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This course is an introductory study of the origins, developments, and doctrines that have shaped the rituals and worship of the Church and give them their meaning. This course surveys the history of liturgy from its Scriptural origins to the reforms of today in both Eastern and Western Churches. It looks at the structures, laws, and theology of liturgical celebration, especially at the biblical typologies that give meaning to liturgical signs and actions. Special attention is given to liturgical time as manifest in the cycles of the week, the year, and the daily Liturgy of the Hours.
This course introduces students to the tradition of Christian visual arts and gives them tools for appreciating the structure and symbolism of such works. The first part of the course explores the principles of metaphysics and sacred geometry that underlie traditional religious arts in general. The remaining parts of the course focus on three paradigmatic areas: the art of the Christian book, the architecture of cathedrals, and the art of the icon. Because the meaning of a work of art is as rich as the answers to the questions why and how it was made, these sections of the course, while continuing to look at structural and symbolic principles, will also be sensitive to the operation of social and historical contexts in the genesis and interpretation of the examples studied. Against this background of theological principle and historical example, students will be challenged to reflect on the contemporary vocation of sacred artists.
(Prerequisite: Introduction to Liturgy) This course is a survey of the history of church music from the Middle Ages to the third millennium. It focuses on the rich tradition of Roman Catholic music and provides an insight into what Vatican II calls a "treasure of inestimable value." The course also covers the development of the liturgical renewal in the 20th century and the most important church documents on liturgical music around Vatican II and today.
Normally taken by students during the pre-theologate cycle, this course is an introduction to theology as the Christian reflection on the mystery of God. The first part of this course introduces the relationship between the relationship between plurality and unity in Catholic theology. It then traces the various understandings and practices of theology as they emerged over the centuries from the patristic period to the present. Part two of the course explores questions surrounding the religious discourse and meaning within the context of the emergence of post-modernity. Part three deals with issues for Catholic theology raised by the new post-modern environment.
Presupposing the catechesis given by Pope John Paul II, this course further examines the theology of the body. It explores themes from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers, and the later theological tradition with reference to issues including sexual identity, masculinity, the sexual urge, and temperance, especially as these are related to priestly celibacy.
Fundamental Theology provides a general introduction to the Christian Revelation and its credibility. The first part of the course studies the Revelation in Holy Scripture, Tradition and in the living magisterium of the Church. This part of the treatise, centered on Jesus Christ as plenitude and fullness of the Revelation, ends with the study of man's answer to His Word in the act of faith. The second part reflects on the signs of credibility of the Christian revelation, mainly the historicity of Jesus' person and redemptive work, his miracles and resurrection, and on the Church as a living sign of the credibility of God's revelation.
This course gives the student a general understanding of sacramental theology and a specific understanding of the theology and liturgies of Baptism and Confirmation. The course has three components: general sacramental theology, the theology of baptism and confirmation, and the liturgies of baptism and confirmation. General sacramental theology will place the sacraments in the context of the mysterion of God's saving economy. The use of mysterion and sacramentum and the sacramental principle will be explained and defined. The relation of the sacraments to Christ and His Church are examined, along with the origin of the seven sacraments, the sacraments as a sign and cause of grace, as well as the effects of the sacraments, and the minister and recipients of the sacraments. Sacramentals will be introduced. The component comprising the theology of Baptism and Confirmation will study the themes of baptism and confirmation in the Old Testament and New Testament, dimensions of the baptismal mystery, the necessity and effects of baptism, and theological reflection on infant baptism. The theology of confirmation is examined biblically and historically. The liturgies, the Baptism of Children, the RCIA, and the Rite of Confirmation are studied.
This course is an introduction to the subject of pastoral counseling. The course is intended to familiarize seminarians with current theory and practice from the perspectives of clinical and counseling psychology and pastoral theology. Problems and disorders frequently encountered by pastoral ministers are discussed. Seminarians learn to assess their skill in a pastoral situation, when and how to refer people to other resources, to converse intelligently with mental health professionals in consultation and referral processes, and to explore the contributions of theological resources to the field of pastoral psychology.
