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LUMEN VITAE
An International Institute of Catechetics
and Pastoral Studies
 The
Lumen Vitae Centre, situated in Brussels, at the heart
of Europe, offers training in catechetics and pastoral
ministry adapted to today's world. It focuses on the
promotion of justice and the inculturation of the faith.
Founded in 1935 by the Society of Jesus, the Lumen
Vitae Centre today comprises three departments.
- The LUMEN VITAE PRESS is a publishing
company. Its review, published each term, offers articles
on catechetical and pastoral activities and trends.
Books on catechetics, religious education and spirituality
are also issued by the publishing house.
- The INSTITUTE FOR CATECHETICAL STUDIES
is a national study centre. Here parish catechists,
teachers of religion and pastoral agents receive their
training for Belgium itself.
- The third department, the INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTE, is open to students -catechists,
religious educators and community workers- from all
over the world. In this department some students may
achieve university level studies, based on research,
leading to the M. Th. degree in Catechetics and Pastoral
Theology; some may follow more practical courses,
aimed at improving their effectiveness in the field,
and leading to the Diploma in Catechetics and Pastoral
Studies.
The International Institute is affiliated to the Theology
Faculty of the Catholic University of Louvain (U.C.L.,
Louvain-Ia-Neuve) which confers the degree. Amenities
include a well stocked library and a reading room offering
a wide range of reviews in many languages.
This prospectus concerns the International Institute.
Lectures and seminars are given in French. It is
essential for the student to have a working knowledge
of French from the beginning of the academic year.
A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN ONGOING
FORMATION ENRICHED THROUGH DYNAMIC INTERCULTURAL ENCOUNTERS
WHO COMES?
- People from more than 30 different countries, who
hold positions of responsibility in different areas
of Church life (parish, school, religious institute,
diocese, etc)
- Pastoral agents - lay-people, priests, sisters
and brothers- who have already had experience as religious
educators or community leaders.
- Christians who wish to deepen their faith in order
to share it with others.
WHY DO THEY COME?
- They wish to be helped to review and analyse their
life situations in the light of the Gospel, in order
to be able to promote a more just society.
- They want to share different views and opinions,
both theological and pastoral, in an international
setting, and so enrich one another and foster the
inculturation of the faith.
- They are ready to accept the challenge of emerging
cultures and to become pastors in a ministry adapted
to the world of today.
HOW IS IT DONE?
- By a programme of lectures and seminars which links
social sciences to theological reflection and catechetical
and pastoral practice.
- By reflecting in intercultural groups on their
experience in such a way that this can be integrated
in and through the different options offered by the
Institute.
- By the interactive teaching skills of a staff coming
from different continents and by personal tutorship
offered to each student.
Every day the Eucharist is celebrated at the
Institute and, once a week, all the students and
professors gather for a common celebration. Resident
staff members are also available to students for
spiritual direction and guidance.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
IN TWO YEARS
- The Master's Degree in Catechetics and Pastoral
Theology is available to students who have already
completed the first cycle of theological studies (B.
Th., B.D., or the equivalent).
- This degree is conferred by the Theology Faculty
of the Catholic University of Louvain (U.C.L., Louvain-Ia-Neuve).
- The Diploma in Catechetics and Pastoral Studies
is available to Graduate students who also have received
basic (at least one full year) theological training.
IN ONE YEAR
- The Postgraduate Diploma in Catechetics and Pastoral
Theology is equal to the first year of the Master's
degree.
- The Certificate in Catechetics and Pastoral Studies
is equal to the first year of the Diploma.
A Certificate of Training in Social Development is
available to students who have a secondary studies
Certificate (or a similar qualification recognised
by the Institute) and have also a basic knowledge
of theology.
IN THREE MONTHS
- A three month renewal programme is offered from
September to December. It offers access to all the
lectures and seminars presented during the first term
(they are marked by an asterisk * in the prospectus).
In addition a few conferences, workshops and visits
are specially arranged for this programme.
- Students who so wish may obtain a Certificate of
attendance.
- Lumen Vitae also offers an intensive programme on
important Pastoral issues (from mid-September till
December) in English. For further information, please
write to the Secretariat or see http://www.catho.be/lumen.
PRACTICAL POINTS
How to Apply for Registration
When applying for enrolment at Lumen Vitae, the candidate
should send the director:
- a letter requesting admission,
- a covering letter from his/her bishop or major
superior,
- a photocopy of his/her diplomas.
