The reforms of Vatican II called for greater consciousness of the importance of the Liturgy of the Word. The biblical concept “Word of God,” theologies of the word in patristic and modern theologians, and theological dimensions of proclamation are examined. The various means of biblical interpretation are introduced. Attention is given to the sacramental nature of the word of God. Liturgical documents dealing with the place of the lectionary and homiletics are examined in light of the relationship between word and rite in sacramental liturgy.

This course examines sexuality, marriage, and family from the perspective of Catholic morality. God’s nature as Trinitarian love, the person as imago dei , the intrinsic goodness of the human body (attested to by both Incarnation and Resurrection), the human vocation as self-gift, the grace of baptism, and marriage as an indissoluble spiritual sign of the union between Christ and his church, all instantiate the redemptive possibility of sex as a true language of love. At the same time, the wounds of original sin, the dividedness of the human will, and various “structures of sin” pervading modern culture, instantiate the possible misuse of sex to objectify, degrade, and abuse both self and others. After clarifying the Church’s understanding of the problem, students in the course will develop creative pastoral solutions for future use in their vocation as priests.

This course, named after St. Francis de Sales’ spiritual classic, is designed to explore two of the great works of the Devotio moderna tradition of the Church, St. Francis de Sales’ classic, and Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ. As with the Devotio moderna movement, this course will focus on the tools, concepts, and practices of a life dedicated to conversion and devotion to Christ. It is hoped that a careful reading of these spiritual writings will promote personal as well as pastoral gifts for the participant.

This course will focus on the writings of the first woman doctor of the Church, Saint Teresa of Avila. Of particular interest will be how she integrated a sound theological understanding of who Christ is and who we are in relation to Christ, (Christology and Christian Anthropology), with her mystical experiences. We will be looking primarily at her three major works: The Book of Her Life, The Way of Perfection, and The Interior Castle. We will also discuss some of her lesser known, but powerful works.

The Church’s theology of time is expressed and examined in this course, as context for celebrating the great mysteries of faith. The origins and developments of the major seasons and feasts of the Liturgical Year are explored. Emphasis is placed on the theology of Sunday. The development of the Liturgy of the Hours (both cathedral and monastic) will also be examined, as well as the current shape of the Church’s rites for the Hours. The spirituality of the psalms is explored. The roles of Mary and the saints are also treated.

A study of the basic principles that allow us to understand our world: causality, time, space, matter/form. The relationship of science and faith from a philosophical viewpoint.

This course will explore the works of five of the most important and influential Christian theologians of the twentieth century: Barth, Tillich, von Balthasar, Rahner, and Lonergan. We will read major texts of each of these figures, concentrating on questions of theological method, the relationship between religion and culture, the knowability of God, the rapport between philosophy and faith, theological anthropology and the centrality of Christ.

Through the Church's liturgical and sacramental life the paschal mystery is made present in the lives of the faithful. This course provides background skills necessary in the preparation of liturgical celebrations, discusses current liturgical issues, and encourages the development of the liturgical spirituality.

The goal of the DMin program at Mundelein is to develop the ministerial skill of theological reflection. Theological reflection divorced from prayer is simply impossible. From the earliest times of the Church, the theologian was also a pastor and to try to do theology without the firm foundation of ministry, prayer and discernment leads directly to problems. To help make this connection, and to further theological reflection within the tradition of ministry and prayer, we will be looking at the masters of prayer and discernment, the Spanish Mystics: Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross.