FRANCISCAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

The Graduate School Department of

Our Lady of the Angels Seminary

Seminary Road, Bagbag, Novaliches,

Quezon City 1116 Philippines

Tel. No. 936-40-83, Fax No. 936-40-83 loc. 215

Web. http://www.olas-ofmphil.com/

 

 

GENERAL BULLETIN

 


I.   INTRODUCTION

 

A.  BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS SEMINARY

 

        Our Lady of the Angels Seminary (OLAS) with its new Graduate School, the Franciscan School Theology (FST) is administered by the Province of San Pedro Bautista of the Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.) in the Philippines.  While the FST-OLAS is just beginning, OLAS itself is more than forty years old.  

 

        In 1959, Fr. Aloysius Ma. Contreras, OFM, then Delegate General, obtained permission from the Minister General, Fr. Augustine Sepinski, OFM to purchase a land and construct a major house of studies in the Manila area for the education and formation of Filipino candidates to the Order.  A seven-hectare land was purchased in Bagbag, Novaliches, Queson City on which a three storey building with seventy-two living quarters, four class rooms and a laboratory, a basement chapel and an adjacent refectory was constructed and ready for occupancy on June, 1952.   On February 12, 1963, the seminary was solemnly blessed and dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels by the Minister General himself.  A second three storey building was constructed soon after.  The first building housed the lay seminarians and the second was assigned to the clerics and the friar-professors and administrators of the seminary.

 

      OLAS formally held its first regular classes during the school year 1962-1963.  It offered a course in Liberal Arts leading to the degree in Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) which was recognized by the government on May 30, 1974.  Around this time another building situated between the lay seminarians’ building and the clericate was constructed to house the new library and auditorium.

 

      Philosophy was the only major field until the SY 1969-1970 when two more majors were added—Comparative Religion and Behavioral Science which were later replaced by Religious Studies and Sociology.  From 1991 to the present the college department’s Bachelor’s program has been offering two major fields—A.B. Philosophy and A.B. Theology.  The seminary is open to Franciscan aspirants (interns or seminarians) and aspirants from other religious congregations and non-seminarians (externs).

 

     In 1993, OLAS opened a graduate school of theology with a program for a master’s degree (M.A.) in Pastoral Theology.  The school is a consortium of Franciscan, Carmelite and Redemptorist theology students.  The consortium is called the Inter-Congregational Theological Center (ICTC) now located in a venue outside OLAS, in no. 5 14th St. New Manila, Q.C..

 

     During the school year 2005-2006, OLAS opened within its structure a new graduate school, the Franciscan School of Theology.  The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approved a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with four major fields of concentration:  Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, Franciscan Spirituality, and Franciscan Pastoral Ministry.  At this writing, only the Master of Arts in Theology major in Franciscan Spirituality and Master of Arts in Theology major in Franciscan Pastoral Ministry are being offered yet.  These programs follow CHED’s new policies and standards for graduate theological studies issued in 2004/05.  The proposed curriculum for the ordained ministry is still under study. 

 

 

 B.     RATIONALE AND INSPIRATION OF THE FRANCISCAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

           

       The rationale of the graduate school and its programs is primarily derived from and inspired by Vatican II’s Decree on the Renewal of Religious Life (Perfectae Caritatis)  which says that “the up-to-date renewal of the religious life comprises both a constant return to the sources of the whole of the Christian life and the primitive inspiration of the institutes, and their adaptation to the changed conditions of our times.” 

 

     Since Vatican II, 1965, there has been an explosion of documents in the Order of Friars Minor encouraging conferences, provinces, and individual friars to put value and special place for studies and research on our rich Franciscan intellectual tradition.  The very first document was the Medellin document in 1971-- just six years after Vatican II.  The Medellin document was followed by the “Document on formation” of the Plenary Council of the Order in 1981; by the Letter of the Minister General on “Studies and Missions in the Order Today,” 1981; by another Letter of the Minister General on “Franciscan and Scientific Formation of the Friars,” 1987; by the Report of the Minister General, “The Promotion of Studies in our Order,” 1994; by still another Letter of the Minister General, “Go and Fill the Whole Earth with the Gospel of Christ.” Every time the Order speaks of evangelization, it also emphasizes the importance of intellectual formation on the “grace of our origins.”  There is a strong connection between evangelization and studies.  The San Diego, 1991 document, “The Order and Evangelization Today” was particularly strong on this connection.  John Paul II in his “Message to the General Chapter in San Diego was even more forceful:  “It is necessary to consider intellectual formation as a fundamental requirement for evangelization.”

 

     The recently revised General Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor (GGCC) is still saturated with such demands for “going back to our primitive inspirations through specific ‘Franciscan studies.’  The GGCC say that: “friars are to receive an appropriate formation in philosophy, theology, pastoral care, the sciences and the arts, so that they may be of more use in the building of the Kingdom of God” (GGCC, Art 160, 1); “Franciscan studies, as well as philosophical and theological studies, are to be encouraged and pursued with special care in the Order and in the Provinces (Art 166, 1);  “The greatest attention is to be given to forming teachers skilled in spirituality, Franciscan history, philosophy and theology, who are to minister spirit and life according to the mind of St. Francis and the other Masters of the Order” (Art 166, 2), “the Order has the right and duty to have its own study centers to prepare candidates for Holy Orders and its own institutes for higher religious studies (GGCC, 2).

 

     Very recently the Secretary General for Formation and Studies of the Order stresses that “the assimilation of the charism of the Franciscan spiritual and intellectual traditions remain a priority of formation in its full range” (Massimo Fusarelli, Provincial communicator, Philippine Province of San Pedro Bautista. April-June, 2005).   The present minister General himself is telling the entire Order that he “feels strongly that this process (studies and scientific research) is coherent with that of our Order as it moves toward the VIII Centenary of its foundation…,” that the edifice of the Order must be constructed on two pillars, that is, on sanctity and knowledge…;” that all the Franciscan Study and Research Centers are called on to transmit, in an upgraded manner, the cultural, philosophical and theological heritage of the ‘Franciscan School’ (Jose Carballo.  The Flavor of the Word:  The Intellectual Vocation of the Friars Minor Today;  Letter of the Minister General OFM On Studies. Rome, 2005).

  

     The FST at OLAS therefore is OLAS’ way of returning to “the sources of the whole of Christian life and the primitive inspiration”… to the original Gospel experiences of Francis and Clare as seen in their writings—letters, admonitions, legislations; in their biographies; the philosophical and theological interpretations of their experiences by the Franciscan masters—St. Bonaventure, Blessed John Scotus, William of Ockham, or of the “Franciscan School” and the contemporary writers, results of modern studies and scholarships.

 

     The FST is OLAS’ response to the various calls of the Order to put value and special place for studies and research on our rich Franciscan intellectual tradition in connection with formation to mission and as fundamental requirement for evangelization.

 

            Though the above documents are addressed primarily to members of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM’s), OLAS, believing Francis as a universal saint who appeals to everyone— Catholic and non-Catholic, Christian and non-Christian, Franciscan and non-Franciscan, shares and extends the experiences of Francis and Clare and how these experiences were put into theological syntheses by the “Franciscan School” of the thirteenth century and of the present times.

   

 

C.  THE OFM CHARISM-VISION-MISSION

 

     The Franciscan School of Theology at the Our Lady of the angels Seminary is guided by the Charism-Vision-Mission of the Province of San Pedro Bautista, Philippines. 

 

     Charism:  “As followers of St. Francis, our charism is to lead a Gospel life or joyful poverty and humility in joyful brotherhood. 

 

     Vision:  “Journeying with all men and women as brothers and sisters in the Lord and in harmony with all of cre4ation towards a new heaven and a new earth, we envision a family living in love, justice, and peace under God as Father and with Jesus as brother.” 

 

     Mission:  “Caught up by such charism, we commit ourselves to the following (1) to seek a deeper life with God continually renewing ourselves with the Gospel message in the spirit of Francis , and in the context of the signs of the times; (2) to promote justice, peace, and reconciliation among ourselves, among all men and women through humble and joyful service; (3) to witness God’s loving providence through a simple life-style characterized by prayerful joy and thrust preferably among the neglected and poor of society; (4) to live and proclaim the Gospel in the cultural patters of the people we live and serve, and (5) to respond to the missionary dimension of our Franciscan calling, whether locally or overseas.

