Salesian House of Studies Syllabus

SALESIAN HOUSE OF STUDIES

SHAU KEI WAN

HONG KONG






HANDBOOK

AND

SYLLABUS






“We know in order to love”

(Fr. Paul Prasert Somngam SDB)











ANNO DOMINI 2006

CENTENARY YEAR

OF SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO

IN CHINA







































TABLE OF CONTENTS





  1. Preface

  2. History

  3. Faculty

  4. Prenovitiate Courses

  5. Novitiate Courses

  6. Postnovitiate Courses

  7. Courses of Specific Formation for Salesian Brotherhood

  8. Courses of Specific Formation for Salesian Priesthood

  9. Library

  10. Calendar






























































I. PREFACE

1.

In this Centenary Year of Salesian presence in China (1906-2006), the Salesian House of Studies celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of its canonical establishment (1931-2006). It is, perhaps, a propitious time to issue a new edition of its Handbook and Syllabus.


2.

As far as is known, this new edition is only the third. The first appeared in 1938 under the title: Ratio studiorum Philosophiae ac Humanitatis Instituti SS. Cordis Jesu. Hong Kong – Shaukiwan. The second is dated 1998. New aspects of this third edition are due especially to the appearance of important new documents of the Salesian Congregation: 1) the third edition of the Salesian Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis et Studiorum published in the Millennium Year 2000, entitled: “Formation of Salesians of Don Bosco. Principles and Norms”, with its Appendix No. 3: “Guidelines concerning the organization of studies”; 2) “Guidelines concerning Salesian studies during initial formation” by the General Councillor for Formation; 3) “Guidelines for the formation of Salesians in social communication” by the General Councillors for Formation and for Social Communication.


3.

The courses indicated for the Prenovitiate are not offered at the Salesian House of Studies. The normal place for these courses is the Salesian community of which the prenovices are members. In the last few years, the Novitiate has not been held in the China Province, but in the South Filipino Province of Cebu. The course of studies there has been drawn up with reference to, and in harmony with, the courses of studies presented here for Prenovitiate, Novitiate, and Postnovitiate.


5.

This revised Handbook and Syllabus is part of the effort to continue the fine tradition of Salesian studies in the China Province, while incorporating the new requirements of the above-mentioned documents. With the help of God, in the past seventy-five years, Salesian House of Studies formed Salesians capable of transmitting Don Bosco’s charism to us, China confreres of later generations. Among the past-pupils of Salesian House there are some in whose life God has chosen to let his grace shine forth very brightly, as will be indicated in the historical sketch given below. To the merits of these admirable past-pupils and to the intercession of our two Proto-martyrs, St. Louis Versiglia and St. Callistus Caravario, we entrust the formative and educational endeavours presented in this Handbook and Syllabus. In particular, St. Louis Versiglia, as a past Master of Novices, as the Founder of China Province, and as the one who was the first to indicate the present site of Salesian House of Studies as its more permanent home, will continue to be our guide and inspiration.





































II. HISTORY

1.

The origin of Salesian House of Studies can be traced back to the prophetic dream that St. John Bosco had in Barcelona on the night of April 9th, 1886. In this dream a mysterious shepherdess said to him: ”What do you see?... There’s Hong Kong; there, Calcutta; farther on, Madagascar. Here and also elsewhere there will be more houses, houses for studies and novitiates… Be of good will. There is only one thing to do: recommend that my sons constantly cultivate the virtue of Mary” (BM 18, 52).


2.

The dream of Don Bosco began to be realized when on January 21st, 1921, the first four confreres in formation arrived in China from four different countries. They were the clerics Joseph Kerec, a Slovenian, Theodorus Wieczorek, a Pole, Aurelio Pamio, an Italian, and Charles Kirschner, a Hungarian. Joseph Kerec was to become, eventually, Apostolic Administrator of Zhaotong in Yunnan Province. After studying their theology with a tutor, two of them (Wieczorek and Kerec) were the first Salesians to be ordained in China. The bishop of Macau, Msgr. José da Costa Nuñes, ordained them there on May 26th , 1923.


3.

The first novitiate opened in St. Joseph’s Institute, Ho Sai, Shiu Chow (now Hexi, Shaoguan) on January 29th , 1924, with three Chinese (Br. Michael Leung Kai Man, Br. Charles Li Tseuk Piu, Br. Simon Tse Ping Yuen) and eight Italian novices (Cl. Noel Avalle, Cl. Clement Benato, William Bertoldi, Br. Joseph Borri, Cl. Marius Calvi, Anselm Fornato, Cl. Peter Pomati, Br. Frederick Regna). One year later, on January 29th, 1925, the Salesians in China for the first time witnessed the three Chinese Brothers and six of the young missionaries make their first profession (in Chinese!), after which the clerics began the study of philosophy.


4.

In August 1925, owing to civil unrest, the novices and the philosophers had to leave Hexi for the Orfanato da Immaculada Conceição, Macau. In January 1927, they were followed by the students of theology who had remained in Shaoguan. These ten students of theology on August 28th, 1928, moved from Macau to St. Louis Industrial School, West Point, Hong Kong, giving birth to the semi-independent community of the “Salesian Seminary”. Then, on November 29th, 1930, the year of the martyrdom of St. Louis Versiglia and St. Callistus Caravario, the new Provincial, Fr. Carlo Braga, bought two villas on the mountain slope overlooking Shau Kei Wan, in the Eastern part of the island. The year before, Msgr. Louis Versiglia, during a rare outing with his friend the Bishop of Hong Kong Msgr. Enrico Valtorta, had spotted these two villas as the possible definitive site of the “Salesian Seminary” and, as an omen of good future developments, had sown some medals of Mary Help of Christians around them. The ten theologians moved there on December 4th, 1930, thus becoming the first students of Salesian House of Studies in its present location. The ten pioneers, hailing from three different countries (Italy, Ireland, and Germany), were: Marius Acquistapace, Noel Avalle, Marius Calvi, David Hourigan, Richard Musso, Peter Pomati, Marius Rassiga, William Schutzdeller, Michael Suppo, Hercules Tiberi. The first rector was Fr. John Siara and the first Prefect of Studies Fr. Vincent Barberis. The ten were eventually ordained priests by Msgr. Enrico Valtorta on May 30th, 1931, the first Salesians to be ordained in Hong Kong’s Cathedral and the first graduates of Salesian House of Studies. All ten died faithful to their Salesian and priestly vocation.


5.

In 1931 the formation community was formally established as the “Salesian Missionary House”, choosing the Sacred Heart of Jesus as patron. The year 1932 saw the completion of the first extension, which was needed to house also the students of philosophy and the novices. In 1936 the patron feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated for the first time with the Eucharistic procession, initiating a tradition that is still observed today after seventy years. In 1939, when the second and final extension of the “Salesian Missionary House” was completed, sacrificing one of the two original villas, the students numbered 19 theologians, 30 philosophers, and 10 novices.


6.

