redemptorists-cebu

Vision-Mission

The St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute, (SAT-MI) located at the Redemptorist Community, Davao City, Philippines, is an Institute of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer that aims to provide quality theological, pastoral and missiological formation for ministry and mission. It also provides opportunities for specialization (pastoral theology, moral theology, missiology, spirituality). The Institute is open to all Redemptorist students from the Asia-Oceania Region, members of other Religious Congregations and the laity.

Conscious of the call of the Congregation that “members confidently engage in missionary dialogue with the world” (CSSR Const 19) and of the Asian Church to enter into a process of dialogue with the Poor, Religions and Cultures, the Institute aims to form missionaries who:

can read, and respond prophetically to, the signs of the times and be involved in the life of the people, especially the poor and most abandoned, in fidelity to our Congregational Charism;

are open to enter into dialogue with people of other religions and no religious affiliation in order to foster understanding and reconciliation;

have an understanding and respect for the diversity of cultures in our Region that will enable them to respond to the call for greater solidarity and collaboration among peoples for a more just and peaceful world.


The Goals of Theological Formation at SAT-MI


The St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute emphasizes the formation of missionaries who are theologically, missiologically and pastorally competent. The students are not only taught theology but also how to theologize in the context of the contemporary world situation (socio-economic, political and cultural). The process of theological formation is aimed at developing the habit of study and theological reflection which they will continue for the rest of their lives.

In particular, the St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute aims to form committed missionaries who are capable of:
(1) Forming and animating Christian communities
(2) Exercising pastoral leadership over mission teams, parishes and communities
(3) Proclaiming prophetically the Word of God
(4) Being sensitive to cultural differences and religious traditions of the people they encounter.
(5) Presiding over liturgical/sacramental celebrations
(6) Working for social transformation
(7) Engaging in ecumenical dialogue as well as dialogue with those without religious affiliation
(8) Crossing borders of religions in the spirit of dialogue and silent witness to the plentiful redemption offered for all


The Pedagogical Orientation of SAT-MI


The St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute stresses a participative-dialogical, pastoral and mission-oriented program. The pedagogy does not solely rely on the lecture/magisterial method but also fosters critical thinking. The students actively participate in the learning process through research work, readings, class discussion and reporting. The use of modern technology in preparation for future ministry is encouraged.

Integral to the Program is the crossing of borders component. This is realized in the mandatory break for Redemptorist students (and encouraged for members of other Religious Congregations) from academic studies during the third year wherein students are asked to live and undertake pastoral ministry in a cultural setting different from their own. This exposure has two objectives:
1) to gauge the capacity of students in the theological skills of faith-life reflection, and
2) to ground them in an experience of crossing borders of religion, culture and secular ideologies.

The use of contemporary pedagogical methodology is encouraged. The Institute is also developing a theology program that is contextualized and inculturated in the Asian context while at the same time taking into consideration theological developments emerging in other parts of the world.


Requirements for Admission

In order to ensure the maintenance of academic standards at the Institute, students presenting themselves for admission to the Institute, whether as degree students or as auditing students, must have acquired a certain level of competency and education. Therefore, it is expected that students have the ability to undertake the program of studies offered by the Institute. Students seeking admission will have completed a primary college degree (or its equivalent) in which they have completed at least 18 units of philosophy. Those lacking units in philosophy will be asked to undertake supplementary courses in philosophy at the Ateneo de Davao.

Since English is the basic medium of instruction in the Institute, students seeking admission are required to have sufficient knowledge of the language to fully benefit from the Institute’s Academic Program. Students transferring from other Institutes are asked to provide a full Transcript of Records for the purpose of records at SAT-MI

The final decision on admission to the Institute rests with the Dean of Studies, after consultation with the Administrative Council.