 

     As a member of the Association of the Franciscan Schools, Incorporated (AFSI), FST-OLAS specifically commits itself (1) to inculcate Gospel-living values, a deeper life with God under the inspiration of St. Francis of Assisi among its administrators, faculty members, students and parents; (2) to develop intellectual competence with a high sense of Christian moral values and an appreciation of historical and cultural heritage of our country; (3) to adhere strictly to the Catholic philosophy of education and to cooperate with men and women in the search of the truth; (4) to promote justice, peace, and reconciliation among members of the academic community and among men and women through humble and joyful service; preferably among the poor and the neglected of society; to educate the students to reverence for the integrity of creation; (5) to make education a tool in evangelization work of transforming society; to educate the students to exercise critical consciousness in relation to local, national, and global issues. 

 

 

D.     THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

 

Specifically, the theological and spiritual vision of Francis and Clare of Assisi—“The Humility of the Incarnation and the Charity of the Passion”—serves as the theological foundation of the Franciscan School of Theology at OLAS.

 

Francis of Assisi had a unique experience of the Gospel.  His “life according to the form of the Holy Gospel” did not lead him to any of the existing religious life of his time.  This life was revealed to him by God himself (Testament 14, Cf  The Assisi Compilation, 18; Legend of Perugia, 114).  Hence Franciscanism is not neutral—it has its own unique spirituality, history, theology, and philosophy, .  Its uniqueness (its basic orientation) is a gift from God, is a charism that we need to return to God in gratitude and to humbly share with others in the church and society.

 

In the  First Life of St. Francis by Tomas of Celano, we read:  “Indeed…so thoroughly did the humility of the Incarnation and the love of the Passion occupy his memory that he scarcely wanted to think of anything else“ (1 Cel 84).  According to Thomas of Celano, therefore, Francis focuses his vision on two basic realities:  the Humility of the Incarnation and the Love of the Passion.  In the introduction to Celano’s First Life, the editors note “that the theme of ‘the humility of the incarnation’ uniquely identifies Book One…and “in Book Two, the love of the passion predominates.”  (Regis J. Armstrong, O.F.M Cap; J. A. Wayne Hellmann, O.FM., Conv.; and William J. Short, O.F.M., eds, Francis of Assisi:  Early Documents.  Vol. 1, The Saint.  Manila:  New City Press, 1999, 177). These two realities serve as two lenses through which the Franciscan theological schools like FST-OLAS see and present Christ.    This means, for instance, that the kind of Christology our students will focus on is not one that presents the “exalted” or “enthroned” Christ but the human, poor, humble, incarnate, crucified Christ.  Most Christologies deliberately stress issues of greatness, i.e. Jesus as Savior and Sovereign Lord.  It is the incarnation, the humility of the incarnation and the love of the passion that constitute the theological vision of St. Francis which he shared with St. Clare of Assisi.  (Kennan B. Osborne, OFM, The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition:  Tracing Is Origins and Identifying Its Central Components:  The Franciscan Heritage Series Volume One,  New York:  The Franciscan Institute Publication, St. Bonaventure University, 2003) Francis’ personal and theological experience consists not on the study of the metaphysical formulas of the great Christological Councils that defined the Incarnation (Ephesus, 325 A.D. and Chalcedon, 451 A.D) but on the encounter with God in the crib and on the cross.  What moved Francis was not the conciliar formula of the Incarnation, though correct, but how the Word was nursed and did everything a child does (Cf. Leonardo Boff, St. Francis:  A Model For Human Liberation.  New York:  Crossroads, 1982, 26-27).  Thus he wanted to recreate the Bethlehem crib in Greccio, for the first time in history.  He said:  “I desire to celebrate the memory of the child who was born in Bethlehem, and I want to contemplate in some way with my eyes what he suffered in his infant weakness; how he lay in the manger, and how he was placed between the ox and the ass “ (1 Cel, 84).  It is for this reason that themes from the Johannine Prologue (Jn 1:1-18) and the Pauline Kenotic Hymn (Phil 2:1-11) saturate Francis’ own writings, i.e., The Letter to the Entire Order and the Canticle of Exhortation to St. Clare and Her Sisters, The Second Version of the Letter to the Faithful,  

 

He also thought of the passion of Jesus Christ with very deep love:  “He wept bitterly because of the Passion of Christ, which he almost always had before his eyes.  Remembering the wounds of Christ, he filled the roads with laments, without finding consolation” (2 Cel 11).  This love for the Passion found its highest expression in the mystical experience of Mt. La Verna.  At La Verna, desiring for a radical identification with the Crucified, Francis asked for two graces that the Lord grant him before his death.  He prayed:  “My Lord, Jesus Christ, two graces I ask…that I experience in his life, in his soul and body the pain that the Lord suffered in the hour of his Passion; the second, that I experience in my heart…that measureless love with which you…burned when you offered yourself to suffer so much for sinners.”  His meditation of the Passion was so intense that “Francis was completely transformed into Jesus through love and compassion (Boff, 29).  Bonaventure comments:  “Francis experienced such Love for the Passion that a sword pierced his heart” (LM, 13, 3).

 

Francis experienced the Incarnate and Crucified Christ more vividly and concretely in his encounter with the leper (2 Cel 9).   In that encounter with the sordid, with concrete human suffering, Francis came to understand the love of God made flesh in the Incarnation and in the Passion.  Francis experienced fully what John speaks of the Word who was with God and who became flesh” and what Paul has expressed so concisely: “He emptied himself unto death, even death on the cross.”  This encounter then became the first moment, the peak experience or the turning point of his life.  He expressed moment, this point in the Testament which he wrote shortly before his death on 3 October, 1226:”The Lord granted me, Brother Francis, to begin to do penance in this way—while I was in sin, it seemed bitter to me to see lepers.  And the Lord Himself led me among them and I had mercy on them,  And when I left them what seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of soul and body, and afterward I lingered a little and left the world” (Test 1-3; Cf. 2 Cel 9, LSC 11, LM I, 5-6).

 

A theology that focuses on the Incarnation and the Passion looks not only at the crucifixion of Jesus but also at the suffering of the crucified people at the edges of society.  It is therefore a theology that begins with the poor and the crucified and from them to the poor and crucified Christ.  It is a theology that begins with an “encounter” with the various “lepers” in our present society, which encounter brings the student to a deeper love and understanding of the Word, of Sacred Scriptures.    It is a theology that stretches to all of creation which is itself the beginning of the Incarnation and therefore it is a theology that cannot remain unmindful of the abuses inflicted on creation, the “word” of the “Word.”  

 

.The same vision is expressed in the thoughts and teachings of the followers of Francis and Clare as witnessed and as written for us by his biographers.  The first Franciscan theologians of the thirteenth century started a theological tradition called “The Franciscan School” represented by, among others, St. Bonaventure Bagnoregio (Paris), John Duns Scotus (Oxford), Anthony of Padua (not really associated with Paris or Oxford).   This School, -- its theological orientation-- is founded on the fundamental theological vision of Francis:  the humility of the Incarnation and Charity of the Passion.

 

     The FST-OLAS hopes to continue the tradition of the Franciscan School with its “academic theological tradition” and translate this tradition into the context of the Philippines, and as it progresses, into the larger Franciscan Asian world.

 

 

 E.  TARGET POPULATION

 

            The Franciscan School of Theology at the Our Lady of the Angels Seminary is open to all Franciscan men and women-- religious and lay formators in the different levels of formation;  Religion/values education/Christian living teachers, campus ministers in Franciscan schools, catechists in Franciscan parishes, members of other religious congregations, religious on sabbatical and personal up-dating and enrichment, and lay persons who are interested in exploring the Francisco-Clarian charism through higher studies in Franciscan Spirituality, Theology, Philosophy, History, etc..  FST-OLAS accepts cross-enrollees from other CHED recognized graduate schools of theology.  The possibility of accepting candidates for the ordained ministry from the inter-Franciscan and non-Franciscan congregations, and from the various dioceses is still under study.

 

II.  ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 

A.     For all students

 

1. A duly accomplished application form (includes 1 copy of 2x2 and 4

    copies of 1x1 ID pictures.

