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Courses of Instruction

For a full description of seminary programs and courses see the current Seminary Catalog. (The current seminary catalog is in development.) Contact Seminary Registrar for further information: seminaryregistrar@msmary.edu

Descriptions by Department

Canon Law cores

  • CANL 601 Introduction to the Code of Canon Law (3)  An introductory presentation of the historical development of canon law, the foundations and an overview of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, with special consideration given to the pastoral, theological and legal contexts of specific canons from the seven books of the Latin Code. A brief introduction and overview will also be provided of the 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
  • CANL 702 Marriage Law and Sanctifying Office (3)  This course serves as a specific study of the Church’s current sacramental law of the Latin Church.  This course will consider the importance of the Church’s “Sanctifying Office” (Book IV) in the current Code of Canon Law.  Each of the specific sacraments will be considered briefly, with an emphasis placed on the Sacrament of Marriage, its nature, properties and ends, and the specific causes of the nullity of marriage (Diriment Impediments, Defect of Consent, and the Lack of Canonical Form).  The course will also consider the various Tribunal procedures and the Tribunal personnel involved in investigating marriage nullity or dissolution cases.  A strong emphasis is also placed on the pastoral approach necessary to those who have suffered the failure of a marriage.  Required for the S.T.B. and M. Div. degree programs.

Church History

  • CHUR 501 The First Millennium: Patrology (3)  This course provides a full panorama of Patrology and the early History of the Church.  Lectures will focus on the origin and development of the Church as the People of God which spreads out in time and space.  Special attention will be given to the progress of theological doctrines which have exercised the strongest influence in the history of the Church.  Attention will also be given to practical social, economic and political situation of the Church.  Throughout the semester students will be asked to examine scientifically the historical sources.  Both by lectures and discussion students will be invited to discover the wonderful encounter of divine and human action in the life of the community of believers, and come to a genuine sense of the Church and of its Tradition.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Church History concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • CHUR 502 Medieval and Renaissance Church History (3)  This course provides a full panorama of Scholasticism and the medieval History of the Church, continuing the story of church development begun in CHUR 501.  Lectures will focus on the development of the Church as the People of God, especially after the Gregorian Reform.  Special attention will be given to the progress of theological doctrines which have exercised the strongest influence in the history of the Church.  Attention will also be given to practical social, economic and political situation of the Church. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Church History concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • CHUR 601 Modern and Contemporary Church History (3)  The course is a survey of the History of the Church beginning with the events leading up to the Reformation and Counter-Reformation through to the Twentieth Century.  The course traces the development of the institutional church through its theological, political, evangelical and pastoral controversies and growth.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Church History concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • CHUR 801 History of the Church in the United States (3)  A survey of the salient points in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States; her physical growth, her social, cultural and political assimilation into the mainstream of American life, and the major personalities, the truly great men and women responsible for her growth. Such a story is related to the American experience and tradition, and the course’s final consideration is the role of the Catholic faith in a culture where, officially, truth is subjective, and the government is removed from such definition. The course attempts to build upon the European historical background the student has already received, to especially see the relationship between American Catholicism and the Western European experience, as well as the uniqueness that is our faith’s contribution to the American experiment. Finally, the course traces the relations between the Holy See and the Church in America, particularly underscoring the deep loyalty of the American hierarchy, priests, religious women and Catholic laity to the Vicar of Christ.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for all concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.

Church History electives

Elective Courses: May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement. M.A.(theology) degree candidates concentrating in Church History, concomitant with the elective requirement, take an additional one-credit directed research course for inclusion in the Research Projects Portfolio required for the degree.
  • CHUR 901-904-e Topics in Church History (2) This elective course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Recent topics included:
    • Church History & Theology in Poetry: Dante’s Divine Comedy (spring 2019, spring 2016) 
    • The Inquisition and the Crusades (spring 2018, spring 2015) 
    • History of Spiritual Renewal in France from the 17th – 19th Centuries (fall 2017)
    • History of Bible in Patristic & Medieval Worlds(spring 2017, fall 2010)
    • Theology in the History of the Church: Peter Lombard’s Sentences (fall 2016)
    • Augustine’s Confessions (spring 2014)
    • The Modern Papacy (spring 2013)
  • CHUR 906 The Church in the Twentieth Century (2)  A study of the church in the 20th century. Emphasis is given to the pontificates of Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II.
  • CHUR 908 The Black Catholic Experience (2)  A seminar designed to increase the students’ awareness of the past relationship between the churches and black communities, beginning with the failed Christianization of West Africa. Black American bishops, religious orders and pioneer parishes are given particular study.
  • CHUR 909 Medieval Hagiography (2)  An exploration of a genre of literature central to the tradition of the Church. In the early and medieval church, hagiography was crucial for transmitting doctrinal and, especially, moral information from one generation to the next. Through the course of the semester students will read and discuss the crucial “bestsellers” of early church hagiography as well as less popular texts in order to understand both the core content and broad range of the tradition. Particular attention will be paid to which ideas seem to endure over time and across cultures and which ideas change or develop. While Latin Christian material (in translation) will be the bulk of the reading, Jewish, Islamic, and Byzantine works will be read for enrichment and comparison.
  • CHUR 910 Medieval Mystagogy (2)  What did RCIA look like in the Early Church? In this course we will look at the catechetical programs of important early Christian leaders, west and east, such as St. Augustine and St. Cyril of Jerusalem.  Students will read how luminaries of the early church organized their thoughts on Christianity for dissemination to the people.  In addition to what was communicated, students will consider how Christian doctrine was communicated to initiates.  The general purpose of the course will be to introduce students to the pastoral wisdom and activities of the Fathers of the Church.  The particular purpose will be to explore how Church fathers made the mysteries of the faith both accessible and persuasive to new Christians. 
  • CHUR 911  Research Seminar: History of the Church in the USA (2)  Training in oral history skills in addition to visits to prominent sites of American ecclesiastical import.
  • CHUR 912  History of the Church in Latin America (2)  A study of Latin American church history from colonial times to the present day. Emphasis is given to contemporary issues such as liberation theology, basic Christian communities, shortages of priests, growth of lay leadership, and the Medellín, Puebla and Santo Domingo Conferences. (Cross-listed as PATH 912)
  • CHUR 913  Hispanics and the Church in the USA (2)  A study of the importance of the Hispanic factor in the church in the United States. Emphasis is given to the richness of the Hispanic cultures, past and new movements of immigration, and the manner in which the church is attempting to meet Hispanic needs. (Cross-listed as PATH 913)
  • CHUR 914  American Catholic Culture (2)  The particular context of the Catholic Church in the United States will be studied through two modes of art and architecture, demographics, drama, ethnicity, language and idiom, literature, poetry, and popular religiosity.
  • CHUR 915  Americanism in United States Catholic History (2)  This elective will trace the Americanist impulse present since the beginnings of Catholicism in the Thirteen Colonies, and largely dominating nineteenth and twentieth century thought in U.S. Catholic History. The course will begin by surveying a Catholic view of the world from various Catholic scholars, especially in light of the Second Vatican Council, move to a consideration of the “phantom heresy” of Americanism, carefully study the response of John Courtney Murray, and discuss American Catholic higher education in light of this background.  The course’s final objective will be to present of various thinkers, pro and con to this “Americanist” strain of thought in our national culture, and to demonstrate how many preconceived notions, put forward in the past, easily flowed from such background.  Readings will be drawn from Gordon Wood, Hans Urs Von Balthasar, John Courtney Murray, D.L.Schindler, Leo XIII, John Tracy Ellis, Theodore Hesburgh, and others. A term paper and final examination will be required. 
  • CHUR 916  Catholic Faith and the American Experience (2)  This course attempts a theological/ontological interpretation of American culture against a background, most immediately of the Second Vatican Council and the Pontificate of John Paul II. Its purpose is to frame the fundamental terms of a Catholic’s presence in and engagement with modernity as expressed in the history of America. Readings will be drawn from authors influential in the founding and history of American culture and from significant Catholic interpretations of end engagements with culture.
  • CHUR 917  The History of Religion in the USA (2)  This course provides a survey of the religious bodies of the United States.  It gives the student some familiarity with the other faiths they will be working with in the Ministry.  Both mainline Churches and more obscure communities will be studied.  In guest lectures, site visits and research reports, the history of churches in the United States will be explored. Special attention will be given to those denominations that find their origins here.
  • CHUR 918 -919  Topics in the Fathers of the Church (2)  The texts and themes of this course will vary from semester to semester. Specifics will be decided upon in consultation with the students, the church history department, and the academic dean. In each case special attention will be given to the living tradition of the Church as exemplified by the lives and writings of the Fathers and as understood through the theological thought of the Fathers. The course will be primary source driven and discussion intensive. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Recent offerings include:
    • Augustine: Bishop and Theologian (fall 2018)  
    • The Four Fathers of the Latin Church (fall 2017, fall 2014/fall 2012/spring 2010/fall 2008)  
    • Marriage and Family in the Early Church (fall 2016)  
    • The Doctors of the Church (spring 2014)  
    • The Greek Fathers (fall 2013)  
    • Fathers of the Eastern Church (spring 2012)  
    • Patristic Seminar: Preaching in the Work of Augustine and Gregory the Great (fall 2011/fall 2007)    
  • CHUR 920  Jews, Christians, & Muslims in the Middle Ages (2)  An examination of scripture, law, exegesis, polemics and philosophy from the three major Abrahamic religions of the medieval west. An exploration of the similarities and the differences among the three religions, and consideration how those religions influenced each other and how they distanced and refuted each other. The goals are twofold: first, identify how each tradition conceived of itself as a community defined by belief and regulated by law: second, establish how various contexts – political, social, cultural, and intellectual – inform those ideas, especially when the communities come into contact with each other. Study of the important primary texts from the three religions, analyze their content, and evaluation the relationships between them.
  • CHUR 921  History of Heaven (2)An examination of how Christians have understood and imagined heaven down through western history. There are three goals: first, to understand the development of Christian teaching on man’s final end; second, to try to plot the range of interests in and devotions concerning heaven found in the Christian tradition; third, consider how presentations of heaven, either in writing or in art, create opportunities for catechesis. The course will consist of lecture and discussion.
  • CHUR 922  Depicting Mary: a Survey of Marian Imagery (2)In this course students will see and learn about the history of the Blessed Mother in the mind and the eyes of the Church.  The course will focus on famous and popular images of the Virgin from throughout Christian history.  It will seek to understand the aesthetic, cultural, and theological ideas driving long-running Christian devotion to Mary.