(Prerequisite: Philosophical Methods and Logic and Rhetoric) This course is designed to help seminarians develop skills in public speaking. Proficiency in proclaiming the Word of God, easefulness of public presentations, and self-control of verbal and non-verbal communication are accented in this course. Classes in accent modification and diction are provided.
This course provides an introduction to the history and theology of the early Church and a close reading of selected writings from the Fathers. The aim is twofold: first, to gain a solid, general grasp of the Catholic theological tradition as it emerged in the first millennium; second, to encounter the rhetorical and theological methods of a few representative Fathers.
(Prerequisite: Rhetoric and Liturgical Practicum: Lector I) This course strengthens the expertise of the students in giving oral presentations, reading the Word of God, and learning the skills of a lector. Self-evaluation and peer evaluation of presentations occur while students continue to develop and refine their public speaking skills.
This course is a historical and theological study of the central Christian confession that the one God is Father, Son, and Spirit. Attention is given to the triadic character of the Church's worship, theology, and spirituality, which has grown out of the apostolic tradition. The course will focus on the conciliar articulation of orthodox Catholic Trinitarian doctrine in the early centuries, later historical developments, some examples of contemporary Trinitarian theology, and the triadic structure of Church life and the pastoral application of Trinitarian faith in today's world.
This course is designed to provide the students with a systematic study of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. An initial presentation of significant Eucharistic documentation in Sacred Scripture is followed by an overview of the development of the celebration of the Eucharist in the early Church. The second portion of the course underlines the Patristic and Medieval developments of Eucharistic doctrine. These presentations are followed by a study of the Council of Trent and the Second Vatican Council. The final portion of the course highlights the celebration and the Adoration of the Holy Eucharist to prepare the students to study the Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia et Eucharistia, and the subsequent Instruction on the Eucharist, Redemptionis Sacramentum.
Pastoral Internship I is an 8-week summer internship in which seminarians have a full-time, supervised ministry experience in a diocesan parish. The purposes of the internship include the following: (1) initiation into the diocese and the life of the parish priest, (2) hands-on ministerial experience to develop one's pastoral identity, skills, and interpersonal competence, (3) development of an awareness of, and identification with, personal and professional strengths and limitations, and (4) beginning to engage in theological reflection by articulating theological assumptions and relating human experience to the life and teachings of the Church.
This course provides a comprehensive survey of Christology. It begins with the scriptural foundation of the Church's faith in Jesus Christ and then considers the historical development of that faith through the centuries. The final part of the course takes a systematic look at the whole, brought into focus by critical questions of the present, especially the question of the uniqueness and universality of Jesus Christ.
This class is the first part of a two-semester study of Fundamental Moral Theology. There are four basic sections to the course. In the first section, seminarians examine the anthropological foundations of the science of moral theology, particularly the human person's call to beatitude. In the second section, a detailed study of the human act and the sources for determining the morality of human acts is undertaken. The third section of the course covers the topics of sin, conscience, and the passions, and introduces the topic of virtue and its importance in the moral life (the second semester course in Fundamental Moral Theology will offer a study of virtue in depth). The final section of the course offers an overview of the three branches of moral theology: sexual ethics, bioethics, and Catholic social teaching.
This course is a survey of the history of the Church from the beginning to the fall of Constantinople (1453). This will include an examination of the historical development of ecclesial structures, theology, worship, spirituality, evangelization, church-state relations, etc. Emphasis will be placed to the "Great Church" (Latin and Greek), but attention will also be paid to "Lesser Eastern" Churches, e.g., Armenian, Coptic and Syrian. The ongoing process of enculturation as the Church and her faith are transmitted to and within various cultural contexts will be used as a continuing point of reference, while socio-political history will be used to provide a structure for placing ecclesiastical developments in context.
