Other courses

Missionary pastoral course

The Pontifical Salesian University, through its Faculty of Theology, organizes an annual one-month course held between October and November.

Objectives

  • To revitalize the missionary dimension of one's vocation.
  • To reflect on theological-pastoral themes related to the Church's mission.
  • To promote the sharing of missionary experiences.

Course structure

The course integrates intellectual theological-pastoral training, spiritual formation and missionary experiences within an atmosphere of communion and fraternity. It offers the richness of an international environment, allowing participants to share in the experience of the universality of the evangelizing mission.

  • The course lasts a total of 5 weeks in Rome.
  • Academic activities (October 5 – November 6, 2026) take place Monday through Friday, from 8:45 AM to 12:10 PM.
  • Some activities are organized for the afternoon and weekends, and will be announced in a timely manner.
  • The course language this year is italian.

Target audience

The course is intended for missionaries from religious institutes, diocesan clergy and lay missionaries who already possess some experience of missionary life. It is also open to those wishing to deepen their pastoral experience from a missionary perspective.

At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Themes and topics

The course comprises educational activities (lectures) and formative experiences (such as cultural and spiritual excursions, times for sharing, participation in an audience with the Holy Father, and more). This educational offering is not part of the UPS academic curricula; it entails no assessments and carries no ECTS credits. The lectures offer a contemporary perspective on human existence—encompassing its social, cultural, religious, and anthropological realities. This perspective is illuminated by the Word of God, the Church’s missionary Magisterium, and theological-pastoral reflections that address today’s challenges. Consequently, the course presents a proposal for ecclesial missionary pastoral care, grounded in concrete intercultural and interreligious perspectives, aimed at a renewed proclamation of the Christian message.

Course topics

  • Theological foundations of the mission
  • Reading Sacred Scripture in the context of mission
  • Interreligious and intercultural dialogue
  • Missionary law
  • Mission and economy
  • Spiritual accompaniment
  • Catechesis and evangelization
  • Believer's reading of life
  • Family and mission
  • Communication and evangelization today
  • Youth pastoral care
  • Pastoral care with migrants
  • Mission and care for our common home
  • Missionary holiness

Complementary experiences to the course

  • Cultural and spiritual excursions: Assisi, Borgo Laudato Si’, Sant’Egidio Community, Audience with the Pope
  • Sharing of missionary experiences by participants

Participation fee

€ 600,00 lessons and teaching materials