Homiletics cores and electives

  • HOML 701  Models of Preaching (3)  The course will include an introduction to the theology of preaching and the place of Scripture in preaching. The course will train the student to employ effective models and principles in the practice of preaching, both with respect to the content (composition) and the delivery of a homily.   This course will bring to fruition the student’s study of Scripture, Theology, and Liturgy, showing how he can apply what he has learned in the pastoral context of preaching to the people of God.  It will be most frequently in his preaching that a priest will draw upon all the resources of his preparation.  This course is intended to help him do so.  Through their faithful proclamation of God Word’s, the future priests will enable the people of God to be “followers of Christ” by recognizing the central role of preaching in their duties as “minister of the Sacraments.”  Pass/Fail. 
  • HOML 702  Homiletics Practicum (3)  This course continues to develop the theory and skills introduced in HOML 701 (prerequisite) primarily through practical application. Students will prepare and deliver homilies of various genres, including Sunday, weekday, wedding, funeral and special occasion. The beginning preacher will receive constructive criticism from the instructor and fellow students to help improve both delivery and content. Pass/Fail.
Elective Courses: May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement.
  • HOML 907  Preaching the Lenten/Easter Cycle (2)This course examines the readings of the three-year Sunday cycle of Lent and Easter as well as the Easter Triduum. While offering exegetical insights into the readings, the course will concentrate on ways to preach the cycle of readings. Prerequisite or co-requisite: HOML 701.
  • HOML 908  Preaching Advent, Christmastide, Holy Days and Feasts of the Lord (2)  This course examines the readings of Sundays in Advent, Christmastide, and the Holy Days and Feasts of the Lord. While offering exegetical insights into the readings the course will concentrate on ways to preach the cycle of readings. Prerequisite or corequisite: HOML 701.
  • HOML 910  Preaching Catholic Apologetics (2)  This course looks at the biblical foundations for important areas of Catholic Apologetics e.g. the sacraments.  While preparing apologetic responses to pertinent areas of Catholic doctrine, the course will examine how to preach apologetically on these subjects from the three year Sunday and Holy Day cycle.  Pre-requisite or co-requisite: HOML 701

English as Second Language

  • BEGINNER LEVEL
    • EASL 010 Beginning Writing (1 to 3 credits)  Students will develop the skills to write a variety of types of well-organized, coherent, and grammatically correct paragraphs. Emphasizing the process approach to writing, this course lays the foundation for future academic writing in ESL and theology classes. The grammar focus is on writing simple and compound sentences; the mechanics focus is on applying basic rules of capitalization and punctuation.   
    • EASL 011 Beginning Grammar (1 to 3 credits)  Students will develop English language skills by learning the function and structure of the parts of speech, verb forms, the simple tenses, subject/verb agreement, beginning level noun, pronoun, adjective and adverb forms, coordinating conjunctions, and basic article and preposition use.
    • EASL 012 Beginning Reading (1 to 3 credits)  Students will apply reading strategies such as pre-reading, questioning, recalling, relating, and reviewing to increase reading comprehension. Using multiple examples from beginner-level ESL texts, students will develop the skills of determining the main idea, predicting text sequence and word meaning, and inferring basic ideas, as well as be introduced to basic note-taking. Students will also summarize and paraphrase a text both orally and in writing. This is a foundational course for future academic reading in ESL and theology classes, as well as for the catechetical and theological readings one will encounter in pastoral ministry.
    • EASL 013 Beginning Vocabulary (1 to 3 credits)  Students will learn 20 beginning-level academic and social words/phrases each week. This includes learning the words’ designated forms (parts of speech), their multiple meanings, and various collocations. Students will demonstrate their understanding of new words/phrases by using them orally and in writing in a variety of academic and social contexts.
    • EASL 014 Beginning Pronunciation (1 to 3 credits)  Students will recognize and produce North American English consonant and vowel sounds. They will also recognize and produce the stressed syllable in two and three-syllable words, the stressed word in a phrase, as well as apply basic intonation patterns to short questions and statements. Applying learned rules, students will accurately read aloud sentences and short Biblical passages.
    • EASL 015 Beginning Listening Comprehension (1 to 3 credits)  While listening to recorded and conversational beginning-level speech, students will recognize various forms of numbers and recognize and respond to yes/no questions, wh- questions, and reduced forms in greetings, short words, and phrases. They will also develop the skills to differentiate main ideas and details as well as begin to develop basic note-taking skills.
  • INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
    • EASL 020 Intermediate Writing (1 to 3 credits)  Students will develop the skills to write a variety of types of well-organized, coherent, and grammatically correct essays. Emphasizing the process approach to writing, students will develop writing skills in preparation for pastoral work, future academic writing in ESL, and/or future theology classes. The grammar focus is on writing complex and compound-complex sentences; the mechanics focus is on applying punctuation rules for commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, ellipses, and quotation marks. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Beginning Writing. Note: May require two semesters; 1 to 3 credits credits/semester.
    • EASL 021 Intermediate Grammar (1 to 3 credits)  Students will develop English language skills by learning the function and structure of irregular and phrasal verbs, perfect tenses, modals, passive voice, question forms, intermediate-level gerund and infinitive forms, intermediate-level noun, adjective and adverb clauses, and intermediate-level article and preposition use. Students will learn to apply the grammar rules covered in class to their writing and speaking. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Beginning Grammar. Note: May require two semesters; 1 to 3 credits credits/semester.
    • EASL 022 Intermediate Reading (1 to 3 credits)  Students will continue to use the strategies and develop the skills introduced in Beginning Reading, applying them to intermediate-level ESL texts and native English texts. Further, students will develop the skills necessary to analyze relationships among ideas in written material, draw conclusions, recognize a writer’s explicit or implicit purpose, and evaluate information. Students will react to readings orally and in written paragraphs. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Beginning Reading. Note: May require two semesters; 1 to 3 credits/semester.
    • EASL 023 Intermediate Vocabulary (1 to 3 credits)  Students will learn 30 intermediate-level academic, social, and theological words each week. This includes learning the words’ designated forms (parts of speech), their multiple meanings, and various collocations. Students will demonstrate their understanding of new words/phrases by using them orally and in writing in a variety of academic, social, and pastoral contexts. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Beginning Vocabulary.
    • EASL 024 Intermediate Pronunciation (1 to 3 credits)   In addition to being able to produce the consonant and vowel sounds introduced in Beginning Pronunciation, students will produce diphthongs, predict pronunciation based on spelling, predict stress of multisyllabic words and focus words, incorporate basic intonation patterns in various contexts, and apply basic pitch patterns to convey meaning. Applying learned rules, students will accurately read aloud a lectionary reading, Gospel reading, and/or homily. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Beginning Pronunciation. Note: May require two semesters; 1 to 3 credits/semester.
    • EASL 025 Intermediate Listening Comprehension (1 to 3 credits)  While listening to intermediate-level lectures and conversations, students will identify the topic, main ideas, purpose, supporting ideas, and details, as well as make inferences based on content and a speaker’s tone of voice. Students will identify the basic organization of sample lectures and write notes accordingly. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Beginning Listening Comprehension. Note: May require two semesters; 1 to 3 credits/semester.
  • ADVANCED LEVEL
    • EASL 030 Advanced Writing (1 to 3 credits)  Students will develop the skills necessary to undertake academic research and to write a well-organized, coherent, and grammatically correct research paper. Emphasis is on the process approach to writing as students develop a thesis, create an annotated bibliography, develop an outline/mind-map, and write multiple drafts. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Intermediate Writing.
    • EASL 031 Advanced Grammar (1 to 3 credits)  Students will develop English language skills by learning conditionals, pronoun antecedent forms, preposition combinations, and use of advanced-level modals, passive forms, and adjective and adverb clauses. Students will apply grammar rules covered in class to speak informally, to write essays and homilies, and to write from a single point of focus. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Intermediate Grammar.
    • EASL 032 Advanced Reading (1 to 3 credits)  Students will apply reading strategies and continue to develop and practice the skills that will help them to comprehend, interact with, and react to advanced-level ESL texts, seminary theology texts, and the catechetical and theological readings they will encounter in pastoral ministry. Students will continue to use skills introduced in Intermediate Reading and will be required to react to readings orally and in written paragraphs and essays. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Intermediate Reading.
    • EASL 033 Advanced Vocabulary (1 to 3 credits)  Students will learn 30 advanced-level academic, social, and theological words each week. This includes learning the words’ designated forms (parts of speech), their multiple meanings, and various collocations. Students will demonstrate their understanding of new words/phrases by using them orally and in writing in a variety of academic, social, and pastoral contexts. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Intermediate Vocabulary.
    • EASL 034 Advanced Pronunciation (1 to 3 credits)  Students will examine word stress patterns not covered at the intermediate level. They will separate ideas into thought groups, use appropriate intonation and the four levels of English pitch, and apply the stress-timed rhythm of North American English to their public and conversational speech. By applying learned rules and developing public speaking skills, students will accurately read aloud from the lectionary, proclaim the Gospel, and/or deliver a homily. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Intermediate Pronunciation.
    • EASL 035 Advanced Listening Comprehension (1 to 3 credits)  While listening to advanced-level lectures, students will develop more sophisticated listening skills such as differentiating important information from tangential information, predicting lecture content, and evaluating which information should be recorded in note form. They will write notes using various formats and organize information to show the relationship of ideas. This course will prepare students for listening to lectures and taking notes in philosophy and theology classes. Prerequisite: Placement testing or completion of Intermediate Listening Comprehension.
  • ADDITIONAL SUPPORT 
    • EASL 040 Writing for Theology (1 to 3 credits)  Students will develop the skills necessary to undertake academic research and to write various genres of papers required in their philosophy and/or theology classes. Emphasis is on the process approach to writing as students develop theses, create bibliographies, develop outlines, and write multiple drafts of their general research, exegesis, textual analysis, books review, and/or Master’s thesis papers. Errors in students’ papers will be used to reinforce grammar and mechanics rules. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Advanced Writing.
    • EASL 043 Vocabulary for Theology (1 to 3 credits)  Students will generate a list of 10 high-frequency academic/theological words or idiomatic phrases each week. They will learn the words’ designated forms (parts of speech), their multiple meanings, and various collocations. Additionally, students will identify root words and the meaning of prefixes and suffixes. Students will demonstrate their understanding of new words/phrases by incorporating learned vocabulary into written assignments for their theology classes as well as orally into their conversation. Prerequisite: Placement testing or successful completion of Advanced Vocabulary.
    • EASL 046 Academic Support for Theology (1 to 3 credits) Students will be provided content-based instruction focusing on individual theology courses. They will summarize theology course readings and lectures, discussing and answering questions about course content orally and in writing. Through this, they will develop the content knowledge and English proficiency necessary to succeed in their theology courses.
    • EASL 050 Pastoral English Practicum (1 credit)   This course is designed for students who have exited the ESL Program yet wish to have continued English language support. The goals of Pastoral English Practicum are 1) to continue to develop the ability to write various genres of papers required in theology classes; 2) to develop students’ ability to effectively minister in English; and 3) to build upon students’ current knowledge of U.S. popular and U.S. Catholic culture. Pass/Fail.  
    • EASL 007 Peer Tutoring I (1 credit)  Students will be assigned a native-English-speaking conversation partner. They will converse informally and write about designated aspects of United States culture, including values, family life, social relationships, the education system, religious institutions, political structure and activities, ethnicity and race, music, art, dress, cuisine, and holidays. They will also share information orally about their own culture, comparing it to United States culture.   
    • EASL 008 Peer Tutoring II (1 credit)   Students will be assigned a native-English-speaking conversation partner. They will converse informally and write about aspects of United States culture. Note: Taken in conjunction with EASL 009 United States Culture.
    • EASL 009 United States Culture (1 credit)  Students will expand their knowledge of United States culture by learning the cultural historical processes from which United States cultural values have emerged as well as how they are expressed in contemporary times. Note: Taken in conjunction with EASL 008 Peer Tutoring II.
    • EASL 090 English for Theology Tutorials (1 to 6 credits per semester)  Individual or small group instruction. The content and level varies according to the individual’s needs and skill level. Topics range from pronunciation, speaking and listening comprehension to writing, vocabulary development and grammar. The focus is on instruction leading to the development of communication skills effective not only with academic audiences but also in preparation for priestly service. The tutorial is designed to improve speech clarity through the study and practice of sounds and rhythm patterns of North American English. Writing skills are developed through instruction centered on assignments from seminary classes. Grammar forms are learned both through traditional rule-based methods and in the context of writing. Vocabulary development focuses on mastery of terminology necessary for seminary studies. Repeatable, as needed.

Foreign Language electives

  • BIBLICAL GREEK 
    • GREK 950 Biblical Greek I (3)  First semester of a first year Greek course.  The course is intended for students beginning the study of New Testament Greek.  Upon completion of this course, the student will have acquired all of the basic grammar and vocabulary necessary to proceed to Biblical Greek II, the second half of this first year Greek course.  The material covered in this course will be primarily: a working vocabulary of about 350 Greek words; the indicative moods of the present, imperfect, future, and aorist tenses for verbs in the active, middle, and passive voices; nouns of the first and second declension; personal pronouns, demonstrative pronouns; the definite article; adjectives of the first and second declension; a number of major prepositions; some nouns of the third declension; and the primary function of case endings. The student is working toward acquiring a basic working knowledge of the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek in order to begin reading (during Biblical Greek II) selected passages of the Greek New Testament. (Offered odd academic years).
    • GREK 960 Biblical Greek II (3)GREK 960 is the second semester of a first year Greek course.  The course is intended for students who have had approximately one semester of New Testament Greek.  Upon completion of this course, the student will have acquired all of the basic grammar and vocabulary necessary to read, with some lexical help, New Testament Greek.  The material covered in this course will be primarily: a working vocabulary of about 650 Greek words; participles of all tenses and voices; remaining nouns of the third declension; contract verbs; principle parts of common verbs; subjunctive, infinitive, and imperative moods; common verbs of the “mi” conjugation; further usage of case endings; more adjectives; interrogatives; relative pronouns; liquid verbs. The student is working toward acquiring a basic working knowledge of the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek that will enable him to begin reading the Greek New Testament. Two semesters of Biblical Greek (GREK 950-960, or the equivalent) is required for the S.T.B. degree and may fulfill the language requirement for Sacred Scripture concentrators in the M.A.(theology) degree program. (Offered odd academic years).
    • Additional electives using Biblical Greek are offered through the Sacred Scripture department (see SCRP 970-980). 
  • BIBLICAL HEBREW
    • HEBR 950-960 Biblical Hebrew I and II (3 credits per semester)  An introduction to Biblical Hebrew designed to enable the student to read the Old Testament in Hebrew, building vocabulary by studying words based upon frequency of use. Basic grammar and syntax are explained. May fulfill the language requirement for Sacred Scripture concentrators in the M.A.(theology) degree program.
  • ECCLESIASTICAL LATIN
    • LATN 950-960 Ecclesiastical Latin I and II (3 credits per semester)  An introduction to the pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar of the Latin language as it has been used in the Christian Church. A basic reading proficiency in Ecclesiastical Latin is prerequisite for admission to the S.T.B. degree program. (Offered even academic years)
    • LATN 970-980 Liturgical Latin Refresher (1 credit/pass-fail per semester)  Readings in Ecclesiastical Latin in all genres and from all periods of the church. The course builds upon prior knowledge of the language, and assumes that students will have had two college semesters or the equivalent of classical or ecclesiastical Latin. This course will provide an opportunity for students to refresh their knowledge of Latin grammar and vocabulary and to apply their knowledge to the translation of Latin texts taken from the Missal.  The course is intended to be useful to (but is not limited to) those preparing to enroll in the Extraordinary Form practicum. (Offered odd academic years).
  • PASTORAL SPANISH
    • PATH 950-960 Beginning Pastoral Spanish I and II (3 credits per semester)  A course designed to equip seminarians with basic language skills necessary for work as a priest serving communities comprised in whole or in part of Spanish speaking parishioners. The course implements not only daily common vocabulary and grammar used in day to day situations, but emphasizes vocabulary and themes based on the Sacred Scripture and the Liturgy in any church community. The fall semester will cover chapters 1-3; and the spring semester chapters 4-7.
    • PATH 970-980 Intermediate Pastoral Spanish III and IV (3 credits per semester)  A course designed to equip seminarians with intermediate language skills necessary for work as a priest serving communities comprised in whole or in part of Spanish speaking parishioners. The course implements not only daily common vocabulary and grammar used in day to day situations, but emphasizes on vocabulary and themes based on the Sacred Scripture and the Liturgy in any church community. It is assumed that a beginner’s knowledge of the language has been acquired (present and past tenses).  The fall semester will focus on acquiring knowledge of the preterit and the imperfect (chapters 12-15) and the spring semester will cover chapters 12-15 of book. 
    • PATH 990 Advanced Pastoral Spanish (1-3 per semester)  Practice in the conversation and in the composition and delivery of homilies, or other compositions related to faith or morals in Spanish, emphasizing clarity of style and pronunciation. Repeatable, as needed.
    • PATH 921/922  Celebrando los Sacramentos: Practical Spanish (1.5)A practicum treating the rites in Spanish for Baptism, Confession, Anointing, and Marriage. Emphasis on the texts of these liturgies.  Pre-requisite: two semesters of Pastoral Spanish or its equivalent. This does not take the place of an elective, but is repeatable. Class to be scheduled at the convenience of the students. Pass/Fail.
    • Additional Spanish offerings through the university’s Department of Foreign Languages:

Liturgy cores and electives

  • LITY 501 Introduction to the Liturgy (3)  A general study of the sacred liturgy: theology, history and the renewal accomplished by Vatican II, with a concentration on the historical development of the Eucharistic Liturgy and the Liturgy of the Hours. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
  • LITY 701 Deacon Practicum (1)  A pastoral application of norms for the role of deacon at celebrations of the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction, Baptism, Marriage, Funeral Rites (Vigil and Committal), visitation of the sick (including Viaticum), and the Book of Blessings.  There will be introductory lectures and demonstrations on the various topics as well as actual practice celebrations, along with consideration of the structure and nature of the Pastoral Care of the Sick and the Book of Blessings.
  • LITY 801 Penance Practicum (1)  A pastoral application of norms for presiding at the celebration of Penance and Anointing. Pass/Fail. Taken in conjunction with SYST 801.
  • LITY 802 Mass Practicum (1)  A pastoral application of norms for presiding at the celebration of the Eucharist. Pass/Fail. Taken in conjunction with SYST 802.
Elective Courses: May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement.
  • LITY 901-905 Selected Topics/Directed Readings in Liturgical Studies (2)  This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. A recent offerings included:
    • The Historical Development of the Mass (fall 2017)
  • LITY 908 Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (2)  Instruction in serving and celebrating Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form, including practice celebrations.  Available each semester, but open only to 4th year students whose bishops have either required or given permission for them to learn the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (1962 Missal). Prerequisite:  Ecclesiastical Latin I and II, or equivalent.  Pass/Fail.