 

2.      Letters of recommendations from two former instructors or school officials, parish priest (lay students) or religious superior (for religious brothers or sisters), from the religious formator, formation director or of the present formation house one resides (for religious formants)

               

3.      A copy of his/her Original Transcript of Records attesting to a bachelor’s (college) degree that includes eighteen (24) units of philosophy (Logic or Introduction to Philosophy, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Man, Philosophy of God, Franciscan Philosophy, Ancient-Medieval, Modern and Contemporary) and have a general weighted average of 85% or “B” or 2.00 with no grade of “failure” in any philosophy subject (for candidates to the ordained ministry); 18 units or philosophy and/or theology and have a weighted average of 85% or “B” or 2.99 with no grade of “failure” in any philosophy or theology subject (for those who are not candidates for the ordained ministry)

 

Students who do not fulfill the above undergraduate philosophy or     theology requirements may be admitted on a probation basis but will have to take pre-M.A. courses which will not be credited for the master’s degree.

 

4.      Passing the entrance examination.  Applicants should have an above

average score in a Mental Ability test adopted by OLAS.  In special  cases, applicants who have already earned a graduate degree may be exempted from the entrance examination

 

                         5.    Interview with the Dean/Rector.

 

 

B.     Admission of International Students

 

The FST-OLAS shall welcome students from other parts of the world, especially from the Franciscan World of Asia and Oceania.  International students (IS) will be subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). 

 

In addition to all other admission requirements, the

Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for IS from counties where English is not the first or official language.

 

Transcript of academic records should be in English.  Should this be in a language other than English, it should be accompanied by an official English translation. 

 

Once admitted, an IS must submit the following:  an appropriate visa and a study permit issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).  IS must register for courses to earn credits and must carry full academic loads.

            

III.  STATUS OF STUDENTS

 

A.  Regular Status

 

Students are of regular status if their credentials and records satisfy all the requirements for admission and whose undergraduate preparation has been judged to be completely satisfactory by the dean or Rector.

     

 B.  Probationary Status

 

Students on this status are those whose records fall short of satisfying all the requirements for admission.  They will be given permanent status as soon as all the requirements have been met.  Students with deficiencies in the undergraduate philosophy and theology requirements belong to this status.

      

C.  Non-matriculated Status

 

Students in this status are those who satisfy all the requirements for admission but who do not wish to obtain a degree at the OLAS Graduate School of Theology.  They undertake graduate work for a specific purposes.

 

D.  Audit Status

 

Auditors are those who desire to attend a course without performing the requirements of the course.  They do not receive academic credits for their work.  However, their transcripts indicate class presence.  In no way will credit be granted for audited courses and no student may change from a credit to audit status or from audit to credit status except during the change of Enrolment period.                         

 

 

IV.   COURSE AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS

 

        A.  For M.A. in theology Major in Franciscan Spirituality:

 

             1.  Course Requirement

 

 a.   A minimum of 48 Credits

 

        i.  Core Courses (15)

        ii.  Specialization (21)

        iii.  Cognates (12)

 

  b. Class attendance

 

Students are required to attend all classes punctually and regularly.  Each    student is required to attend at least 80% of the prescribed number of class periods/hours.  A student who incurs absence of more than 20% of the prescribed number of periods/hours (or six unexcused absences or two meetings) will be automatically dropped from the subject and will be given a failing grade in that subject.

 

Most classes are 3-unit or 3-hour classes.  Upon the discretion of the professors, two hours may be spent for lecture and the remaining hour for assignments and library research.  In no way shall the remaining hour be spent outside the library or study halls.

 

In case of absence, absentees are responsible for all class lectures, assignments, and other requirements.  One hour of absence is counted one absence; thus, if the student is absent in a class given for three consecutive hours, the student is considered to have incurred three absences.  Three counts of tardiness of ten minutes per hour of class will be reckoned as one absence.

 

Absence due to sickness and other valid reasons must be supported with        an excuse letter addressed to the dean accompanied by a pertinent document, (i.e. letter from formator, superior or doctor’s certification). 

 

A planned absence (i.e. not due to sickness) should be arranged with the Dean and with the professor, also with a letter explaining the reason or the exceptional nature of the absence.

 

A class monitor shall be assigned to record the tardiness and absences of his classmates. 

 

Students who wish to withdraw from a course should do it officially or with permission from the dean within two weeks after the start of school.  His subject shall then be marked “dropped.”  Beyond two weeks, the subject/s will incur a grade of “failure.”  Likewise, students who wish to add courses must do it with permission from the dean.  Course withdrawal or addition forms are available at the office of the registrar. 

 

Normally a professor’s absence or tardiness is announced to the class through the registrar.  If there is no such announcement, the class is considered dismissed if the professor does not report within fifteen minutes per class hour after the scheduled start of the class.  The professor shall schedule a make-up class considering the availability of all students concerned.  As a matter of policy any change of class schedule shall be coordinated with the office of the dean or registrar.

 

Student religious or clerics who do not wear their habits or clerical garbs and lay students are required to wear semi-formal attire while in the campus. Sporting wear, short pants, or slippers are not allowed.  ID’s are to be worn while inside the campus.  The library requires another card.

 

 

c.       Examination and Grade Requirement

 

There are two major examinations in the graduate school, mid-term and final examinations.  Any student who fails to take an examination will incur an INCOMPLETE grade in the subject.  All INC grades shall be removed or completed within the first semester of the succeeding term.  After this period, the INC grade automatically becomes a FAILURE or

“5.00.”

 

Examinations may be given in either written or oral forms or in the form of research paper or a combo.  Other creative means of determining learning of students may be employed:  class presentations or productions for wider audience, etc..

 

Graduate students are supposed to be very responsible and trustworthy but should there be a case of cheating during examinations (or plagiarizing in research papers, etc..) the student concerned shall receive a grade of “failure” in that subject regardless of the student’s performance in the other areas or requirements of the course.  Depending on the gravity of the offense, a student may even be dismissed from the graduate school.

 

Professors are required to submit to the Office of the Registrar the final grades not later than two weeks after the final examinations.  Final grades shall be released as soon as they are available in a form from the office of the registrar. 

 

Grades are determined as follows:  Mid-tem grade is a combined result of the (1) tests:  mid-term exams or equivalent, (2) class attendance, participation- class discussion, projects (3) papers, reports required during the mid-terms.  Final Grade comprise one-third of the mid-term grade and two thirds of the tentative final grade which is a combined result of (1) final examination or equivalent, class attendance, performance after the mid-terms, and (3) grade of final draft of the research or term paper.

 

A weighted average of not lower than 2.00 or 85 in all subjects taken is required in M.A. in all Academic Degree programs.  A grade lower than 2.00 or 85 shall disqualify the student from the Academic degree program.  A grade of 5.00 or Below 75 shall disqualify a student from the Professional Degree Program.

 

The Grading system is:

 

Grade Description

Percent

Point/Letter Equivalent

Excellent

98-100

1.00      A +

Very Good

95-97

1.25      A

Above Average

91-94

1.50      A-

Average

88-90

1.75      B+

Fair/Cut-off mark for A.D.

85-87

2.00      B

Below Average

82-84

2.25      B- No graduate 

                  Credit

Low

79-81

2.50      C+

Very Low

76-78

2.75      C

Barely Passing

75-76

3.00      C- 

Failure

74 and below

5.00      D

Incomplete

INC

5.00 (if still Inc after a sem)

Dropped

DRP

None

Failure due to Unauthorized Withdrawal

FAW

5.00

Failure due to Absences

FA

5.00

Audit

AU

None

Satisfactory

S

None

Unsatisfactory

U

None

 

N.B  A final grade lower than 2.00 or B disqualifies a student from the Academic Degree Program, and a grade of 5.0 or D from the Professional Degree Program.

 

               d. One-two month immersion with the poor during the summer.

                 

              2.  Final Requirements for Graduation

 

a.       All students (Academic and Professional degrees) take a Comprehensive

      Examination at the end of the final year which consists of written and

      oral parts, each part comprising 50% of   the total grade.