In the covering letter, the bishop or the religious
superior should state:
- the reasons why an intercultural formation in an
international setting is opportune,
- what sort of mission the student will undertake
at the end of his/her training period,
- the length of the course and the diploma to be
obtained.
The student will receive an application form which
should be returned, duly filled in, to the Director
of the Institute. The Director will examine the credentials
and will confirm acceptance in writing.
Early application is advisable: administrative papers
(such as bursary for studies, visas, etc) take several
months to acquire. As far as possible, requests should
arrive at Lumen Vitae before the month of March.
Fees for the Course
The fees for the courses at the Institute are as follows:
- 2.050 € for the year.
- 1.050 € for three months.
These amounts can be paid into either of the following
accounts: Lumen Vitae, B-1 050 Brussels (Belgium)
- C.C.P. : 000-0061996-13
- Bank Account: 438-8101561-41
Accomodation
Courses at the Institute are non-residential but the
Secretariat can help students to find accomodation in
nearby religious houses and families.
BURSARIES FOR STUDY
Funding Agencies
- Several international organisations such as ADVENIAT,
"Aid to the Church in Need", ENTRAlDE D'EGLISES,
MISSIO, etc, may give financial assistance to students
of the Institute on request.
Conditions Necessary to Obtain a Bursary
- In order to benefit from this assistance the candidate
must be accepted by Lumen Vitae for at least one year's
study and comply with the academic requirements for
gaining one of the diplomas granted by the Institute.
Other criteria may apply at the discretion of the
organisations in question.
How to Obtain a Bursary
- When the application form is sent, the person responsible
for the candidate should note in the letter that a
bursary is requested.
- For most organisations, the request is made through
the intermediary of the Director of Lumen Vitae.
Important Points to Note
- The number of bursaries available is limited. Therefore
one should make the request as early as possible.
If it is done later than the month of March it is
likely that it will be carried over to the following
year.
- Bursaries for study never cover all the expenses
of a year's study in Belgium. So, the bursary should
be supplemented by the one responsible for sending
the student to Lumen Vitae.
Further information concerning the overall costs will
be sent, in writing, with the application form.
PERMITS FOR RESIDENCE IN BELGIUM
• IT VERY IMPORTANT TO ABIDE BY THE FOLLOWING
REQUIREMENTS:
Temporary Residence Permit (A.S.P.
- Visa D)
According to Belgian law, before leaving his/her country
of residence the student must obtain an «Autorisation
de sejour provisoire» or A.S.P. (officially called
«Authorisation for Provisional Sojourn»
- Visa D). This A.S.P. - Visa D - is necessary in order
to enter Belgium and stay here for more than three months.
It can be obtained at the Belgian Embassy or Belgian
Consulate in the country of residence of the student.
How to obtain the A.S.P. - Visa D
It can be obtained on presentation of the documents
which will have been sent from Lumen Vitae. These documents
are:
- The certificate of enrolment at Lumen Vitae;
- Two copies of an Application Form entitled: «Guarantee
for Financial Responsibility» (Engagement de
prise en charge).
The person responsible for sending the candidate to
Lumen Vitae should fill in and sign these forms. The
signatures must be certified as authentic by the Embassy
or the Belgian Consulate.
One copy of the Application Form is left at the Embassy.
The student must keep the second certified copy of the
document and bring it with him/her. It will be needed
when applying for registration in Belgium.
N.B. : Other documents (health certificate, etc) may
be required to obtain the A.S.P. - Visa D. The Embassy
will give you the necessary information.
Three Month Cycle
For a three month stay in Belgium, an ordinary visa
is normally sufficient.
For European Community Nationals
Students who come from E.C. Member States do not need
the AS.P. However if they expect to reside longer than
90 days in Belgium they need a certified copy of the
document: «Guarantee for Financial Responsibility»
(Engagement de prise en charge) or another document
which proves they have sufficient funds to support themselves
while in Belgium.
For additional information please apply to the Secretary
Institut International Lumen Vitae rue Washington, 184-186
B-1 050 Bruxelles - Belgium.
Tel. : 32.2.349 03 70
Fax: 32.2.346 57 45.
E-mail: lumen.vitae@euronet.be
Internet: http://www.catho.be/lumen
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