Moral Theology cores

  • MORL 501 Fundamental Moral Theology I (3)  Contextualizing our study within the Church’s universal call to holiness, we will in this class begin with the theistic underpinnings to all moral/ethical discussion and then move on to the Old Testament, Gospel and Pauline understanding of the moral life. We will then continue on through the patristic period of moral theology, with a particular focus on the moral insight of St. Augustine. Finally, we will come to St. Thomas’ masterful treatment of morality in the I-II and the II-II. Our goal, therefore, will be not only to identify and master the key moral concepts used by God’s people from the Old Testament to the golden age of Scholasticism; it will also be to appreciate the development in understanding God, Christ, and the human person and how these developments shaped the moral language and interests of the great theologians.  Required for the S.T.B., M.Div., and M.A. (theology) degree programs.  
  • MORL 502 Fundamental Moral Theology II (3)  Continuing our historically guided survey of Moral Theology, we will finish up our thomistic discussion with Aquinas’ treatment of the Theological Virtues. We will then proceed through the nominalist, reformed, and manualist/casuist attitudes to Morality, with a particular emphasis on the weaknesses inherent these models. Moving on to the twentieth century, we will look at Magisterial developments of Moral Theology in such landmark documents as Gaudium et Spes, Humane Vitae, and Veritatis Splendor. Deviations from authentic Catholic Moral Theology, such as teleological ethics (consequentialism and proportionalism), fundamental option theory, liberation theology, dissent, and deontological models divorced from human nature will be examined. Finally, we will conclude with an elucidation of fundamental tools of moral analysis, such as double-effect, kinds and degrees of cooperation, the principle of totality, etc., as well as their proper (and improper) application. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Moral Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) program.
  • MORL 602 Justice and the Social Teachings of the Church (3)  This second year core course examines magisterial teaching on social justice, with special attention to the central themes and principles of that doctrine, as applicable globally and to the American scene in particular, so as to enable the future priest to be an advocate for the social teachings of the Church. The course includes the commutative justice and potential parts of justice. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Moral Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) program.
  • MORL 801 Catholic Medical and Sexual Morality (3)  This fourth year core course and STB requirement examines in detail and applies Catholic moral teaching on issues of medical and sexual morality to the concrete questions of our own day.  The major documents of the Holy See will be reviewed and arguments presented to equip students to summarize, explain and defend the Church’s teaching on medical ethics and on the requirements of chastity for unmarried persons and homosexual persons. Particular attention is paid to the norms and arguments supportive of the norms of the most recent edition of the USCCB "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services," as well as the norms and arguments supportive of the norms of Catholic magisterial teaching on respect for human life and human sexuality.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Moral Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) program.
  • MORL 802 Sacrament of Marriage and Pastoral Care (3)  This course provides a theology of marriage that emphasizes both its natural goodness and its sacramentality. This theology is anchored in Sacred Scripture and Tradition, and serves as the context for a treatment of conjugal morality. In the first portion of the course, students will review the historical and theological developments pertaining to the sacrament of marriage, beginning with its biblical roots. The development of the sacrament of marriage then is traced: from the patristic era, through the Council of Trent, to key magisterial documents of the twentieth and twentieth-first centuries. Additionally, this course equips students for marriage preparation and to offer pastoral care to engaged couples, married couples and their families.  Required for the S.T.B., M.Div., and M.A. (theology) degree programs.

Moral Theology electives

May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement. M.A. (theology) degree candidates concentrating in Moral Theology, concomitant with elective requirement, take an additional one-credit directed research course for inclusion in the Research Projects Portfolio required for the degree.
  • MORL 901-905 Selected Topics/Directed Readings in Moral Theology (2)  This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. May fulfill a requirement for M.A. (theology) concentrators in moral theology. A recent offerings included:   
    • Gender and Genetics (spring 2019)
    • Charity and Clarity: The Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality (spring 2014)
    • Morality, Law and Policy in the Public Square
  • MORL 906 Survey of U.S. Catholic Moral Theologians (2)  This seminar will explore post-conciliar Catholic fundamental moral theology in the United States. Much contemporary US Catholic moral theological arena is characterized by polarization.  On one side we find revisionists who hold, inter alia, that one cannot reasonably hold exception-less behavioral moral norms. On the other hand are theorists who, inter alia, defend such moral absolutes.  The differences go much deeper, as did Veritatis Splendor which did not restrict its discussion to this one issue.  This seminar will explore similarities and differences on such issues as the use of scripture in moral theology, the place of experience in moral reflection, the centrality of the magisterium in matters moral, conscience, the place of Christ in Christian moral theology, etc. May fulfill a requirement for M.A. (theology) concentrators in moral theology. 
  • MORL 907 Readings from the Summa I (3)  The course will be a reading of the 1a2ae (First Part of the Second Part) of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae. It concerns the beginning of the reditus to God: man’s last end, and in detail how man is particularly endowed by nature and grace to journey to his goal. Attention is given to the structure of the human act, the passions in particular, and habits. Required for all S.T.B. candidates and recommended for M.A. (theology) candidates concentrating in moral theology.
  • MORL 908 Readings from the Summa II (3)  The course is a continuation of readings in the Summa, 2a2ae. Though useful, MORL 907 is not a prerequisite. The course deals with the theological and infused moral virtues, with their integral, subjective and potential parts. Special charisms and the states of life are also included. Required for all S.T.B. candidates and M.A. (theology) concentrators in moral theology.
  • MORL 909 Moral Theological Methodology: Case Studies  (2)  A seminar on the application of the principles of Catholic fundamental moral theology to specific issues (such as homosexuality, immigration, ecology, and privacy).  This course will serve to both assist students to understand and respond to timely issues facing the Church and society as well as to acquire skill more generally in identifying and applying Catholic moral principles to cases with an eye to pastoral strategy, promotion of the common good, and issues of cooperation and scandal.  Pre-requisite: Fundamental Moral Theology (MORL 501 and MORL 502).  May fulfill a requirement for M.A. (theology) concentrators in moral theology. 
  • MORL 912 Faith & Profit: Readings in Business Ethics (2)  Working from within the context of the Catholic Church’s Social Teaching, this course will examine the general principles and particular settings in which the life of Christian charity can and should permeate the workplace. The course will begin with basic social principles, including the good of business, the virtue of magnanimity, and the excellence of leadership, followed by a brief review of fundamental social rights and objectives, the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, and the nature of “human capital.” With this foundation, we will then examine particular issues such as job design, marketing, globalization, financialization, and communications technology, investment, family wage, full employment, work and family life, competition, development/fundraising, corporate ownership, women in the workplace, business and the environment, morally problematic goods and services, productivity and poverty, and finally the Sabbath obligation.   May fulfill a requirement for M.A. (theology) concentrators in moral theology. 
  • MORL 915  Truth and Beauty: 8th Commandment Issues (2)  Drawing upon Scripture, the magisterial tradition, the patristic authorities, and especially the work of Augustine and Aquinas, as well as more recent theologians like von Balthasar and Maritain, this course will examine the general principles and the specific ways in which beauty should play a central role in the Christian life. The course will begin by contextualizing our study within the framework of the Church’s teaching on truth as a fundamental value, with implications for news, social networking, and social communications media. We will then turn to an examination the environmental implications underscored by the beauty of the natural world, the first part of the course will reflect on the nature of beauty as such and its moral implications for a life of order, truth, integrity, innovation and passion, as well as a proper appreciation and concern for the human body as a singular instance of physical beauty. In the second section, the moral implications and demands of the fine arts, written, visual, auditory and gustatory will be considered. Finally, the moral obligation to employ beauty in the service of the human person’s supernatural destiny will also be examined. May fulfill a requirement for M.A. (theology) concentrators in moral theology. 

Ordination Program formation seminars

  • ORDN 001 Philosophy Formation Pro-Seminar (0)  Topics for this seminar are carefully chosen to benefit the Pre-Theologian and assist him to transition to seminary life effectively in order that he might take full advantage of the opportunities afforded him in seminary formation.  Class sessions are distributed throughout the year into four classifications with seminars addressing the four major areas of formation: Human Formation, Spiritual Formation, Intellectual Formation, and Pastoral Formation. Pass/fail.
  • ORDN 002 Philosophy Formation Seminar: Fides et Ratio (0)  Required of First Pre-Theologians.  The weekly seminar continues the topics of the four major areas of formation (Human Formation, Spiritual Formation, Intellectual Formation, and Pastoral Formation) introduced in the fall semester ORDN 001 Pre-Theology Formation Pro-Seminar.  Pass/fail.
  • ORDN 501 First Theology Formation Seminar: Celibate Witness (1 unit/0 credit)  Required for all Second Pre-theologians and new First Theologians, the weekly fall semester seminar covers “Living Celibacy Well.” In this seminar the seminarians learn the value and beauty of the celibate life and come to appreciate the many ways to live celibacy as a way to love in priestly ministry. Includes required formation workshops (2 days, 10 hours each) Pass/fail. 
  • ORDN 502 First Theology Formation Seminar: Public Speaking/Lector Workshop (0 credit)  Required for all First Theologians, the weekly spring semester seminar covers “Introduction to Public Speaking” as well as the “Lector Workshop.” Includes required formation workshops (2 days, 10 hours each). Pass/fail.
  • ORDN 601-602 Second Theology Formation Seminars: (1 unit/0 credit each semester)  The weekly seminar in the fall semester covers “Personal Conduct and Character of the Priest” and in the spring covers “Introduction to Parish Finances.” Includes required formation workshops. Pre-requisite: the completion of CAMS for Pastoral Finance. (fall and spring, 2 days, 10 hours each).  Pass/fail.
  • ORDN 701-702 Third Theology Formation Seminar:  (1 unit/0 credit each semester)  The weekly seminar in the fall semester covers “Pastoral Administration & Human Resources” and in the spring “Pastoral Leadership.” Includes required formation workshops. (fall and spring, 2 days, 10 hours each). Pass/fail.
  • ORDN 801-802 Fourth Theology Formation Seminar:  (1 unit/0 credit each semester)  The weekly seminar in the fall semester covers “Transition to the Priesthood.” The spring is the Priesthood Assessment Integration Seminar (PAIS). Includes required formation workshops (fall and spring, 2 days, 10 hours each). Pass/fail.
  • ORDN 010 Pastoral Year Internship (12 hours equivalency/each semester)  The pastoral year is an appointment by the (Arch)Bishop. This provides the seminarian invaluable internship experience within the parish, as well as opportunities for formation and discernment.  Such seminarians may register for this full-time equivalency internship. Further information regarding the “contract” and supervisor’s evaluation can be found in the Pastoral Formation section of the Seminarian Handbook. Pass/fail.