 

b.      Thesis.  Academic Degree students should submit a thesis (80-150 pages

      excluding end-notes and bibliography).  At the end of the first semester

      of course work) as part of the requirements for the Research

      Methodology), the student submits to the Office of the Dean a thesis

      proposal noted by the professor.  Upon approval of the proposal by the

      academic Council s/he chooses an adviser  (preferably part of the OLAS

      Graduate School Faculty) of this thesis with whom s/he is to confer

      regularly in the process of writing.  When finished (within three years

      from the start of the start of the process of writing), the student defends it

      in public before a designated panel.  It has to be submitted hard bound

      after the successful defense or after making the recommended

  revisions.

 

 

V.  THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS

 

            The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has actually approved  for the OLAS graduate School of Theology (The Franciscan School of Theology) a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with four major fields of concentration:  Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, Franciscan Spirituality, and Franciscan Pastoral Ministry.  As a starter, only M.A. in Theology in Franciscan Spirituality and M.A. in Theology major in Franciscan Pastoral Ministry are being offered.  These programs follow CHED’s new policies and standards for graduate theological studies issued in 2004/05. Once recommended by a study, the curriculum for the ordained ministry shall be considered. 

 

 Following are detailed information on the M.A. in Theology majors in Franciscan Spirituality and Franciscan Pastoral Ministry.

 

 

            A.    Master of Arts in Theology Major in Franciscan Spirituality

                   (An Academic Degree, Thesis Track)

 

Core Courses                                                                                                    15 credits

 

FS 100  Research Methodology w Fran Bibliography         3                                          

DT 200  Faith and Revelation                                               3

SS  300  Introduction to Sacred Scriptures                          3

MT 400  Fundamental Moral Theology                              3

DT  201  Fundamental Ecclesiology/BEC The Church

               of the Poor (with a month long immersion into

               a community of the poor)                                     3

 

Specialization:                                                                                                   21                                                          

 

FS 101  Sources for the Lives of Sts. Francis and Clare      3

FS 102  Life, Charism of Sts. Francis and Clare                  3

FS 104  History of the Franciscan Movement                      3

FS 105  Introduction to Franciscan Theology                      3

FS 107  Franciscan Spirituality                                             3

FS 108  Scriptural foundation of Fran/Francis Use of SS    3

FS 110  Franciscan Theology of Prayer                               3

FS 111  The Theology and Spirituality of St. Bonaventure

              (Trinity, Christ, and Creation)                                3

FS 112  The Theology and Spirituality of Bl. John Scotus

              (The Primacy of Christ-Incarnation, Immaculate

              Conception, Individuation)

FS 117  Franciscan Praxis of Spiritual direction                  3

              Or any elective

 

Cognates:  (Any three [3] courses of the following)                                         12

 

CH 700 History of Spirituality                                               3

FS 103  Writings of Francis and Clare                                  3

DT 207  Sacramental Theology                                             3

CH 500 Church History                                                          3

CL 600  Canon Law                                                               3

                                   

 

Immersion:  1-2 months living with the poor (summer)

 

Thesis                                                                                                                  (6)                                          

Total Number of credits                                                                                      48

 

 

 

B.     Master of Arts in Franciscan Pastoral Ministry

(Professional Degree, Non-Thesis Track)

 

Core Courses                                                                                                    15 credits

 

FS 101  Sources for the Lives of Sts. Francis and Clare     3                                           

PM 100 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry                          3

DT 200  Faith and Revelation                                             3

SS 300  Introduction to Sacred Scriptures                          3

MT400  Fundamental Moral Theology                               3

 

Professional Courses  (Any eight [8] of the following)                                   24                

 

FS 105  Introduction To Franciscan Theology                    3

DT  201 Fundamental Ecclesiology/BEC and the

              Church Of the Poor                                                3

PM102  Catechetics                                                             3

FS 102   Life, Charism of Francis and Clare                       3

FS 107   Franciscan Spirituality                                           3

FS 114   Franciscan Spirituality of Justice and Peace

              and Integrity of Creation                                        3

PM 103  Pastoral Psychology and Counseling

FS  117  Franciscan Praxis of Spiritual Direction                3

PM 104  Pastoral Care and Ministry to the Sick                  3

FS  118  Franciscan Pastoral Leadership/Management        3

               (Franciscan Parishes, Schools, etc)

FS  119  Pastoral Care for the Franciscan Brothers and

               Sisters OSC, SFO, etc.                                           3

FS 113    Scriptural/Theological Foundations of Mission

               and the Franciscan Missionary Charism                 3

FS  122   The Theology of Inter-Religious dialogue             3

FS  123   Franciscan Formators’ Course                              3

 

Electives (Any four [4] courses of the following)                                               12                                                   

FS 103   Writings of Francis and Clare                                 3

PM 104  Apostolate to the Family and Youth                       3

PM 105  Principles of Homiletics                                          3

CH 500  Church History                                                       3

CL 600  Canon Law                                                             3

Synthesis (Special Project Paper)                                                                         (3)

Total Number of Credits                                                                                       51

Immersion: 1-3 month living with the poor during the summer

Oral/Written Comprehensive Exams

 

 

VI.  SEQUENCING AND SEMESTRAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE COURSES

 

A.  M. A. In Theology Major in Franciscan Spirituality

 

First Year

 

First Semester

Credits

Second Semester

Credits

FS 100 Research Methods

3

DT 200 Faith and Revelation

3

SS 300 Intro to Sacred Scriptures

3

FS 102 Life and Charism of F & C

3

MT 400 Fund of Moral Theology

3

FS 105 Intro. to Fran Theo or elect

3

FS 101 Sources for the Lives of Fran & Clare

3

FS 104 Hist of Fran Movement or elect

3

TOTAL

12

TOTAL

12

 

Second Year

 

First Semester

Credits

Second Semester

Credits

FS 103 Writings of Fran & Clare

3

DT 201Fundamental Ecclesiology

3

FS 117 Fran Praxis of Spir dir or elective

3

CH 500 Church History

3

CL 600 Canon Law 1

3`

FS 111 The and Spir of St. Bona or elective

3

DT 207 Sacramental Theology

3

Thesis

6

TOTAL

12

TOTAL

15

 

 B.  M.A. in Theology Major in Franciscan Pastoral Ministry

 

First Year

 

First Semester

Credits

Second Semester

Credits

PM 500 Intro to Pastoral Ministry

3

DT 200 Faith and Revelation

3

SS 300 Intro to Sacred Scriptures

3

FS 102 Life, Charism of Fran & Cl

3

MT 400 Intro to Moral Theology

3

FS 105 Intro. To Franciscan Theol

3

FS 101 Sources for the Lives of Fran & Cl

3

FS 113 Scr Foundation of Mission and Fran’can  Missionary Charism

3

TOTAL

12

TOTAL

12

 

Second Year

 

First Semester

Credits

Second Semester

Credits

FS 103 Writings of Fran & Clare

3

DT 201 Fundam’tal Ecclesiology.

3

FS 117 Fran Praxis of Spir Dir or Elective

3

FS 118 Fran  Pastoral Leadersp or elective

3

PM 103 Pastoral Psy/C or elective

3`

CH 500 Church History

3

CL 600 Canon Law 1

3

Project paper

3

TOTAL

12

TOTAL

12

 

N.B.  The above courses may be offered/taken during the summer term

 

VII.  SUMMARY OF COURSE OFFERINGS

     A.  FOR FRANCISCAN STUDIES

 

FS 100  Research Methodology and Franciscan Bibliography

FS 101  Sources for the lives of Sts. Francis and Clare

FS 102  Life, Charism of of Sts. Francis and Clare

FS 103  Writings of Sts. Francis and Clare

FS 104  Survey of Franciscan History

FS 105  History of Franciscan Thought and Theology

FS 106  Franciscan Christology and Mariology

FS 107  Franciscan Spirituality

FS 108  Scriptural Foundation of Franciscanism

FS 109  Francis’ Use of Sacred Scriptures

FS 110  Franciscan Theology of Prayer

FS 111  Theology of St. Bonaventure  (Trinity, Christocentricity, Creation)

FS 112  Theology of Bl. John Scotus (Primacy of Christ-Incarnation, Immaculate

              Conception, Individuation)

FS 113  Scriptural/Theological/ Foundation of Mission and the Franciscan Missionary

              Charism

FS 114  Franciscan Spirituality of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation

FS 115 Franciscan Values Today

FS 116  The Development of the Franciscan Person

FS 117  Franciscan Praxis of Spiritual Direction

FS 118  Fran Pastoral Leadership (in Parishes, Schools, Administration, Formation, etc.)

