Awarded bursary in Augustinian Studies
Mary Vella of Mgarr was recently awarded a Lm300 bursary from the Augustinian Institute in Pietà to attend the 34th International Encounter for Researchers on Ancient Christianity, a yearly prestigious academic event promoted by the Patristic...
Mary Vella of Mgarr was recently awarded a Lm300 bursary from the Augustinian Institute in Pietà to attend the 34th International Encounter for Researchers on Ancient Christianity, a yearly prestigious academic event promoted by the Patristic Institute, of the Augustinian University of Rome, held between May 5 and 7.
Mrs Vella is a fourth year student at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Malta, and has been following lectures on St Augustine at the Augustinian Institute for these last six years. In the meantime, she was encouraged by the director of the Augustinian Institute, Rev. Dr Salvino Caruana, OSA, to follow an evening degree course in Theology at the University.
After applying for qualification for a bursary from the Institute, Mrs Vella followed the credits offered with great interest. After a 25-minute viva, Mrs Vella was awarded the bursary which included a return flight to Rome, lodging as well as the encounter expenses.
The theme of this year's encounter in Rome was "Pagans and Christians in search of salvation (in the first three centuries AD)".
Some 25 scholars, professors and researchers intervened during the three-day marathon of lectures, in which around 200 took part.
The major academic event at the Augustinian Institute this year will be held between October and December, the theme for the 13-lecture credit will be: "The City of God, St Augustine of Hippo and St Thomas Aquinas".
Professor Johannes van Oort, a world-renowned specialist in Augustine's City of God, will be this year's guest lecturer for the November 9 annual St Augustine Lecture to be held at the University of Malta. The 16-hour Lectio Augustini, of January and February 2006, too will concentrate on The City of God.
The Augustinian Institute will grant a bursary for participation in the 36th International Encounter for Researchers on Ancient Christianity at the Augustinian Institute in Rome in May 2006. A copy of the requirements and conditions for eligibility is available up to September 16 from the Secretary, Augustinian Institute, PO Box 61, Msida MSD01 (salvinocaruana@onvol.net).