Pastoral Music cores

  • PAMU 001-002 Introduction to Pastoral Music I (0.5 per semester)  The course is a practicum in which students learn basic singing skills: posture, breathing, diction.  Attention is given to matching pitch and singing melodies in unison with the class, in smaller ensembles and then alone. Discussions, readings, demonstrations and rehearsals are used to help students learn these skills. Pairs of students are assigned to lead the singing at an Evening Prayer liturgy on an obligatory/optional memorial/Commemoration day when the Responsory and Gospel Canticle are sung.  Pass/fail.
  • PAMU 003-004 Introduction to Pastoral Music II (0.5 per semester)  The course is a practicum that reviews basic vocal production skills. Attention is given to producing “a pleasing tone” while accurately matching pitch. Diction, especially enunciation of vowels, is emphasized and practiced. Each student is assigned to sing the Responsory and Gospel Canticle at EP on an obligatory/optional memorial during second semester. Pairs of students are assigned to chant the Gospel Acclamation and Communion antiphon at daily Mass during the second semester.  Pass/fail.
  • PAMU 501-502 Pastoral Music I (0.5 per semester)  The course is a practicum designed to help seminarians learn to read Gregorian chant notation to the extent that it is necessary for a priest to sing the Mass propers. Other repertoire consists of standard Latin hymns from the St. Michael Hymnal and the Worship 4th edition hymnal. Recollection of previously emphasized vocal techniques-posture, breathing, pitch accuracy-will obtain to achieve "a pleasing tone." In the spring semester, each student is assigned to an ensemble from the class to chant the proper offertory and communion antiphon from Simple English Propers by Adam Bartlett during a Sunday Mass. Pass/fail.
  • PAMU 601-602 Pastoral Music II (0.5 per semester)  The course is a study of the Church through her music. It begins with Gregorian chant and ends with the period just prior to Vatican II. The course emphases include the development of music in general, how the musical developments in a given era created problems for the liturgy, and the reforms that the Church proposed.  Each class both semesters includes music listening examples from the era under study, plus chanting from the Simple English Propers by Adam Bartlett, as well as Marian antiphons and other examples of standard chant repertoire as it appears in our hymnals (Worship, 4th edition and St Michael).  In the spring semester the study continues with the period just prior to Vatican II and continues to the present. Subsequently, students may suggest a series of topics relating to aspects of a parish music program incorporating their interests and concerns. Aspects of each topic may be presented by a student who has expertise in a particular area while other topics are presented by the instructor. Pass/fail.
  • PAMU 701-702 Pastoral Music III (0.5 per semester)  The course is a practicum which allows students to focus on chanting, in a ‘pleasing tone’, those parts of the liturgy appropriated to a deacon. In the fall, the music repertoire concentrates on the chants for Benediction, Morning & Evening Prayer, Marian antiphons, Stabat Mater for Stations of the Cross and numerous Kyries in both English and Spanish. Additionally, students learn the Christmas Proclamation, the Announcement of Easter and Movable Feasts and the Easter Proclamation. Other repertoire such as new music for use during house liturgies is rehearsed also. In the spring, students learn to chant the Exsultet, the Gospel and the Easter, Pentecost and Corpus Christi Sequences. Pass/fail.
  • PAMU 801-802 Pastoral Music IV (0.5 per semester)  The course is a practicum designed to give deacons the opportunity to learn/review/practice those parts of the Mass that are intoned by the priest. Among them are the prayers and collects for Mass/MP/EP/Benediction, opening/closing dialogues for MP/EP/Benediction, dialogues around the Gospel, the Gospel itself, the dismissal at Mass, the Penitential Rite and Solemn Blessings for weddings, funerals and other liturgies as well as proper prefaces for Mass. Students are encouraged to practice chanting the preface for their first Masses during class. Other chants to be reviewed are the Proclamation of Christmas and the Announcement of Easter and the Movable Feasts. The Church’s plan for the “Degrees of Solemnity” guides the learning of the deacon’s parts of the Mass and the similar Mount document governs those portions of LOH that the deacon is expected to chant. In the spring semester, additional liturgical music comes from the liturgies for Holy Week, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Pass/fail.

Pastoral Theology cores and electives

  • PATH 804 Pastoral Counseling (3)This fourth theology core will establish a perspective of the priest to psychology, consider the limitations of modern psychology, and highlight the advantages of the church’s vision of reality and its benefit to mental health. It will then consider the nature of rational psychology and put it into practical aspects of pastoral counseling.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
Elective Courses: May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement.
  • PATH 901-904 Topics in Pastoral Theology (2) This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Topics to be considered include marriage lectionary, military chaplaincy, catechetics, youth ministry, ministry to the sick, dying, and bereaved; campus ministry; apologetics (may be cross-listed with other departments). Recent offerings included:
    • Statistics and the New Evangelization (spring 2017)
    • Strategies in the Formation of Laity (spring 2011)
  • PATH 905 Directed Readings in Pastoral Theology (2)  Seminarians may propose a credit bearing project under the direction of any faculty member. Such projects may be suggested by a particular pastoral focus, their pastoral placement, a language/culture immersion program, a particular workshop, or a formation seminar. Proposals for such a course follow the standard procedure for independent study programs. 
  • PATH 906 Hispanic Ministry (3)  A study of Hispanic ministry in the United States today: various issues and perspectives, challenges, and options facing the church as Hispanic ministry continues to develop in the United States.  Required for the Hispanic Ministry Certificate, this course may be conducted as an independent study which incorporates directed readings in the Hispanic Ministry documents, placement in a setting with Hispanic ministry opportunities, and a directed research project focused on pastoral themes.  
  • PATH 907 Spiritual Direction (2)  The course is aimed at equipping the future priest to offer spiritual direction in his future parish ministry to various classes of person. The purpose of spiritual direction will be examined, along with the qualities of the director, the different areas of spiritual formation, and possible methods to employ. Enrollment usually limited to third and fourth theologians. (Cross-listed as SPIR 907)
  • PATH 910 Pastoral Theology (3)  An investigation of official church teaching regarding pastoral theology and pastoral ministry, as well as key theological texts on the pastoral activities of priests and laity. Students will also explore the biblical theology, key historical writings and the example of the saints to come to understand the normative as well as speculative Catholic pastoral theology.
  • PATH 911 Military Chaplaincy (2)  An exploration of the Roman Catholic military chaplaincy - from its historic roots to current day practice. Recommended for co-sponsored seminarians in all branches of service.
  • PATH 912 History of the Church in Latin America (2)  A study of Latin American church history from colonial times to the present day. Emphasis is given to contemporary issues such as liberation theology, basic Christian communities, shortages of priests, growth of lay leadership, and the Medellín, Puebla and Santo Domingo Conferences. May fulfill a requirement for the Hispanic Ministry Certificate. (Cross-listed as CHUR 912)
  • PATH 913 Hispanics and the Church in the USA (2)  A study of the importance of the Hispanic factor in the church in the United States. Emphasis is given to the richness of the Hispanic cultures, past and new movements of immigration, and the manner in which the church is attempting to meet Hispanic needs. May fulfill a requirement for the Hispanic Ministry Certificate. (Cross-listed as CHUR 913)
  • PATH 917 Pastoral Theology of Youth Ministry (2)  Evangelization and pastoral care of the youth and young adults requires specialized training for Parish Priests.  While instincts and natural inclination to serve young people in the church and in the modern world may come naturally for some ministers, there are techniques based on sound Catholic Theology that can provide all future priests an opportunity to grow in knowledge and confidence in this much needed field of pastoral activity.  Church Documents, emphasis on authentic spiritual conversion, scriptural references, as well as best pastoral practices will be offered to seminarians as a way encourage and strengthen their resolve in serving a sector of society that seeks  guidance, direction and care from a loving shepherd. 

Pastoral Formation Experience placements

  • PFED 003-004 Philosophy Placement:  (non-credit)  The pre-theology pastoral formation provides optional opportunities for introductory supervised experiences with the hungry, the homeless, the sick and the marginalized, and other opportunities for service and evangelization. Pass/fail.
  • PFED 501-502 First Theology Placement: Catechetics and Teaching Ministry (1 per semester)  Supervised ministry in catechetics and teaching: Seminarians gain an awareness and working knowledge of the role of religious education in the pastoral mission of the Church, a basic competence for catechesis, and age appropriate lesson planning. [Parish religious education programs or Catholic schools]. Required for the M.Div. degree program and expected of all S.T.B. candidates. Pass/fail.
  • PFED 599 Teaching/ Catechesis Prep (0 credit)  This course provides foundational background on Catholic schools, educational pedagogy, classroom management, and collaborating with faculty. Fall semester.  Pass/fail.
  • PFED 601-602 Second Theology Placement: Health Care or Social Services Ministry (1 per semester)  Supervised ministry in health care or social services: Seminarians develop effective listening skills, an understanding of collaborative ministry, and the ability to extend pastoral charity to the sick, the needy, and the marginalized [hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, immigration services, youth and young adult ministries, rehabilitation services for the homeless]. Required for the M.Div. degree program. Pass/fail.
  • PFED 701-702 Third Theology Placement: Evangelization Ministry (1 per semester)  Supervised ministry in evangelization or social services: Seminarians continue to develop relational skills needed to relate to people across the generations, to grow in their capacity for exercising pastoral leadership, to engage in collaborative ministry, and to acquire ecumenical sensitivity [parish ministry, ministry to youth and young adults, campus ministry, adult religious education, Order of Christian Initiation for Adults]. Required for the M.Div. degree program. Pass/fail.
  • PFED 801-802 Fourth Theology Placement: Parish Ministry (1 per semester)  Parish ministry: Seminarians shall have a sense of self as servant leaders in the Church. Deacons regularly preach during Sunday Masses and participate in other sacramental celebrations as directed by the pastor. Pass/fail.
  • PFED 900 Summer Placement (0)  Seminarians assigned by their diocese to a summer placement in a local parish may register for this placement. Further information regarding