FS 119  Pastoral Care for the Franciscan Sisters and Brothers (OSC, SFO, other Fran Rel)

FS 120  History of the Franciscan Presence in the Philippines, Asia and Oceanea

FS 121  Francis and the Church of the Poor

FS 122  Francis and Inter-Religious Dialogue

 

     B.   For Dogmatic Theology (DT)

 

DT 200  Faith and Revelation

DT 201  Fundamental Ecclesiology

DT 202  Fundamental Theology

DT 203  Fundamental Ecclesiology/BEC and the Church of the Poor

DT 204  Christology and Mariology (with FS 105)

DT 207  Sacramental Theology

 

     C.  For Sacred Scriptures (SS)

 

SS 300  Introduction to Sacred Scripture

SS 308/FS 108  Scriptures in the Writings of Francis/Francis’ Use of Scriptures

 

     D.  For Moral Theology (MT)

 

MT 400  Moral Theology 1:  Introduction to Moral Theology

 

     E.  For Church History (CH)

 

CH 500  Church Hist 1:  Ancient-Medieval Church History (w focus on the Mendicant

                                        Movement (incl Modern and contemporary Church History)

CH 503/FS 120               History of the Franciscan Presence in the Philippines (incl

                                         Philippine church History)

    

 

CL 500  Canon Law 1:   Introduction to Canon Law; Book 1 of the Code of Canon Law 

                                        Book II, III, IV of the Code of Canon Law Book V, VI, and VII

                                        of the Code of Canon Law

    

    G.  For Pastoral Ministry (PM)

 

PM 600  Introduction to Pastoral Ministry

PM 601  Catechetics

PM 602  Pastoral Psychology and Counseling

PM 602/FS 115  History, Process of Spiritual direction and Fran Praxis of SD

PM 603  Pastoral Care and Ministry to the Sick

PM 604/FS 112  Care for Creation/Fran Spir’ty of Justice, Peace and Integ

              Of Creation.

PM 605 Pastoral and Missionary Evangelization/The Theology of Mission and the

              Franciscan Missionary Charism.

 

VIII.  COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 

       A.  Sacred Scriptures (SS)

 

SS 300  Introduction to Sacred Scripture

 

     This introductory course to biblical studies deals with the fundamentals of the study—the formation of the bible, biblical inspiration and inerrancy, the different literary genre, the language, the senses and the interpretation of the written word of God—the historicity of the Gospels, their contexts, redactions, and theologies.  It also considers contemporary issues in biblical research.

 

SS 308/FS 108  Scriptures in the Writings of Francis/Francis’ Use of Scriptures

 

     B.  Dogmatic Theology (DT)

 

DT 200  Faith and Revelation

 

     A study on the nature, structure, and the essential elements of the Christian faith, the faith of the early Church concerning Jesus—Jesus’ witness of himself, of the witnesses of the resurrection;  The existence, nature and development of both natural and the supernatural revelations of God—signs and credibility of revelation; the ways and means by which the human person can understand Divine revelation.

    

DT 201  Fundamental Ecclesiology/BEC and the Church of the Poor

 

     This course examines the Church in the history of salvation, history of ecclesiology; the various definitions of the Church-- her origin, nature, mission and destiny; the mystery of the Church, her unity, sanctity, catholicity; the pneumatological dimension, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the laity.  It also deals with the ecclesiology of the Vatican II—the Church as mystery of communion and mission.  It then investigates various theologies of the Church based on contemporary ecclesial experience and theology-  the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) and the Church of the Poor..  It will look into a theology of the Church appropriate to the Asian or Philippine context as seen in the Ecclesia in Asia and in the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II, 1991)

 

DT 204  Christology/Soteriology (With Scotus Doctrine on the Primacy of Christ)

 

     This course deals with the biblical and Church teachings on the saving mysteries of Christ:  his incarnation, earthly life, passion, death and resurrection, ascension and Pentecost.  It looks into the Jesus in the Scriptures, in the Judaeo-Christian tradition, Church teachings and experience and reflections of contemporary theologians.  It deals with problems concerning modern Christological theology.

 

     An important part of the course is the integration of Franciscan/Scotistic doc trine of the Primacy of Christ, the motive of the Incarnation)

 

DT 205  Mariology (With Scotus’ Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception)

 

     This course deals with theological reflections of the role of Mary in the Church and salvation history, the scriptural basis of the Marian devotion, the Marian dogmas and their expressions in popular Filipino Marian popular religiosity.

 

     An important part of the course is a reflection of Francis devotion to Mary as the “Virgin made Church” (Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and the medieval discussion on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the teaching and defense of Bl. John duns Scotus on the Immaculate Conception—that Mary was freed from original sin from the moment of her conception.  It looks into Pope Pius IX’s Ineffabilis Deus issued on December 8, 1854 making the Immaculate Conception as defended by Scouts a dogma of the Catholic Church.

 

DT 206 Theological Anthropology/Theology of Grace

 

DT 207 Sacramental/Liturgical Theology

 

     This course is a general introduction to the sacraments—signs and symbols; the sacraments in the Old and New Testaments and in Church traditions.  It also deals with sacramentals.  An important element of the course is the study of the nature and importance of liturgy in the life of the Church.  It traces the history of liturgy up to the liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council.  It examines the communal nature of liturgical celebrations; the adaptation of the liturgy into the popular religiosity of the Filipino people.

 

DT 208 Liberation Theology

 

     Reviews the genesis of this theology. Its proponents—studies particularly the involvement of Franciscan contemporary theologians in LT.

   

      C.  Moral Theology (MT)

 

MT 400  Moral Theology 1:  Fundamental Moral Theology

 

     This course deals with the Scriptural basis of Christian morality—character of moral life, the ultimate purpose of moral demand, natural law, gospel morality, universal norms and situation ethics, authority and conscience, the different models of moral discourse; personal sin and conversion

     

MT 401  Moral Theology 2:  Social Ethics

 

     This course deals with the development of the Social Teachings of the Church from Rerum Novarum of Leo XIII (1891) to Centesimus Annus of John Paul II (1991).  The course studies the historical and cultural contexts of each document the contribution of each in church response to social problems concerning human dignity, solidarity, common good, participation, subsidiarity, private property, dignity of labor, economic development, peace and disarmament, justice, option for the poor, integrity and respect for creation—how the local Church, the CBCP promoted these themes in its pastoral programs.  

 

MT 402 Moral Theology 3:  Special Issues in Ethics

 

      Investigates into certain moral issues and questions on:  Bio-ethics, Sexual Ethics, Reproductive Ethics, Political Ethics, Economic Ethics—the positions of the Church and contemporary moral theologians on these issues.

 

      D.  Church History (CH)

 

CH 500 Church History 1:  Ancient and Medieval Church History

 

     This study covers the birth and growth of the Christian community within the Judaeo-Greco-Roman, Byzantine and early medieval context.  The Ancient Church history traces the growth of the Christian community from the community of the apostles to its adoption as the religion of the Roman Empire, the controversies in the Church in the following centuries.  Medieval Church history covers the rise of medieval papacy until the Protestant Reformation.  It reviews the union of Church and state, the consequent Crusades, the inquisition and the rise of Cathedrals and Universities.  It especially treats the role the mendicant orders (Franciscans and Dominicans) in the Medieval Church.

   

 

     The course also focuses on the continued growth of the Church from the period of the Reformation to the Second Vatican Council.  It also studies the Church of the Council of Trent;  the world-wide missions of the Church during the age of exploration; the Enlightenment, Socialism and Modernism; the conditions that usher the Church aggiornamento and the understanding of its mission in today’s world.

 

CH 502  Philippine Church History

 

     It traces the mission of the Church in the Philippines, the establishment, growth of the Church in the Philippines, the introduction and development of Christianity and Roman Catholicism from the time of the Spaniards until the present.  The Church in the Philippines after Vatican II, the role of the Church, i.e. the CBCP in responding to the socio-political situations in the Philippines.  It also studies the convocation, the decrees  of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), the implementations and its effects in the life of the Church in the Philippines.