With the outbreak of World War II, the students of theology and of philosophy were obliged to move to the Don Bosco Salesian Institute, Shanghai. Part of the Salesian Missionary House was used as a military hospital. On December 19th , 1941, “The Salesian Mission Atrocity” took place, when about two dozen nurses and wounded soldiers were massacred by the invading Japanese army. Throughout the war, the Salesian Missionary House housed up to a hundred orphans. Our closest neighbour, Salesian School, with its Primary and Secondary Sections, is an offshoot of this war orphanage. In 1946 the students of philosophy returned from Shanghai, followed by the novices in 1947, while the students of theology remained in Shanghai until 1950. The number of students reached a new peak during this year, when there were 93 confreres in the house. In 1953, a short-lived Magistero Course for the specific formation of Brothers was organized at Aberdeen Trade School, with Fr. Bernard Tohill as first Rector, Fr. Rudolf Haselsteiner as second Rector, and Fr. Julian Carpella as Prefect of Studies.


7.

In 1955, about 50 aspirants arrived to occupy part of Salesian Missionary House, left free by the students of theology, who were sent to India and Europe for their studies. In 1957, while the novitiate remained in Shau Kei Wan, the philosophy section moved to the outlying island of Cheung Chau, where it obtained its present name of “Salesian House of Studies” and regained its international character with students hailing from Hong Kong, Macau, Philippine Islands, Vietnam, Europe, North and South America. In 1965, the novitiate also moved to Cheung Chau, where a Training Course for Brothers was also begun. The highest number of students reached in Cheung Chau was in 1968 with 45 clerics and brothers and 15 novices.


8.

In 1971, in compliance with a directive of the new Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (No. 85), the decision was jointly taken by the Dioceses of Hong Kong and Macau and by the Society of Jesus and the Salesian Congregation to organize locally the theological education of religious and secular candidates to the priesthood. Hence, in 1972 the province stopped sending abroad the students of theology and Salesian House of Studies, leaving Cheung Chau, returned to Shau Kei Wan. Here it became mainly a residential seminary, offering only the overall formation and courses in Spirituality, Education, and Salesianity. Instead, for their philosophy and theology classes, the students went to the inter-diocesan and inter-religious Holy Spirit Seminary College in Aberdeen, on the South-West part of Hong Kong Island. Still, to meet the needs of residential students and of other Church students in Hong Kong, the library of Salesian House of Studies continued to expand, and is now the Provincial Salesian Library of the China Province of Salesians of Don Bosco, at the service also of the local Church. Since 1972, then, apart from a short interruption during the years 1978-1981, Salesian House of Studies has been functioning partly as a residential seminary and partly as an academic institution. In 1976, the original small villa that at first housed the studentate was turned into Villa Salus, a residence for elderly Salesians. In 1991, Villa Salus was expanded as Braga House, including half of the third floor of Salesian House of Studies. In this way, the oldest Salesians share, at least in part, the community life of the youngest, leading to a most rewarding form of mutual enhancement.


9.

Throughout the more than seventy years of its history, Salesian House of Studies has, as we have in part seen, changed name several times. So it has been variously known as Institutum Theologicum Salesianum in Sinis, Institutum Philosophicum Salesianum in Sinis, Salesian Fathers, Salesian Missionary House, Salesian Missionary House of Studies, Salesian House, Salesian Academy of Theology and Philosophy for the Far East, Academy of Philosophy for the Far East Salesians of St. John Bosco, Salesian College, Salesian Academy of Philosophy, and, finally, Salesian House of Studies. Besides the changes in name, the address of its present location also changed three times. The first address was: 1, Island Road, Hong Kong. The second: 18, Island Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. The present address is: 18, Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong. This new address reminds us of the two Parishes on whose borders Salesian House of Studies sits and to which, therefore, we belong: Shau Kei Wan’s Holy Cross Parish and Chai Wan’s Star of the Sea Parish. All the changes in name and address are vestiges of the long and varied history of our beloved Alma Mater.


10.

We are grateful to God that, throughout its history, Salesian House of Studies has strived to fulfill faithfully its mission as the Seminary of the China Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco. In particular, we thank God that among the past-pupils of Salesian House of Studies there is a former General Councillor, five Bishops, one Cardinal, and, above all, there are six martyrs of faith and charity, who died witnesses to their faith and their dedication to the Salesian mission, as well as eleven confessors of the faith who suffered long years of imprisonment and hard labour in Communist China for their fidelity to the Church and the Vicar of Christ. Some of these past-pupils are still with us, while some already died. The General Councillor is Fr. Bernard Tohill. The five Bishops are Leo Drona of the Philippines, Michael Praphon and Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil of Thailand, Joseph Hoang Van Tiem and Nguyen Van De of Vietnam. The Cardinal is Joseph Zen Ze Kiun, Bishop of Hong Kong. The martyrs of faith and charity are: Cl. Peter Yeh Ming Zen, Fr. Simon Leung Shu Tchi, Fr. Joseph Fu Yuk T’ong, Br. Francis Tsiang Si Zhung, Br. Jerome Yip Kat Kwong, Fr. Sylvius Lomazzi. The confessors of the faith are: Fr. Aloysius Yeh Shun Tien, Fr. Joseph Seng Ding Yuan, Fr. Francis Xavier Liang Ming Shiung, Fr. Francis Borgia Wong Yung, Br. Marco Wong Wing Sang, Br. John Yu Shek Tchu, Fr. Matthias Yao Wai Li, Fr. Paul Fong Tin Chun, Br. Paul Lin Yin Nien, Mr. John Evangelist Tchong Hui Lai, and Mr. John Baptist Kuo Sin Ting.


11.

Also in a spirit of gratitude, we give below a list of the academic office-holders at Salesian House of Studies. This list reveals part of the vicissitudes experienced by Salesian House of Studies, because of war, change of premises, shortage of vocations or of personnel, etc.




