Semester Regular Offerings

SP705 FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY (3)
Examines spirituality as an aspect of human life flowing from an experience of God, shaped and nourished in the Christian community. Explores biblical, historical and liturgical dimensions of spirituality focused on the following of Christ. Addresses contemporary approaches such as spirituality for ministry, feminine spirituality and lay spirituality, providing a theological framework for further study. (Fall) [SY applicable]

SP740 CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY THROUGH THE AGES(3) [EH applicable]
Focuses on the readings, analysis and discussion of several representative spiritual classics of the Western Christian tradition. These texts are examined with attention to their original socio-cultural setting, their distinctive spiritual contours and their relevant important for spirituality. (Spring)

SP780  INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION (3)Introduces the process of spiritual direction, its goals and models, as well as the development of listening and responding skills needed for its effective practice.  Selected topics include the history, nature and theological foundations of the ministry.  Provides the opportunity for critical reflection on topics presented as well as the opportunity for some practice of skills. Examines the process and skills of spiritual direction with emphasis given to how the theory is being evidenced in the student’s own practice of the ministry.  Selected topics include: conversion, discernment, facilitating growth in prayer, and relationship of spirituality and human development.  Explores additional topics as interests and needs demand. (Fall)

SP787  MINISTERIAL PRACTICUM IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION (6)
Provides an experience of ministry for those students specializing in Spiritual Direction Studies.  Pre-requisite:  Approval of Program Director and normally SP785 and SP786.  (Fall and Spring combined)

SP793D  THE FOUNDATION TRADITION: CARMEL 1200-1300 (3)
Examines the early documents and development of the Carmelite Order and its spirituality from its foundation (c. 1206) through its first century as Carmel moved from a community of hermits to an international order of mendicant friars.  (Fall)

SP793E  THE REFORMING TRADITION: CARMEL 1300-1500 (3)
Examines the attempts to animate the Carmelite tradition through the social and religious turbulence of the later Middle Ages and how these attempts influenced the later Carmelite tradition, which culminated in the reforms of St. Teresa. (Fall)

SP793F  THE REFORM OF TERESA OF AVILA: 1500-1600 (3)
Studies the reform of the Order by Teresa of Avila, and the beginning of the Discalced Carmelites:  the spiritual themes of Teresa and John of the Cross.  (Spring)

SP793G  CARMEL THROUGH THE MODERN ERA: 1600-PRESENT (3)
Studies the reform of Touraine and the later history of the Carmelites: the contributions of Lawrence of the Resurrection, Elizabeth of the Trinity, Thérèse of Lisieux, Titus Brandsma, and Edith Stein.  (Spring)

Special Offerings

SP707  FOUNDATIONS OF IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY (3)
Explores the theological, spiritual and pastoral implications of Ignatian spirituality as a resource for contemporary ministry in the Church. Includes topics such as Ignatius of Loyola, the Spiritual Exercises, the nature and practice of prayer, conversion, contemplation in action and discernment as a practice of finding God in all things. (Spring 2011)

SP719 FRANCISCAN EVANGELICAL PENTITENTIAL LIFE (3)
Investigates the significance of evangelical and penitential life in the Franciscan family today by: 1) reading contemporary authors who have raised questions about Franciscan identity and ministry in our post-modern culture working on the assumption that the evangelical and pentitential life can be manifested only in a cultural context; 2) by considering how these terms are understood within the culture of the Catholic Church, exploring some magisterial positions from Vatican II and Paul VI; 3) attempting to find points of intersection between post-modern, Catholic and Franciscan cultures by retrieving the ways that early Franciscans created a synthesis of cultural elements in the 13th century - questioning whether or not fidelity to Franciscan ideals of evangelical and penitential life entails creativity and daptation to new cultural contexts; 4) finally exploring how Franciscans adapt their understanding of this life in light of forces that fed into and come from Vatican II. (Fall 2010)

SP774 SPIRITUALITY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (3)
Examines how spiritual writers and developmental psychologists map the human journey from different perspectives. Studies the relationship of the tow perspectives and the thesis that stages or reasons of human maturation are best viewed as responses to God’s invitation into life. Authentic human development is a gradual process of divination, a participation in God’s life. (Spring 2011) 

Potential Offerings

SP714 ENCOUNTERING JESUS: AN IGNATIAN APPROACH (3) [SY and SS applicable]

SP716  WRITINGS OF FRANCIS AND CLARE (3)

SP746  SPIRITUALITY OF STS. FRANCES DE SALES AND JANE DE CHANTAL (3)