Syllabus
12:535 Sacrament of Marriage

Spring Semester (January - May) 2003
Three Credit Hours
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
St. Meinrad, Indiana

The class will meet Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. in room  H 430

Rev. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., S.T.D,
Professor of Sacramental/Liturgical Theology

Course Description

This course studies the history of marriage as a sacrament and studies the theological content and pastoral practice of the Rite of Marriage in order to discover the God revealed in this sacrament and to draw norms for celebrating the sacrament in a significant and fruitful manner.

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Reading

Second Vatican Council,  Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes), December 7, 1965, "The Dignity of Marriage and the Family" 47-52

Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition). Washington D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-109-4. "Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Section Two, Chapter Three, Article 7:  The Sacrament of Matrimony" pp 400-415, Numbers 1601-1666

Code of Canon Law, New English Translation by the Canon Law Society of America 1998, ISBN 0-943616-79-4.  "Book IV: The Sanctifying Function of the Church, Part I: The Sacraments, Title VII. Marriage," canons 1055-1165

The Rite of Marriage (Any edition).  In class I will use the edition published by The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, in Rites of the Catholic Church (Volume I) Study Edition, 1990.  ISBN 0-19-513439-7 

Kieran Scott and Michael Warren. Perspectives on Marriage: A Reader (Second Edition). Oxford University Press.  ISBN 0-19-513439-7

C.S. Lewis.  The Four Loves.  Harvest Books.  ISBN 0-15-632930

Richard R. Gaillardetz.  A Daring Promise  (Crossroad Publishing Company.  ISBN 0-8245-1935-3

Additional reading can be found in the General Bibliography and in the Marriage Bibliography. 

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Objectives

The hoped for outcomes of the course are:

1.  A deeper appreciation of the Sacrament of Marriage in the life of the Church. 

2.  An understanding of what Sacred Scripture says about of marriage, especially in those passages contained in the Lectionary for Marriage, and the ability use these passages in a wedding homily.

3.  A familiarity with the Rite of Marriage, Sacramentary, Lectionary, and other current liturgical books and Church documents (Catechism, Code of Canon Law, etc.) regarding the Sacrament of Marriage so that one is able to prepare and plan a wedding.

4.  An understanding of the history and theology of the Sacrament of Marriage so that one can preach and teach the sacrament.

5.  The ability to articulate what the Sacrament of Matrimony reveals about the nature of God.

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Introduction and Methodology

Class #1: Tuesday, January 28 – Introduction
Before Class Read:  No assignment.
Before Class Write: No assignment.
During the class time: Presentation of the syllabus   g12 Introduction   g17 Bibliography  

Class #2:  Friday, January 31 – Methodology
Before Class Read:  This syllabus.  Survey the readings.  Explore the internet pages, especially those presented during the first class.  Be sure that you can post assignments on ANGEL and send and receive e-mail from the professor.
Before Class Write:  No assignment -- work on your Learning Contract
During the class time:  Overview of the course.  d33 Sacrament   Marriage and the Second Vatican Council   Several suggestions for the independent study topics.  d15 Resources   d17 Bibliography  d18 Glossary   d19 Abbreviations  Discussion on the definition of Marriage

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Survey of Catholic Teaching about Marriage

Class #3:  Tuesday, February 4 – The Council and The Catechism
Before Class Read:  Gaudium et spes,  47-52; and Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601-1666. 
Before Class Write:  Summary of the assigned paragraphs in the Catechism.  Further instructions can be found at g12 Introduction
During the class time:   Presentation of the reading assignments

Class #4:  Friday, February 7 – The Code of Canon Law
Before Class Read:  Code of Canon Law, canons 1055-1165.
Before Class Write:  Summary of the assigned canons.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  Presentation of the reading assignments.  Review the terms valid and licit

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Part One:  History and Theology of Marriage

Class #5:  Tuesday, February 11 – History of Marriage
Before Class Read: Perspectives, Chapter 1. "Marriage in the Bible," pp 7-21; Chapter 2. "The Primitive Christian Understanding of Marriage," pp 22-28; and Chapter 3. "Marriage in the Western Churches," pp 29-46.
Before Class Write:   Compose your "Learning Contract" and make an appointment to talk to the professor about it. 
During the class time:  Discussion of the reading 

Class #6:  Friday, February 14 – Theology of Marriage
Before Class Read:    Perspectives, Chapter 4. "Christian Marriage: Basic Sacrament," pp 47-58; and Chapter 5. "Models of Marriage: A New Theological Interpretation," pp 59-82.
Before Class Write:    no assignment
During the class time:  Discussion of the reading

Class #7:  Tuesday, February 18 – Interreligious Perspectives
Before Class Read:    Perspectives, Chapter 36. "Marriage in the Jewish Tradition," pp 425-443; and Chapter 37. "The Protestant View of Marriage," pp 444-458; and Chapter 38. "Marriage in Islam," pp 459-472.
Before Class Write:    Essay: "Sacrament of Marriage Today"   Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  The class did not meet.  

