Scripture
BBL 510 Prophetic Literature
3 credits – Theology II
An introduction to the Old Testament prophets in conjunction with the History Books from the divided kingdom to the Maccabees.
BBL 511 Pentateuch and Historical Literature
3 credits – Theology I
An introduction to the Pentateuch and the History Books up to the united monarchy with a focus on both the original meaning of the texts and their Christian significance.
BBL 513 Psalms and Wisdom Literature
3 credits – Theology IV
An introduction to Old Testament wisdom books and a historical and literary introduction to the Psalms with an emphasis on their use in Christian prayer.
BBL 515 Johannine Literature
3 credits – Theology III
An exegetical survey of the Johannine Corpus (Gospel, Epistles and Revelation) using historical and literary-rhetorical methods with the goal of equipping students with the necessary tools to exegete these Scriptures for use in preaching, teaching and in pastoral ministry.
BBL 516 Pauline Literature
3 credits – Theology II
An exegetical survey of the thirteen letters of the Pauline tradition using Historical, Rhetorical, Semantic and Narrative Analysis and exposition of the major Pauline Theological Themes. Teaches students how to exegete and how to preach the contents of certain key passages.
BBL 517 Synoptic Gospels and Acts I: Matthew and Mark
2 credits – Theology I
A study of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark using historical and ecclesial exegesis with the goal of equipping students to understand, spiritually incorporate, and eventually preach the Word of God to the faithful.
BBL 517 Synoptic Gospels and Acts II: Luke and Acts
2 credits – Theology I
An exegetical survey of the Gospel of Luke and Acts using historical and literary methods in order to enable students to read and interpret these Scriptures for use in preaching, teaching and pastoral ministry.
Electives:
BBL 518 Preaching with the Old Testament
2 credits
This course will examine ways in which the Old Testament can be used to illuminate proclamation of the Christian mystery. It will seek to develop steps toward a much-needed biblical theology that spans the two testaments and sees the unity of the divine plan in Christ. Individual themes will be explored with an effort to bring them into synthesis.
BBL 522 Eucharistic Themes in Scripture
2 credits
This course will explore the relationship between Scripture, liturgy, and the Eucharist. A substantial portion of the course will involve an examination of biblical texts which either directly discuss the Eucharist (e.g. the institution narratives, the Johannine Bread of Life discourse) or contain Eucharistic allusions (e.g. meal scenes in the gospels). Attention will be given as well to Old Testament theological concepts and ritual activities (sacrifice, memorial, Passover, etc.) which laid the groundwork for the New Testament understanding of the Eucharist. We will also consider the liturgical context for which many of the Scriptures were originally written and the ways in which the Church today appropriates and interprets the Scriptures in the context of her liturgical celebrations.
BBL 556 Deuterocanonical Books
2 credits
This course provides an overview of the biblical books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch and the additions to Daniel and Esther with a view to understand how they have helped shape our faith and Christian culture over the centuries.
BBL 574 Eucharist in New Testament
1 credit
The course will consist of exegesis of selected passages from the Gospel of John (the Eucharist as the Real Presence), the Epistle to the Hebrews (the Eucharist as the real Presence and the Eucharist as Sacrifice), and Matthew/Mark (the Eucharist as Sacrifice).
BBL 576 Catholic Epistles
3 credits
An exegetical survey of the Catholic Epistles (Jude, James, 1 and 2 Peter) using historical and literary-rhetorical methods with the goal of equipping students with the necessary tools to exegete these Scriptures for use in preaching, teaching and in pastoral ministry.
Church History
HST 525 Researching Local Church History
1 credit
This course surveys local Church history, particularly the twentieth century. The students will become familiar with relevant secondary sources, archival research and primary sources as they chose a topic to explore, resulting in a term paper. Research may include oral interviews. In the past, students taking this course have produced histories of their diocese which were posted on diocesan websites. Others have written the definitive history of their congregation or parish. The research can also act as a springboard for a Master’s thesis.
