THE COURSE
INFORMATION
Each summer the Province of Spain offers a SPANISH COURSE FOR FOREIGN JESUITS. With almost thirty years of experience, the course has been prepared with great care and dedication by the scholastics of the Spanish Province.
The course takes place in Salamanca, World Heritage city (UNESCO) and cradle of the oldest existing university in all of Spain. The city is filled with history and culture and enjoys a lively university environment as well as a great Ignatian feeling.
A little history
During his stay in Salamanca (1527), Ignatius saw the old Cathedral, Saint Martin’s and Saint Mark’s Church, the Roman bridge and the façade of the University in construction.
Shortly after his arrival, he was detained in the Dominican monastery of Saint Stephen. From there he was moved to the ecclesiastic prison, situated in the tower of the Cathedral. After 22 days he was declared innocent and released along with his two companions.
After the approval of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Araoz and Fr. Faber passed through Salamanca, and as a result of their presence, a school for Jesuit scholastics was established. But before the work was completed, Queen Margaret of Austria decided to build a new school for the formation of Jesuit missionaries to America. This would be the Royal School of the Holy Spirit, which was once where the Pontificial University of Salamanca is now located.
Today, the Society of Jesus has the Saint Stanislaus Kostka community, which also houses the Tertianship. There are also three main apostolates in the city: Saint Stanislaus School, the parish of El Milagro de San José and the Spirituality Centre.
Students
The class has been specifically designed for Jesuits (scholastics, brothers and priests) with a minimum knowledge of Spanish.
Objectives
More than 350 Jesuits, with diverse interests and objectives, have benefited from this course. While improving their knowledge and practice of the Spanish language, the participants have been able to:
- Learn the second most-spoken language in the world.
- Carry out part of their formation in Spain.
- Prepare themselves for a future mission in Latin America.
- Read original Spanish texts of St Ignatius and of the Society of Jesus.
- Study some of the great spiritual masters, such as St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Jesus.
- Experience Spanish literature and art.
Methodology of the Course
The number of participants in the class will be limited to 25 according to the reception of applications. This allows for an approach to formation which is personalized and can be adapted to the particular needs of the students. The participants are divided into three small groups of study, according to the level of their knowledge of Spanish: basic, intermediate and advanced.
Classes in group levels take place in the mornings. We will use audio-visual materials, original Ignatian texts as well as other methods of instruction which will take into account the knowledge and needs of the participants.
Afternoons are dedicated to personal study. In addition, each day there will be personalised tutoring (follow-up) and conversation with each student.
Teachers
Two Jesuit scholastics and a lay make up the team of teachers who will be in charge of the classes, tutorials, conversation exercises and complementary activities.
Life in community
Classes and language study will take up most of our day. However, we will also have other more relaxed times for films, cultural visits around Salamanca, excursions to other Ignatian sites, as well as personal time for rest, sport, etc.
Each day we will celebrate the Eucharist together. There will also be time for communal prayer and opportunities to learn about the mission of the several SJ Provinces represented in the course. And everything will take place within a relaxed environment of community and friendship.
Spain and the Society
You will get to know the culture, history, art, food... and warmth of the Spanish people.
In addition, you will experience the history of the Society through visiting Ignatian sites (Loyola, Javier, Alcalá de Henares, Salamanca...) and through learning more about its main protagonists (St Ignatius, St Francis Xavier, Diego Lainez, St Francis Borja...) You will also get to know the Society of Jesus in Spain, its works and main mission areas: spirituality, education, social sector, universities, pastoral activities...
“Ignatian Salamanca” will take us to the University of Salamanca, the Dominican convent of St Stephen’s, the old and new Cathedrals, as well as to the first Jesuit communities in the city, the Clerecia Church and the Royal College of the Holy Spirit, etc.
Dates
The Course begins July 1st and ends July 30st.
The course registration date is from 15 February to 30 April.
Place
Lodging for the duration of the Course will take place at the St Stanislaus Community in Salamanca. The community is located 10 minutes walking distance from the historic center of the city.
The address is:
Paseo de San Antonio 14-40. 37003 Salamanca (España).
Telephone: (0034) 923 12 50 00. Fax (0034) 923 12 51 74. Email: salamancasj@jesuitas.es
Travel
It is possible to travel from the centre of Madrid to Salamanca by bus (www.avanzabus.com) or train (www.renfe.es).
There is also a direct bus from Barajas airport (Madrid's international airport) to Salamanca (www.avanzabus.com).
Fees and scholarships
The total cost for the Course is 1.800 euros. This includes registration fee, all Course materials, lodging and meals. It also includes all excursions, visits and other activities that take place during the month of the Course.
It is possible to apply for a scholarship. Should this be the case, please have the Provincial of the applicant solicit the Spanish provincial by writing to the secretary of the Provincial of Spain at the following email address: (secretaria.elvira@jesuitas.es).
Contact details
Elvira Valverde Soriano. Secretariat of the Province of Spain.
Avenida de la Moncloa 6. 28003 MADRID (España).
Telephone: (0034) 915 344 810 Fax: (0034) 915 335 596 E-mail: secretaria.elvira@jesuitas.es