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    • Certificate in Christian Spiritual Practices 2025

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    From 2015 onwards, PAROC is engaged in the training of lay leaders, clergy and religious with a special emphasis on accompaniment, family-centered pastoral ministry and participatory leadership. We have hitherto conducted more than hundred short courses. Our training programmes are praxis-oriented to equip the participants with skills that enhance their pastoral efficiency. PAROC Research Institute would like to offer Certificate in Youth Animation for youth leaders, lay leaders, religious and clergy as well as seminarians who are interested. The objective of this ten month training programme is to equip catholic leaders for accompaniment, family centered and collaborative pastoral ministry. Those who complete the course successfully will be awarded a Certificate from PAROC Research Institute.

     

     

    Click Here To Register

     
    Title of the Course
    Certificate in Christian Spiritual Practices
     
    Who can participate?
    Priests, religious, seminarians, faith formators and lay and youth who are interested in building up prayer life and who is interested in animating others to prayer life. 
     
    Medium of the Course
    Malayalam
     
    Focus of The Course
    Course discusses the traditional/Modern Christian spiritual practices that will help to develop the relationship with our LORD Triune God. The course is designed in response to year of prayer declared by Pope Francis.
     
    Expected Course Outcome

    1. Experience the principles and dynamics of Christian prayer.

    2. Become familiar with the spiritual and mystical tradition of Catholic Christianity.

    3. Explore how the pathways of spiritual illumination opened up by this tradition in its various expressions bring freedom and peace to the human heart.

    4. Learn prayerful means of experiencing healing through encounters with Divine Love.

    5. Learn to guide prayer sessions, meditations and reflections.

    Duration of the Course

    6 months (June 2025 - December 2025)

    Eligibility
    Plus Two
     
    Pedagogy
    Pre-recorded Video lessons, online contact classes, guidance of spiritual fathers, praxis oriented sessions, support for self-evaluation, an offline workshop on prayer methods
     
    Attendance
    70% of online contact classes.
     
    Programme Structure:
    The Certificate Programme includes 10 modules besides, a book review and three-day residential workshop.   Each module includes 4 sub-topics. Each sub-topic includes (a) 3-4 video/audio lessons of 20 - 30 minutes duration = 8 lessons (b) 2 Contact classes of 20-30 minutes duration (c) Materials for Reading. Each programme is equal to 1 credit. 6X 3 = 18 Credits. Paper presentation - 10 credits
     
    Attendance
    70% of online contact classes.
     
    Evaluation of the Course
    Exams/ Paper works/Internship/Book Review 
     
    Course Fee
    Registration: Rs 2000
    Residential workshop does not include the above mentioned fee (Optional)
     
     
    Board of Studies (2024-2026)

    Ex Officio Members:

    1. President: Rev. Dr. Saijo Thaikkattil, Executive Director PAROC Institute
    2. Secretary:  Rev. Dr. Taison Mandumpal, Coordinator, Centre for Pastoral Studies PAROC
    3. Joint Secretary: Rev. Fr. Nithin Ponnary, Joint Coordinator, Centre for Pastoral Studies PAROC

    Nominated Members:

    1. Rev. Prof. Dr. Sebastian Chalakkal (Rector, Marymatha Major Seminary, Trichur)
    2. Rev. Dr. Paul Pulikkan (Director, Christian Chair, University of Calicut)
    3. Prof. Dr. Betsy Thomas (Principal, Amala Medical College, Thrissur)
    4. Rev. Dr. Sajan Pindiyan (Coordinator, Training Centre of PAROC)
    5. Rev. Dr. Saji Kanayankal CST (Coordinator, Research Centre of PAROC)
    6. Dr. Chacko Kalamparambil (Principal, Alphonsa college, Thiruvampady; Spokesperson, Syro-Malabar Church)
    7. Dr. Kochurani Joseph (Spokesperson, Syro-Malabar Church)
    8. Rev. Sr. Ann Caroline CHF (Principal, Navajyothi College of Teacher Education for Women, Olarikkara)
     
    Awarding of Certificate
    After successful Completion of the Course, the participants will be awarded Diploma certificate from the PAROC Research Institute.
     