HST 511 Patristic Church I
2 credits – Theology I
A general survey of the history of the Church in the Patristic period as well as the seminal theological contributions of the Fathers. Attention will be given to the early Ecumenical Councils, the authentic traditions of the Church, patristic exegetical methods, and the development of doctrine. This semester will cover the post-apostolic period through the First Council of Nicaea.
HST 511 Patristic Church II
2 credits – Theology I
A continuation of Patristic Church I, this course will cover the Nicene period up to the beginning of the medieval period.
HST 512 Medieval and Reformation Church
2 credits – Theology II
General survey of the history of the Church from Charlemagne to the Reformation with special attention to the Muslim invasion of the West, Feudalism, rise of religious orders, beginnings of the university system, causes of the Western Schism, rise of Protestantism, and the Church’s reformation.
HST 513 Modern and Contemporary Church
2 credits – Theology III
General survey of the history of the Church in the Modern and Contemporary periods with attention to historical roots of the present divided state of Western Christianity; the Church’s response to 19th and 20th century intellectual, political and religious movements; and the historical developments leading up to the Second Vatican Council.
HST 514 The Catholic Church in the United States
2 credits – Theology IV
A general survey of major trends in the history of religion in the United States, with specific attention to the religious and social experiences of Roman Catholicism.
Electives:
HST 572 Grace and Free Will
2 credits
In the early fifth century, a British monk named Pelagius arrived in North Africa and sparked a theological debate that remains on-going today. What is the nature of divine grace? How does it interact with human free will? Does grace determine the movement of the will? Do humans need the assistance of grace to make morally good choices? In this elective, we will examine the much-debated issue of the interaction of divine grace and the human free will. We will begin by discussing St. Augustine of Hippo and the Pelagian Controversy and next turn to St. Thomas Aquinas and his numerous insights on the issues of grace and free will. We will then discuss the views of important figures from the period of the Reformation, the de auxiliis controversy, and the 20th century.
Systematic Theology
SYS 510 Fundamental Theology & Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics
4 credits – Theology I
The nature of Catholic theology and the foundations on which it is built: Revelation, its transmission in the Church, and man’s response in faith. Topics include the nature of theology; the nature of faith; revelation and salvation history; tradition and the development of doctrine; the inspiration and interpretation of Sacred Scripture (including the four senses of scripture and typology); authority and infallibility of the Magisterium. A principal source is Vatican II’s Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum.
SYS 513 Ecclesiology and Missiology
3 credits – Theology III
An introduction to the fundamentals of ecclesiology based on a Trinitarian approach to Ecclesiology exploring the communion of the Church from the standpoint of the mission of the Son (Eucharist) and the Spirit (Pentecost) with special attention to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, especially the dogmatic constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, the decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, and the decree on Mission, Ad Gentes. Topics include the mission of the church; the structures of the church; the relation of the churches to one another; the necessity of the church for salvation; and the church as the universal sacrament of integral salvation.
SYS 514 Anthropology, Sin & Grace
3 credits – Theology I
A doctrinal survey with respect to the life of grace, especially sanctifying grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the human person in the Catholic Tradition. An overview of the key concepts in the Catholic tradition that constitute the Catholic doctrine and teaching on grace, sin and the human person as well as a survey of the long and rich history of theological reflection on this vast subject: biblical sources, (especially Paul); patristic sources including neo-platonic and ascetic theology, the Greek Fathers, the Pelagian Controversy, and Augustine’s highly influential anthropology; Thomas Aquinas, Luther, and Trent; the anthropology of the Second Vatican Council; and contemporary theologies of grace. The course will also investigate the doctrine of the Fall and Original Sin.
SYS 515 Creation and Eschatology
3 credits – Theology II
The first part of the course will examine the Catholic hope for eternal life in the Risen Christ, its presence in the here and now, and the full perfection of the Church in the glory of heaven. We will investigate the following subjects: the nature and basis of Christian hope; the immortality of the soul; “the last things”: the resurrection of the body, heaven, hell, purgatory, and the consummation of history in the Parousia. The second part of the course is an examination of the origin, meaning, and contemporary significance of the doctrine of creation.