This course offers an historical, theological, and pastoral study of the sacramentality of the sacrament of Matrimony. This requires an examination of the understanding of Matrimony in its role within the economy of salvation, as part of the mysterion of God. The Early Fathers of the Church and the Scholastics will lay the groundwork for a discussion of magisterial teachings. Special attention will be paid to the works of Pope Pius XII, Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. A commentary on the current Marriage Rite will be undertaken.
This course is an extensive study of the canons of the Western Church regarding the People of God, including sections entitled "Christ's Faithful," "The Hierarchical Constitution of the Church," and "Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life." Reference is made to Book I with special emphasis on introductory canons, Title I, Title VI, and Title VII (ecclesiastical law, physical and juridic persons, and juridic acts).
This second part of a two-semester treatment of fundamental moral theology surveys the primary moral and theological virtues, their subsidiary virtues, and the vices opposed to them. This is done with reference to the Beatitudes and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which, together with the virtues, are proposed as means to the spiritual growth and transformation of the human person.
(Prerequisites: Liturgical Practicum Lector I and Lector II) The course is designed to prepare each seminarian for the ministry of acolyte. Functions of the acolyte are presented and practiced by the students, including serving the celebrant or deacon during liturgies and performing the functions of an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Students gain a theological understanding of the ministry of acolyte and learn the skills necessary to perform the functions entrusted to them.
This course covers the period from the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the emergence of Post-Modernity in the later half of the 20th century. The history of the Church is traced against the backdrop of significant social, cultural and political developments, such as the Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, wars of religion, the Enlightenment, revolutions, and the emergence of Communism. The course explores how Christianity has shaped, and been influenced by, the world around it. Attention is given to important events in the life of the Catholic Church, including colonial expansion and Catholic missions in Asia and the New World, the Councils of Trent, Vatican I, Vatican II, and the rise of ecumenism. The course ends with a look at the waning of Christianity in what is now a post-Christian West and the resurgence of Christianity in other parts of the world as a new "global Christianity" emerges out of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
(Prerequisite: Canon Law I) This course is a detailed examination of the canons pertaining to Book IV, The Sanctifying Office of the Church, and Book VII, Processes, found in the 1983 Codex Iuris Canonici. Specific treatment of the material focuses on the canonical discipline required for the proper administration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Marriage. In conjunction with that material, practical study is extended to trials in general, Tribunal practice, and cases concerning the marriage processes and disciplines to be maintained.
(Prerequisites: Pastoral Psychology and Pastoral Internship I) This course examines pastoral ministry as a discipline unique among the helping professions, since it is rooted in a theoretical orientation that is ecclesial in nature. Scripture, Tradition, and theology shape pastoral action. While the main work of the course is to study the goals and methods of pastoral theology, seminarians also discuss practical applications and explore ministerial objectives for the era of the New Evangelization.
The Schola Cantorum is a study group that is dedicated to the most ancient style of liturgical music in the Christian church, Gregorian chant. The students explore the oldest sources of chant notation through their studies of Gregorian semiology as taught by the Benedictine scholars in Solesmes, France. The practical application of chant as sung prayer will occur during liturgies in the seminary and at the cathedral.
With specific reference to the impact of culture and language groups upon the local Church, this course will first take up a brief survey of the Hispanic culture in Colorado and the wider USA. In addition, it will address ministry with other cultural groups within the Catholic Church such as African Americans, hearing impaired persons, and gay and lesbian persons. Visiting lecturers will speak on popular spirituality, pastoral theology and ministry with minority groups, issues of inculturation and racism, and Church doctrine relevant to minority cultures. The course content and method aims at a direct orientation towards ministering to those who are marginalized.
This course is a study of man's relationship to God as it is affected by grace. Man is examined as created, fallen, justified, and glorified. This requires an investigation of the following issues: creation, sanctifying grace and original justice, predestination and actual grace, justification, and eschatology.