     
    Important Features
    Praxis based lessons
    Skill oriented programmes
    Pre-recorded audio/video lessons
    Online contact classes
    Fieldworks, Paper presentations
    Debates, Book reviews
    Self-learning class notes, Case studies and Group activities
    Residential training programme
    Personal accompaniment to participants
    10 experts from various fields to lead the sessions
    Medium - Malayalam
     
    Resource Persons

    Mar Tony Neelankavil,  Dr. Mathew Perumpally, Dr. Saji Kanayankal, Dr. Saijo Thaikkattil, Dr. Sebasian Chalakkal, Dr. Bilju Vazhappilly, Dr. Taison Mandumpal, Dr. Toby , Dr. Mariadas OIC, Dr. Roby Kunthaniyil

    Themes Dealt within the Diploma Programme
    No
    Theme
    Objective
    Module
       I

    Call to Holiness & Spiritual Practices

    1. To explore the spiritual disciplines practiced by saints and their role in fostering personal holiness.

    2. To analyze how these spiritual practices shaped the lives and missions of saints 

    3. To reflect on the relevance and application of these practices in contemporary Christian living.

    1. Theresian Tradition

    2. Alphonsus Legouri

    3. Francis De Sales 

    4. St. Evegrius 
       II

    Methods of Meditation

    1.  To understand and compare key methods of Christian meditation, such as Ignatian contemplation and Indian meditative approaches.

    2. To appreciate the contributions of mystics like St. Teresa of Avila and modern contemplatives like Thomas Merton.

    3. To develop personal skills in meditative prayer suited to different spiritual temperaments and contexts.

    1. Ignatian Spirituality

    2. Ignatian Spirituality

    3. St. Theresa of Avila

    4. Thomas Merton

       
       III

    Workshop
    1.  To practically engage in methods of Scripture-based meditation like Lectio                         Divina.
    2.  To train in the "7 Steps Method" as a structured approach to spiritual reflection                 and personal transformation.

    3.  To cultivate habits of listening, interior silence, and discernment through guided                 practice. 

    1. Lectio Divina

    2. 7 Steps Methods
      IV

    Spiritual Tools

    1. To study the foundational principles of key spiritual traditions: Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite.

    2. To discern the unique contributions of each tradition to the broader Christian spirituality.

    3. To inspire personal spiritual growth through exposure to diverse and rich traditions.

    1. Fruitful Eucharistic Celebrations

    2. Liturgy of Hours and Spiritual Reading

    3. Examination of Conscience

    4. Sacrament of Reconciliation

     

       V

    Great Spiritual Tradition
     

    1. To study the foundational principles of key spiritual traditions: Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite.

    2. To discern the unique contributions of each tradition to the broader Christian spirituality.

    3. To inspire personal spiritual growth through exposure to diverse and rich traditions.

    1. Carmelite Tradition 

    2. Benedictan Tradition

    3.  Franciscan Tradition

    4. Dominican Tradition

     

       VI

    Great Spiritual Classics
     

    1. To engage critically and devotionally with classical spiritual texts such as Philokalia, Interior Castle, Cloud of Unknowing, and Pilgrim’s Progress.

    2. To understand the theological and mystical insights presented in these works.

    3. To apply insights from these classics to contemporary spiritual challenges and personal prayer life.

    1.  Philokalia

    2. Internal Castle

    3. The Cloud of Unknowing

    4. Pilgrim’s Progress
           
    Payment Options
     
     
    For Further Information Contact:
    Dr. Taison Mandumpal   : +91 949 586 45 89
    Fr. Nithin Ponnary  : +91 9496631511
    PAROC Office  : +91 807 803 03 00
    Email  : paroc.marymatha@gmail.com

     

     

     

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