RECTORS, MASTERS OF NOVICES, PREFECTS OF STUDIES

LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY ASSISTANTS

OF SALESIAN HOUSE OF STUDIES


  1. RECTORS OF NOVICES, PHILOSOPHERS, THEOLOGIANS


  1. Vincent Ricaldone1924-1927Ho Sai, Shiu Chow

  2. Vincent Bernardini1926-1927Macau

  3. Joseph Lucas da Silva1927-1928Macau

  4. Giovanni Pedrazzini1928-1932Macau

  5. John Siara1928-1931West Point / Shau Kei Wan

  6. Sante Garelli 1931-1933Shau Kei Wan

  7. Carlo Braga1933-1934Shau Kei Wan

  8. Galdino Bardelli1934-1935Shau Kei Wan

  9. Emanuel Almazán1935-1938Shau Kei Wan

  10. Vincent Ricaldone1938-1946Shau Kei Wan / Shanghai

  11. Aloysius Massimino1946-1948Shanghai

  12. Louis Ferrari1948-1949Shanghai

  13. Vincent Ricaldone1946-1952Shau Kei Wan

  14. Aloysius Massimino1952-1955Shau Kei Wan

  15. Bernard Tohill1955-1957West Point

  16. Matthias Lin Yin Ching1955-1957Shau Kei Wan

  17. Marius Rosso1958-1964Shau Kei Wan

  18. Aloysius Massimino1957-1963Cheung Chau

  19. Anthony Chung Kwai Sang1963-1966Cheung Chau

  20. John Baptist Zen1966-1972Cheung Chau

  21. Joseph Zen Ze Kiun1972-1976Shau Kei Wan

  22. Aloysius Massimino1976-1978Shau Kei Wan

  23. Francis Che Ka In1978-1980Aberdeen

  24. Joseph Lau Tsing Hung1980-1981Aberdeen

  25. Matthew King Tseng Wei1981-1983Shau Kei Wan

  26. Francis Che Ka In1983-1987Shau Kei Wan

  27. John Baptist Zen Shing Yeh1987-1989Shau Kei Wan

  28. Stanislaus Lee Tze Chung1989-1992Shau Kei Wan

  29. Norbert Che Shiu Chung1992-1998Shau Kei Wan

  30. Savio Hon Tai Fai1998-2001Shau Kei Wan

  31. Paul Leung Kon Chiu2001-2004Shau Kei Wan

  32. Lanfranco M. Fedrigotti2004-2007Shau Kei Wan

  1. MASTERS OF NOVICES


  1. Bassano Lareno-Faccini1924-1925Ho Sai, Shiu Chow

  2. Gaetano Pasotti1925-1926Ho Sai / Thailand

  3. Bassano Lareno-Faccini1926-1929Macau

  4. Emanuel Almazán1933-1938Shau Kei Wan

  5. Aloysius Massimino1938-1945Shau Kei Wan / Shanghai

  6. Galdino Bardelli1945-1948Macau / Shau Kei Wan

  7. Aloysius Massimino1948-1955Shau Kei Wan

  8. Rudolf Haselsteiner1952-1955Shau Kei Wan

  9. Marius Rosso1956-1964Shau Kei Wan

  10. Peter Ho Kuong Ling1964-1969Shau Kei Wan / Cheung Chau

  11. Aloysius Massimino1970-1971Cheung Chau

  12. Marius Rosso1973-1974Macau

  13. Francis Che Ka In1976-1977Aberdeen

  14. Matthew King Tseng Wei1978-1981Aberdeen

  15. Francis Che Ka In1983-1987Shau Kei Wan

  16. Norbert Che Shiu Chung1990-1996Shau Kei Wan

  17. Joseph Ng Chi Yuen1997-2000Chaochou, Taiwan


  1. PREFECTS OF STUDIES OF NOVICES, PHILOSOPHERS, THEOLOGIANS


  1. Vincent Barberis1928-1931Macau / Shau Kei Wan

  2. John Siara1931-1932Shau Kei Wan

  3. Luigi Massimino1933-1936Shau Kei Wan

  4. Luigi Ferrari1936-1938Shau Kei Wan

  5. Michael Suppo1938-1945Shau Kei Wan / Shanghai

  6. Aemilius Baggio1945-1947Shanghai

  7. Alphonsus Demmi1946-1948Shau Kei Wan

  8. Pierangelo Quaranta1948-1949Shanghai

  9. Henry Changeat1949-1950Shanghai

  10. Ferdinand Rossotto1948-1954Shau Kei Wan

  11. Marcellus Glustich1954-1957Shau Kei Wan / West Point

  12. Vincent Liang Ding Shiung1955-1956West Point

  13. Vincent Liang Ding Shiung1956-1964Shau Kei Wan / Cheung Chau

  14. Aemilius Savogin1958-1959Shau Kei Wan

  15. Aloysius Mak Shuet Kwong1959-1961Shau Kei Wan

  16. Peter Ho Kuong Ling1961-1963Shau Kei Wan

  17. Thomas Ng Tin Fook1963-1964Shau Kei Wan

  18. John Tsai Kuo Chang1964-1965Shau Kei Wan

  19. John Baptist Zen Shing Yeh1965-1966Cheung Chau

  20. Joseph Zen Ze Kiun1966-1971Cheung Chau

  21. Julian Carpella1971-1973Cheung Chau / Shau Kei Wan

  22. Simon Lam Chung Wai1981-1984Shau Kei Wan

  23. Joseph Zen Ze Kiun1984-1985Shau Kei Wan

  24. Lanfranco M. Fedrigotti1985-1998Shau Kei Wan

  25. Savio Hon Tai Fai1998-2000Shau Kei Wan

  26. Paul Leung Kon Chiu2000-2002Shau Kei Wan

  27. Ladislas Stanko2002-2004Shau Kei Wan

  28. Domingos Leong Teng Kok2004-2006Shau Kei Wan

  29. Joseph Lau Tsing Hung2006-2007Shau Kei Wan


  1. LIBRARIANS (L) AND LIBRARY ASSISTANTS (LA)


  1. Peter Parisi (L)1939-1941Shau Kei Wan

  2. Bernard Tohill (L)19448-1949Shau Kei Wan

  3. Achilles Cotta (L)1949-1950Shau Kei Wan

  4. John Zampetti (L)1948-1950Shanghai

  5. Henry Changeat (L)1950-1951Shanghai

  6. Ferdinand Rossotto (L)1950-1954Shau Kei Wan

  7. Matthias Ling Yin Ching (L)1954-1955Shau Kei Wan

  8. Marius Rosso (L)1955-1956Shau Kei Wan

  9. Andreas Wu On Tak (L)1956-1958Shau Kei Wan

  10. Matthias Mo Si Tsung (L)1962-1964Shau Kei Wan

  11. Thomas Ng Tin Fook (L)1964-1965Shau Kei Wan

  12. Marcellus Glustich (L)1956-1957West Point

  13. Vincent Liang Ding Shiung (L)1959-1963Cheung Chau

  14. Joseph Zen Ze Kiun (L)1963-1964Cheung Chau

  15. John Lau Hoi Lim (L)1966-1969Cheung Chau

  16. Francis Hung Chi Kong (L)1970-1972Cheung Chau

  17. Joseph Zen Ze Kiun (L)1972-1976Shau Kei Wan

  18. Carlo Socol (LA)1972-1975Shau Kei Wan

  19. Dominic Yung Yeuk Yu (LA)1975-1976Shau Kei Wan

  20. Lanfranco M. Fedrigotti (LA)1976-1977Shau Kei Wan

  21. Jacob Yu Fu Keung (LA)1977-1979Shau Kei Wan

  22. Joseph Ng Chi Yuen (LA)1979-1981Shau Kei Wan

  23. Domingos Leong Teng Kok (LA)1981-1984Shau Kei Wan

  24. Paul Leung Kon Chiu (LA)1984-1986Shau Kei Wan

  25. Lanfranco M. Fedrigotti (L)1985-1998Shau Kei Wan

  26. Peter Ng Dor Lok (LA)1986-1988Shau Kei Wan

  27. Mr. Francis Young (LA)1987-1988Shau Kei Wan

  28. Ms. Lucia Hung (LA)1988-1993Shau Kei Wan

  29. Domingos Leong Teng Kok (LA)1989-1993Shau Kei Wan

  30. Antonio Leung Chi Choi (LA)1992-1994Shau Kei Wan

1997-2001Shau Kei Wan

  1. Emanuel Kung Kwong Kuen (LA) 1994-...Shau Kei Wan

  2. Savio Hon Tai Fai (L)1998-2001Shau Kei Wan

  3. Paul Leung Kon Chiu (L)2001-2004Shau Kei Wan

  4. Lanfranco M. Fedrigotti (L)2004-...Shau Kei Wan

  5. Mr. Cyril Lau Wai Kit (LA)2005-...Shau Kei Wan

  6. Carlos Cheung Sam Ioi (LA)2006-...Shau Kei Wan























II. FACULTY

(1996-2006)