This course surveys the Church's teaching on bioethics and sexual ethics. The ground of this teaching is the dignity of the human person as created in the image of God and the human vocation to communion. Within this perspective, the Church's teaching on bioethical issues is considered, focusing on "beginning of life" and "end of life" issues such as abortion, infertility therapies, neonatal care, experimentation on human subjects, stem cell research, euthanasia, organ transplantation, and care of the dying. From the same ground of theological anthropology, the Church's teaching on sexual ethics is also considered, demonstrating how sexual norms guide human freedom toward the true fulfillment of the human person. Among the specific topics of sexual ethics that are addressed are: chastity, contraception, natural family planning, and the moral evaluation of premarital, extramarital, and homosexual activity. The goal of this course is twofold: first, to clarify the ethical principles drawn from the Catholic tradition that are applicable in the field of bioethics, to enable the student to undertake moral analysis of specific human choices and actions that bear upon the goods of health and human life, and to equip the student with the tools to present the Church's teaching on bioethics in pastoral settings; second, to demonstrate the reasonableness of the Church's teaching on human sexuality, and to enable the student to present the Church's teaching on sexual morality with clarity and conviction in a pastoral setting.
The living Church continually interacts with the world around her, shaping that world and, in turn, being shaped by it in various ways. As the first Europeans to encounter the New World, Catholics have set the direction of such interaction. How did the Church adapt to conditions in America? What were her successes and failures in missions to the indigenous peoples? How is the Church in the United States unique and what contributions has she made to the Church universal? What have been the struggles of the Church in Colorado and how do they bear on our ministry today? These are some of the questions discussed in this course. Particular attention is paid to the formative years and missions, to conflicts and difficulties and the people who struggled to overcome them.
(Prerequisites: Sacrament of Marriage, Pastoral Psychology, and Pastoral Theology) This course is designed to enable the student to prepare couples for marriage and to provide brief counseling to couples who seek help with marriage and family problems. The first section of the course examines policies for the Archdiocese of Denver in preparing couples for marriage and introduces the FOCCUS instrument as part of the marital preparation process. The second half of the course is designed to give the student fundamental skills in pastoral counseling dealing with a variety of problems including couple conflict, infidelity, family violence, divorce, and depression.
(Prerequisites: Rhetoric, Liturgical Practicum I and II: Lector) This course trains seminarians in the basic tools for writing, researching, and presenting homilies that have clarity, effectiveness and authority as requested by Church documents. Skills in the forms of communication and the art of proclaiming the homily are studied. Students will prepare homilies for evaluation and development.
The course begins by considering the Trinitarian foundation of the Church, her origins in the Old Testament, and the process of her foundation by Christ. The second part of the course studies the nature of the Church as reflected in different images, like Body of Christ, People of God, Sacrament of Christ, Communion, Herald and Servant. A consideration of the fundamental aspects of the Church—one, holy, catholic and apostolic—completes the course. The historical approach to the development of ecclesiology from the Early Church to Modernity promotes an understanding of the deep meaning of the ecclesiology of Vatican II. The structure of the Church—the hierarchy, the laity, the religious life, and ministries—is considered in the third part of the course. The eschatological dimension of the Church is also presented as well as a reflection on the mission of the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation. The study of the charitable mission of the Church in the world is based on the second part of Benedict XVI's encyclical, Deus Caritas Est.
This course examines the development of the modern "social question" and the Church's teaching on social issues. The Vatican II document, Gaudium et Spes, and the social encyclicals are analyzed in order to grasp the principles and vision that support the Church's social teaching. The application of this teaching with regard to the economy, the state, and various social issues is then considered.
This course presents a systematic and historical study of Orders: the scripture texts, patristic sources, and subsequent development of dogma, leading up to the contemporary synthesis given in Presbyterorum Ordinis and other post-conciliar teaching. The development and theology of the three degrees of the sacrament of Orders is examined, with emphasis on the configuration to Christ, the Head and Shepherd of the Church, in His threefold office of priest, teacher, and pastor in the life of all who are ordained.
