Santa Clara University

 

One distinctive way in which the Jesuit School of Theology engages in the culturally contextual study of theology and preparation for ministry is through January Intersession Field Initiatives. These extended, for-credit experiences are simultaneously intercultural and theological in substance, and comprise an intensive group field experience as an integral component of an academic course. Each January, two Intersession Field Initiatives are offered. They are administered by the Director of Intercultural Initiatives in the Office of the Associate Academic Dean. For more information contact Program Director Robert W. McChesney, S.J. at RMcChesney@jstb.edu

 

First Year Master of Divinity Ignatian Pilgrimage – Required

All incoming Master of Divinity candidates are required to participate in an Ignatian Pilgrimage during their first year. During the January 2012 intersession, JST plans an off-campus exploration of the San Francisco Bay Area from January 14-26. This will be an opportunity to sample a few of the many cultures which comprise JST’s “local neighborhood”, to explore the local churches of the Oakland and San Francisco Dioceses, to gather valuable first-hand data regarding future field education placements, and to begin the process of contextual theological reflection with the 1st Year cohort of students. The group will meet leaders of both Dioceses, as well as community and church social service providers working with those marginalized in the eyes of conventional society. Common worship, prayer and recreation will also be part of the Ignatian pilgrimage.

In an increasingly globalized world and church, incoming students have wide intercultural experiences or were even born abroad. They are following diverse vocational calls – as Jesuits, women religious, laywomen and men. The goals and organizing principles of the pilgrimage include: to expand individual and shared knowledge of the Ignatian vision and “mysticism of open eyes”; to expand reflective direct experience of JST’s immediate regional location; to promote self-awareness and the ability to reflect theologically and ministerially within the particular group context of the first-year cohort; and to grow in recognition of the diverse modalities of seeking and finding God. The student-pilgrims will be accompanied by JST staff and student leaders.

 

Interreligious Theological Immersion – Elective

JST responds to the needs of the 21^st century church and world by preparing interested students to go to the frontiers of religion and culture via academic course work and interreligious theological immersions. The immersion elective is scheduled around a three-year, repeating cycle, and includes opportunities for comparative studies, dialogue, religious experience, theological reflection and social action.

Any JST degree student may apply for this course, and the acceptance process is selective. A fall course is followed by a three-week, in-country immersion during the January Intersession.

• January 2009 – Nepal, Tibetan Buddhism (in cooperation with the Center for Buddhist Studies of the University of Kathmandu)
• January 2009 – India, Hinduism
• January 2010 – Northern India, Hinduism and Buddhism (in association with the Matridham Ashram of the Indian Missionary Society in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
• January 2011 – Indonesia, Islam (in association with Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta)
• January 2012 – Nepal, Tibetan Buddhism (in cooperation with the Center for Buddhist Studies of the University of Kathmandu)
• January 2013 – Southern India (Tamil Nadu and Kerala): Hinduism and Indian Christianity, in collaboration with the Santivanam Ashram at Tannirpalli and the Society of Jesus in Kerala
  
• January 2014 – Indonesia, Islam (in association with Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta)

Read articles about past immersion experiences:

• Bridge Magazine, Spring 2009
  M. Divinity student Matt Petrich reports on the 2009 immersion trip to Nepal, where the group engaged in interreligious dialogue and study with Tibetan Buddhist partners.
• Bridge Magazine, Spring 2008
  Professor Thomas Cattoi reports on the 2008 immersion trip to Indonesia where the group engaged in interreligious dialogue and study with Muslim partners.