SYS 517 Mariology
2 credits – Theology IV
The role of Mary in salvation history and the development of Marian doctrine in the life of the Church, as she is seen in Scripture, Tradition, the Magisterium, theological reflection, the spiritual life, popular devotion, and in Christian art. Sources include chapter 8 of Lumen gentium and John Paul II’s encyclical Redemptoris Mater.
SYS 518 Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue
2 credits – Theology IV
A study of the principles of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue through the Second Vatican Council texts Unitatis Redintegratio, and Nostra Aetate and relevant post-conciliar magisterial teaching with some investigations into dialogues between the Church and principal dialogue partners among other Christian communities and other religions.
SYS 521 Triune God
3 credits – Theology I
An examination of the Triune God’s being and activity. The course will include: Scriptural foundations, the development and basic “grammar” of Trinitarian doctrine in the early Church, and significant theological treatments of the Trinity throughout Church history. Exploration of the significance of the doctrine of trinity for theology and spiritual life.
SYS 522 Christology and Soteriology
3 credits – Theology I
An examination of the person and work of Jesus Christ as the self-revelation of God and the Savior of humanity. The course will include: Catholic response to the quests for the historical Jesus, New Testament Christology, the development and basic “grammar” of Christological doctrines in the early Church, and significant theological treatments of Christ and Salvation throughout Church history.
Electives:
SYS 541 Science and Theology: In Dialogue for the New Evangelization
2 credits
What are the challenges and resources that contemporary science brings to the proclamation of the Good News for the 21st Century? This course will address that question on three fronts. 1) Methodology: How does contemporary philosophy of science open up a space for faith in the process of knowing? 2) Cosmology: How does contemporary cosmology open up a space for reasonable belief in a creator? 3) Evolution: How can engaging (rather than dismissing) the scientific account of evolution help to ground a more adequate theology of suffering?
SYS 545: Philosophy and Theology of Art and Beauty
2 credits
The course will have two principal parts: the philosophy/theology of (a) beauty in general and (b) of artistic beauty. In the first part beauty will be situated among the transcendental properties of being. Beauty will be considered in its relationship to being, unity, nature, individuality, truth, and goodness. We shall examine the analogical nature of beauty, its objectivity/subjectivity, and its ability to lead the mind upwards toward God, who is Beauty. The second and longer part of the course will focus on the mission of the fine arts, (a) in general, and (b) with regard to the mission of the Church. We shall examine four fundamental properties of works of art: imitation/symbolism, proportion/harmony, tradition, and transmission of a worldview, and examine the role of art in human formation and Christian worship.
SYS 556 Theology of St. Augustine
2 credits
This course will offer a survey of the life, work, and thought of St. Augustine of Hippo. Attention will be given to select portions of St. Augustine’s immense body of work, familiarizing students with his key theological treatises, homiletic material, as well as the doctrinal controversies in which he was involved.
SYS 557 Theology of Blessed Cardinal Newman
2 credits
An investigation into the thought of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman. After an overview of his life, work and thought, the course will concentrate on three of his main works: The Development of Doctrine, Apologia pro Vita Sua, and the Grammar of Assent.
SYS 570 Trinitarian Encyclicals of Pope John Paul II
2 credits
An in depth investigation of St. Pope John Paul’s Trinitarian encyclicals Redemptor hominis, Dives in misericordia, and Dominum et vivificantem. The course will also pay attention to how the Saint’s encyclicals build upon the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. In this course students will acquire basic grasp of St. John Paul’s Christology and Trinitarian Theology as well as an understanding and knowledge of his Trinitarian-Christological approach to anthropology.
SYS 576 Pneumatology (Theology of the Holy Spirit)
2 credits
A study of the person, work, gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit as revealed in Scripture and developed in tradition with special emphasis on the teachings of Vatican II and St John Paul II.
Liturgical-Sacramental Theology
LST 513 Baptism and Confirmation
2 credits – Theology II
A study of Baptism and Confirmation from the perspectives of sacramental and liturgical theology. The course begins with sacramental theology: a systematic study of these sacraments in light of Scripture, salvation history, the theology of grace and character, ecclesiology, and the spiritual life and its growth. That is followed by consideration of these sacraments from the perspective of liturgical theology covering the organic development of these sacraments leading to the richness of the current Roman rite, an understanding of how the Sacraments are actualized in their celebration and a study of the structure and parts of the current liturgical books.
