THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

The inaugural session of Theological Reflection was held on 16^th July 2024. St. Jerome group chose to reflect on the theme: Public Theology under the guidance of Professor. Emmanuel Maddhichetty. Professor Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Francis Vincent Antony of the Salesian Pontifical University of Rome, was the key speaker and gave the keynote address. As the field of discussion was new and enthusing to the minds of the students of theology, there was good participation during the floor discussion. The session concluded at 01.10 p.m.

St. John Chrysostom group organized the second session of the theological reflection on the theme: God, Others, and Self: A Transcending Dialogue under the guidance of professor Ashwanth Amalraj, on 3^rd September 2024. The special invitees of the day were Mr. Sivakumar, Mr. Navinraj and Miss Clara specialized in Gender studies and LGBTQIA and Rights. It was a semi-formal gathering and the special invitees entered into dialogue with the students asking them basic questions and the notions they have of transgender persons. During the discussion, there were moments of the wounded humanity seeking compassion, acceptance and understanding and there were also moments wherein the students became aware of some of their biased notions and prejudices that do not help them to understand the real life of these people marginalized from the society. The session concluded at 01.25 p.m.

The third session of Theological Reflection took place on 19^th November 2024. Members of St. Clement of Rome chose to honour the world-renowned Liberation Theologian Gustavo Guttierez after his passing away from this world. Under the guidance of professor Anthony Lourdusamy, they invited Rev. Dr. Joseph Prabhakar Dayam, professor of Christian Theology at the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Research Institute, Chennai. The key speaker of the day summarized the theology of Guttierez and his contribution to Liberation theology and to the world. After a fruitful floor discussion, the session concluded at 01.10 p.m.

The members of St. Justin group along with their guide and professor Patrick Mathias, invited Rev. Fr. Richard Donald, Youth Director of the Arch-diocese of Madras Mylapore and reflected on the theme: “Faith and Gen2K” during the concluding session of the Theological Reflection. The key speaker shared experiences he had with the youth and their faith journeys. Based on the sharing, the students of theology reflected, asked for clarifications, commented and shared their opinions on the topic during the floor discussion. As it was the concluding session, the president and the secretary of Theological Reflection were thanked by Fr. Principal and presented a ponnadai to them. The session concluded at 01.15 p.m. Let us put our hands together for all the students and professors who worked for the success of the sessions of Theological Reflection last year.