Jesuits in Service to the Eastern Churches: The “Oriental” First Cycle in Rome

From the early beginnings of the Society of Jesus, dating back to the time of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Rome has held a unique position within its mission, particularly in the realm of academic engagement. Even today, Jesuits in Rome are deeply involved in universal apostolic works, with a significant focus on academic efforts at the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and the Pontifical Oriental Institute. These institutions, historically entrusted to the care of the Society, are directly overseen by the Superior General, with the Father Delegate acting on his behalf. They attract students from all over the world, offering formation both at the undergraduate level (First Cycle) and in specialized programs at the graduate level (Second Cycle and Doctoral studies).

In recent years, due to the growing shortage of faculty and educational resources in many dioceses, an increasing number of students have been sent to Rome to complete their First Cycle at the Pontifical Gregorian University. This includes students from both the Latin and Roman rites of the Western tradition, as well as a growing contingent of students from Eastern Christian traditions. This influx of students from Eastern Churches has prompted the creation of a dedicated program known as the “Oriental” First Cycle, which was formally launched in the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Launch of the Eastern First Cycle

Beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, the Faculty of Eastern Christian Studies at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, has inaugurated the “Oriental” First Cycle. This program is specifically designed to meet the academic and formative needs of students from the Eastern Christian traditions, such as the Maronites, Copts, Melkite Greek Catholics, Syro-Catholics, Chaldeans, Armenians, Syro-Malabar Catholics, and Syro-Malankara Catholics.

Rationale and Objectives

Until recently, students from the Eastern Christian traditions pursuing their First Cycle studies in Rome were required to follow a curriculum primarily designed for the Latin Roman tradition, which often left them without adequate formation in their own ecclesiastical traditions. Various magisterial documents, including Orientalium Dignitas (1894), Orientalium Ecclesiarum (1964), and Orientale Lumen (1995) together with the Second Vatican Council, have consistently emphasized the importance of providing candidates for the Eastern priesthood with solid formation in their respective traditions, particularly in the areas of liturgy, theology, and canon law. However, this mandate had not been fully realized.

Moreover, the growing presence of Eastern Christian migrants in Europe, North America, and Latin America has highlighted the need for Western clergy and ecclesiastical leaders to be better equipped to serve these communities. Therefore, the “Oriental” First Cycle aims not only to offer a robust theological formation to Eastern students but also to provide Western students with the necessary tools to understand and engage with the Eastern Christian traditions present in their dioceses.

A Curriculum Tailored to Eastern Traditions

The “Oriental” First Cycle introduces several key adjustments to the standard curriculum, replacing some of the courses that focus on the Latin Roman tradition with courses specifically geared towards the Eastern traditions. Eastern-rite students will still follow the general theological courses required of all First Cycle students, but the following courses have been adapted to reflect the distinctiveness of the Eastern Christian patrimony:

• The Sacraments in the Eastern Christian Traditions (two semesters)
• Eastern Canon Law (three semesters)
• Eastern Christian Spirituality (one semester)
• Eastern Christian Theology (one semester)
• Eastern Liturgies (one semester)

These courses replace the equivalent Latin-rite courses, such as Western Canon Law, Western sacramental theology, and Western spiritual theology, ensuring that Eastern students receive a formation rooted in their own ecclesial traditions. General courses, which pertain equally to both Eastern and Western traditions, remain common to all students.

Enhancing the Quality of Formation for a Global Mission

Another key objective of the Eastern First Cycle is to address the gap in theological education often encountered by students from Eastern dioceses, where the quality of First Cycle formation may not be sufficient to prepare them for advanced studies. This program aims to provide a more comprehensive foundation for those students who wish to pursue graduate studies, whether at the Pontifical Oriental Institute or at other pontifical universities.

In conclusion, the “Oriental” First Cycle at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Oriental Institute responds to a dual need: providing Eastern Christian students with a high-quality formation tailored to their specific traditions, and preparing future Western priests and theologians to better serve the Eastern Christian communities they may encounter. This academic initiative reflects the commitment of the Society of Jesus in Rome to fostering theological education that is faithful to the Magisterium and responsive to the pastoral needs of the contemporary Church.

Pr. Željko Paša, S.J.