LST 514 Eucharist
3 credits – Theology III
A study of the Eucharist from the perspectives of sacramental and liturgical theology. The course begins with a study of the Biblical sources; the fittingness and purpose of the Eucharist; theology of the Real Presence and transubstantiation; Eucharist as Sacrifice; participation of the faithful in the sacrifice; Holy Communion; and principles of art, architecture, and music in service of the Eucharistic liturgy. The course then continues with a study the Holy Mass from the perspective of liturgical theology covering the organic development of the Eucharistic liturgy throughout history leading to the richness of the current Roman Rite; how the theology of the Eucharist becomes actualized in its celebration; the structure and parts of the current Roman Missal; and the nature and development of Eucharistic devotion outside of Mass.
LST 516 Penance, Anointing, and Burial
3 credits – Theology IV
The course is divided into two parts: sacramental theology and liturgical theology. The first part explores the theological, historical, spiritual, pastoral and juridical aspects of the sacraments of penance and anointing along with the liturgical rites for the dead and dying. The liturgical portion of the course covers the organic development of these rites throughout history leading to the richness of the current Roman Rite as a foundation for understanding how the theology of the sacrament or sacramental becomes actualized in its celebration; as well as an overview of the structure and parts of the current liturgical books.
LST 517 Sacrament of Marriage
2 credits – Theology III
An overview of the development of the Church’s theology of Marriage, and an articulation of that theology in the contemporary context, with special emphasis on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
LST 518 Holy Orders & the Spiritual Life of the Priest
3 credits – Theology III
This course studies the sources of Divine Revelation and the teaching of the Magisterium concerning the nature of the sacrament of Holy Orders as instituted by Christ and its effects within the soul and life of the ordinand, who is called to be a shepherd according to the Heart of Christ, continuing His mission in the world to teach, sanctify and govern for the edification of His Church and the salvation of souls, all to the glory of God.
LST 521 Sacramental Theology: Sacraments in General
2 credits – Theology II
Nature and purpose of the sacraments in the life of the Church. Topics include: the fittingness of the sacramental system in the Church; the sacramental sign and sacramental grace; sacramental character; efficacy of the sacraments; conditions for validity and fruitfulness. The subject is investigated from the point of view of Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.
LST 522 Theology of the Liturgy
3 credits – Theology I
A basic introduction to the Church’s liturgy, providing a foundation for further liturgical studies. Topics covered include: the origins, ends, and purposes of sacred worship; the history and characteristics of the Roman Rite, especially as expressed in the normative documents and liturgical books; the role of ritual and its various external elements; the liturgical year and its sanctoral; the relationship between the liturgy and the deposit of faith. Particular emphasis will be placed on the priest’s role in the Church’s liturgical life.
Moral and Spiritual Theology
MTH 512 Social Ethics
2 credits – Theology III
An investigation of the social doctrine of Catholic moral theology and the virtue of justice as this has been conveyed through the centuries in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church. Attention will be given to such topics as; the person as the end and purpose of every type of society and the rights that belong to human beings, the types of justice, the kinds of human societies (the family, civic, political, and economic ones), the common good, the principle of solidarity, the principle of subsidiarity, the universal destination of created goods, the good of private property, the preferential option of the poor, the various issues related to labor, capital, and private property, as well as other pertinent subjects such as war, capital punishment, and the equal dignity of all people.
MTH 513 Marriage, Family and Sexuality
3 Credits – Theology IV
The Church’s teachings on the human person, love, sexuality, self-giving, and the vocation of marriage in light of Scripture, Magisterium and John Paul II’s theology of the body.
MTH 514 Bioethics
2 credits – Theology IV
Catholic moral principles and their application to a number of medical-moral problems with special attention to beginning and end-of-life issues.