(Prerequisites: Liturgical Practicum: Lector I and II, Liturgical Practicum: Acolyte) This practicum is designed to prepare seminarians for ordination to the diaconate. Students are provided with theoretical and practical experience in the rituals and ministries of a deacon. Emphasis is placed on the theology and history of the Diaconate, the Rite of Ordination of Deacons, the service of the deacon at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the ministry of the deacon for blessings, the role of the deacon when presiding at the Rite of Infant Baptism, the Rite of Matrimony (outside the Mass), pastoral care of the sick, the vigil of Christian Funerals, and the Rite of Christian Funerals (including graveside commendation). Each class begins with the practice of chant, including Lumen Christi, Exultet, Ite Missa est, and tones for the Gospel and Gospel Acclamation.
(Prerequisite: Homiletics I) This course is intended to refine skills in the construction and development of the homily. It is also designed to provide the student with resources in the Church documents on preaching and the analysis of preaching content of the Fathers of the Church.
(Prerequisite: To be taken at same time as Pastoral Internship II) This course prepares seminarians for future assignments in parishes through a study of the laws and policies of the Archdiocese of Denver, including consideration of the usefulness of parish councils, consideration of legal issues pertaining to ministry, survey of procedures utilized by parishes in the financial and administrative operations of parishes, operation of parish schools, and employment of personnel. As a preparatory course for parish assignments, the students receive a wide spectrum of presentations, chiefly by personnel of the Archdiocese.
(Prerequisite: Pastoral Internship I) Pastoral Internship II is an 8-week summer internship during which seminarians have a full-time, supervised ministry experience in a diocesan parish. The purposes of the internship include the following: (1) continued initiation into the diocese and the life of the parish priest, (2) further integration of identity, theology and faith experience, (3) active engagement in theological reflection using an action/reflection model, and (4) the opportunity to learn the business and professional management practices utilized in parishes. Students are required to write an 8 to 10 page paper integrating their theology with tradition and experience.
The mystical is at the heart of religion. With the incarnation, the supernatural becomes flesh, and in Christianity, the mystical takes on an entirely new dimension. It has been observed that the greatest tragedy to befall Christianity in its history has been the split between what is called spiritual and dogmatic theology. This course aims at helping theology regain its spiritual depth while maintaining its intellectual rigor. To do this, the encounter with the living God is studied both across time—hence there is a survey aspect to the course—and through the various truths of the faith, which gives the course a dogmatic aspect. The course begins with an exploration of some explicitly mystical sections in the Bible and proceeds through representative texts to a consideration of the Christian mystery as it is understood in both the Western and Eastern traditions. The course aims at the development of the contemplative intellect and at a pastoral service which flows from that wellspring.
(Prerequisites: Sacramental Theology or Baptism and Confirmation) This course includes a history of the doctrinal and liturgical development of the Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick and Penance from the New Testament to contemporary rituals. An analysis of the current state of doctrine and liturgical law will provide principles with which to evaluate the merits of current pastoral practices. The course offers a theology of hope to be applied in the ministry through a survey of the doctrinal development of indulgences in the Church, the pastoral care of the sick, and the funeral liturgy.
(Prerequisites: Canon Law II; Sacraments of Healing may be taken either before or concurrently) This course examines the rituals and ceremonies particular to the confessional and to the healing ministry of the presbyter. Seminarians practice Anointing of the Sick with Viaticum and the Celebration of Penance.
(Prerequisite: Pastoral Psychology and concurrent enrollment in Spiritual Theology) This course, taken in conjunction with Spiritual Theology, addresses the practical application of the principles of spiritual direction in preparation for ministry. Lectures and experiential exercises focus on spiritual direction: its purpose, method, and special circumstances as encountered in parochial ministry.
