Assessment

Essays 100%

Module Aims

Taking the liturgical ‘ordo’ as a way of studying the deep structures of Christian worship, this module will examine how patterns of corporate, ordered worship in Christ might be understood and studied from the viewpoint of their concrete celebration. Methods and practices that enable a reading and analysis of the practice of liturgy in actual worship settings will be presented and evaluated. Attention will be given to the cultural matrix of their origin and the usefulness of cross-cultural perspectives will be evaluated. The personal liturgical experience of course participants will form part of the seminar material. How does one’s knowledge of the structure of liturgy become part of an ability to lead liturgical prayer?

Indicative Syllabus

Beginning with the seminal idea of ‘ordo’ in liturgical theology, this module will trace its origins and development particularly in the writings of Gordon Lathrop and his use of the term as an analytical tool. Symbol, text and their interaction in actual worship assemblies will be the focus of the main section of the module.

Week One: The ‘Ordo’ of Christian Worship: the origin of a concept. The impact of culture.

Week Two: The contribution of Gordon Lathrop.

Week Three: Text and Beyond: what ritual studies does.

Week Four: Broken Symbols and Juxtaposition.

Week Five: Assembly in the practice of liturgical worship.

Week Six: How local Churches are related to each other: liturgical ecclesiology

Week Seven: The place of worship and its symbols: why it works and doesn’t.

Week Eight: Reading Ritual Books and leading the public prayer of the Church.

Week Nine: Developing a presiding style: do’s and don'ts.

Week Ten: Fostering liturgical ministries.

Week Eleven: Personal learnings and insights.

Each participant is expected to participate in the discussion section of the seminar each week.

Learning Outcomes

• — LO 1 Critically illustrate and evaluate key liturgical concepts relevant to the pastoral practice and leadership of Christian worship: e.g. ‘ordo,’ ‘broken symbols,’ ‘juxtaposition,’ ‘assembly,’ and ‘liturgical theology.’
• — LO 2 Analyse the relationship(s) between knowing and doing in liturgical celebrations.
• — LO 3 Present and evaluate various methodological approaches to the study of actual liturgical celebrations.
• — LO 4 Critically examine the various strands of Christian tradition noting the relationship between local churches and their liturgical expressions. A growing awareness will lead learners to appropriate and integrate their insights into their own personal theological approach.
• — LO 5 Have a fluency and ability in ‘reading’ the various ‘parts’ of a liturgical book of one’s own liturgical tradition.
• — LO 6 Be competent in and reflective on one’s own liturgical style.
• — LO 7 Grow in confidence in evaluating the leadership of public prayer and the giving and receiving of reflective feedback.

Bibliography

• — Juliette Day, Reading the Liturgy: An exploration of texts in Christian Worship. London: Bloomsbury, 2014.
• — Edward Foley, From Age to Age. How Christians have celebrated the Eucharist Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2008.
• — Albert Gerhards and Benedikt Kranemann, Introduction to the Study of Liturgy. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2017.
• — Benjamin Gordon-Taylor and Juliette Day, editors, The Study of Liturgy and Worship. London: SPCK, 2013.
• — Edward Kilmartin, Christian Liturgy Theology and Practice. Kansas City, MO: Sheed and Ward, 1988.
• — Gordon W.  Lathrop, Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1993.
• — Gordon W.  Lathrop, Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1999.
• — Gordon W.  Lathrop, Holy Ground: A Liturgical Cosmology. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2003.
• — R. Kevin Seasoltz, A Virtuous Church. Catholic Theology, Ethics and Liturgy for the 21st Century. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2012.
• — Frank C. Senn, Embodied Liturgy: Lessons in Christian Ritual. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2016