A Saturday program of the Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay city for religious, leaders of charismatic communities, catechists, religious education teachers, BEC lay workers, future seminarians, and faith seekers
Enrollment is going on for the Certificate in Theological Studies at Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City. Classes begin on November 7, 2009: Classes offered are:
Pastoral Introduction to the New Testament (Fr. Randolf Flores, SVD; SSL Biblicum-Rome) Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke (Fr. Ronnie Crisostomo, SVD; SLL Anselmianum - Rome) The Gospel of John (Sr. Miriam Alejandrino, OSB; SSL Biblicum; SThD Gregorianum - Rome) - classes begin on January 2010 The Church and the Kingdom of God (Fr. John Fuellenbach, SVD; SThD Catholic University of America) - classes will be on Nov. 7 and Nov. 14
Introduction to Doing Mission Today (Fr. Alex Muana, SVD; STL Gregorianum-Rome)
Introduction to Moral Theology with esp. emphasis on Catholic Social Teachings (Fr. Regie Lavilla, MSP; Alfonsianum- Rome)
DZMM's Salitang Buhay hosts Ms. Ilsa Reyes, and SVDs Fr. Bel San Luis and Jerome Marquez
A group of fresh/first graduates of Certificate in Theological Studies was interviewed last May 31 over radio DZMM (ABS-CBN's Tele-Radyo) at the program Salitang Buhay (Word Alive) aired every Sunday from 8:30 to 10:00 in the evening hosted by SVDs Fr. Bel San Luis and Fr. Jerome Marquez, and Miss Ilsa Reyes.
The guests were asked first to share their insights on the Sunday Gospel which was about the Coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) being celebrated on that Sunday and then each described their wonderful experience of studying witht the CTS every Saturday and how the course has changed their lives and faith-perspectives including a better way of reading the bible. The CTS group was composed of the couple Mr. Ronnie and Mrs. Marie Crisologo, Engr. John Roque, Mrs. Baby Belocura from the social action apostolate of the Diocese of Imus, Miss Bing Kasilag who is the CTS assistant program director, and Fr. Randy Flores who started the CTS two years ago and the present director of the program; he also handles the courses on the bible.
CTS classes begin on 13 June 2009 (Saturday). Enrollment is going on, please text Bing at 0915-788411 or email ctstagaytay.yahoo.com.
Bing Kasilag and Baby Belocura answer some questions on CTS from Fr. Jeome.
Ronnie (in white) and wife Marie (back) smile for the cam during DZMM's station break. At the back- Mr. Alex and Mrs. Bimbi Roque, parents of John. Bimbi is also CTS student (first year). Seen also is Ms. Olive Tolentino, instructional manager of the SVD Alternative Learning System (Tagaytay City) who was also interviewed.
CTS Students with German theologian, Fr. John Fuellenbach, SVD
Join an in-depth study of the Bible and the Christian Faith!
Enroll now in the CTS program of Divine Word Seminary!
The Certificate in Theological Studies (CTS) is a Saturday program designed for religious, leaders of charismatic communities, catechists, religious education teachers, BEC lay workers, church leaders, ex & future seminarians, lay leaders, and faith-seekers who are interested to study Scripture, Theology, and Christian Spirituality in the Catholic Tradition. After completing twenty four (24) units, the equivalent of four semesters or two years, the student will be awarded with a Certificate in Theological Studies duly recognized by Divine Word Seminary.
Please scroll down or click on the CTS Information Links on your right for further information.
Saturday Classes begin from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The program follows the school calendar with slight modifications.
First Semester
June 21—Start of Classes October 11—Last Day of Classes Courses: FIRST YEAR 1:30 pm—4:30 pm — Liturgy and Sacraments (CRISOSTOMO) 9:00 am – 12:00 pm— Pastoral Introduction to the Old Testament (FLORES)
SECOND YEAR 9:00 am – 12:00 pm -Pentateuch and Prophets (FLORES) 1:30 - 3:00 - Christology (REYES) 3:30- 5:00 - Christian Spirituality (SANIEL)
Second Semester
November 8— Start of Classes December 15—Start of Christmas Break January 10 (2009) — Classes Resume March 21—Last Day of Classes
Courses: FIRST YEAR 9:00 am—12:00 pm --Church, Kingdom of God and Mission (FUELLENBACH and MUAñA). 1:30 pm— 4:30 pm— Pastoral Introduction to the New Testament (REYES)
SECOND YEAR 9:00 am - 12:00 pm -- Gospels and Acts of the Apostles (ALEJANDRINO) 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm -- Moral Theology and Catholic Social Teachings (CAGA) 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm -- Practicum: Writing Modules for and Conducting Bible Seminars (FLORES)
1st Year/ 1st Semester Pastoral Introduction to the Old Testament (3 units) Liturgy and Sacraments (3 Units)
1st Year/ 2nd Semester Pastoral Introduction to the New Testament (3 units) Church, the Kingdom of God and Mission (3 units)
2nd Year/ 1st Semester Pentateuch and Prophets (3 units) Christian Spirituality (1.5 units) Christology (1.5 units)
2nd Year/ 2nd Semester Gospels and Acts of the Apostles (3 units) Moral Theology and Catholic Social Teachings (2 units) Practicum: Writing Modules for Bible and Sacraments Seminars (1 unit)
Saturday Classes begin from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The program follows the school calendar with slight modifications.