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Part Two:  The Rite of Marriage

Class #8:  Friday, February 21 – The Rite
Before Class Read:   Familiarize yourself with The Rite of Marriage and study carefully the Introduction, numbers 1 to 18.  If you have time, read also Sacrament of Marriage: Sign of Faithful Love   Whose Wedding Is It, Anyway?  Preview the web pages to be presented during the class time. 
Before Class Write:  no assignment
During the class time:  The Structure and Elements of the Rite of Marriage  

Class #9:  Tuesday, February 25 – The Gospels
Before Class Read:  The Rite of Marriage, Introduction 1 to 18.  Read background material on your selected passage from the Marriage Lectionary
Before Class Write:  Post your exegesis.   Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  The theology presented in the Praenotanda to the Rite.   Presentation of the postings.  805-1 Matthew 5:1-12a – Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Jason A. Gries); 805-2 Matthew 5:13-16 – You are the light of the world. (Jeffrey McBeth); 805-3 Matthew 7:21, 24-29 – A wise man built his house on rock. (Br. Marmion Barrera, Scott Nobbe); 805-4 Matthew 19:3-6 – What God has united, man must not separate. (Keith Bertram); 805-5 Matthew 22:35-40 – This is the greatest and first commandment, the second is like it. (Carl Schmitt); 805-6 Mark 10:6-9 – They are no longer two, but one flesh. (Patrick Farley); 805-7 John 2:1-11 – Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana of Galilee. (Mike Maples and Sean Wesley); 805-8 John 15:9-12 – Remain in my love. (Alex Zenthoefer); 805-9 John 15:12-16 – This is my commandment: love one another. (Valentine Ndebilie); 805-10 John 17:20-26 – That they may be brought to perfection as one. (Bruce DeRammelaere)

Class#00:  Friday, February 28 – Long Weekend, no class

Class #10: Tuesday, March 4 – The New Testament
Before Class Read:  Background material on your selected passage from the Lectionary
Before Class Write:  Post your exegesis.   Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction   802-1 Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 – What will separate us from the love of Christ? (Jason A. Gries); 802-2 Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 – Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. (Keith Bertram); 802-3 Romans 15:1b-3a, 5-7, 13 – Welcome one another as Christ welcomed you. ( Scott Nobbe); 802-4 I Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 – Your body is a temple of the Spirit. (Patrick Farley); 802-5 I Corinthians 12:31-13:8a – If I do not have love, I gain nothing. (Carl Schmitt); 802-6 Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33 – This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church. (______); 802-7 Philippians 4:4-9 – The God of peace will be with you. (Shaun Wesley); 802-8 Colossians 3:12-17 – And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. (Valentine Ndebilie); 802-9 Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b – Let marriage be held in honor by all. (Bruce DeRammelaere); 802-10 I Peter 3:1-9 – Be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another. (Jeffrey McBeth); 802-11 I John 3:18-24 – Love in deed and in truth. (Br. Marmion Barrera); 802-12 I John 4:7-12 – God is love. (Alex Zenthoefer); 802-13 Revelation 19:1, 5-9a – Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the lamb. (Michael Maples)
During the class time:  Screening of the Catholic Update Video: "Planning Your Wedding Liturgy" [#V2080]  Presentation and discussion on helping the couple plan the wedding liturgy.  Bring your copy of The Rite of Marriage to class.  Handouts:  Planning the Wedding / 4 pages.   I will also explain and answer any questions on the assignment for next Tuesday, March 11,  "Plan an imaginary wedding"  Lecture notes can be found at Chapter g29 Preparing the Wedding Liturgy