 

CH 503 and FS 120 History of the Franciscan Presence in the Philippines

 

     E.  Canon Law (CL)

 

CL 500  Canon Law

 

     This  course introduces the student to the nature of the Church Law, its history, its structure, etc.. It deals with the principles of interpretation and application.  This introductory course covers Book I (Ecclesiastical laws and customs.  General decrees and instructions, precepts, rescripts, privileges, and dispensations, statutes, and ordinance), Book II (Clergy, The People of God, the Hierarchical Constitution of the Church, Institutes of Consecrated Life); Book III (Church Magisterium), Book IV (Sacramental Law of the Church, The Sacrament of Matrimony), Book V (Temporal Goods);  Book VI (Canonical Sanctions), and Book VII (Canonical Sanctions).   It helps students develop skills in interpreting and applying canons to different issues concerning the laity, hierarchy, the administration of the sacraments, etc..

 

     G.  Franciscan Spirituality (FS)

 

FS 100  Research Methodology and Franciscan Bibliography

 

     This course is a general introduction to research methods.  It begins with the study of statistics as fundamental research tool.  It then provides students with basic skills in theological research and help them prepare theological papers—project papers and theses.

FS 101  Sources for the Lives of Sts. Francis and Clare

 

     This course begins with readings and familiarity of various sources for the life of Francis and Clare—the writings of Francis, legendae, compilations, chronicles and other literary sources—the writings of Clare, her legend and rule, her letters to Agnes of Prague and other literary source.  An important element of the course is the study of the results of the present scholarships and the development of the relationships and inter-relationships of the various sources—particularly on the “Franciscan Question” as to the various lives of Francis.

              

FS 102  Life, Charism of Sts. Francis and Clare

 

     This course introduces the student to the life and times of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi.  It begins with chronological presentations of the lives of Francis and Clare.  The students will look into the results of the scholarly investigation in the lives of Francis and Clare.  Based on their biographies, the students are expected to discover the “life according to the form of the holy Gospel” of the two pillars of Franciscan spirituality.  It is expected that at the end of the course the student will have a better appreciation of the spirituality of Francis and Clare

   

FS 103  Writings of Sts. Francis and Clare

 

     After a broader study of the Sources for the Lives of Francis and Clare, the student will single out the writings of Francis and Clare—how the writings define the spirituality of Francis and Clare or Franciscan Spirituality as a whole.  In arriving at this definition the students will first look into the nature, content and the theology of the writings with the help of their own reflections and of the results of recent scholarships and investigations into the writings.

 

FS 104  History of the Franciscan Movement

 

     The student shall trace the history of the Franciscan movement from the death of Francis to the present.  It looks into the major events, the growth of the Order into various groups that comprise the big Franciscan family.  It answers the question why the entire Order was divided into first, second, and third orders and why there are so many other groups considered Franciscan in the Church.   It will try to find answers to the question how the Franciscans though in so many diverse groups are still considered one family.

 

FS 105  Introduction to Franciscan Theology

 

     This course tries to see how the experiences of Francis who is called a vernacular theologian were put into philosophical and theological syntheses by his followers who composed the “Franciscan School” in the medieval period dubbed as the Golden Age of Scholasticism.  The study covers the philosophical and theological thoughts of  Anthony of Padua, Alexander of Hales, John de la Rochelle,  Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, John Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, and others.  It finds out how for the Franciscans

   

FS 106  Franciscan Christology and Mariology

 

     This course deals with the teachings of the Bible and of the Church concerning the saving mystery of the Incarnation and the person of Christ and concerning the role of Mary in the history of salvation.  It particularly looks into the Franciscan (Scotistic) reflection on the absolute primacy of Christ and defense and devotion to the Immaculate Conception.  Using the prism of Scotus’ Christology, the course will examine the motive of the Incarnation.  It will analyze Francis devotion to Mary who Francis called the “virgin made Church.”

 

FS 107  Franciscan Spirituality

 

     Following the survey of the history of spirituality from its biblical origins up to the post Vatican period, the course will single out the unique experience of God and gospel life of Francis and Clare as lived and expressed in the lives and thoughts of Bonaventure, Clare, Scotus, and Ockham and the Franciscan saints and blessed, St. Anthony, San Pedro Bautista and others.  It will define the unique form of Franciscan religious life—Franciscan expression of the evangelical counsels, prayer and devotion, life in fraternity and minority, solidarity with the poor, justice peace and integrity of creation and the Franciscan missionary dimension.

 

FS 108  Scriptural Foundation of Franciscanism

 

     This course examines the ”life according to the form of the Holy Gospel” Francis and Clare chose for themselves and for their followers.   It deals on how indeed this life is patterned, founded on the gospel ideals.

 

FS 109  Biblical Foundation of Franciscanism/Francis’ Use of Sacred Scriptures

 

     This course investigates Francis’ familiarity with the Sacred texts and how both the Old and the New Testaments found their way into Francis writings.  Therefore the student will have a chance in actually studying the number of times Francis used, quoted, paraphrased and made allusions to the bible.  The student will find out the meaning, implications of the frequency or the vast number of times and the manner Francis used the Sacred Scriptures in relations to his “life according to the form of the Holy Gospel.” 

    

FS 110  Franciscan Theology of Prayer

 

     This is study on Francis who “not only prayed but became prayer himself.”  This will review the prayers composed by Francis and see how Francis understood, appreciated prayer and how his prayers indicate his deep relationship with God.   The course will also investigate the place of prayer and devotion in various documents of the Order and in various Franciscan documents.  The course hopes that at the end, the student will have a deeper appreciation of the contemplative dimension of Franciscan gospel living.

 

FS 111  Theology of St. Bonaventure  (Trinity, Christocentricity, Creation)

 

     This course deals with the two poles of St. Bonaventure’s theology—Trinity and Christocentricity or doctrine of the Word.   It continues with a study of connection between the Trinity and creation which is the focal point of Bonaventure’s entire world view. 

    

FS 112  Theology of Bl. John Scotus (Primacy of Christ-Incarnation, Immaculate

              Conception, Individuation)

 

     This course singles out the Scotistic theological legacy—the Absolute Primacy of Christ, the role and motive of the Incarnation, the declaration of the Immaculate Conception as dogma of the Church following Scotus’ defense; the Principle of Individuation and its implication to Christian living.

 

FS 113  The Franciscan Missionary Charism

 

     The students realize at the start of the course that every Franciscan brother or sister is missionary.  Hence the course begins with a review of Francis’ own missionary experience according to the early sources and proceeds with discovering the principles of Franciscan mission as stipulated in the sources, particularly in the “Missionary Statute” of the Order (Chapter 16 of the Earlier Rule, [cf. Chapter 12 of the Later Rule and in the various documents of the Order.  The course includes also the missionary endeavors of the Order and of the Province of San Pedro Bautista Philippines and of the missionary endeavors of the various Franciscan groups (congregations represented in this class may also focus on the missionary characteristics of the congregation).

 

FS 114  Franciscan Spirituality of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation

 

     The course starts with the biblical foundations for justice, peace and integrity of creation.  It will proceed with a survey of the various church and Franciscan documents on JPIC. Projects on the promotion of JPIC in the Order and in the Province and various Franciscan groups shall then be investigated.  The rest of the course shall be devoted to structural and social analysis--  reading the signs of the times—identifying issues and situations the concerns JPIC responses such us labor issues, globalization, and issues pertaining to abuse or misuse of creation—logging, quarrying, etc..

   

FS 115 Franciscan Values Today

 

     This course begins with the study of the meaning of “value” or “valuing.”  It  goes back into the sources and identifies and examines the things that Francis and Clare valued most:  Obedience, poverty, simplicity, minority, prayer and contemplation, compassion, reverence.  It also reviews the primacy of loving over knowing in the Franciscan tradition.

    

FS 116  The Development of the Franciscan Person

 

     The course first studies the nature of the human person according to psychology, sociology, anthropology, theology.  It then discovers the Franciscan view of the person according Francis himself and Franciscan theologians like Bonaventure.(i.e. Bonaventure’s anthropology—the person as image of God called to similitude).   It will also study the different approaches to human development that are necessary in the formation and development of students in formation and Franciscans in on-going formation.