MTH 515 Spiritual Theology & Spiritual Direction
3 credits – Theology II
A study of the sources of Divine Revelation and the teaching of the Magisterium concerning the life of grace along with reflection upon the authentic spiritual experiences of the saints to describe the nature and development of union with God in order that the candidate for the ministerial priesthood may understand the interior life for his own growth and for the guidance of those souls whom the Lord places within his care.
MTH 521-1 Fundamental Moral Theology
2 credits – Theology II
An investigation of the foundations of moral theology in the Catholic tradition with reflections on the encounter between Catholic morality and contemporary culture. This study of Tradition (including Scripture) provides an understanding of the good of the human person in relation to society and the common good with examination of both moral principles and virtue.
MTH 521-2 Fundamental Moral Theology II
2 credits – Theology II
Continued investigation of the foundations of moral theology in the Catholic tradition with reflections on the encounter between Catholic morality and contemporary culture. This study of Tradition (including Scripture) fosters an understanding of the good of the human person in relation to society and the common good with examination of both moral principles and virtue.
Electives:
MTH 532 Catholic Spirituality in the Theology of Benedict XVI
2 credits
This course will review some of the main themes in Pope Benedict XVI’s theology which carry doctrinal truths into the lived experience of the spiritual life. Its themes will be applicable to both one’s own interior life and the pastoral life of the priest.
Pastoral Theology and Formation
PST 510 Pastoral Theology
3 credits – Theology IV
An introduction to pastoral theology; an investigation into the history of and ministry in the Church and how ministry has been affected by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. Special emphasis will be placed on a Theology of the Laity, Evangelization and the unique role of the Priest as Head Shepherd and Spouse of the Church and a study of the life and identity of the celibate priest.
PST 512 Introduction to Canon Law
3 credits – Theology II
An introduction to the nature and history of canon law; an investigation of selected canons in Book One of the 1983 Code of Canon Law; an investigation of the power of government in the Church, focused in the hierarchical constitution of Church, as found in Book Two of the 1983 Code.
PST 513 Sacramental Law
3 credits – Theology III
An investigation of the essential canons in Book Four of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, concerning the administration of the Sacraments in general. Particular focus on the Sacrament of Marriage and the process of marriage preparation followed in each student’s sponsoring diocese.
PST 514 Introduction To Homiletics
3 credits – Theology III
Basic skills needed for regular excellent Eucharistic preaching in the Roman Catholic tradition. Reading and discussion of the pertinent documents that the Catholic Church offers for guidance in the art of preaching. Practice giving homilies given with feedback from peers and the professor.
PST 515 Advanced Homiletics
3 credits – Theology III
Learning to preach for event driven homilies. The art of preaching at funerals, wedding, baptisms, with children, and other specific homilies that are affected by the circumstances that call the community together at that time. The student will continue to have opportunities to preach as well as to receive feedback from peers and formation from the professor.
PST 516 Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
3 credits – Theology I
An introductory study of the respective roles of the priest in pastoral ministry as counselor and spiritual director. An investigation of listening skills, ethical conduct, conflict resolution and decision making skills. A preliminary investigation of issues such as forgiveness, guilt and assertion.
PST 517 Catechesis and Elements of Religious Education
2 credits – Theology III
An introductory study in catechesis which covers the essential elements of religious education emphasizing the catechetical vocation to make disciples with the broader pastoral view of formation and care in the life of faith in all its dimensions.
PST 518 Pastoral Issues and Grief Counseling
4 credits – Theology III
A survey of counseling issues such as alcoholism, sexual abuse, domestic violence and other frequently presented parishioner concerns. Special attention to the grieving process, with training in ministering to bereft individuals and establishing parish grief programs.
PST 519 Marriage Preparation and Natural Family Planning
2 credits – Theology IV
The first part of the course provides practical training for the preparation of engaged couples for marriage in the Church, including marriages where mixed religion and disparity of cult are factors. The second part of the course draws on the expertise of physicians, nurses and certified practitioners of Creighton Model Fertility Care and NaProTechnology to introduce seminarians to the science and spirituality of Creighton Model Fertility Care and NaProTechnology. Students receive a certificate issued jointly by Kenrick School of Theology and the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha.
