https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26261 2026-04-27T18:33:33Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91862 Title: The blessing of the water in the rite of Baptism as an education to the faith Abstract: In the liturgy of the Easter Vigil, during the blessing of the baptismal water, the Church commemorates the great events in the history of salvation that already prefigured the mystery of Baptism. This dissertation will analyse the euchological text of the Prayer Over the Water from a mystagogical perspective based on the study of the biblical foundation and the catechesis of some of the Church Fathers. In the light of the Second Vatican Council's teaching, this study aims at presenting the sacrament of Baptism as a kairotic moment in the formation of the new christians and their education to the faith of the Church today. The Church asks the Lord to renew the wonders of the past by inflaming the water with the power of the Holy Spirit so that whoever is immersed in the fountain of Baptism receives a renewed and incorruptible life in Christ. Through the prayer of the community of believers, God grants his grace and initiates the neophytes in a new way of life. The dissertation studies how the rites of Baptism express, with signa sensibilia, the effects of the bath of regeneration and guide those who celebrate them - ministers, candidates and community- towards a virtuous life and accompany them in their journey of faith. Although the presence of "matter and form" safeguard the validity of the sacrament, this study calls for a renewal in the celebration of the sacraments which abandons the culture of minimalism and welcomes a festive climate where symbols are used to express the faith of the community and serve a catechetical purpose which does not only strike the rational abilities of the person but also touch the person in a holistic manner. Description: S.TH.L. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/30467 Title: Rediscovering ‘sapientia’ in an age riddled by ‘scientia’ : prophetic knowledge in Thomas Merton Abstract: Our age is one characterised by a progressive outlook to life, one that invites us to succeed, and hence to become what society deems as successful. But this success, as times are molding history into society’s aspirations, is being revealed to be more as one reaching to itself, with no real end than itself, as a success for the sake of success. This is bringing many to a sense of unreasonable absence or loss, one that, in spite of having everything, there is still something missing, unnamed. This study treats primarily of this structure of feeling in the sense of attempting to give it a voice formative of an expressive hope. Using an interdisciplinary approach to an understanding, this study sheds light on various aspects of this age, one characterised by research, science, and technology; but a peculiar understanding is given by placing all this in the light of God’s Wisdom, Whose ways are not our ways, and the quality of an intimate relationship with Him, essentially through the life and writings of Thomas Merton, someone who is considered by many as a prophet to this age. Description: M.A.SPIRITUALITY 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26674 Title: Salesian spiritual companionship with young people today inspired by the praxis and thought of St John Bosco Abstract: With the young, Don Bosco sought to offer a very holistic accompaniment while promoting meaningful life options. He creatively responded to the needs of young people of his time and accompanied them in their discovery and embracing of a valid response to their human and Christian call. Don Bosco’s method of spiritual companionship did not end with his death. Through his Salesian congregation, he was able to radiate a charism built on genuine family relationships adapted to forms of expression which developed in different historical moments and within various cultures around the world. The scope of this research is to offer insight on Don Bosco’s understanding and experience of “spiritual companionship.” This study will initially contextualize Don Bosco’s style and praxis within that of church history. It will then delve into how Don Bosco himself experienced and benefitted from spiritual direction and how he developed his own spiritual direction praxis. Through an analysis of numerous primary sources and various studies by Salesian scholars, this dissertation attempts to offer an in-depth analysis of Don Bosco’s style of accompaniment and will identify the original contribution Don Bosco offers within the realm of spiritual direction. Such analysis will serve as a solid foundation on which to interpret and convey a Salesian spiritual companionship for today. While remaining faithful to Don Bosco’s praxis and thought, this study aims at proposing a practical style of accompaniment that responds particularly to the needs of youth in our contemporary Western context. In my view, the value and vitality of this research depends heavily on its ability to bring about authentic holistic growth. For such growth to occur, renewal (requiring study and adaptation) and continuity are essential. “Renewal” is a task that depends upon the persistent and tireless commitment of individuals and communities to the theory and practice of Salesian spiritual companionship adapting it to the needs and circustances of the time. It is an endeavor that demands faithful creativity and great openness. “Continuity,” on the other hand, can be guaranteed only by a ready return to one’s origins. Through this research I hope to rekindle a fidelity towards Don Bosco’s unique spiritual companionship approach in line with the times. Description: PH.D.THEOLOGY 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26673 Title: Co-responsibility in Maltese parish communities in the light of ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ Abstract: Despite the numerous theological developments in the concept of ecclesial coresponsibility, little attention has been paid to articulating a comprehensive view of how co-responsibility is to be lived within a parish community. The present research has taken the challenge presented by Pope Francis of reviewing pastoral activity on all levels, and has studied how the call to co-responsibility is being embraced by parishioners in Malta. This study has discovered that all parishioners are coresponsible in the fulfilment of the ecclesial mission, be it through their involvement in the secular world, through ministry or in parish governance. A strong correlation has been established between the different forms of co-responsibility, as well as with the sense of belonging to a parish community. This study is contextualised within contemporary Maltese culture. The vision articulated in this thesis discusses how parishioners can develop “a missionary impulse, capable of transforming everything, so that the Church's customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelization of today's world" (Evangelii Gaudium 27). Description: S.TH.D. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z