The Salesian Theological Seminary offers a four-year course of higher studies in Theology, open to both Salesian students and those of other congregations, seminarians and simple scholars. The campus can accommodate 40 internal students and a total of 70 students from all over the world, while in the summer, when courses are stopped, it is used as a hospitality facility for pilgrims to the Holy Land.
Among the students of Ratisbonne is Edwar Gobran, 31, a native of Cairo, Egypt, a third-year student of theology: "Along with my studies," he explains, "I carry out an apostolate service with people who come to Cremisan and I am attending an English course. Coming to the Holy Land was a dream for me, I wanted it very much. One of the greatest riches of my experience is that of being able to live in an open reality, where value is given to the interreligious context."
The historical, multi-cultural and multi-religious richness of the Holy Land is, in fact, enhanced by the leaders of the Salesian formation institute. "In Ratisbonne, for example, prominent Jewish figures are invited to talk about Judaism, and this is obviously an added element," Gobran continues.
“I believe that it is essential to maintain the freedom not to shut oneself inside: others have a lot to say and we have much to learn from them: it is essential to be able to speak to find bridges and not barriers. Being able to study in the Holy Land," Edwar concludes, "is an extra element, an enormous wealth of faith, a grace that I feel I have received without merit. While in Cremisan I have the opportunity to dialogue with nature and beauty, in a context that makes me feel at ease with people."