Philosophy cores and electives

  • PTHL 001 Catechism and Catechetics I (3)  This course seeks to introduce students, who may or may not have a fully developed comprehension of Catholic doctrine and tradition, to a thorough and systematic study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, beginning with the creedal foundations of doctrine in Pillar 1,  “The Profession of Faith” and continuing with the sacramental system of the Church in Pillar 2, “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery.”  Students will also be introduced to the USCCB Catechism for Adults and the YouCat edition of the Catechism. Prerequisite for the S.T.B. degree program.
  • PTHL 002 Catechism and Catechetics II (3)  This course treats content of the third and fourth pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and gives attention to how this content may be effectively taught to youth and adults by a study and comparison of the Universal Catechism and the USCCB Catechism for Adults and the YouCat edition of the Catechism.  Building on the foundation of Christian faith (Pillar 1) and of the sacramental system of the Church (Pillar 2) we will study the moral life worthy of the dignity of a Christian called to live the Gospel of Christ in Pillar III.  Concluding our course, the course continues to Pillar IV the teachings on Christian Prayer as the living out of the mystery of our faith in relationship with God.  This course prepares candidates for the two day workshop on Catechetics and the year-long pastoral field education placement in Catholic Education.  S.T.B. candidates are expected to complete both the workshop and the placement as a requirement of their program.
  • PTHL 004 Prayer According to the Scriptures (2)  A study of the selected prayers and instructions for prayer in both the Old and New Testaments with special attention to the Psalms and to the prayers of Jesus. Examples of the Christian use of the Bible for various forms of meditative prayer will also be studied. The course provides the opportunity to consider helping others to use the Bible for prayer.
  • PTHL 005 Vocation, Discernment, and the Spiritual Exercises (2)  An introduction to the concepts of personal vocation, the dynamics of discernment, and key elements of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Aimed at pre-theologians, it can also be taken as an elective in the Ordination Formation program.
  • PTHL 006 Introduction to Vatican II Documents (2)  Overview of the historical and theological context of the Second Vatican Council; survey of its documents and their continuing implementation in the life of the Church.
  • PPHL 505 Natural Theology (3)  This course examines the truths about God that can be known through reason. It focuses principally on the natural theology of St. Thomas Aquinas and concludes with a discussion of contemporary approaches to natural theology. (Cross-listed as MAP 505)
  • PPHL 506 Philosophical Anthropology (3)  This course introduces students to the philosophy of the human person, tracing the development of philosophical anthropology through the writings of major philosophers, and culminating in the personalism of Pope John Paul II. (Cross-listed as MAP 506)
  • PPHL 901 Cosmology (3)  As the philosophical study of the origin, constitution, and destiny of the physical universe, cosmology serves as both bridge from the tangible world to metaphysics and natural prelude to the theology of creation. After some introductory lectures that explore the nature of philosophical thinking and distinguish it from theology, cosmology is situated within the larger philosophical domain. Then a historical inquiry is begun that traces cosmology's path through Western history, beginning with the Greeks, continuing through the medieval and modern periods, and concluding with contemporary thought. Here the question of the relation of cosmology to contemporary science is directly engaged. Selections from primary texts selections supplement an accessible contemporary author who serves as our pathfinder for investigating the mysteries of the universe and its suggestions of a hidden Causer standing

Philosophy/MAPS-Philosophy courses

Offered through the Department of Philosophy (descriptions of additional electives available in the  university's Graduate Catalog).
  • PHIL 202 Logic and Philosophical Methods (3)  An examination of the nature of arguments and the principles of right reasoning and an endeavor to foster in students the habit of critical thinking. (pre-requisite for M.A.P.S. degree program)
  • MAP 501 Ethics/Moral Philosophy (3)  An inquiry into the nature of the moral good, the structures of moral agency and the proper criteria for making choices that bear on human beings and their well-being. (Cross-listed as PHIL 301)
  • MAP 511 Ancient Philosophy (3)  An investigation of the development of Western philosophy from the Pre- Socratic period through Plato and Aristotle to Neo-Platonism. (Cross-listed as PHIL 311)
  • MAP 512 Medieval Philosophy (3)  An investigation of the development of Western philosophy from the early Middle Ages to the Renaissance. (Cross-listed as PHIL 312)
  • MAP 513 Modern Philosophy (3)  An investigation of the development of Western philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries. (Cross-listed as PHIL 313)
  • MAP 514 Contemporary Philosophy (3)  An investigation of the development of contemporary philosophy through selected topics and readings. (Cross-listed as PHIL 314)
  • MAP 518 Epistemology/Philosophy of Knowledge (3)  An investigation of the nature of knowledge and its properties, namely truth, certitude and probability. Readings representative of different historical periods will be studied. (Cross-listed as PHIL 318)
  • MAP 521 Metaphysics (3) An investigation of the nature of beings; topics examined include the one and the many, being and nonbeing, the nature of substance, monism versus dualism and causality. Readings representative of different historical periods will be studied. (Cross-listed as PHIL 321)
  • MAP 523 Political Philosophy (3)  An investigation of the nature of political society through an examination of the concepts of political authority, civil obligation, state neutrality, equality and just distribution. (required for all potential S.T.B. degree candidates)
  • MAP 599 Qualifying Research Paper (1)  The qualifying paper is an opportunity to demonstrate research of and sustained argument about a specific philosophical topic. It is more substantial than a typical term paper, and should show some engagement with relevant primary sources and secondary scholarship. It may, but need not, involve revising and extending a paper originally developed for a class assignment.

Sacred Scripture cores

  • SCRP 501 Introduction to Scripture: Wisdom and Psalms (3)  This course provides the student with an introduction to biblical studies.  Students are introduced to principles and methods of Catholic biblical interpretation: inspiration and inerrancy; the formation of the canon; the relationship of the Old and New Testament, biblical typology, etc. The development of biblical manuscripts and translations is covered, as is a survey of the history of biblical interpretation over the centuries is included. Students are introduced to various methods of biblical exegesis, both ancient (e.g., allegory) and modern / contemporary (e.g., form, source, redaction criticism) and informed of their strengths and limitations, as per the Church’s Scripture documents.  Students will apply their knowledge from the course in the writing of an exegesis paper on a biblical text; specifically, on a passage from either the Psalms or Wisdom literature. Required for the S.T.B., M.Div., and M.A. (theology) degree programs.
  • SCRP 502 Pentateuch and the Historical Books (3)  This course provides the student with an introduction to the Pentateuch and Historical Books of the Old Testament (Gen-Deut; Joshua, Judges, I, II Sam, I, II Ki, I, II Chron, Ezra, Neh., I, II Macc.). This course follows SCRP 501 in the curriculum.  Students will read through each of the biblical book with emphasis upon those passages contained in the Sunday Lectionary. The theological, historical and literary features of each book will be discussed, along with their larger contributions in the canon of Scripture.  Through careful study, students will gain a clearer understanding of these biblical books in order to preach and teach them effectively. Students will apply their knowledge from the course in the writing of an exegesis paper on a discrete passage from one of these biblical books.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and Sacred Scripture concentrators in M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • SCRP 601 The Prophets (3)  An introduction to the Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament. After briefly dealing with the general nature of prophecy and the non-writing prophets, the course will treat the prophets in chronological order: pre-exilic prophets, exilic prophets and post-exilic prophets. Each prophet will be studied in his historical and political context before examining his main teaching and theology and reading select passages from his book. Preference will be giving to passages in the Sunday and weekday lectionaries.  Each passage will be read firstly at the literal level, and then, only if appropriate, will be read Christologically.  Thus Christ and the Church will be seen anticipated in the Prophets.  The apocalyptic material will also be studied, giving attention to the lectionary passages, which can be found principally in Isaiah 24-27; Zechariah, parts of Joel, Daniel and also elsewhere in the Prophets. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and Sacred Scripture concentrators in M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • SCRP 602 Matthew and Mark (3)  This course is an introduction to the synoptic Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Both Gospels will be read in their entirety by the student.  Both Gospels will be treated in their entirety via an overview survey.  Selected passages will be given a detailed exegesis. The course will enable the student to gain some familiarity with and competence in the methodology of Catholic Biblical interpretation. The student will be given a general introduction to each book under consideration: a discussion of authorship, dating, provenance, overall purpose, distinctive themes and theological emphases, and literary structure. Within the overall discussion of the synoptic problem, source criticism, tradition criticism, and redaction criticism will be discussed.  The student will become familiar with a number of commentaries on the Gospels of Matthew and Mark–notably some commentaries by prominent English-speaking Catholic scholars–in the process of writing exegesis papers.  Another emphasis in the course is to give the student some appreciation of the importance of Old Testament traditions and background in understanding and interpreting the New.   Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
  • SCRP 701 Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles (3)  This course is an introduction to the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles which are treated as Luke-Acts, i.e. a double work authored by Luke. Following questions of authorship, dating, and Lukan theology, the course examines select passages of the Gospel, especially the lectionary passages, examining what distinguishes this Gospel from the other Synoptics, both theologically and from a literary point of view. Items receiving particular attention include the Infancy Narratives, the Passion and Resurrection Narratives, Parables, Miracles, the Sermon on the Plain and the Travel Narrative.  Acts is studied as “Volume Two” of Luke’s double work and the flowering of the distinctive theology of the Gospel.  In Acts the gospel spreads out from Jerusalem, then to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the end of the earth.  A major component in the theology of Acts is justification of the baptism of Gentiles without prior circumcision. Required for the S.T.B., M.Div., and M.A. (theology) degree programs.
  • SCRP 702 Gospel of John, Letters of John, Book of Apocalypse (3)  The course is an introduction to the Gospel and Letters of John and to the Book of Apocalypse.  After discussing historical questions of authorship, redaction, dating, and the situation of the Johannine community, the course will proceed by way of exegesis of the Gospel, pericope by pericope.  In the Book of Signs attention will be given to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Sabbath and the Jewish Feasts of Passover, Tabernacles and Dedication.  Sacramental theology throughout the Gospel will receive attention, e.g. baptismal theology in many chapters; Eucharistic theology in John 6; sacerdotal theology in John 17.  Following the Gospel the Letters of John will be exegeted and there will be an overview of Johannine theology. The course will conclude with an introduction to apocalypticism and the Book of Apocalypse which will be followed by exegesis of the Book of Apocalypse pericope by pericope. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
  • SCRP 801 The Pauline Literature and Pastoral Letters (3)  This course is an introduction to the Letters traditionally attributed to St. Paul as well as a brief introduction to the Letter to the Hebrews.  An introduction to the life and theology of St. Paul, drawn from both the Book of Acts and Paul’s letters, will begin the course.  This will give the student some historical perspective on Paul’s conversion and missionary activity as well as an overview of the main contours of his theology.  A general introduction will be given for each letter: a discussion of authorship, dating, provenance, overall purpose, distinctive themes and theological emphases, and literary structure.  At the heart of the course is the endeavor to equip students with a methodology for interpreting and understanding the Pauline Literature, giving the student a facility in using Paul’s writings in preaching, teaching, and personal spirituality. These interpretive skills will be honed via the five exegesis papers and through detailed classroom analysis of select portions from each letter that will give the student training in Catholic exegetical methodology.   Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and Sacred Scripture concentrators in M.A. (theology) degree program.

