Traces the development of Monastic spirituality from Benedict to the reform movements of the fifteenth century, with particular emphasis on the writers of the twelfth century. The readings will include various genres: treatises, prayers, lives.

COURSE Syllabus: Medieval Monastic Spirituality

THE 325A. History of US Benedictine Monks.
Fr. Joel Rippinger, OSB, STL, MA.

10 sessions survey the history of Benedictine monks in the United States. Each session includes considerable amount of readings, and then reflection and 1 or 2 page response to 3 or 4 assigned questions.

THE 125A. Introduction to the New Testament.
Dr. Anna Minore, PhD

This course will introduce students to the writings of the New Testament. In order to understand those writings, it will also refer to the Hebrew Scriptures and give some idea of the cultural and historical context of the time, as well as the history of the Jewish people. In addition, it will look to contemporary interpretations of the texts and put those texts into dialogue with issues in contemporary life.

COURSE Syllabus: Introduction to the New Testament

THE 325E. American Benedictine Women's History. Sr.
Judith Sutera, OSB, MA.

Using a bibliography of books, Vatican II documents and recent articles, 30 lessons lead the students to a knowledge of Benedictine women's history in North America, while at the same time inviting the student to compare various eras and think critically about the contemporary implications of historical events.

THE 425A. Art and Monasticism.
Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD.

Beginning with the Rule of Benedict, studies both the theory (John of Damascus, Theophilus, Bernard of Clairvaux, Merton) and practice (Braunfels) of Monastic Art and Architecture. Because of the nature of the sources, an eclectic but stimulating series of sources and reflections on art and monasticism, focusing in particular on St. Bernard's critique of figural art in Benedictine monasteries.

COURSE Syllabus: Art and Monasticism

THE 325B. Nature of Benedictine Prayer.
Sr. Lucy Wynkoop, OSB, MA.

The Rule Benedict, ch. 20, speaks of purity of heart and tears of compunction.” Using a variety of resources which may be tailored to individual needs, this course looks at the influence of Scripture, Antony, Cassian and Evagrius on the RB, which emphasizes awareness of the presence of God. Qualities of Benedictine Prayer which aid awareness are attentiveness, listening, desire, imageless prayer and discernment. Joan Chittister describes Benedictine prayer as universal, converting, reflective and communal."

COURSE Syllabus: Nature of Benedictine Prayer: Reflections on RB 20

THE 325. Women Christian Mystics
Dr. Anna Minore, Ph.D.

This course centers on seven Christian Women Mystics: Hildegard of Bingen, Clare of Assisi, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Therese of Lisieux. For each mystic, students will be asked to read introductory material and a selection from the mystic’s own writings. The goal of the course is to enable the student to study mystics’ reports of their own experiences, and in so doing to explore those experiences in light of their cultural, ethical, and theological content.

COURSE Syllabus: Women Christian Mystics

THE 325: Communion of Saints: Theology of the Church
Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD

This course seeks to understand the mystery of the church by studying the development of the ecclesiology in the NT and throughout church history culminating in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Vatican II (Lumen Gentium). Like that document, the course considers “the communion of God’s holy people” in a wide sense and so includes the communion of saints including eschatology, and the current theology of communion and its relation to ecumenism.

COURSE Syllabus: Communion of Saints: Theology of the Church

THE 325: History of the Christian Church
Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD

A survey of the history of the Christian Church which considers especially the relationship of church and society, the development of the Eucharistic liturgy, a representative saint from each era, and aspects of each era which Christians entering the third millennium might ponder. Because of time constraints, we will have to focus primarily on the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church and on Europe. Rather than concentrating on more recent events, we will try to give each period about equal time.

COURSE Syllabus: History of the Christian Church

THE 325: Introduction to St. Benedict and the Benedictines
(Non credit only] Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB or Sr. Judith Sutera, OSB

This course is meant to provide a first introduction to St. Benedict, his rule, and the history and life of those who have lived by his rule through the centuries. Those taking the course will read the Rule of Benedict and a brief commentary, the Life of Benedict in St. Gregory the Great’s Dialogues, and a brief history of Christian monasticism.

COURSE Syllabus: Introduction to St. Benedict and the Benedictines

THE 325P: Living and Praying the Psalms
Instructor: Fr. Kenneth C. Hein, O.S.B., D.Th.

Through fifteen sessions requiring about six hours each of study, writing, and interaction, the student is introduced to the Psalms of the Old Testament as well as some of the canticles of the Bible. In addition to becoming acquainted with the content of the Psalms, the student will perform exercises to promote his/her personal assimilation of the Psalms in life and in prayer.

COURSE Syllabus: Living and Praying the Psalms

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