This seminar studies the liturgical texts for the Marian celebrations in the current liturgical calendar, contemporary trends in theology which form the background of these liturgical texts, and the Church documents regarding devotion to the Blessed Mother in order to discover how these liturgies can bear spiritual fruit for one's personal piety and for the spiritual and liturgical life of the parish.
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Assigned Reading
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger and Hans Urs von Balthasar. Mary: The Church at the Source. Ignatius Press, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-1586170189
Elizabeth A. Johnson. Truly Our Sister: A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints. The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc., 2003. ISBN 0-8264-1473-7
James O'Toole (editor). Habits of Devotion: Catholic Religious Practice in Twentieth-Century America (Cushwa Center) ISBN 0801442567. Chapter 1 Joseph P. Chinnici, O.F.M. "The Catholic Community at Prayer, 1926-1976" pp 1-88; and Chapter 2, Paula M. Kane, "Marian Devotion Since 1940: Continuity or Casualty?", pp 89-130.
We will also refer to the following during the class periods:
Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship. Norms Governing Liturgical Calendars. The Liturgy Documentary Series, Number 6. Washington DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCCB, 1984. Publication number 928-9. $6.95 paper. The first half of the text is available online.
Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship. The Lectionary for Mass, Second Typical Edition. Introduction. The Liturgy Documentary Series Number 1. Washington DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCCB. Publication number 5-245. ISBN 1-57455-245-7. $6.95 paper. The entire text is available online at www.catholicliturgy.com
Pope Paul VI, Marialis Cultus, Apostolic Exhortation for the Right Ordering and Development of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. February 2, 1974) Text available in English on the Vatican web site.
We will view the movie: The Nativity Story [2006, 101 minutes. Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and Joseph (Oscar Isaac) make the hard journey to Bethlehem. From director Catherine Hardwicke; a meticulously researched and visually lush adaptation of the biblical tale.]
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Course Goals
Course Goals:
1. To acquire an understanding of the principal Marian celebrations in the current Roman Calendar.
2. To acquire the background information necessary to be able to preach these feasts and to teach accurately about Mary.
3. To know the Church's teaching on Mary, upon which an authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be based.
This course studies:
1. The Roman Calendar, Missal, Lectionary, and Liturgy of the Hours with regard to the Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
2. The historical context in which Mary lived.
3. The biblical texts which refer to Mary.
4. The history of devotion to Mary.
4. Current statements of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church regarding Mary.
5. The current state of Marian devotion in the United States.
The course prepares one to:
1. Develop an authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
2. Prepare and plan liturgical celebrations honoring Mary.
3. Be able to preach and teach accurately about Mary.
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Schedule of Topic and Assignments
Class #01, Thursday, February 2, 2012 -- Mary and the Liturgy: Introduction
Before class read: No assignment
Before class write: No assignment
During class: Presentation of the syllabus. Introductions of the participants in the class. Chapter m12 Introduction Selection of feasts for course project/homily.
Class #02, Thursday, February 9, 2012 -- Mary and the Roman Calendar
Before class read: Ratzinger/Balthasar, pp 1-60. And read: Johnson, Chapters 1, 2 (pp i-46)
Before class write: No assignment
During class: Course feasts in: Norms Governing Liturgical Calendars Chapter y15 The Roman Calendar and the Roman Lectionary The Liturgical Year: Simple Facts and Deep Truths Event Feasts and Idea Feasts. The Table of Liturgical Days Feasts of Mary in the Roman Calendar. Chapter m41 The Life of Mary in the Liturgy Discussion of the readings assigned for today.
Class #03, Thursday, February 16,2012 -- Mary as Church
Before class read: Ratzinger/Balthasar, pp 61-98.
Before class write: (Before midnight, Wednesday Feb 15, post on MOODLE:) Assignment #1: Feast History Briefly give the history of the feast you are researching for assignment #10. Are there any theological issues, or cultural influences in the development of this feast? [Cite your sources.]
During class: Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading. Chapters m44 Marian Solemnities Chapter m45 Marian Feasts Chapter m46 Marian Memorials Presentation of the postings for the Solemnities. Reflection on the relation of Jesus and Mary in relation to "Mediator." (Reference: Chapter One of The Mass: A Guided Tour) Preaching Mary to the Generation Gap Future discussion: Titles of Mary
Class #04, Thursday, February 23, 2012 -- Contemporary Mariology
Before class read: Johnson, Chapters 3, 4 (pp 47-94)
Before class write: Assignment #2: Feast Theology Does the feast you are researching for assignment #10 involve any theological issues? [Again: cite sources but not as footnotes; simply but the reference in parenthesis after the citation.]
During class: Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading.
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Class #05, Thursday, March 1, 2012 -- Mary and Church Unity
Before class read: Pope Paul VI, Marialis Cultus And read: Ratzinger/Balthasar, pp 99-124
Before class write: Assignment #3: Ecumenism Some theologians feel that there is an incompatibility between the Ecumenical Movement and the Marian Movement. Paul VI says in Marialis Cultus that true devotion to Mary must be ecumenically sensitive. Discuss these issues. Suggest ways in which our devotions can become "ecumenically sensitive." Does this endanger orthodoxy?