Sacred Scripture electives

May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement. M.A. (theology) degree candidates concentrating in Sacred Scripture, concomitant with the elective requirement, take an additional one-credit directed research course for inclusion in the Research Projects Portfolio required for the degree.
  • SCRP 901-904 Topics in Sacred Scripture (2) This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Recent offerings included:
    • Biblical Worldview of the Inklings (fall 2017)
  • SCRP 914 -915 Themes in Biblical Theology (2) This course will afford the opportunity for students to study one specialized topic, or several interrelated topics, which are treated more generally in the core courses in Sacred Scripture (e.g., the priesthood, the apostles) in much greater depth. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Recent offerings have included:  
    • Vocation and Sacred Scripture (spring 2018, spring 2016)
    • Biblical Mysteries of the Rosary (fall 2015, fall 2012)
    • The House of God: A Biblical Theology of the Temple (fall 2014)
    • Call and Vocation in Scripture (spring 2014)
    • Death and Resurrection in the OT and NT (fall 2013)
    • Biblical Christology of Pope Benedict XVI (fall 2011)
    • The Holy Land and the Seminarian (spring 2011)
    • Vocation and Priesthood in the Scriptures (spring 2013/spring 2012-online/fall 2010-online/fall 2008/fall 2007)
    • Scriptural Apologetics (spring 2010)
  • SCRP 916-918 Exegetical Studies of Selected Texts (2)This course is an in-depth study of selected books of the Bible (e.g., Hebrews, Psalms) or a selected genre from the Scriptures (e.g., the Parables, Sermons on the Mount/Plain), with special emphasis on interpretation valuable for the ministry of the priest. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Recent offerings have included:
    • Seeking the Face of Christ thru the Four Senses of Scripture (fall 2018)
    • Letter to the Hebrews (spring 2017, spring 2015)
    • Interpreting the Psalms (spring 2013)
    • Studies in the Parables of Jesus (spring 2009/spring 2008/fall 2005)
    • Acts of the Apostles (spring 2009/spring 2008/spring 2005)
    • Studies in the Sermon on the Mount (spring 2007)
  • SCRP 921 Biblical Hebrew for Today’s Pastor (2)This 2-credit elective offers an introduction to biblical Hebrew.  As a “terminal” elective (one-semester only) this is a unique opportunity to be formally exposed to the language – with an eye to preaching and teaching.  Objectives are modest -- to better appreciate the wonder and beauty of biblical Hebrew through an overview and introduction to the language.  Specifically, students will: (1) to develop basic skills to read / pronounce the Hebrew alphabet and basic units of speech, using the “Tiberian vocalization” and Masoretic vowel system; (2) to learn common Hebrew vocabulary and to some extent, the “structure” of the language, especially its verbs; (3) to gain spiritual insights from Scripture by unlocking the meaning of key words and phrases, prayers, etc.—as well as to learn how to do basic “word study” in biblical Hebrew. (MA (theol)/sacred scripture concentrators may register for the concomitant SCRP 921-m “1 cr. research project”.) 
  • SCRP 970 Readings in Greek:   (2)  Both an intermediate Greek and an exegesis course, it builds on the knowledge acquired in first-year Greek.  By means of a careful reading of the Greek text of selected portions of John or Luke, the students’ skills in the basic grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek will be strengthened.  Exegetical analysis will also strengthen the students’ skills in the methodology of Catholic Biblical interpretation. (May be cross-listed as GREK 970) Prerequisite: GREK 960 (Offered in the fall of even academic years).
    • The Gospel of John (fall 2018)
    • Luke and the Passion Narratives (spring 2019)

Spiritual Theology cores and electives

  • SPIR 501 Christian Spirituality (3)  This course covers the origins and development of Christian spirituality, with attention to its sources, principles and practices through the centuries. The direct and integral relationship between sound theology and spirituality and the acceptance of genuine human nature as created and redeemed by God are kept in focus. The first half of the course focuses on the historical emergence of Christian spirituality, distinguishing causes and effects in various cultural expressions. The second half of the course highlights dimensions of the Christian spiritual tradition appropriate for priestly spirituality and ministry. Offered from a Catholic perspective, the entire course encourages the integration of spiritual reading, personal prayer, private devotion, liturgical prayer and the pastoral application of spirituality for future priestly ministry.  Required for the S.T.B., M.Div., and M.A. (theology) degree programs.
Elective courses: May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement.
  • SPIR 907 Spiritual Direction (2)  The course is aimed at equipping the future priest to offer spiritual direction in his future parish ministry to various classes of person. The purpose of spiritual direction will be examined, along with the qualities of the director, the different areas of spiritual formation, and possible methods to employ. Enrollment usually limited to third and fourth theologians. (May be cross-listed as PATH 902).
  • SPIR 908 Themes in Spirituality (2)This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Offerings include:
    • History of Spiritual Renewal in France from the 17th – 19th Centuries (fall 2017 and fall 2018)
    • Therese of Lisieux (fall 2013 and fall 2011)
    • Fulton Sheen (spring 2011)