Br. Ao Hoi Yin, Joseph (Emeritus)MUSIC

ART


Ms. Cao Jin, TheresaMANDARIN


Fr. Carbon, AndrewSCRIPTURE

SALESIANITY


Fr. Che Ka In, FrancisSALESIANITY


Fr. Che Shiu Chung, NorbertSALESIANITY


Br. Cheung Koon Wing, JosephSALESIAN SPIRITUALITY


Fr. Fedrigotti LanfrancoSCRIPTURE

SALESIANITY


Fr. Fung Ding Chun, Paul SALESIANITY


Fr. Fung Ting Wa, AndrewYOUTH PASTORAL

CATECHETICS


Fr. Hon Tai Fai, SavioTHEOLOGY

LITURGY

SALESIANITY


Fr. Kong Che Chiu, DenisSPIRITUALITY


Fr. King Tseng Wei, MatthewSALESIANITY


Br. Kung Kwong Kuen, EmanuelCHINESE LANGUAGE


Mr. Lai Kwok Wing, EthelbertCHINESE LITERATURE


Fr. Lau Tsing Hung, JosephLITURGY

SALESIANITY


Fr. Leong Teng Kok, DomingosLITURGY

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY


Fr. Leung Chi Choi, AntonioYOUTH PASTORAL


Br. Li Tung Biu, PaulTECHNICAL SKILLS


Fr. Liang Ding Shiung, Vincent (Emeritus)EDUCATION


Br. Liu Chin Yuen, Joseph (Emeritus)ITALIAN LANGUAGE


Fr. Leung Kon Chiu, PaulMISSIOLOGY

SALESIANITY


Fr. Loh Tat Cho, StanislausMUSIC


Ms. Mak, TwiggyCOUNSELLING


Fr. Ng Chi Yuen, JosephSALESIANITY


Fr. Ng Dor Lok, PeterPSYCHOLOGY

EDUCATION


Br. Ng Sun Kei, John Bosco (Emeritus)CANTONESE LANGUAGE


Fr. So Chi Chiu, JosephPSYCHOLOGY

EDUCATION


Fr. Socol, CarloHISTORY

SALESIANITY


Fr. Stanko, LadislavCOUNSELLING


Fr. Tohill, BernardENGLISH LANGUAGE

SALESIANITY


Fr. Tsang Yong Ken, PeterSPIRITUALITY


Fr. Wong Kin Kwok, FrancisPSYCHOLOGY


Fr. Yeung Cho Law, SavioYOUTH PASTORAL


Fr. Yao Wei Ming, LawrenceITALIAN LANGUAGE

LATIN LANGUAGE


Fr. Yu Fu Keung, JacobPSYCHOLOGY

EDUCATION


Fr. Zen Shing Yeh, John BaptistTHEOLOGY

SALESIANITY


Ms. Zhao Yi Jie, MennaMANDARIN LANGUAGE




















IV. PRENOVITIATE COURSES


FORMAT: ONE WEEKLY ENCOUNTER BETWEEN PRENOVICES AND EACH CONFRERE IN CHARGE OF THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS, DRAWN UP ACCORDING TO THE INDICATIONS GIVEN IN THE PROVINCIAL DIRECTORY (PD15)


I. SALESIAN PRENOVITIATE FORMATION


Reference Book: English-Chinese translation of Ratio Fundamentalis 328-356 & 205-306


II. INTRODUCTION INTO SPIRITUAL LIFE (PD15, 15 & 14)


Reference Book: English-Chinese translation of Ratio Fundamentalis 75-123 & St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life in Chinese translation


III. PERSONAL GROWTH (PD15, 15 & 17)


Reference Book: English-Chinese translation of Ratio Fundamentalis 57-74 with Autobiography, Self-Knowledge and Human Maturity Tests


IV. BASIC CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (PD15, 15 & 17)


Reference Book: Any good Chinese Catechism studied from beginning to end


V. GOSPEL FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (PD15, 15 & 17)


Reference Book: The Gospel of Matthew OR The Gospel of Mark in Chinese


VI. INTRODUCTION TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE (PD15, 17)


Reference Book: Chinese translation of Vatican II’s Document “Perfectae caritatis” AND/OR Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical “Vita Consecrata”


VII. THE SALESIAN CONGREGATION TODAY (PD15, 15 & 17)


Reference Material: Pascual Chávez, Circular Letters on the Regions of the Congregation in Chinese


VIII. LIFE AND SPIRIT OF DON BOSCO (PD15, 15 & 17)


Reference Book: Chinese translation of Teresio Bosco, Don Bosco. A New Biography AND/OR Pietro Brocardo, Profoundly Human, Profoundly Saint


IX. APOSTOLIC SPIRIT AND SALESIAN MISSION (PD15, 15 & 17)


Reference Book: English-Chinese translation of Ratio Fundamentalis 25-53 “Education of Youth to Faith” (=GC 23) AND/OR Chosen Chinese Biographies of our Deceased Confreres


X. THE LAY VOCATION OF THE SALESIAN BROTHER


Reference Book: General Council, The Salesian Brother: History, Identity, Vocational Apostolate and Formation (Chinese translation in the making)


PRENOVITIATE EDUCATIVE-PASTORAL PRACTICUM (PD15, 15 & 16)


Guided educative-pastoral experiences such as: assisting the boarders, teaching catechism, directing sodalities, helping in leadership camps and summer camps, etc. The guide will demand Feedback on Work Done and will offer Educational-Pastoral Input taking as reference Ratio Fundamentalis 185-204 & 343. At the end of the process, let a written record of the educational-pastoral experiences made be kept in the archives of Salesian House of Studies Office of the Prefect of Studies.















V. NOVITIATE COURSES

The novitiate courses are offered during the single year of novitiate


SPIRITUALITY COURSES


  1. SCRIPTURE I: THE FOUR GOSPELS

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Thorough acquaintance with the structure, characteristics, and content of each of the Four Gospels, in view of a biblically grounded personal encounter with Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God.


