Module THMN44530: Practices of Spiritual Formation in the Catholic Tradition

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN44530: Practices of Spiritual Formation in the Catholic Tradition

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide a thorough engagement with the topic of Christian formation in the Catholic tradition
• To provide a way into the scholarly discussion of Christian formation in historical perspective and an over view of extensive literature in the area of formation
• To encourage an interdisciplinary approach to Christian formation, which draws from work in systematic, practical and pastoral theology, church history, biblical studies and spirituality
• To show the relationship between doctrine and formation in spiritual practice
• To show the diversity of forms of spiritual practices of formation within the broader Catholic tradition

Content

• The module will examine theory and practice in the area of Christian formation, focussing on three models of spiritual formation within the Catholic tradition: Benedictine, Ignatian, and Carmelite.
• Below is an indicative summary of topics that may be covered in the module:
• Background: Christian asceticism and the development of monasticism
• Models of Christian practice:
• Benedictine practice, focusing on the Rule of Benedict, the rhythm of Benedictine life, including prayer, work, and lectio divina; the application of Benedictine practices of spiritual formation in lay spiritual practice;
• Ignatian practice, including study of the Spiritual Exercises; discussion of the lives of St Ignatius and St Francis Xavier; the application of Ignatian spiritual practice in in spiritual direction/formation of the laity;
• Carmelite practice, including study of the works of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila; tracing the development of Carmelite practices of spiritual formation in historical perspective; study of the life and works of St Theresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein); exploration of the relationship between philosophy and spiritual practice in Carmelite tradition from St John of the Cross to St Theresa Benedicta of the Cross; exploration of the uses of Carmelite spiritual practice in formative practices in the church more broadly;
• Practices of Spiritual formation in conversation: Exploration of the similarities and differences of the three styles of practice within the broader context of spiritual formation in the Catholic tradition; analysis of the uses of varieties of practices of spiritual formation in the training and strengthening of both clergy and laity.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the module students should have knowledge of:
• the biblical foundations of practices of formation in Benedictine, Ignatian and Carmelite practice
• the historical development of practices of spiritual formation in Benedictine, Ignatian and Carmelite practice
• the theological framework by which we understand and evaluate practices of formation
• the scholarly discussion of formation in the Catholic tradition, with a view to practices of formation in the wider church

• Upon successful completion of the module students should have:
• Reflected critically on the varieties of practices of formation in the Catholic tradition in practical and academically responsible ways.
• Set those practices in their historical location within the development of practices of spiritual formation in Catholic tradition
• Developed skills of critical reflection on primary and secondary literature with a view to assessing the relationship between theory and practice in spiritual formation
• Connected their academic work in spiritual formation to the assessment of spiritual needs in pastoral situations

• Upon successful completion of the module, students should have:
• Demonstrated their ability as self reflective, critically aware practitioners
• Acquired and synthesised information through reading and research and presented that information clearly and effectively in written format
• Developed research based skills
• Effectively communicated complex interdisciplinary ideas orally in a clear, concise and engaging manner

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The methods will vary, incorporating:
• 1. Lectures: to convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of the subject matter
• 2. Small group discussions: to promote deeper critical engagement with the subject, to offer opportunity for developing and exploring questions relating to the subject-matter of the course and to encourage self-reflection and modelling of good practice through interaction with students and staff.
• 3. Critical reflection in small group discussions on ‘real life’ examples.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be asked to make two brief (10 minute) presentations to the class, one that will provide a summary of a scholarly essay in the field and a second that will address the spiritual formation of one of the figures we will be studying. Both the essay and the figure will be chosen in consultation with the lecturer.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University