Systematic Theology cores

  • SYST 501 Revelation, Faith, and Theology (3)  This introductory course in systematic theology also doubles as an introduction to theology in general and systematic theology in particular. It studies what our faith begins with: God’s first revealing Himself to us. Rooted in the Church’s Magisterium, theology is presented as the formal study of Revelation and the primary intellectual primary response to it in faith. First, the nature, content, methods, and history of Catholic theology as a particularly critical response to faith are presented. Second, faith itself is examined as the primary human response to God’s personal revelation as it is present in the Church and individual. Finally, the meaning, sources, interpretation, transmission, and development of Revelation are elucidated. Our pathfinder is St. Thomas Aquinas, who provides us with grounding principles for understanding the subject matter and helps to integrate the three themes reflected in the course title. Required for the S.T.B., M.Div., and M.A. (theology) degree programs.
  • SYST 502 Theology of the Tri-personal God (3)  This course familiarizes students with Magisterial teaching about the Holy Trinity, and the historical doctrinal errors this teaching seeks to correct.  Using texts from Joseph Ratzinger (as was at publication of course materials), St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Bl. John Henry Newman the course will explore various Scriptural and theological explanations of the Church’ doctrine on the Trinity.  Next, this course examines speculations in Trinitarian theology from Karl Rahner, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and other contemporary trends in the light of previous course material.  Finally, we will briefly survey some catechetical tools and methods for teaching the doctrine of the Trinity. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
  • SYST 604 Sacraments: Baptism and Confirmation (3)  A study of the nature of sacramentality, and of the sacraments in general, and their relationship to Christ and the church. Baptism and Confirmation as initiation into the church: their biblical sources, historical and liturgical development, and contemporary questions, including catechetical considerations. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Systematic Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) program.
  • SYST 605 Grace I: Protology and Anthropology (3)  This is the first course of a two-part study of divine gratuity in the orders of nature and grace. This course, also known as the Theology of Creation and the Human Person, employs Scriptural, historical, and above all systematic approaches to investigate the overarching mysteries of creation and the human person as well as the ancillary teachings these mysteries imply: the created order, Divine Providence, the mystery of evil, science and belief, and the nature and powers of the human person. St. Thomas Aquinas, whose presentation of these issues are amenable to embracing later and corrective insights of the Catholic tradition, human reason, and common experience, serves as master guide for organizing the various dimensions of these mysteries into a coherent whole.  Required for the S.T.B., M.Div., and M.A. (theology) degree programs.
  • SYST 606 Grace II: Grace and the Theological Virtues (3)  As the second course of a two-part study of divine gratuity in the orders of nature and grace, this course is comprised of three tracts: select questions in theological anthropology, grace, and the theological virtues. (1) The anthropological issues treated provide the background for the mystery of grace: the human person as image of God, the original state, and the Fall with its consequences. (2) St. Thomas Aquinas, whose teachings are coordinated with earlier and later insights of the Catholic tradition and human reason, serves as master guide for organizing the various mysteries of grace into a coherent whole. These include the Old and New Laws, necessity, nature, kinds, causes and effects of grace, the new life of grace offered by Jesus Christ, the relation of uncreated to created grace, the relation of grace to the sacraments, and the divine indwelling. (3) St. Thomas’s teachings are also consulted for a detailed treatment of hope and love (faith having been treated in SYST 501) as supernatural dispositions that enable one to live the graced life now and prepare for its undying expression later. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
  • SYST 704 Holy Orders (3)  A systematic study on the Sacrament of Holy Orders: the Scriptural foundations, patristic sources, and the history of the development of the ecclesial understanding of the deacon, presbyter and bishop.  Attention will be given to the minister’s configuration to Christ, priest, prophet and pastor. The course will include a study of documents of the Magisterium that pertain to Holy Orders, as well as a consideration of various contemporary theological, ecumenical and pastoral issues.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.
  • SYST 705 Christology and Soteriology (3)  The central mystery of the Christian faith is Christ: who he is and what he has done for us. Although each of these topics implies the other, the first aspect of the mystery is emphasized in Christology (in the specific sense) and the second aspect is emphasized in Soteriology. Due to time limitations, this course will devote most time to Christology. While the method is primarily systematic, historical and textual considerations are included in order to present key historical moments and documents in the Church's theological elucidation of the mystery of Christ and his salvific work. After the nature and method of the discipline is introduced and various principles are enunciated, classical Christology is examined from the perspectives of a Catholic reading of the Christology of the New Testament; its development in the controver­sies, councils, and Fathers of the early Church; St. Thomas Aqui­nas's synthe­sis in the Summa Theologiae's first tract on Christ; the problems that arose in the modern period; and a brief look at contemporary approaches to Christology. With a similar methodology, Soteriology begins with introductory lectures that situate the discipline and provide a general overview of the questions to be addressed. Its career is photographed at key historical moments: emergence from the pages of Sacred Scripture, major developments in the Patristic period, the sharpened articulations of the medieval period, particularly those of St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Reformation teachings. The course concludes by attempting an adequate Soteriology that does justice to redemption as forgiveness, ontology, liberation, reconciliation, satisfaction, and redemptive love.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Systematic Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program. (Note: effective fall 2019 SYST 705 will cover only Christology)
  • SYST 705  Christology (3) – new description, revision effective fall 2019  The central mystery of the Christian faith is Christ: who he is and what he has done for us. Although each of these topics implies the other, the first aspect of the mystery is emphasized in Christology and the second aspect is emphasized in Soteriology (SYST 804). While the method here is primarily systematic, historical and textual approaches are included in order to present key historical moments and documents in the Church's theological elucidation of the mystery of Christ and his salvific work. After the nature and method of the discipline is introduced and various principles are enunciated, classical Christology is examined from the perspectives of a Catholic reading of the Christology of the New Testament and its development in the controver­sies, councils, and Fathers of the early Church. This is followed by a presentation of Thomistic teachings located in the Summa Theologiae's first tract on Christ. Finally, some contemporary authors, including Benedict XVI, are examined for their responses to questions that first arose in the modern period. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Systematic Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • SYST 707 Ecclesiology I (3)  This course provides a systematic overview of the origin, nature and mission of the Church. The Church’s historically emerging self-understanding is presented in relationship to the mysteries of the Trinity, Incarnation and redemptive Grace. The ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council will be studied with particular attention. After a general introduction, the course will investigate the Church in its Marian, Petrine and Pauline dimensions. The course will also look carefully at the “Universal Call to Holiness” and the paths of holiness in the Christian states of life. A summary overview of the Mariological Doctrines is included in this treatment. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Systematic Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program. (Note: effective fall 2019 SYST 707 Ecclesiology will be reduced to 1-credit; however combined with SYST 709 and SYST 711 will fulfill the previous degree requirement)    
  • SYST 707 Ecclesiology (1) – new description, revision effective fall 2019  This course provides a systematic overview of the origin, nature and mission of the Church, with reference both to the biblical data and to its historical development.  Particular attention will be given to the ecclesiology articulated at the Second Vatican Council with reference to the Church as Body and Bride. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Systematic Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • SYST 709 Ecumenism and Missiology (1) – new core, effective fall 2019  The course studies the major magisterial documents related to ecumenism and missiology, the major interreligious dialogues, ecumenical dialogues, the various forms of ecumenical cooperation, and missionary work.  This offers a foundation for graduating seminarians to participate and minister effectively in ecumenical activities, such as common prayer, worship and dialogue at the parish and diocesan levels with other Christians, inter-religious prayer and dialogue at the parish and diocesan levels, which is included in the mission of the Church to preach the Gospel everywhere, to all, at all times.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Systematic Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • SYST 711 Mariology (1) - new core, effective fall 2019  This course offers an introduction to the Church’s faith regarding Mary, the Mother of God through examination and reflection upon the biblical, historical, and dogmatic dimensions of this faith, with particular reference to Mary as type of the Church and embodiment of its eschatological hope. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs, and for Systematic Theology concentrators in the M.A. (theology) degree program.
  • SYST 801 Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Anointing (2)  The course will include a theological investigation of the mystery of sin and sickness in light of Christ’s paschal mystery, the foundation of the Sacraments of Penance and Anointing in the New Testament, an historical and theological study of the development of the sacraments of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick, a thorough investigation of  the rites for the celebration of these sacraments, a plan for the pastoral renewal of the Sacrament of Penance, a study of the Sacred Canons on Penance, Indulgences, and the Anointing of the sick, and pastoral issues such as First Penance, the Pastoral Care of the Sick and the Dying, Spiritual Direction, and the Doctrine of Indulgences. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs. Ordination candidates also take concomitant LITY 801 Penance and Anointing Practicum (1 credit).
  • SYST 802 Holy Eucharist (2)  A historical and systematic study of the Eucharist: the Scripture texts, patristic sources, theological development, and contemporary conciliar and papal teaching, as well as a presentation of the appropriate Canons on the Eucharist from the Code of Canon Law.  Emphasis on the Eucharist under four aspects:  memorial sacrifice, sacramental presence, sign of unity, and eschatological banquet. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs. Ordination candidates also take LITY 802 Holy Eucharist Practicum (1 credit).
  • SYST 803 Ecclesiology II (3)  A theological and pastoral course on the foundation, principles, goals and practice of ecumenism and missionary activity in the church today. The course studies the major magisterial documents related to ecumenism and missiology, the major interreligious dialogues, ecumenical dialogues, the various forms of ecumenical cooperation, and missionary work.  In addition, the department of Systematic theology aims to provide a firm grounding in the Church’s traditional understanding of eschatology, based on Chapter VII of Lumen Gentium.  Studying these elements of the Church will serve as a necessary foundation for graduating seminarians to participate and minister effectively in these areas, including: ecumenical activities, such as common prayer, worship and dialogue at the parish and diocesan levels with other Christians, inter-religious prayer and dialogue at the parish and diocesan levels, which is included in the mission of the Church to preach the Gospel everywhere, to all, at all times.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs. (Note: after spring 2020 this course will no longer be taught)
  • SYST 804 Soteriology (2) – new core, effective spring 2021  Soteriology begins with introductory lectures that situate the discipline and provide a general overview of the questions to be addressed in both Christological and anthropological domains. Its career is then arrested at key historical moments: emergence from the pages of Sacred Scripture, major developments in the Patristic period, the sharpened articulations of the medieval period, particularly those of St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Reformation teachings. The course continues by attempting an adequate Soteriology that does justice to salvation as redemption, forgiveness, ontology, liberation, reconciliation, satisfaction, and redemptive love.  Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs. 
  • SYST 806 Eschatology (1) – new core, effective spring 2021  This course examines the “four last things” – death, judgment, heaven and hell, and offers an orientation to the Catholic Tradition’s reflection on the end, both personal and communal. Required for the S.T.B. and M.Div. degree programs.

Systematic Theology electives

May fulfill an Ordination Formation program elective requirement. M.A. (theology) degree candidates concentrating in Systematic Theology, concomitant with elective requirement, take an additional one-credit directed research course for inclusion in the Research Projects Portfolio required for the degree, preferably with three different professors.
  • SYST 905/906  Themes in Systematic Theology (2)  This course will afford the opportunity for concentrators in Systematic Theology to study one specialized topic, or several interrelated topics, which are treated more generally in one of the core courses of Systematic Theology – Trinity, Christology, Ecclesiology, Grace, Creation and Man, Sacraments – in much greater depth, using primary resources (the writings of great theologians past and present). This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Recent offerings have included:
    • Demonic Afflictions: Theology and Pastoral Response (spring 2019)
    • The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life (fall 2018) 
    • Evangelization and Conversion (fall 2016/spring 2014/spring 2011)
    • John of the Cross and the Eucharist (fall 2015/spring 2012/spring 2008)
    • Gifts and Charisms of the Holy Spirit (spring 2015/fall 2010/fall 2008/fall 2006)
  • SYST 907 Readings in Soteriology (2)  A study of Patristic texts and Medieval and Modern theologies of the redemption, of the various ways in which the Fathers, Doctors and other great theologians have understood the redemptive significance of the Mission of Jesus Christ and the salvific power of His life, death, resurrection and exaltation, in short, of what it means when the Church confesses Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world. 
  • SYST 911 Mariology: Selected Questions (2)  This course goes beyond SYST 711 to examine the person of Mary Biblically, Patristically, Scholastically, Dogmatically and Doctrinally, and will explore the relationship of Mariology to Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Pneumatology. We will begin with the Biblical and Patristic foundations of Mariology, examine the historical context, theological basis, and doctrinal content of the four major dogmas, and examine post-conciliar development of Mary’s relationship to the Holy Spirit and to the Church. We will moreover consider recent magisterial statements on Mary’s role at Calvary, marian mediation, and Our Lady’s intercessory prayer. The course will cover the development of Marian devotion, the category of hyperdulia, and the distinctive expressions of marian devotion in the Eastern and Western traditions. Mary’s status in non-Catholic systems – Orthodox, Protestant, and Muslim – will be discussed, as well as a consideration of the delicate topic of Mary and Ecumenism. Finally we will look at the CDF’s norms of evaluating private revelation, as well as the four major approved marian apparitions of Guadalupe, the Miraculous Medal, Lourdes and Fatima.
  • SYST 916  Great Theologians (2)  An in-depth study of the thought of a single great theologian or a theological theme as it is developed in a series of theologians over time, including such figures as St. Augustine, St. Anselm, Newman, DeLubac, Congar, Rahner and von Balthasar. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Topics to be offered may include:
    • Teachings of Benedict XVI (spring 2017)
    • Human Person in the Teachings of Saint John Paul II (spring 2015)
    • Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI (spring 2013)
    • Hans Urs von Balthasar
    • Theology of Ratzinger and von Balthazar (fall 2009)
  • SYST 917 Readings in Patristic Theology (2)This course provides an introduction to the theological thought of the Fathers of the church, the historical context of their teaching, and the contribution of their teaching as privileged witnessed to the handing on of God’s revelation through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Topics to be offered may include: 
    • Origen (fall 2017)
    • Augustine’s City of God (spring 2017)
  • SYST 920  Thomistic Seminar (3)An in-depth study of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas as concentrated in either the First Part or Third Part of his Summa theologiae. Required for S.T.B. candidates and may be taken by M.A.(theology) candidates concentrating in Systematic Theology along with the concomitant research project. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. Recent offerings have included:
    • Knowing and Loving (spring 2017)
    • Christology and Soteriology (spring 2018, spring 2016, spring 2014)
    • The Nature of Theology (spring 2012)