On May 9 , this year a number of the members of Silsilah gathered to celebrate the birthday of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME , the founder of Silsilah. Fr. Seb, this is how we call Fr. D’Ambra. On that occasion of the 39th anniversary of Silsilah, Fr. Seb launched a special year, in preparation of the 40th anniversary of Silsilah and proposed to prepare a gathering of the alumni of Silsilah.
We do not have a formal association of Alumni, but since the beginning, when we started the first summer course in 1987, we have listed the names of our alumni of the summer courses. Anyone can see the list and the names on the Silsilah web (www.silsilahdialogue.com). Going back to the web record we found that the number of the Silsilah alumni of the different summer courses is 3039.
Initially, we started the summer course as a formation program for our staff, but soon became a formation program for many on local, national and international level. Many groups and institutions have sent, along their years, their members. The Silsilah Summer Course became a tradition that we continued even during COVID time online. Because of this tradition of the summer courses we started, since the beginning, groups of Silsilah in different cities, especially in Mindanao and Manila, called Silsilah Forum. These groups were formed by alumni of Silsilah and others who joined them.
In addition, we have done a lot of formation programs for leaders, teachers, youths and other sectoral groups of Christians and Muslims. Today we also have people who promote dialogue who say: ” We are doing Silsilah”. Yes, Silsilah is a free word now for many to identify the commitment of dialogue. This is for us a joy and a responsibility.
In this Oasis News, we will launch the program of the alumni of Silsilah for the 40th anniversary. It is clear for us that we do not have to make great celebrations, but we have to gather together to REMEMBER. Remember what we have done, what happened to us along the years, remember our martyrs of dialogue and share with all those who have been touched by the mission and vision of Silsilah to share their experiences.
On May 9, this year, Fr. Seb also told us to start to write together a book entitled “DREAMING TOGETHER” . He said that long ago he wrote the book ” CALL TO A DREAM” (see it in the website of Silsilah) and now together we can write how Silsilah has touched our lives and what we can tell to the others to continue the mission of dialogue and peace even now, in this difficult time of history in the Philippines, but also around the worlds, in this alarming time of violence, wars and climate change.
In addition, the Silsilah members are happy that thanks to Silsilah a group of Catholics was formed. It is called Emmaus Dialogue Movement. They are called to live the same spirituality of Silsilah as Catholics with a specific mission for dialogue and peace in the society. From Emmaus Dialogue Movement was formed the Emmaus College of Theology, Major on Interreligious Dialogue (see www.emmauscollegeoftheology.com). There is also a plan to form a group of Muslims called Jamaah’ Dialogue Movement to live and promote the same spirituality of life-in-dialogue of Silsilah as Muslims.
In spite of the fact that we have done a lot, we still remember what Bishop Tudtud said to Fr. Seb when he started Silsilah. he said: ” Well, move on with the dream of Silsilah, but remember that it is a mission of one hundred years”.
We know that the road is a mission of dialogue and peace which is long, but we are ready to continue and we hope that many will join us on the same road of dialogue and peace without fear, convinced that God is with us.
Silsilah Dialogue Movement