 

FS 117  History, process of Spiritual Direction/ Franciscan Praxis of Spiritual Direction

 

     The course begins with a survey of the various definitions and understanding of “spiritual direction,” of the “director,” of the “directee or the person seeking direction,” types of spiritual direction, processes of spiritual direction.  It proceeds to a review of the typological history of spiritual direction.  The course peaks at investigating the process of discernment and direction in the writings of Francis and ends with spiritual direction in the Franciscan tradition.

    

FS 118  Fran Pastoral Leadership (in Parishes, Schools, Administration, Formation, etc.)

 

      This course is designed for heads of Christian/Franciscan communities. This also helps present and future Franciscan pastoral leaders (guardians of communities, parish priests, pastors, directors of formation, etc) in their leadership tasks.  It employs methods and techniques in management and pays particular attention on the qualities and attitudes of the Franciscan leaders in The Franciscan Leader A Modern Version of the Six Wings of the Seraph, An Anonymous Franciscan Treatise in the Tradition of St. Bonavneure, trans Philip O’Hara, The Franciscan Pathways, The Franciscan Institute, SBU, New York, 1997.  

 

FS 119  Pastoral Care for the Franciscan Sisters and Brothers (OSC, SFO, TOR’s)

 

     This course starts with the survey and study of historical circumstances for responsible the growth of the Franciscan Family into several groups and understand each group’s life and apostolate.  The course continues by trying to discover the common Franciscan charism or the Franciscan identity.   It seeks to understand the meaning of “Spiritual assistance” by the First Order friars to the other members of the family the meaning of assisting one another in an inter-Franciscan collaboration.

     

FS 120  History of the Franciscan Presence in the Philippines, Asia and Oceania

 

      This course focuses on the beginnings and the development of the Franciscan mission in the Philippines from the 16th century to the present.  It begins with a study of the situation in the Order and in Europe in the 16th century, particularly the period 1500-1600 which is called the “age of discoveries” involving the two kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula:  Spain and Portugal; the kingdom’s rivalry and ecclesiastical arbitration; papal and royal alliances (the Purtuguese padroado and the Spanish patronato) with regards to the Franciscan missions.  It looks closely into the situations in the Philippines before the Spanish missionaries came; the arrival of the Franciscans;  King Philip II and the Franciscan mission in the Philippines, the foundation of the Franciscan mission as spearheaded by the Spanish Franciscan of the Discalced family, the settlements, the significant works of Brother Antonio de San Gregorio, Juan de Plasencia, Pedro Bautista, etc..  It will also deal with the arrival of the Italian and American missions, the establishment of the Vicariate of San Gregorio Magno and the Province of San Pedro Bautista.  The course will end with a look into the present apostolates of the Province in both local and overseas missions.

 

FS 121  Francis and the Church of the Poor

 

     The course traces the biblical basis of the Church of the Poor and how Francis opted for the Church of the Poor.  It will also delve into Church and Franciscan documents about this Franciscan option.  It will review PCP II’s declaration that the Church in the Philippines is the Church of the Poor and the Franciscans’ response to this declaration.

 

FS 122  Francis and Inter-Religious Dialogue

 

     The course will trace inter-religious dialogue to Sacred Scripture and to Francis own experience with people of other religions.  It will examine various Church and Franciscan documents on IRD, the present efforts of the Province on dialogue with Islam.

 

     H.  Franciscan Pastoral Ministry (PM)

 

PM 600  Introduction to Pastoral Ministry/Pastoral Theology

 

      The students are introduce to the various areas of pastoral ministry:  exposure to the grassroots communities (Basic Ecclesial Communities [BEC]}; pastoral management/methods, missiology, ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue: theology and practices, media ministry, homiletics.

 

PM 601  Catechetics

 

      This is a study of methods of teaching, the application of theories and praxis of education in catechesis and religious education.  This is also a study of catechesis itself, the actual catechetical ministry and religious education.   An important part of the course the through study and familiarity of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Catechism for Filipino Catholics.

 

PM 602  Pastoral Psychology and Counseling

 

     The course surveys the different theories of pastoral counseling;  consideration of the different theories of the counseling processes and practical issues of therapeutic relationship, contract, setting, referral, etc..  The course deals with special issues in pastoral counseling—development, disorders, and assessment of personality for pastoral ministry—consideration of alcoholism, drug addiction and other dependences, sexual issues, issues around loss, separation, etc..

 

PM 602/FS 117  History, Process of Spiritual direction and Fran Praxis of Spiritual

               Direction

 

     (cf. above, FS 115)

 

PM 603  Pastoral Care and Ministry to the Sick

 

    The course unveils the meaning of sickness and suffering.  It helps student discover skills in care-giving.  Attendance of program such as Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) may be credited for this course.

 

PM 604/FS 112  Care for Creation/Franciscan Spirituality of Justice, Peace and Integrity

              Of Creation.

 

     (cf above, FS 112)

 

PM 605 Pastoral and Missionary Evangelization/The Theology of Mission and the

              Franciscan Missionary Charism.

 

     (cf above, FS 113)

 

IX.  FACILITIES AND SPECIAL SERVICES

 

A.     Library

 

The combined libraries of the graduate and undergraduate schools contain over

30,000 volumes of general works:  12,000 of which are on religion and theology, 2,500 in philosophy, 2,000 on social science and the rest on language.   There are about 100 bound volumes of periodicals and serials and 20 sets of encyclopedias, the latest of which is the 2005 edition of the New Catholic Encyclopedia.   Of the 12,000 books on religion about 1,000 are purely Franciscan materials procured for Franciscan studies both in the undergraduate and graduate (FST) programs.  Some of these belong to the rare book collections like the 1874 copyrighted book of Marcelino Civezza, Della Vera Filosofia e delle Dottrine filosofiche del Serafico Dottor S. Bonaventura.  The latest collections of Franciscan books for the FST are those published by the Franciscan Institute Publications, St. Bonaventure University, New York, 2003-2005.  The bound volumes of periodicals and serials include The Cord, Greyfriars Review, and Franciscan Studies, Clare Centenary Series, The Franciscan Heritage Series of the Franciscan Institute Publication, St. Bonaventure, New York.

 

B.     Computer Services

 

Both the undergraduate and the graduate departments have computing and

 Internetting centers.  At the moment only the undergrads have special logbooks and permit slips for access to the internets.  While the graduate students can use the computers of the undergraduate students observing their rules and regulations, the graduate students have their own units in St. Anthony room.

 

C.     Photocopying Services

 

A copying machine is available for all students at the librarian’s counter. 

Photocopying shall be done only by the librarian in-charge observing particular rules and regulations, fees and schedule of services.

 

D.    Overhead and Power point Projectors, VCDs, DVDs, TV monitors, and Digital Camera

 

There are enough units of overhead projectors, lap tops, LCD’s available for

faculty and student use in both the undergraduate and graduate departments. These systems and a digital camera are under the custody of the college registrar.  VCD players and TV monitors are available at the Bonaventure Hall and Audio-visual room.

 

E.     Residence Facilities

 

At the moment residences, individual  rooms are available only for male graduate

students in the third floor of the theology building.  Application for housing has to be addressed to the guardian of the house who will set conditions on the use of the rooms-- on fees, care, etc..

 

F.      Dining Facilities

 

The seminary serves lunch to graduate students on a separate table in the

seminary refectory.  Graduate students who intend to stay for lunch must inform the finance office before ten in the morning of the day she/he intends to take lunch with the rest of the community.  A very minimal lunch fee shall be charged.  The St. Anthony room has a refrigerator, hot-cold water dispenser and a kitchenette for use by the graduate students during coffee breaks.

 

X.  OTHER MATTERS

 

  1. Transfer of Credits

 

     Upon satisfactory completion of at least twelve credits transferees from other graduate schools may request a transfer of credits. The dean shall evaluate their transcripts by examining the course descriptions of the graduate work the student wishes to transfer.  He will indicate which courses shall be transferred or credited.   No more than  six  (6) credits may be accepted.  No transfer credits shall be allowed for any course in which the grade received is lower than 2.0 or 85 (2.25, B- will not transfer).  All coursework, including transfer credits, must satisfy the time-to-degree requirements..

 

  1. Change of Program or Specialization

 

     Students are admitted to a particular program.  If they shift to another program or major, they must apply for a change of program or major and obtain approval from the dean.