Class #11:  Friday, March 7 – The Old Testament
Before Class Read:  Background material on your selected passage from the Lectionary.
Before Class Write:  Post your exegesis.   Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction  801-1 Genesis 1:26-28, 31a – Male and female He created them. (Patrick Farley); 801-2 Genesis 2:18-24 – The two of them become one body. (Alex Zenthoefer and Valentine Ndebilie); 801-3 Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67 – In his love for Rebekah, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother. (Michael Maples); 801-4 Tobit 7:6-14 – May the Lord of heaven prosper you both. May He grant you mercy and peace. (Jason A. Gries) 801-5 Tobit 8:4b-8 – Allow us to live together to a happy old age. (Keith Bertram and Jeffrey McBeth); 801-6 Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 – The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Carl Schmitt); 801-7 Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a – Stern as death is love. (Br. Marmion Barrera and Shaun Wesley); 801-8 Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16 – Like the sun rising in the Lord’s heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home. (Bruce DeRammelaere) 801-9 Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a – I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. (Scott Nobbe).
During the class time:  We are about at the half-way point of the semester.  We will first spend the first part of the class period processing how the class is going to see if there are things that might need to be changed or adjusted to improve the learning environment for the second half of the course.  If there is time remaining after this discussion (and there probably will be), we will look the postings on the Lectionary for the First and Second Readings.  And a look at Chapter g18 Glossary of Terms Relating to Marriage  And a look at the structure and elements of the Rite for Celebrating Marriage Outside Mass (39-54).

Class #12:  Tuesday, March 11 – The Homily
Before Class Read:    Read C. S. Lewis pp 1-30.  Review the Rite of Marriage.  Read the exegesis postings that were not read during the class periods   g25 Old Testament  g26 New Testament  g27 Gospels
Before Class Write:  Plan an imaginary wedding;  choose the texts and compose the homily.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  Sign up sheet for appointments to discuss topics for term paper and class presentation April 22, 25, and 29.  Discussion of the structure and elements of the Rite for Marriage.  Tips for conducting the wedding rehearsal.  Presentation of the postings. 

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Part Three:  The Spirituality of Marriage

Class #13:  Friday, March 14 – Storge and Philia
Before Class Read:  Lewis pp 31-90
Before Class Write:  Prepare class presentation.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  Two class presentations with discussion. AFFECTION (Scott Nobbe / Bruce DeRammelaere / Carl Schmitt). FRIENDSHIP (Alex Zenthoefer / Michael Maples / Keith Bertram).

Class #14:  Tuesday, March 18 – Eros and Agape
Before Class Read:  Lewis pp 91-141
Before Class Write:  Prepare class presentation.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  Two class presentations with discussion. EROS (Patrick Farley / Shaun Wesley / Jeffrey McBeth). CHARITY (Jason A. Gries / Marmion Barrera / Valentine Ndebilie).

Class #00:  Friday, March 21 – Solemnity of St. Benedict, no class

Class #15:  Tuesday, March 25 – Perspectives Part 8
Before Class Read:  Perspectives, Chapter 34. "A Spirituality of Resistance for Marriage," pp 397-410; and Chapter 35. "Spirituality and Lifestyle," pp 411-424.
Before Class Write:  No assignment.
During the class time:  Discussion of the readings.   Lecture notes can be found at Chapter g48 Spirituality of Marriage

Class #16:  Friday, March 28 –  Gaillardetz Cp 1
Before Class Read:  Gaillardetz pp 9-40. 
Before Class Write:  No assignment. 
During the class time:   Fr. Adrian Burke, O.S.B. will address the class on the topic "What is Spirituality?"  [Fr. Adrian is doing doctoral studies in spirituality in Rome.]   Fr. Adrian's talk can be found at Chapter 47 Spirituality of Marriage

Class #17:  Tuesday, April 1 – Gaillardetz Cp 2 and 3
Before Class Read:  Gaillardetz pp 41-85. 
Before Class Write:  Prepare class presentation.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time: Two class presentations with discussion.  Gaillardetz Cp 2 (Keith Bertram / Shaun Wesley / Jeffrey McBeth). Gaillardetz Cp 3 (Alex Zenthoefer / Jason A. Gries / Marmion Barrera).

Class #18:  Friday, April 4 – Gaillardetz Cp 4 and 5
Before Class Read:   Gaillardetz pp 86-137.
Before Class Write:  Prepare class presentation.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction 
During the class time:  Two class presentations with discussion. Gaillardetz Cp 4 (Scott Nobbe / Mike Maples / Bruce DeRammelaere). Gaillardetz Cp 5 (Carl Schmitt / Valentine Ndebilie / Patrick Farley).

