whole heartedly by all the participants.
Don Bosco Theological Centre (DBTC) is situated at Kavarapettai, 44 kms north of Chennai, is affiliated to the faculty of theology of the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome. Originally this theological Centre which started functioning in the premises of the Becchi Don Bosco Studentate, at Poonamallee, Chennai was shifted to the present premises at Kavarapettai, on 3 June 2010, and christened as “Don Bosco Theological Centre” (DBTC).
Currently, there are 61 students pursuing their theological studies, and they are mostly from the Salesian provinces of Chennai and Tiruchy, while there are also a few from other Provinces, Religious Orders and Congregations. Following the directives of the Church towards preparation of the candidates to priesthood, this institute, besides implementing the Church’s directives, has particular emphasis on the Salesian dimension. One of the aspects of the Salesian Spirituality is fidelity to the Church and devotion to the Pope. This seminar was no doubt a day invested in reflection and discussion, and everyone felt together the synodal spiritual bonding as children of the One Triune God and Holy Mother the Church.
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