First Semester
June 16—Start of Classes October 20—Last Day of Classes Courses: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm— Pastoral Introduction to the Old Testament (FLORES) 1:30 pm—4:30 pm — Liturgy and Sacraments (CRISOSTOMO)
Second Semester
November 3— Start of Classes December 16—Start of Christmas Break January 6 (2008) — Classes Resume March 15—Last Day of Classes
Courses: 9:00 am—12:00 pm — Pastoral Introduction to the New Testament (REYES and FLORES) 1:30 pm— 4:30 pm— Church, Kingdom of God and Mission (FUELLENBACH and MUAñA).
The course introduces the students to the world and context of the Old Testament, the formation of the biblical books, their structure and message, major themes and pastoral issues for today arising from each area of study.
Pastoral Introduction to the New Testament
The course presents a survey of the writings of the New Testament and their context. Major themes and controversial texts that can shed light on today’s pastoral issues will also be discussed.
Liturgy and Sacraments The course introduces the students into the main issues and concepts like celebration, anamnesis, ritual, sign and symbol, sacramentality, etc. It has a special emphasis on the Eucharist which is the liturgy and the sacrament par excellence. Ultimately, this course hopes to accompany the students in discovering liturgy and sacraments as a fountain of Christian spirituality.
Pentateuch and Prophets The course presents the major themes and important passages in the Torah and in the Prophetic Literature — those that can guide our actions as Christians.
Church, Kingdom of God and Mission The first part of the course discusses the Church as a community for the Kingdom of God. The second part presents the Church as missionary by its very nature. It focuses on significant moments of the Christian movement, from the early Church to the end of the 20th century. Then it develops a theology of mission for today based on the missionary practice and theology of the Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity.
Christian Spirituality This course outlines the principles of Christian spirituality, its historical development, and what is spirituality today. It also takes up issues in psycho-spirituality, spiritual direction, and counseling.
Christology
The course intends to give the essentials of Christology/soteriology which are: The Historical Jesus (life & ministry, death, and resurrection); The Transcendent Christ (divinity, humanity, and hypostatic union).
Gospels and Acts of the Apostles
Significant texts from the four Gospels, especially those that are used in Sunday liturgy, will be discussed including the Infancy, Passion, and Resurrection Narratives. Leadership and community life as presented in the Acts of the Apostles will form the second part of the course.
Moral Theology and Catholic Social Teachings
This course brings theology to its practical application to everyday life. Thus, it presents the teachings of the Church on Christian morality as gleaned from the Sacred Scripture and from the Catholic moral tradition. An emphasis is given to the social teachings of the Church as central to the understanding of the social mission of the Catholic Church in Philippine society.
Practicum Producing modules for Bible and Sacrament seminars written by the students themselves is the aim of the course. The will be also a chance to deliver such modules before an audience.
Fr. Wilfredo Saniel, SVD, STL (Gregorian University)- Rector of Divine Word Seminary course: Spirituality.
Fr. Michael Layugan, SVD, HistEl (Gregorian University) - Dean of Studies, course: Church History.
Fr. Randolf Flores, SVD, SSL (Biblicum), STD/PHD (cand.) (Loyola School of Theology/Ateneo de Manila University; director of CTS program course: Sacred Scripture.
Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, STD (Catholic University of America) - Bishop of the Diocese of Imus (Cavite) course: Fundamental Theology
Fr. John Fuellenbach, SVD, STD (Catholic University of America) course: Fundamental Theology
Divine Word Seminary's Holy Spirit Chapel -the hanging Jesus on the Cross is "miraculous"
The Garden of Providence
a wonderful place for study and meditation
The Hanging "Garden"
Divine Word Seminary is equipped with excellent classrooms with laptops and LCD projectors and top of the line sound system.
Enrolled students of the CTS program will also have access to the Arnoldus Library, computers, and internet system.
The Arnoldus theology library contains more than 80,000 volumes. The construction of a huge reading room for students will start this summer.
The e-library room (airconditioned) has 20 computer units all newly acquired with internal access to the library catalogue and with broadband internet access.
Rooms with reasonable rates are available if students prefer to stay overnight. The Zentrum retreat house offers a meal service for a low price. Barako Coffee is served for free.
FEE per semester (6 units): P4,500 -inclusive of handouts, internet use, library.
Reservation fee is P2,000 (non-refundable).
Deserving students can avail of either a full or partial scholarship depending on their financial status. A scholarship committee consisting of the Rector, the Dean, and the Program Director screens prospective scholars.
Divine Word Seminary considers as its important task to help their students to be firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture and in the Tradition of the Church.
In the light of its special missionary orientation and the 16th SVD General Chapter, this theological program envisions to form students in the principle of prophetic dialogue: to reach out to the poor and the marginalized, to people of different cultures, to believers belonging to different religious traditions, and to the faith-seekers.
teaches Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City and at the Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City; and theology at the Ateneo de Manila University where he is a PhD and SThD candidate. He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (SSL) from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome (1999). He is the President of the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines (CBAP), chairperson of the Tagaytay Religious Association (TRA),the Editor of Diwa: Studies in Philosophy and Theology, and Site Coordinator of the SVD Tagaytay Alternative Learning System (ALS) for the Out-of-school youth.
First Graduates of CTS