 

  1. Cross-Enrollment 

 

     Upon need and approval of the dean, a student may cross-enroll in another graduate school of Theology.  Cross-enrollment forms may be obtained from the office of the registrar.  The FST-OLAS likewise accepts cross-enrollees from other CHED recognized graduate schools, i.e., an FST graduate student may cross-enroll at SVST; an SVST graduate student can also cross-enroll at the FST whenever necessary.

 

  1. Overload

 

     Upon need and approval of the dean, a student may request for nine credits during the summer or fifteen during the regular semester but only in the final semester of course work.

 

 

  1. Leave of Absence

 

    Upon approval of the dean, a student may apply for a leave of absence from the graduate school.  A leave of absence may be filed for up to a year only and a student is allowed only two leaves of absence during his entire graduate work.

 

 

  1. Time to degree

 

     All courses which wre to be credited toward the master’s degree must have been enrolled in and completed within five years from first registration or prior to the date on which the degree is to be awarded.  Appeals for extensions may be made within three years after the comprehensive examinations.  No credit is given for courses completed more than eight years prior to date on which the degree is to be awarded.         

 

  1. Separation

 

     Students are automatically dropped from the academic degree program if (1) s/he incurred two grades of “C” (2) fail to maintain an average of “B”, (3) fail to register for two consecutive semesters without filing a leave of absence.

 

      H.  Reinstatement

 

     Students may re re-instated into the graduate school within three (3) years after their comprehensive exams.  Students re-registering more than ten (10) years after their comprehensive exams need to a validating exams and at least twelve (12) credits of refresher courses.

 

XI.  STUDENTS’ FEES

 

Schedule for tuition and other fees can be obtained at the Finance Office.

Tuition can be fully paid or by installment.  The “other fees” must be paid in full upon enrolment

 

When paid by installment, tuition fees are paid according to the following scheme:  (1) Fifty per cent upon enrolment, (2) 25 % before mid-term examination, (3) 25% before final examination.

 

Upon payment of 50% of total tuition fees, a student is considered “enrolled.  A class card shall be issued to him or her.

 

When scholarship funds are available, Franciscan formators and Franciscan school teachers may apply for financial assistance for tuition and other fees. 

 

 

XII.  THE FST-OLAS FACULTY (FULL-TIME AND ADJUCNT)

 

A.  Fr. Cielo Almazan, OFM

                  Introduction to Sacred Scriptures; Biblical Foundation of

                        Franciscanism/Francis’ Use of Sacred Scriptures

                  Licentiate in Sacred Scripture, Biblicum, Rome

  

B.  Sr. Evangeline Aseneta, FMIJ

                  Sources for the Life of St. Francis and Clare; Women in the Franciscan

                        Tradition Licentiate in Franciscan Spirituality,

                  M.A. in Franciscan Studies, Antonianum, Rome

 

C.  Fr. Alex Amandy, JCD

      Canon Law

                  Doctor of Canon, Gregorian University, Rome

 

            D.  Fr. Roberto Bayaras, OFM

                 Franciscan Theology of Prayer

                 Master of Arts in Franciscan Studies, Munich

 

E.  Fr. Bienvenido Baisas, OFM

                 Special sessions on Formation on Human Formation

                 Licentiate of Sacred Scriptures, Biblicum Rome

                 Special Studies, Enneagram Retreat, USA

  

F.  Sr. Asuncion Borromeo, FMM

                  Life, Charism of Sts. Francis and Clare

                  Master of Arts in Franciscan Studies, Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure   

                  University, New York

    

G.  Fr. Nello Bulawan, OFM

      Rector/School Head

                  Writings of St. Francis and Clare;  Franciscan Spirituality

                  Master of Arts in Teaching/Education, Philippine Normal University, Manila.

                  Master of Arts in Franciscan Studies, St. Bonaventure University, New York

                  Doctor in Theology (credits, continuing), Fordham University, New York

 

            H.  Fr. Prisco Cajes, OFM

                  Theology and Spirituality of St. Bonaventure (Trinity, Christ, and Creation;

                         The Theology and Spirituality of Blessed John Scotus (The Absolute

                         Primacy of Christ- Incarnation; the Immaculate conception, the Principle

                        of Individuation)

                  Master of Arts in Spirituality, Franciscan School of Theology, California

                  Doctor of Theology, Graduate Theological Union, California

 

            I.  Br. Ramon Coronel, MJ

                Fundamental Ecclesiology/BEC and Church of the Poor

                Doctor in Theology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

   

 J. Fr. Genaro Diwa

                Professor:  Sacramental Theology, Lay Liturgical Ministries

                Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy, Pontifical Liturgical Institute, Rome

    

 

 K. Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM

                  Pastoral Care and Ministry to the Sick/Franciscan Pastoral Leadership (Parish

                  Administration)

                   Master of Arts in Religious Studies, Ateneo de Manila University

 

  L.  Fr. Jose Femilou Gutay, OFM

                   Church History, History of Franciscan Presence in the Philippines

                   Licentiate in Church History, Gregorian University, Rome

                   Doctor of Church History (Doctorandus), Gregorian University  

 

  M. Fr. Esmeraldo Enalpe, OFM

                   Canon Law

                   Licentiate in Canon Law, University of Santo Tomas, Manila     

    

              N.  Fr. Mario Evangelista, OFM

                    History of the Fran Movement

                    Master of Arts in Educational Management, St. Paul College, Dumaguete

                    Doctor of Anthropology, University of Santo Tomas, Manila

                    Certificate: Franciscan Studies, Franciscan Study Center, Canterbury,

                            England

 

O.  Sr. Corazon Israel, FMIJ

                  Sacramental/Liturgical Theology

                  Master of Arts in Liturgy, Graduate School of Liturgy, San Beda College,        

                          Manila

 

P.  Fr. Bernardo Lanuza, OFM

                 Research Methodology, Fran Bibliography, Thesis, Intro to Fran Theology

                 Master of Arts in Theology, St. Vincent School of Theology;

                 Master of Arts in Educational Management, St. Paul College Dumaguete;

                 Doctor of Philosophy (credits), University of Negros Oriental—Recoletos

                 Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology, University of Santo Tomas, Manila

   

Q.  Fr. Jesus Malit, SSS

                  Biblical Studies:  Johannine Literature, Pauline Linerature

                  Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures (S.S.L.), Biblicum, Rome

    

R.     Br. Ariel Manga, OFM

Catechetics

Master in Religious Education, De La Salle University

    

S.  Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM

                 Sources for the Life of St. Francis and Clare, History of the Franciscan

                            Movement

                 Master of Arts in Franciscan Studies, Franciscan  Institute, St. Bonaventure

                            University, N.Y.

 

T.  Fr. Generoso Pastidio, OFM

                 Sessions on the Franciscan Studio:  Music and Videos for Franciscan

                             Evangelization

                 Master of Arts in Franciscan Studies, Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure

                             University, New York

 

           U.  Br. Salvador Tumaca, OFM

                Franciscan Pastoral Leadership (Educational Management)

                Doctor of Education, St. Paul’s College, Dumaguete City

 

V.  Msgr. Jesus Romulo Ranada, Ph D

      Faith and Revelation, Christology.

                  Doctor of Theology Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

 

W.  Fr.. Angelito Salazar, OFM

                   Franciscan Praxis of Spiritual Direction

                   Master of Arts in Theology, St. Vincent School of Theology, Quezon City

                   Master of Arts in Consecrated Life (cand), Institute of Consecrated Life in

                   Asia (ICLA)

                   Certificate, Franciscan School of Theology, Chicago, USA

 

X.  Msgr. Gerardo Santos, Ph D

      Fundamental Moral Theology, Issues in Ethics

                  Doctor of Education (PhD), De La Salle University, Manila,

                  Doctor of Moral Theology (PhD), Gregorian University, Rome

   

 

 

 

For Particulars, please visit, e-mail, fax or phone

 

Ms. Noemi P. Nunez

Registrar

Telfax: 936-40-83 loc 213

 

Fr. Nello C. Bulawan, OFM

Rector/School Head

e-mail:  nbulawanofm@yahoo.com

cell phone:  09157996771

 

or visit our web site:  http://www.olas-ofmphil.com/

 

 

   
     
     
 
Our Lady of the Angels Seminary
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