(Prerequisites: Homiletics I and II) Deacons have the opportunity to give homilies and other oral presentations. Each deacon is assisted in evaluation of demeanor and liturgical presence.
This course combines the two pastoral imperatives of evangelization/ faith formation and ecumenism. In the first half of this course students study the nature and parochial application of the ministry of the Word from the standpoint of missiology, with particular attention to John Paul II's call for a New Evangelization. They are also given a brief introduction to the theory and methods of parochial catechesis. The second half of the course is devoted to a brief study of the sad divisions in Christianity and the more recent overtures to repair those divisions, as well as to the modern dialogue between the Catholic Church and non-Christian religious bodies. It is hoped, too, that this course will foster an increased admiration for the gifts of our separated brethren and those of other faiths.
This course surveys the position of the Mother of God in the economy of salvation and her contribution to her Son's redemptive work. It introduces the study of the mystery of Mary, providing a basic biblical and theological knowledge as well as the history of the Marian dogmas: the perpetual virginity of Mary; Mary, Mother of God; the immaculate conception; Mary's assumption into heaven. A liturgical and devotional approach to Mary, especially to our Lady of Guadalupe, as a model of inculturated evangelization, concludes the course. The guiding documents for the study are Lumen Gentium c. VIII; Paul VI, apostolic exhortation Marialis Cultus; and John Paul II, encyclical letter, Redemptoris Mater.
The seminar for theological synthesis reviews and consolidates the main topics in theology studied over the entire four-year program of theological studies. This seminar also prepares students for the Comprehensive Examination in the areas of Sacred Scripture, Fundamental Theology, Dogmatic Theology, and Moral Theology. The students have the opportunity to reinforce the assimilation of the essential contents of theology as a solid basis for further research and specialization. Emphasis is placed on the task of drawing out of the previous years of theological study the unity and coherence of the gospel message.
(Prerequisites: Homiletics I and II, Homiletics Lab I) A continuation of Homiletics Lab I with the deacons giving special attention to refining homiletic skills and the use of contemporary skills of communication in homily preparation. Emphasis will be on using the biblical text as the source to bring the homily to living proclamation of the Scriptures.
(Prerequisites: Homiletics I and II; Liturgical Practicum: Deacon) This course allows the students to study the Roman Missal of the Latin Rite in the context of a practicum for the celebration of Mass (Entrance Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Offertory Rites, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Concluding Rites). Variations in the celebration of the Mass, including concelebration, the Liturgy of the Hours celebrated with Mass, the Rite of Matrimony celebrated with Mass, and collaboration with deacons, acolytes, and lectors are also practiced. Additional liturgical celebrations include the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, discussion of the liturgical concessions of the Neocatechumenal Liturgy, Quinceaneras and an introduction to the Mass of the Ordination of Priests. In addition, the practice of the chants for the Proper of the Mass will begin each class period.
(Prerequisite: Canon Law I) This course is a survey of the challenges and resources in the ministry of the Divine Word and Catholic education, and provides the opportunity for students to study the content of Book III of The Code of Canon Law.
This course treats certain aspects of the history and theology of the Holy Eucharist as a liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. The course explores the theology of sacrifice and transubstantiation with special reference to the eucharistic theology of St. Thomas Aquinas. Then, together with a close reading of the form and language of some eucharistic prayers, students examine the reform of the Mass in the last century. Finally, students discuss some issues of liturgical practice.
(Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor) This course is designed to provide specialized pastoral training for seminarians who plan to serve as missionaries in their future ministry. Working under the close supervision of the missionary practice director, seminarians serve on missionary teams for up to two years in order to learn the skills necessary to catechize and lead small Christian communities.
(Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor) A continuation of Pastoral Missionary Practice I, this course builds on the pastoral skills learned in PMP I and involves each participant in planning and directing catechesis teams in small Christian communities. Each seminarian works closely with his mission director to develop his team building and catechetical skills during this intense period of spiritual growth.