PST 521–522 Supervised Ministry
(P/F) – Theology I
Parish ministry concentrating on pastoral care of the poor such as St Vincent de Paul Society or other parish based charitable outreach. May also work in the area of Youth Ministry or other special ministerial project (i. e. pro-life, ecumenism, evangelism). Includes evaluation by pastoral supervisor and theological reflection with peers.
PST 523-524 Supervised Ministry
(P/F) – Theology II
Parish ministry with concentration on the care of the elderly, homebound, sick and dying including home visits and visits to hospitals and nursing homes. Includes evaluation by pastoral supervisor and theological reflection with peers.
PST 525-526 Supervised Ministry
(P/F) – Theology III
Parish ministry with concentration on Religious Education: particularly classroom teaching in the parish school but can also include teaching in RCIA, RCIC, Adult Education, etc. Includes evaluation by pastoral supervisor and theological reflection with peers.
PST 527-528 Supervised Ministry
(P/F) – Theology IV
Deacons serve in parishes assigned by the Archbishop of St. Louis. Includes evaluation by pastoral supervisor and theological reflection with peers.
Electives:
PST 535 Carmelite Spirituality
2 credits
An examination of the two-volume set of the practical synthesis of Carmelite spirituality by the Venerable Marie-Eugène of the Infant Jesus, O.C.D. which brings together the thought of the masters of that tradition and covers basic fundamentals of spiritual development.
THE 503 The Pastoral Theology of Vatican II
2 credits
This course provides a study of the historical context and genesis of the sixteen documents of Vatican II as well as an in-depth discussion of select Conciliar texts. Particular areas of emphasis will be: the pastoral aim of the Council, the hermeneutics of continuity, the mystery of the Church, the universal call to holiness, the common priesthood of the faithful, the role of the laity in the Church, the episcopate, the possibility of salvation for those outside the visible Church and God’s universal salvific will, the notion of active participation in the liturgy and the goals of liturgical reform, development of doctrine, religious liberty and the dignity of conscience, ecumenical dialogue, Jewish-Christian dialogue, and the pastoral mission of the Church in the contemporary world. The documents of Vatican II will be studied as a blueprint for pastoral theology in a post-Christendom age.
PST 533 Race, Faith, Mission
2 credits
This course will organize its exploration around three points. 1) Race: what has been (historically) and what is (currently) the experience of black Americans in general, and black Catholics in particular? 2) Faith: what does faith tell us about that experience – what has been said, what can be said, what ought to be said? 3) Mission: guided by faith, what can and should we do about the experience – how do we act on what faith tells us? The course will have a special eye on fostering critical awareness of the different voices in the discussion, both in the Church and in the wider culture. We hope to develop, in each seminarian, the habit of a serene, St. Thomas Aquinas type “Yes and No” approach to those voices, welcoming truth and pointing out error wherever they are found.
PST 532 Classical Rhetoric for Modern Ministry
2 credits
For the Catholic priest, manipulative sophistry is clearly out of bounds. But putting careful thought into what constitutes eloquent speech and persuasive argumentation is not. Whether drawing from the wisdom of Saint Augustine or Cicero, there is a Christian approach to the craft of memorable and effective communication. It is the purpose of this course to lay out that approach, and apply it to the task of ministry in the modern world. Lectures will address the priest’s use of traditional forms of oral and written communication, as well as various digital and social media platforms.
PST 548 Ministry in an Hispanic Cultural Setting
2 credits
This course will be an introduction to the practice of Hispanic Ministry in the US Church. It will explore key theological-pastoral foundations and developments from an intercultural perspective. We will pay special attention to pastoral-ecclesial issues that face our contemporary ecclesial reality. Themes to be covered include the mission of the church in a multicultural context, ecclesial demographics; issues of inculturation, contemporary social-pastoral issues affecting Hispanic Catholics, Hispanic cultural faith practices and traditions, and best-practices in Hispanic ministry.
PST 553 The Temporal Goods of the Church
2 credits
This course analyzes the essential canons of Book V of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Particular attention will be given to the canons affecting the administration and alienation of temporal goods of public juridic persons, specifically parishes and dioceses.
