Contact
“Possibly our greatest challenge will be that of visibility, how we become an inculturated presence. We are called on to create a new way of being visible in an appropriate way for today, in a world that is lost but is yearning for a sense of direction and some token of salvation, for authentic signs that show and make concrete that which lives in us, what we believe in, what we have given our lives for.
In order to forge this kind of spirituality, three things will be required:
That we be clear about our spiritual identity and charism and live them authentically.
That we understand and adopt the appropriate instruments and signs to facilitate dialogue: people must find them legible, so that they really transmit the values of the charism we have received in function of the needs of each particular culture.
That we be resolute and fearless…”
Our Order offers, with imagination and commitment, the greatest variety of possibilities in favour of such spirituality. Among these there is also the opportunity for a sabbatical break within on-going Formation. This break is recommended to all Friars by our “Ratio Formationis” and other Documents of the Order.
The Study Centre of our Order at Grottaferrata, through the Department of Franciscan Theology (Franciscan Thought), offers a sabbatical period to those Friars who wish to take advantage, especially for a profound study of the Sources of the Franciscan Charism.
The Department of Franciscan Theology and Philosophy offers the following aids and possibilities to those Friars who wish to make use of this period of study:
Deepening, up-dating and renewal of one’s own research in the field of Franciscan History, Theology, Philosophy and Spirituality with personal study (the use of the specific library and archives of Grottaferrata-Quaracchi; the possibility of consulting the different ecclesiastical and state Libraries and the Archives of Rome and the Vatican).
Participation in Courses, Seminars and Lectures on Franciscan Topics (in collaboration with the Faculties of Theology, Philosophy and Canon Law of the Pontifical Athenaeum Antonianum, of the Institute of Spirituality and, especially, of the Higher School of Medieval and Franciscan Studies).
Conversations with Friars and specialised people who work in the most diverse scientific fields.
Life with the local Fraternity of the College of St. Bonaventure, Grottaferrata, (participation in meals, recreation, prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist).
Multiple occasions for participation in cultural and ecclesial events in and around Rome (Masses, ecclesial celebrations, exhibitions, concerts…).
Days of retreat and reflection in the nearby Franciscan Places, in accordance with one’s own desire.
The proposal of the Study Centre of Grottaferrata wishes to offer a service with these important aims of our religious community and especially of those Friars who wish to live a sabbatical period in the College of St. Bonaventure. The possibility of making this sabbatical break is given to all Solemnly Professed Friars of the Provinces of our Order. The duration and the organisation of the stay in Grottaferrata are adapted to the needs and possibilities of each individual Friar. The College of St. Bonaventure is an Institution that depends directly on the Minister General. This initiative is recommended by the Minister and Definitory General.
Contact
The friars of our Order, who are interested in a Sabbatical break in Grottaferrata can get in contact with the Director of the Department of Franciscan Thought (Franciscan Philosophy and Theology) to obtain all the necessary information and to know the conditions.
Collegio S. Bonaventura
Sezione Pensiero Francescano
Via Vecchia di Marino, 28-30
I-00046 Grottaferrata
Italy
Tel.: (+39) 06.94.55.11
Fax: (+39) 06.94.55.12.6.7
eMail: mailto:sbcollegio@ofm.org