"The Salesian Spirit" Essay Contest

In conjunction with the annual ► Heritage Week celebrations, the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture sponsors an essay contest for the DeSales University community.

The contest takes its theme from the Church's celebration of ► World Communications Day, which takes place in most countries on the Sunday before Pentecost. 

  • ♦  The announcement of the theme is usually made on September 29, the feast of the Archangels (Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael) who are the designated patrons of those who work in the radio industry. 

    ♦  The Holy Father's message for World Communications Day is traditionally published on January 24, the feast day of ► St. Francis de Sales, the patron of journalists and writers.

WHO:

  • ♦  Any member of the DeSales University community (faculty, administration, staff, student, or alumnus) may submit an essay.
  • ♦  Essays are judged by the ► Review Committee of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture


WHAT:

Essays are to expound upon the relationship between faith and culture in the lived experience of contemporary life.   While determination of the specific subject of the essay is at the discretion of the author, essays should somehow touch upon the theme of the year's World Communications Day, as determined by the Pope.

THEME for 2013

SOCIAL NETWORKS:
portals of truth and faith, new spaces for evangelization

printable instructions, including the presentation & text of the Holy Father's message 
► linked here

WHEN:

  • ♦  The contest opens each year on the feast of St. Francis de Sales (January 24th). 
  • ♦  Essays must be received by the Director of the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture on or before February 28, 2011. 


HOW:

  • ♦  Essays must be the work of a single individual and written for a university-level readership.
  • ♦  Essays may not be less than 1000 words or more than 2000 words in length (approximately 4-8 pages). 
  • ♦  Essays must be typed, double spaced, on 8.5" x 11" paper, with 1" margins, and written in an appropriate style.
  • ♦  Essays must be submitted electronically, either in MS Word or WordPerfect format.
  • ♦  A cover page including the contestant's name (which should not appear on the essay) and some means of contact (address, telephone, e-mail, etc.) must accompany the essay.


AWARDS: 

  • ♦  Two prizes from the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture (gift certificates to the DSU Campus Store) are offered  for outstanding essays:

    The Best Student Essay receives an award of $150. 
    The Best of the Rest receives an award of $50.   

  • ♦  The Review Committee reserves the right not to make awards if the essays are not of sufficient quality. 

 

► View previous award winning essays