Assessment

Theological Portfolio 40% + Oral Exam and Interview 60%

Module Aims

The aim of the module to introduce learners to the major themes treated by the theological subdisciplines of Spiritual Theology and Mariology. Spiritual Theology or a theology of spirituality (also called mystical theology) examines the Christian’s life of prayer and asceticism. Mariology is the theological sub-discipline that examines the person of Mary in relation to Christ, the Church, and the Christian life. The module will examine key texts from scripture and tradition on spirituality and Mariology with a view, ultimately, to assisting learners (who are in this candidates for the diaconate) to bring theological content to bear on their ministry.

Indicative Syllabus

1. Grace and Christian perfection.
2. Degrees of spiritual life and various states of life or vocation
3. Prayer and asceticism
4. Mary, Christ, and the Church

Learning Outcomes

• — LO1 Describe the major schools of spirituality
• — LO2 List some ways in which spirituality influences concrete practices of the Christian life and outline their significance in diaconate ministry.
• — LO3 Outline the seminal Mariological themes, including Christocentric and ecclesiocentric approaches to Mary.
• — LO4 Explain the biblical and dogmatic principles behind spirituality and Mariology.
• — LO5 Identify key and reliable sources for further study of spirituality and Mariology

Bibliography

• — Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, Chs. 5 and 8. 
• — Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part IV. 
• — Bouyer, Louia. Introduction to Spirituality. New York: Desclee, 1961 
• — De Guibert, Joseph. The Theology of the Spiritual Life. London: Sheed and Ward, 1954.