PST 557 Tribunal Procedures
2 credits
This course studies the essential Canons of Book VII Processes, the Ordinary Contentious Trial Of the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church. The course will specifically deal with canons 1501 – 1655. Special attention will be given to the ordinary contentious trial as it applies to the investigation of the validity of the contract of marriage in the Latin Church.
Liturgical Practicum
LPR 514 Sacred Music Practicum I
1 credit – Theology I
A survey of Sacred Music and its application to the Liturgy today. Introduction to reading and singing Gregorian Chant. Instruction in vocal technique for singing the Mass.
LPR 514 Sacred Music Practicum II
1 credit – Theology IV
A pastoral look at Liturgical Music in the parish: implementing the Church’s instructions on Sacred Music, planning music for various liturgies, selecting a hymnal or other resource books for the parish, printing worship booklets and copyright issues, working with professional and volunteer musicians, etc. Special attention will be given to singing the Mass texts as found in the Roman Missal.
LPR 520 Deacon Practicum I
1 credit – Theology III
A study and practice of the liturgical rites pertaining to the deacon, based on the normative liturgical documents of the Church covering the deacon at Mass, the Rite of Baptism, and the Rite of Marriage.
LPR 520 Deacon Practicum II
1 credit – Theology III
A study and practice of the liturgical rites pertaining to the deacon, based on the normative liturgical documents of the Church covering the Order of Christian Funerals, Benediction by a deacon, Pastoral Care of the Sick, and blessings by a deacon.
LPR 523 Priest Practicum I
1 credit – Theology IV
The Sacrament of Reconciliation. The deacon has the opportunity to role play the part of the priest who is hearing confession. The person fulfilling the part of the penitent presents various situations to the priest. At the conclusion of the confession the professor, the deacon and his classmates discuss how the deacon conducted himself in the areas of liturgical practice, theological understanding and pastoral skills.
LPR 523 Priest Practicum II
1 credit – Theology IV
The Eucharist. The goal of this practicum is to develop confidence in presiding at the Eucharist. The rites themselves will be reviewed along with attention to sanctuary presence, posture, appropriate gestures, and proclamation of prayer texts. The emphasis is on typical parish needs and celebrations, including Sunday and weekday Mass, and ritual Masses.
Electives:
LPR 525 – Spiritual Direction Practicum
2 credits – Theology III or IV
Designated for third theologians and deacons, this course is a brief survey of the practice and approach to spiritual direction most often enjoyed in parish assignments, days of recollection, and silent retreats.
Curriculum Support
CSC 511 Graduate Research and Writing
1 credit – Theology I
An introduction to the tools and methods of graduate theological research. Focus on familiarity with the use of print and electronic library resources and reading and writing skills.
CSC 515 Writing for Parish Priests
1 credit – Theology Elective
An introduction to principles of effective writing in ministry through letters, memos, reports, and presentations. In this course, the seminarian will investigate different kinds of and occasions for writing in the priesthood. Students will learn to effectively communicate by knowing their audience, understanding their subject matter, and by expressing themselves with clarity and distinction. Each student will explore the role writing plays in their ministerial career. Students will consider problems and solutions that can and will arise from their writing in their ministerial life. Writing in class will be public writing; meaning, it will be shared and discussed with the entire class. These in-class editing sessions will require full class participation and interaction.
Languages
Theologians are required to complete one year of Latin. If they have already completed at least one year of Latin in college or pre-theology, they have no further language requirement. Latin, Greek, Biblical Hebrew and Spanish are offered as electives. Those seminarians with diocesan requirements for Spanish language study can meet those requirements through electives. Advanced courses in each language are also available.
LNG 511 Latin I – 3 credits
LNG 512 Latin II – 3 credits
LNG 521 Greek I – 3 credits
LNG 522 Greek II – 3 credits
LNG 511 Hebrew I – 3 credits
LNG 512 Hebrew II – 3 credits
LNG 525 Greek III – 3 credits
LG 541 Spanish I – 3 credits
LG 542 Spanish II – 3 credits
LG 543 Spanish III – 3 credits