Textbook: Volume 9 of The Bethlehem Bible = Sigao Sheng Jing (Chinese version of the whole Bible by the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Hong Kong), Volume 9.


  1. BASIC CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE I

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Thorough revision of the whole catechism, to fill up any lacuna left in the previous Christian formation of the novices, and to introduce the novices to an ecclesial understanding of the Word of God. At this stage of formation, thoroughness is more important than depth. During the post novitiate the students will have the opportunity to study the catechism more in depth.


Textbook: Tianzhujiao Xinyang (Chinese catechism of the Conference of Chinese Bishops, Taiwan).

Reference Book: Tianzhujiao Yaoli (Chinese Version with Supplement of The Catechism of the Catholic Church).


  1. THE THEOLOGY OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Obtaining an insight into the theological foundations of religious life, that is, being consecrated by God and offering oneself to God through the evangelical counsels of obedience, poverty, and chastity.


Textbook: Joseph Aubry, Xiuhui Shenghuo Shenxue Guan (Chinese translation by Ciyiu Chubanshe of Teologia della vita religiosa alla luce del Vaticano II).

Reference Book: English-Chinese translation of The Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis et Studiorum (20003).


4.INTRODUCTION TO LITURGY I

(1 credit for 2 semesters)


Objective: Overall revision of the main liturgical actions as source and foundation of the spiritual life: a) the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) and the Sacrament of Reconciliation; b) the Liturgy of the Hours and the Liturgical Year.


Textbook: Liyi Zhi Guang (Ciyiu Chubanshe), Womende Misa, Womende Shengshi, Womende Qingjie (Zhao I Zhou, Jianzheng Chubanshe).


5.GENERAL SPIRITUALITY

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: A general knowledge of the stages and problems of spiritual growth.

Textbook: Tianzhujiao Jiben Lingxiu Xue (Che Wen Yu, Shengming Chubanshe)


6. SALESIAN SPIRITUALITY

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Deep acquaintance with the spiritual doctrine of St. Francis de Sales and the spiritual practice of St. John Bosco and of Salesian saints.


Textbook: Eugenio Ceria, Baosigao Neixiu Shenghuo (Chinese translation of Don Bosco con Dio, Ciyiu Chubanshe).

Reference Books: St. Francis de Sales, Ru De Zhi Men (Chinese translation of Introduction to the Devout Life, Ciyiu Chubanshe); Treatise on the Love God (Lun Tianzhu Zhi Ai, Chinese translation in the making).


SALESIANITY COURSES


  1. CONSTITUTIONS AND REGULATIONS OF THE SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO

(5 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: A thorough study of all the articles of the Constitutions and Regulations as the Project of Life of the Salesians.


Textbooks: Baosigao Ciyiuhui Huixian Ji Huigui (Chinese translation of the Constitutions and Regulations.)

Reference Book: The Project of Life of the Salesians of Don Bosco: A Guide to the Salesian Constitutions.


  1. DON BOSCO – HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Overall personal authentic acquaintance with the life of Don Bosco by an in-depth study of The Memoirs of the Oratory and by familiarization with the essential content of the Biographical Memoirs in Chinese translation.


Textbooks: Giovanni Bosco, Memoirs of the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales from 1815 to 1855. Introduction and Notes by A. Da Silva Ferreira, Rome: LAS 1992; Lorenzo Yao, Sheng Baosigao Zhuan, I-V (Reduction and Chinese translation of the Biographical Memoirs)

Reference Books: Giovanni Battista Lemoyne, Angelo Amadei, Eugenio Ceria, The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, I-XX (English translation, Salesiana Publishers).


EDUCATION COURSES


1.THE PREVENTIVE SYSTEM OF ST. JOHN BOSCO

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Thorough acquaintance with the basic principles, spirit and methodology of the Salesian educational system as an essential part of Salesian spirituality and as a necessary preparation for dealing with the young in the exercise of the Salesian mission.


Textbooks: Pietro Ricaldone, Baosigaode Jiaoyufa (Chinese translation in two volumes of Volume I of Don Bosco Educatore, Ciyiu Chubanshe).


Reference Material: Don Bosco’s “The Preventive System in the Education of the Young” and Don Bosco’s “Letter from Rome” (Chinese translation in the booklet of the Constitutions and Regulations)




2.PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY

(1 credit for 2 semesters)


Objective: In-depth grasp of the stages and problems of personality development and of a good system of classification of personality types in view of adequate self-knowledge on the part of the novices.


Textbooks or Aids like Questionnaires, etc.: Chosen by the teacher.


OTHER COURSES


  1. ITALIAN LANGUAGE I & II

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Elementary grasp of Italian grammar and vocabulary in order to be able to deal with the Italian language used in our Salesian literature.


Textbook and Aids: Chosen by the teacher.


  1. MANDARIN LANGUAGE I & II

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Mastering of the language in order to be able to communicate without difficulty, even in public, within the framework of our daily life and work.


Textbook and Aids: Chosen by the teacher.


  1. MUSIC I


Objective: General introduction to musical theory and history and, if possible, to instrumental music, with the choice of one musical instrument by the students.


Textbook and Aids: Chosen by the teacher.


NOVITIATE EDUCATIVE-PASTORAL PRACTICUM (PD16, 6)


Guided weekend experiences in youth centres, Sunday schools, etc. The guide will demand a Feedback on Work Done and will offer an Educational-Pastoral Input on the line of Ratio Fundamentalis 185-204, 366-367, 382. At the end of the process, a written record of the educational-pastoral experiences made will be kept in the archives of Salesian House of Studies Office of the Prefect of Studies.




































VI. POSTNOVITIATE


The post novitiate course usually lasts for three years. Students attend courses both at Salesian House of Studies and at Hong Kong Spirit Seminary College. The courses at Salesian House of Studies are mostly offered during the first and the second year, according to a two–year cycle. The third year is usually left free for the students’ preparation for the Bachelor Degree in Philosophy Examination. The Spirituality and Catechetical Courses are sometimes attended at the Hong Kong Diocesan Catechetical Centre, but this practice should be closely monitored, to ensure the adequacy of the courses offered.


SPIRITUALITY COURSES


  1. SCRIPTURE II: THE OLD TESTAMENT

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Overall acquaintance with the content of the Old Testament books with a view to strengthen the biblical foundation of the spiritual life of the students and to provide them with an adequate biblical preparation for catechetical instruction.


Textbook: The one-volume Bethlehem Bible = Sigao Shengjing (Chinese version of the Bible by the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Hong Kong).


  1. SCRIPTURE III: THE NEW TESTAMENT

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Overall acquaintance with the content of the New Testament books (besides the Gospels) with a view to strengthen the biblical foundation of their spiritual life of the students and to provide them with an adequate biblical preparation for catechetical instruction.


Textbook: Volumes 10 & 11 of The Bethlehem Bible = Sigao Shengjing (Chinese version of the Bible by the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Hong Kong).





