event

USJ Doctoral Forum in Religious Studies and Philosophy

10

May

The USJ Doctoral Forum in Religious Studies and Philosophy, organised by the Doctoral School and the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy will take place on the 10th of May, 2024, in the Conference Room of the Seminary Campus.

The USJ Doctoral School, together with the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy, are organising a Doctoral Forum in the study/research area of Religious Studies and Philosophy on the 10th of May, 2024, in the Conference Room of the Seminary Campus.

Programme:

18:30 – 19:00  | Opening Session 

• Rector of USJ, Rev’d Prof, Stephen Morgan
• Dean of the Doctoral School, Prof. Adérito Fernandes-Marcos
• Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Fr. Cyril Jerome Jr Law
• Prof. Thomas Cai, Research Coordinator for the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy

19:00 – 19:45  |  Keynote Speaker Prof. Fr. Franz Gassner

Research Methods in Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Theology: Principles, Methods, and Practice

Speaker: Fr. Franz Gassner SVD

Introduction: The method and process of thinking and writing research in philosophy, religious studies, and theology can be learned. The lecture presents crucial principles, research methods, and practical examples of research thinking and implementation as applied at the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy. Keywords: academic, accountability, assumptions, comprehensiveness, consistency, focus, meaning, qualitative research, research-thinking, objectivity, university, truth, wholeness.

The Radical Newness of Christian Worship in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis of Benedict XVI

Speaker: Daniel Antonio de Carvalho Ribeiro, M.Ed.

Abstract: In his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes that the Eucharist is not only a mystery to be believed and to celebrate but also a mystery to be lived. It has transformative effects on the lives of those who partake in it, which should be evident in their acts of charity, mission, and witnessing to Christ. In light of this, the presentation has three main goals. Firstly, it aims to demonstrate that charity is an integral component of the Eucharist and that it cannot be fully appreciated without it. Secondly, it highlights the importance of sharing the love that is celebrated and received during the Eucharist. The response to this love is to become a missionary and an instrument for spreading it to everyone. Finally, it emphasizes that those who receive Communion should become witnesses of Christ. This occurs when they make Christ’s presence evident in their lives. Keywords: Eucharist, Benedict XVI, Radical Newness.

The Carmelite Spiritual Contribution to the Personalism of Edith Stein and Karol Wojtyła

Speaker: Joshua Yuan Haojun

Abstract: This thesis argues that Carmelite spirituality is a plausible source to give the self-giving characteristic of the personalism of Edith Stein and Karol Wojtyła. Given that both personalism are established on the philosophical foundations of phenomenology and Thomistic Metaphysics, is the synthesis of both philosophical systems sufficient to explain the fullness of being a human person? If not, whether Carmelite spirituality is a plausible element which forms the fullness of being a human person in the act of self-giving? Keywords:Personalism; Carmelite spirituality; Edith Stein; Karol Wojtyła

• Fr. Franz Gassner SVD
• Daniel Antonio de Carvalho Ribeiro, M.Ed.
• Yuan Haojun (Joshua)
• Moderator: Prof. Fr. Cyril Law