During class: Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading. A quick look under the iceberg Ecumenism: Chapter e69 Ecumenism and Intercommunion
Class #06, Thursday, March 8, 2012 -- Mother of the Church
Before class read: Ratzinger/Balthasar, pp 125-176
Before class write: Assignment #4: Church Feminine "The Church in her perfect core must be feminine." (p 111) Why is this true? In what sense is "Mary (Mother of the) Church"? (p. 143)
During class: Marian Titles: Theology and Metaphor. Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading. http://www.slideshare.net/deporresd/ecclesiology-and-models-of-the-church
Class #07, Thursday, March 15, 2012 -- USA Marian Devotions, Yesterday and Today
Before class read: James O'Toole (editor). Habits of Devotion: Chapter 2, Paula M. Kane, "Marian Devotion Since 1940: Continuity or Casualty?" pp 89-130. [If you have the time, read also Chapter 1 Joseph P. Chinnici, O.F.M. "The Catholic Community at Prayer, 1926-1976" pp 1-88]
Before class write: Assignment #5: Devotions The Constitution on the Liturgy, #13, suggests that devotions should have the "orthodoxy" of the liturgy and the liturgy should strive to be more "devotional" (not just "head" but also some "heart.") What can be done to make Marian liturgical feasts more "devotional"?
During class: Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading. A short "history of devotions" Chapter v21 History of Devotions Chapter v31 Devotional Prayer: Overview
Class #08, Thursday, March 22, 2012 -- Presuppositions about Mary
Before class read: Johnson, Chapters 5, 6 (pp 95-136)
Before class write: Assignment #6: Under the iceberg #1 Ratzinger / von Balthasar and Johnson are writing out of different theological perspectives. How would you describe these differences?
During class: Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading.
Class #09, Thursday, March 29, 2012 -- Mary in History and Culture
Before class read: Johnson, Chapters 7, 8, 9 (pp 137- 208)
Before class write: Assignment #7 : God and Gender Jesus taught us to call God "Abba". Does this imply that God is masculine? How does this issue relate to seeing Mary as the feminine face of God?
During class: Introduction to the book by James A. Wallace. Preaching to the Hungers of the Heart: The Homily on the Feasts and within the Rites and my comments on the final project for this course Chapter m49 Homilies for Feasts of Mary Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading.
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No Class Thursday April 5, 2012 -- Holy Thursday
Class #10, Thursday, April 12, 2012 -- Mary in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew
Before class read: Johnson, Chapter 10 (first half) (pp 209-247)
Before class write: No posting today -- work on assignments #9 & #10
During class: We will view the first half of the DVD: "The Nativity Story." In the light of your reading about the times and culture in which Mary lived, do you find the movie historically accurate?
Class #11, Thursday, April 19, 2012 -- Mary in the Gospels of Luke and John
Before class read: Johnson, Chapter 10 (second half) (pp 247-304)
Before class write: Assignment #8: Exegesis Give an exegesis of the scripture readings assigned to the feast you are researching. What would one need to know about the readings in order to preach well on this feast? [Cite sources accurately.]
During class: We will view the second half of the DVD: "The Nativity Story." In the light of your reading about the meaning of the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke, do you find the movie biblically accurate?
Class #12, Thursday, April 26, 2012 -- Mary and Theology
Before class read: Johnson, Chapter 11 (pp 305-225)
Before class write: Assignment #9: Under the iceberg #2 As you read the texts and participate in the class discussions, are there "stirrings" in the unseen, submerged part of your own theological iceberg? Describe them in a brief essay?
During class: Presentation and discussion of the written assignment and the assigned reading.
Class #13, Thursday, May 3, 2012 -- Homily
Before class read: No assignment
Before class write: Assignment #10: Homily Write a homily for the Marian feast you have been researching. Note: This is not a homiletics course; consequently, specifically homiletic issues are not our concern here. However, be sure that your homily: 1) is based on solid, contemporary exegesis of the biblical texts; 2) contains solid theology and accurate history; 3) is of some practical value both for the preacher and the congregation.
During class: Presentation of Homilies
Class #14, Thursday, May 10, 2012 -- Homily
Before class read: No assignment.
Before class write: No assignment.
During class: Continuation of the presentation of the Homilies. Review of the course. Conclusions. Iceberg Issues? Process comments. Please remember to take the course survey provided by the school.
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1. Before midnight of the day preceding the class period each student is to post on MOODLE the assignment indicated in the syllabus.
2. Grades and comments will be posted in the MOODLE grade book. The ANGEL grade book lists your grades numerically; the School Bulletin states that 95 (and above) = A; 94 = A-; 93 = B+; 92 (and lower) =B. [.5 is rounded up]
3. During the class period selected participants will read their posting and receive comments on it from the professor and the other participants in the course. Each participant is expected to actively participate in the group work, oral presentations, discussions, etc. which will comprise the class time.
4. Absences from class for reasons other than illness are to have the prior approval of the professor.
5. It is helpful, and indeed important, to read one another's postings.
6. Your postings are presumed to be your original thought unless you indicate otherwise. When quoting someone give the source of the quote and indicate by quotation marks where the quotation begins and ends. Each participant is expect to be familiar with the "Statement on Plagiarism" in the Saint Meinrad Student Handbook. -- This is especially important in this course as some of your postings will appear on the web as a public document.
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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 05/10/12 . Your comments on this site are welcome at trichstatter@franciscan.org