  1. BASIC CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE II

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Thorough study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One (The Profession of Faith) and Part Two (The Celebration of the Christian Mystery) to strengthen the faith of the students, to foster a sound ecclesial understanding of the Word of God, to provide them with a good catechetical basic for the education of the young in the faith.


Textbook: Tianzhujiao Yaoli (Chinese version of The Catechism of the Catholic Church with Supplement)


  1. BASIC CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE III

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Thorough study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three (Life of Christ) and Part Four (Christian Prayer) to strengthen the faith of the students, to foster a sound ecclesial understanding of the Word of God, to provide them with a good catechetical basic for the education of the young in the faith.


Textbook: Tianzhujiao Yaoli (Chinese version of The Catechism of the Catholic Church with Supplement)


5.INTRODUCTION TO LITURGY II

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Thorough study of the Praenotanda of the Roman Missal and of the Book of the Liturgy of the Hours to provide a liturgical grounding of spirituality and to prepare the students for the liturgical formation of the young.


Textbook: The Chinese version of the General Introduction (Praenotanda) of the Roman Missal and of the Book of the Liturgy of the Hours.


6.INTRODUCTION TO LITURGY III

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Thorough study of the General Introduction (Praenotanda) to the Rite of Christian Initiation and to the Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to provide a liturgical grounding of spirituality and to prepare the students for the liturgical formation of the young and the guidance of catechumenal groups.


Textbook: The Chinese version of the General Introduction (Praenotanda) to the Rite of Christian Initiation and to the Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.


SALESIANITY COURSES


  1. HISTORY OF THE SALESIAN SOCIETY

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: General view of the development of the Salesian Society after the death of St. John Bosco, focusing on its missionary expansion, the Rector Majors and General Chapters, and the figures of outstanding Salesians.


Textbook: Morand Wirth, Don Bosco and the Salesians (Don Bosco Publications, 1987)


  1. THE SALESIAN FAMILY

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Overall acquaintance with the history and nature of the main groups of the Salesian Family: Daughters of Mary Help of Christian, Salesian Cooperators, Past-pupils, Volunteers of Don Bosco, etc. Members of the various groups may be invited to present the history and nature of their group.


Textbook: The Chinese version of the Constitutions or Statutes of each group, e.g. Shitu Shenghuo Shouze, Chinese-English-Italian text of The Regulations of Apostolic Life of the Association of Salesian Cooperators (1999, Chinese translation of New Edition 2006 expected).

Reference Books: La carta di comunione nella Famiglia salesiana di Don Bosco (Dicastero per la Famiglia Salesiana); La carta di missione della Famiglia salesiana di Don Bosco (Dicastero per la Famiglia Salesiana).


  1. INTRODUCTION TO SALESIAN SOURCES

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Acquaintance with basic Salesian sources and their classification, with a view to acquiring a methodology of approach, without however going into details. Don Bosco is presented as a writer and a publisher. The characteristics of his Epistolario are studied, reading some of his letters. The literary style and content of some of Don Bosco’s dreams is assessed.


Sources: The critical editions of Don Bosco’s works published by the Istituto Storico Salesiano.

Reference Books: Eugenio Ceria, Valore storico delle Memorie Biografiche di Don Bosco, pro manuscripto, Torino 1953; Francesco Motto, Studio critico delle fonti per la “storia salesiana”, pro manuscripto, Rome 1989.


EDUCATION COURSES


  1. HISTORY OF EDUCATION

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Overall view of the development of educational theory and practice both in the West and in China.


Textbook: To be chosen by the teacher.


  1. PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Acquaintance with the thought of the principal theoreticians of education. This course is offered at the Holy Spirit Seminary College. Students of Salesian House of Studies should attend this course and thus fulfill the requirement laid down by our Provincial Directory.


  1. DIDACTICS

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Mastering the basic teaching techniques in preparation for the tasks of practical training and future work in schools.


Textbook: To be chosen by the teacher.


  1. GENERAL CATECHETICS

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Good grasp of theory and practice of catechesis, combined, if possible, with practical exercises in schools and in parishes.


Textbook and Aids: To be chosen by the teacher.


  1. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: To provide students with insight into the developmental psychology of the young and with the confidence to succeed in class-room management and in dealing with discipline problems.


Textbook: To be chosen by the teacher.


  1. PEDAGOCAL METHOLOGY

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Introduction to the fundamental theory of education and to the methodology of educational intervention, educational planning, and educational action.


Textbook: To be chosen by the teacher.


OTHER COURSES


  1. ITALIAN LANGUAGE III & IV

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: These courses should link up with the courses of Italian Language I and II attended during the novitiate, ensuring continuity and progress through the use of the same textbooks, etc.


  1. Latin Language I & II

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: For interested students, this course is offered in alternative to Course 1: Italian Language III & IV, so that an early start may be made in learning Latin, a language demanded as a requirement for later theological studies.


Textbook and Aids: Chosen by the teacher.


  1. MANDARIN LANGUAGE III AND IV

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: These courses link up with the courses of Mandarin Language I and II attended during the novitiate. They are offered to students who feel the need to strengthen further their command of Mandarin.


4.CHINESE LITERATURE I, II, III, IV

(2 credits for 4 semesters)


Objective: An overall study of the whole span of Chinese Literature, with practical exercises in composition and diction.


5.ENGLISH LANGAUGE I, II, III, IV

(2 credits for 4 semesters)


Objective: Strengthening the student’s mastery of English through written exercises and oral conversation, so that the student may have a good comprehension of philosophical and educational reference material in English and may easily communicate with non-Chinese-speaking people, especially confreres and guests.


6.MUSIC II, III, IV, V

(2 credits for 4 semesters)

Objective: Good grounding in musical theory, going through the various grades, at least up to Grade 5, and preparing, if desirable, for the public examination in Musical Theory. At the same time, strengthening the student’s skill in at least one musical instrument.


POSTNOVITIATE EDUCATIVE-PASTORAL PRACTICUM (PD17,5)


Guided experiences in any of the educational-pastoral activities characteristic of our Society. The guide will demand a Feedback on Work Done and will offer an Educational-Pastoral Input inspired by Ratio Fundamentalis 185-204, 410-411. At the end of the process, let a written record of the educational-pastoral experiences made be kept in the archives of Salesian House of Studies Office of the Prefect of Studies.



VII. COURSES OF SPECIFIC FORMATION FOR SALESIAN BROTHERHOOD

According to PD 19,2, the specific formation for Salesian Brotherhood can be offered either in the Province or abroad, e.g. in the communities set up for this specific purpose in India and in the Philippines. If the formation is offered in the Province, some of the courses outlined below for candidates to the Salesian priesthood are attended also by Salesian Brothers. A course specifically set up for Brothers will be the following:


1.SALESIAN SPIRITUALITY

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Acquaintance with the sources and reference-points of Don Bosco’s spirituality, in particular with the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. Capacity to give a systematic presentation of Salesian spirituality and to revisit from a theological and spiritual standpoint some Salesian sources of special spiritual significance: The Memoirs of the Oratory, The Companion of Youth, The Lives of Domenico Savio, Michele Magone, Francesco Besucco.


