ROYAL SCOTS COLLEGE, SALAMANCA .

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SABBATICALS/STUDY IN SALAMANCA

Spanish Language Courses:
There are opportunities to study Spanish here in Salamanca, at various language schools, throughout the year - at whatever level you are at, and for whatever length of time you have available. In recent times priests have done one month and three months courses. The college can provide accommodation during your study period.

Further Studies in Theology/Canon Law/Philosophy at Pontifical University:
For those who have some command of Spanish there are possibilities of doing further studies at the Pontifical University. Once again what you undertake may depend upon what time you have available.

It is possible to do a licentiate or doctorate in Theology (Dogmatic, Biblical or Practical), Canon Law, Philosophy. Other subjects available at the university include Humanities, Psychology, Pedagogy, Communications, and Journalism. These courses would require at least two years study.

The University runs a course each year, from October to June, on Theological Studies for the Clergy - "Curso Universitario de Teología para Sacerdotes". It has been running for a number of years, and offers a general updating in different areas of theology - systematic and biblical, moral and pastoral. There are 40 places on it each year, and priests come from all over Spain and beyond to participate. The Congregation for the Clergy regard this course as one of the best organized courses for on-going theological formation throughout the world.

Reading Weeks in the College:
Another possibility is to come for a time and make use of the libraries of the College to do some reading(in English or Spanish) – various options are available, particularly in spirituality, theology, canon law, philosophy, history. Browsing in the college’s archives is also possible for those with an interest in the college itself and Scottish Church History

If you are interested in studying in Salamanca, please contact Fr Joseph Toal for further information - Phone No. 0034 923254011; E-mail realcolescoceses@planalfa.es


WINTER STAYS FOR RETIRED PRIESTS/DEACONS
From November to March the college is quiet, and may be an appropriate time for retired clergy to spend some time here, especially if you live on your own and find the Scottish winter difficult. The winter weather here is generally very cold but sunny without the rain we have in Scotland. If you would like to spend some time here through the winter, you will be most welcome. Once again contact Fr Joseph Toal at the college:
Phone No. 0034 923254011; E-mail realcolescoceses@planalfa.es

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO VISIT THE ROYAL SCOTS COLLEGE IN SALAMANCA.
Spanish Classes in Secondary/Primary Schools:
The College has already been used very successfully by school groups of senior pupils from Scottish Secondary Schools - both Catholic and Non-Denominational - who are studying Spanish, and came to Salamanca on a cultural/educational visit with some religious input offered in the college also. There is plenty of scope for such visits, especially taking into account the cheap flights now on offer to this part of Spain and the favourable terms offered by the college.
It has been suggested also that since children often start learning Spanish at primary school trips for children in upper primary classes could also be considered.

Whatever the age group the success of the trip depends on good organization and a good programme of trips and activities while here in Salamanca - some knowledge on part of teachers and trip leaders greatly helps.

Religious Education Classes; Parish/Diocesan Youth Groups
Continuing the idea of school trips, or trips organized by youth organizations or clubs, there is scope to offer visits here which offer an opportunity to sample the rich religious heritage of this part of Spain and to learn something of the college's own place in the history of the Catholic Church in Scotland. Another focus could be how we are called to live our faith today, with a particular emphasis on vocation since that is at the heart of the college's purpose. A visit here during Holy Week for example would be a wonderful experience for Scottish youngsters, combining the street fervour of the Holy Week processions with the possibility of preparing well and participating in the Paschal Triduum. When the college operated as a seminary one of its attractions was the possibility it offered Scottish seminarians of experiencing the life of the Church in another culture, thus broadening horizons and encouraging a deeper sense of the spiritual by appreciating how the Christian faith has been lived and expressed in Spain - perhaps in the future we can offer a little of this experience to many more Scottish young people and encourage them in their own journey of faith within the Universal Church.
Once again for such groups good organization is essential, but they can depend on the staff here at the college to provide input, so that bringing your own chaplain, although desirable, would not be essential.

Groups from University Chaplaincies/University Societies
The same offers as above are extended to groups of students, who may wish to use the college for religious or language/cultural purposes. We can also offer courses of a more serious religious nature - exploring themes to do with the Spanish mystics or other aspects of Catholicism here in Spain. An attractive aspect of our location here in Salamanca is the possibly of combining talks on saints such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross with trips to Avila and Segovia, so closely associated with their lives' work. Since Salamanca university is the fourth oldest in Europe, and much of its life centres on its university, it is a great place for students, with lots of history, culture and social life to be explored For those interested in the Camino to Santiago, Salamanca is on the ancient Ruta de la Plata from the South of Spain, and can be used as a base to tackle a number of stages on this route which is nowadays becoming better known.