Class #00:  Tuesday, April 8 – Retreat week, no class
Class #00:  Friday, April 11 – Retreat week, no class
Class #00:  Tuesday, April 15 – Holy Week, no class
Class #00:  Friday, April 18 – Good Friday, no class

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Part Four:  Class Presentations on Topic of Your Choice

Class #19: Tuesday, April 22 –  Student's Choice
Before Class Read:  Background material for your paper and presentation.
Before Class Write:   Personal research on your chosen topic.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:   Four (15 min) class presentations with discussion.  Alex Zenthoefer: The Relational Roles of Friendship and Eros in Marriage. Bruce DeRammelaere: History and Meaning of Marriage Symbols and Customs (Part II). Carl Schmitt: Cohabitation and Marriage in the Catholic Church. Jeffrey McBeth: The Vocation to the Single State of Life.

Class #20:  Friday, April 25 –  Student's Choice
Before Class Read:  Background material for your paper and presentation.
Before Class Write:   Personal research on your chosen topic.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  Four (15 min) class presentations with discussion.  (Overseers might need room H430 -- I'll let you know ahead of time).  Michael Maples: Marriage and the Origin of Clerical Celibacy in the Roman Church. Keith Bertram: The Pastoral Aspects of the Catholic Annulment Process. Br. Marmion OSB: Key Moments in the History of the Church’s Involvement in Marriage. Scott Nobbe: Marriage and Family in the Hispanic-American Culture.

Class #21: Tuesday, April 29 – Student's Choice
Before Class Read:  Background material for your paper and presentation.
Before Class Write:   Personal research on your chosen topic.  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  Four (15 min) class presentations with discussion.  Shaun Wesley: History and Meaning of Marriage Symbols and Customs (Part I). Jason A. Gries: How Natural Family Planning Fosters Love between the Spouses. Patrick Farley: What Catholics Must Believe about the Sacrament of Marriage. Valentine Ndebilie: The Domestic Church: Nigerian Domestic and American Domestic.

Class #22:Friday, May 2 – Final Examination
Before Class Read:  Review class material. 
Before Class Write:  No assignment.
During the class time:  Written examination.  Further information can be found at g12Introduction

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Conclusions:  What Marriage Reveals about God

Class #23: Tuesday, May 6 – Conclusions
Before Class Read:  Review assigned material.
Before Class Write:  Essay:  "What Marriage Reveals about God."  Further instructions can be found at g12Introduction
During the class time:  Presentation and discussion of the postings.

Class #24: Friday, May 9 – Last Class
Before Class Read:  No assignment.
Before Class Write:  No assignment.
During the class time:  Presentation and discussion of the postings from last period that we did not have time to discuss on May 6.  Conclusions.  Process comments.  Written evaluation of the course for the school administration.  [The course will not meet Tuesday May 13.]

[Graduation Day, Saturday, May 10]

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Method

Class meeting times will be a mix of presentations by the professor, reports by the participants, discussions and other learning experiences adapted to the needs of the participants.  The following four elements are required of each of the participants in the course: 

1. Technology.  Participants in this course are expected to have a personal computer or the use of a computer; the ability to access websites and download and print files; the ability to send and receive e-mail; and the ability to post essays and enter into discussions on ANGEL.  [Those registered and paying for the course will be given access to ANGEL through the registrar's office.]

2. Reading.  Participants are expected to read the materials listed in this syllabus and to read and review the professor's lecture notes which are given as hyperlinks in the "During the class time" sections of this syllabus.  Note:  Always bring the book or books containing the reading assignment to the class period. 

3. Assignments.  The assignments are listed in the syllabus.   Further instructions on the assignments can be found at  Chapter g12 Introduction

4. Class Participation.  In order to achieve the course objectives, each participant is expected to come to each class meeting prepared to actively listen to the lecture and to participate in the discussions.  Each participant is expected to participate in the group work, oral presentations, class reports, discussions, sharing of written work, etc. which will comprise the class time.  Absences from class for reasons other than illness are to have the prior approval of the professor. 

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Evaluation

Participants will be evaluated on their ability to articulate to the professor and the other participants what they have read and learned; their ability to enter into dialogue with and to critique the findings of the other participants; the quality of their insight into the process, the method, and the content of the course; and their ability to apply these findings to pastoral situations.

The final grade will be an average of the grades received on the following assignments:

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Participants:  Spring Semester 2003

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© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved.  This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.  Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own.  Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it.  This site was updated on 06/05/07 .  Your comments on this site are welcome at webmaster2@tomrichstatter.org.