Textbook: Francis Desramaut, Don Bosco and the Spiritual Life (Don Bosco Publications 1979).

Reference Books: Joseph Aubry, The Spiritual Writings of Saint John Bosco (Don Bosco Publications 1984).


2.THEOLOGY OF VOCATION TO SALESIAN BROTHERHOOD

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: To master the biblical and theological foundations of “religious brotherhood” (VC 60) and thus obtain an in-depth awareness of the distinctiveness of the Salesian Brother’s vocation within the Salesian Society, within the Church, and within the world.


Textbook: The Salesian Brother: History, Identity, Vocational Apostolate and Formation (Chinese version in the making).

Reference Books: General Chapter 21: Document 2: ”The Salesian Brother: a lay-religious vocation at the service of the Salesian mission” (Chinese version available); other issues of the Acts of the General Council dealing with the identity and mission of the Salesian Brother.

EDUCATIVE-PASTORAL PRACTICUM FOR THE SPECIFIC FORMATION OF SALESIAN BROTHERS (PD19,6)


During the period of specific formation, the Brothers will undertake guided apostolic activities, especially those that bring them into contact with the world of the working man, mass media, and social service. The guide will obtain their Feedback on Work Done and will offer criteria for an evaluation in the line of Ratio Fundamentalis 185-204, 457. At the end of the process, let a written record of the educational-pastoral experiences made be kept in the archives of Salesian House of Studies Office of the Prefect of Studies.






























VIII. COURSE OF SPECIFIC PREPARATION FOR

THE SALESIAN PRIESTHOOD


SALESIAN COURSES

These courses are offered in four-year cycles.


  1. CRITICAL HISTORY OF DON BOSCO AND THE SALESIAN SOCIETY

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Approach the study of Don Bosco’s life and work with the methodology of historical science, placing our Founder and his work in the context of the ecclesial and social reality of his times, thus appreciating the ecclesial and social relevance of the Salesian charism.


Reference Books: Pietro Stella, Don Bosco: Life and Work (Stella, Don Bosco Publications); Articles in the Journal of Salesian Studies.


  1. HISTORY OF THE CHINA PROVINCE AND OF THE EAO REGION OF THE SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: Acquaintance with the origin and the development of Salesian work in China and in East Asia, with special attention to the figures of the great pioneers, like St. Luigi Versiglia, Venerable Vincent Cimatti, Fr. Carlo Braga et al., and of the martyrs and confessors of the faith, like Cl. Peter Yeh, Br. Jerome Yip, Fr. Joseph Fu et al.


Textbook: The English translation by Fr. Bernard Tohill of Mario Rassiga, A Short Historical Account of the Salesian Work in China (1906-1937); the English-Chinese text of Carlo Socol & Domingos Leong Teng Kok, The Dream Continues… Centenary of the Salesians of Don Bosco in China (Don Bosco Publishing Services 2006).


Reference Books: The biographies of St. Luigi Versiglia and St. Callisto Caravario; the biography of Don Carlo Braga; the biography of Cl. Peter Yeh; the Italian, English, Chinese mini-biographies of these and many other confreres.


  1. THEOLOGY OF THE SALESIAN CHARISM

(2 credits for 1 semester)

Objective: To study the biblical-theological foundation of the Salesian charism of loving service to poor youth, as revealed in the documents of the last General Chapters.

Reference Books: Special General Chapter 20. Document 1: “Salesians of Don Bosco in the Church: Identity and Vocation of the Salesian Society Today”; General Chapter 21, Document 1:”Salesian, Evangelizers of the Young”; General Chapter 23; “Educating Young people to the faith; General Chapter 24: “Communion and Sharing in the Spirit and Mission of Don Bosco” (Chinese version of GC 20,21,23,24 available); Formation of Salesian of Don Bosco: Principles and Norms: Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis et Studiorum (Egidio Vigano’) Articles in Journal of Salesian Studies.


  1. SPIRITUALITY OF THE SALESIAN PRIEST

(2 credits for 1 semester)

Objective: Study of Salesian spirituality as revealed in the masterpieces of St. Francis de Sales and in the life of St. John Bosco, of Salesian saints like Blessed Rua, Rinaldi, Versiglia, Caravario, and of outstanding Salesian priest like Fr. Eusebio Vismara, Fr. Nazareno Camilleri and Fr. Giuseppe Quadrio.

Reference Books: Don Bosco: A Spiritual Portrait (Edna Beyer Phelan); Don Bosco and the Spiritual Life (Francis Desramaut); Don Bosco: Religious Outlook and Spirituality (Pietro Stella); Articles in the Journal of Salesian Studies.


5.SALESIAN YOUTH PASTORAL

(2 credits for 2 semesters)


Objective: In-depth study of the theory and practice of youth pastoral according to the spirit of Don Bosco and the needs of today’s youth. Special attention should be given to Salesian youth ministry of the Sacraments: Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing), Sacraments of Communion (Orders and Matrimony). This course is offered by a Salesian professor at Holy Spirit Seminary College as an elective course. For the students of Salesian House of Studies it is a compulsory course and fulfills the requirement laid down in our Provincial Directory.


Reference Books: Salesian Youth Pastoral Work (Youth Pastoral Department, Rome); Youth Pastoral Documents I- II- III- IV- V- VI- VII- VIII- IX- X (Youth Pastoral Department, Rome); Don Bosco’s Pedagogical Experience (Pietro Braido, LAS, Rome); The Educational System of Don Bosco in the Non-Christian Context (Jose Kuttianimattathil); Don Bosco’s Charism and Asian Culture (ed. Sebastian Karotemprel); Manual for the Formation of Salesian of Salesian Lay Collaborators (Youth Pastoral Department, Rome; Chinese version available).


PASTORAL COURSES

These courses are concentrated in the Fourth Year of Theology, the so-called Pastoral Year.


4.SPECIAL CATECHETICS

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Mastering of the theory and practice of catechetic for the various age groups: children, adolescent, young people, adults, elderly. This course, at least in part, is offered at Holy Spirit Seminary. Attendance of this course fulfills the requirement laid down in our Provincial Directory.


5.COMMUNICATION PASTORAL

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Heightened awareness of the pastoral opportunities and of the pastoral problems inherent in the communication mass media. This course is offered at the Holy Spirit Seminary College. Attendance of this course fulfills the requirement laid down in our Provincial Directory.


6.VOCATION PASTORAL

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: To make a deeper study of this aspect of Salesian Youth Pastoral so that the students may become efficient vocation promoters. If the course is offered at the Holy Spirit Seminary College, attendance of this course fulfills the requirement laid down in our Provincial Directory.


  1. ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: To make sure that the candidates for the Salesian priesthood possess the basic concepts and techniques of community leadership and organization. The Holy Spirit Seminary College offers a course on Parish Management. Attendance of this course fulfills the requirement laid down in our Provincial Directory.


  1. COUNSELLING IN GENERAL

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: To learn the fundamentals of counseling, various theories, stages in helping, and helping techniques. Client-centred Therapy, Reality Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Satir Model. The Holy Spirit Seminary College offers such a course. Attendance of this course fulfills the requirement laid down in our Provincial Directory.


  1. MORAL AND PASTORAL COUNSELLING

(2 credits for 1 semester)


Objective: Personality and psychological growth, youth counseling and marriage counseling, clinical pastoral care, and prison pastoral service. The Holy Spirit Seminary College offers such a course. Attendance of this course fulfills the requirement laid down in our Provincial Directory.


EDUCATIVE-PASTORAL PRACTICUM OF CONFRERES CANDIDATES TO THE PRIESTHOOD (PD20,6)


Especially after institution to the ministries of lector and acolyte and after ordination to the deaconate, the candidates for the priesthood will be given the opportunity, with due guidance, to learn-by-doing the pastoral work proper to their ministry in at least the following service areas: liturgical animation, hospital care, prison visiting, pastoral care of workers, promotion of social justice, week-day parish pastoral, week-end parish pastoral, school retreats, school pastoral work. The guide will obtain their Feedback on Work Done and will offer criteria for an evaluation in the line of Ratio Fundamentalis 185-204, 470-473. At the end of the process, let a written record of the educational-pastoral experiences made be kept in the archives of Salesian House of Studies Office of the Prefect of Studies.


IMPORTANT NOTICE

For additional bibliography about Salesianity subjects, please see The General Councillor for Formation, Guidelines concerning Salesian Studies during Initial Formation. Methodology and Distribution of Study Courses during the Various Phases of Formation, Rome 2005.



IX. LIBRARY

1.

Care and love for the library is something the Salesians of Don Bosco inherited from their founder St. John Bosco. Don Bosco, poor himself and working for poor boys, was content with a small bed-room; next to it, however, he had a large library with several precious collections. He used his library for the formation of his young Salesians and for the publication of popular books for the young and for the common people. Heir to this tradition, our Regulation 62 reads: “Special importance attaches to the preservation of libraries […] because of their cultural and community value”.


2.

The library of Salesian House of Studies is also the Provincial Library of the China Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco. This library was born together with Salesian work in China in 1906, since some of the books of the Salesian Mother House in China (Orfanato da Immaculada Conceição, now Instituto Salesiano, Macau) are preserved in it. The library since then has kept growing. Now it stores more than 40,000 books, mostly English and Chinese, but there are also works and publications in Italian and French. A technical break-through took place in 1967 when all the books began to be classified according to the Dewey System, under the guidance of Fr. John Lau Hoi Lim, the Librarian at that time.


3.

Most of the books deal with Theology, Philosophy, and Education. There is a good collection of mainly Italian books about St. John Bosco and the Salesian Society. This section of the library functions also as a mini-archive for everything related to the Salesians in China. There is also a sizable collection of English and American books about China. The Chinese section holds most of the books published by Chinese Catholic publishing houses in the last thirty years.


4.

The Salesian Provincial Library caters for a threefold readership: firstly, all the Salesian confreres of the China Province (who alone have the right to borrow books); secondly, the members of the Salesian Family; thirdly, the students of other academic Church institutions in Hong Kong (like the Hong Kong Catholic Biblical Institute, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences which is a section of the Holy Spirit Seminary College). Naturally, those who hopefully make most use of this library are the students of Salesian House of Studies itself. Limiting the right of borrowing books to the Salesians of Don Bosco ensures that most of the books are in the library for the perusal of all other users. For their convenience, this library has also the most liberal opening hours in the world (from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)


5.

The growth of the library has been due to a whole series of generous benefactors and dedicated library workers. Among the benefactors, special mention should be made of the following : Mr. John Hicks, Mr. Martin Tsoi Hak Min, Fr. Robert Vetch SDB, Fr. Henry Cheangeat SDB, Fr. Bernard Tohill SDB, Fr. Carlo Socol SDB, Fr. Peter Newbery SDB, all of whom donated some of their best loved books to the library. Our heartfelt thanks go to these generous bibliophiles and to all others who have not been mentioned, but have contributed books to our library. The list of library workers, mostly professors and students of this House working part-time, is very long, as can be seen from Part I of this manual, and we are not sure that it is complete. Here special mention goes to Bro. Emanuel Kung Kwong Kuen, who has been working uninterruptedly as Library Assistant since 1994. To him and to the many others who have offered their precious time for our library goes the gratitude of the Salesians of Don Bosco of the China Province and of all other library users.


7.

Itself the object of many generous donations, in recent years the Salesian Province Library of Salesian House of Studies has, in turn, had the joy of donating badly needed books to other institutions, especially in mainland China. In this way our library, like many other libraries, has become a centre of concentration and redistribution of books, in the spirit of evangelical poverty, academic solidarity, and ecological recycling (in the best possible way!) of printed paper.















X. CALENDAR

1.

The school year at Salesian House of Studies is basically the same as the school year at the Holy Spirit Seminary College, where our students attend their philosophy and theology classes: it begins at the beginning of September and terminates at the end of May. However, there are the following adaptations, to avoid clashes with the Holy Spirit Seminary College. At Salesian House of Studies the semester begins on the second week of September (i.e. one week after the beginning of the semester at the Seminary College) and ends with the examination week towards the middle of December (i.e. the week immediately before the examination week of Holy Spirit Seminary College). The same holds good for the second semester. It is clear that we do not concur with the concept of a study-week in preparation of term examinations, since subjects like philosophy, theology, education, and Salesianity are not studied for the examinations, but for life.


2.

Since Holy Spirit Seminary College holds classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, classes at Salesian House of Studies are held mainly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This arrangement has held good since the beginning of the inter-diocesan and inter-religious joint adventure at Holy Spirit Seminary College, so as to ensure sufficient time for the specific formation offered the students in their diocesan and religious communities. Moreover, special classes or seminars may be held at Salesian House of Studies during the break between the first and second semester, or after the final examinations of the Holy Spirit Seminary College, before the beginning of the summer holidays.


3.

When the following feasts fall on a Wednesday or a Saturday, at Salesian House of Studies there is a holiday: December 8th , Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception; January 31st , Solemnity of St. John Bosco; May 24th , Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians.


4.

Once or twice each semester, it is possible that a Wednesday or a Saturday be used by the Salesian House of Studies Community to hold extra-curricular activities like a Community Day, a Quarterly Retreat, or a community outing. The timing of these activities shall be determined before the beginning of the school year when compiling the calendar of events of the whole year. However, care should be taken that each course consists of at least 12 class-days of 2 hours each per semester (or alternatively, 24 class-days of 1 hour each per year). One credit, in fact, is for us equivalent to 12 class periods.

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