RS 501 Foundational Course in Sacred Scripture
This course is designed to build upon the student's general background in Biblical matters by attention to the following topics: history and geography of the Biblical period; the formation of the two testaments and types of Biblical literature; texts, translations and tools for research; questions of canonicity and inspiration; various methods of Biblical criticism; and, the role of Scripture in the Church and in Christian theology today.

RS 511 The Pentateuch
A study of the main contributions of several important exegetical methodologies (historical, source, form, redaction and new literary criticism) to the understanding of Genesis through Deuteronomy; also includes a discussion of the historicity, main themes and theological affirmations of the Pentateuch, with a particular emphasis upon the place of the Pentateuch in salvation history.

RS 513 Prophets of Israel
A study of the identity and role of the prophet within the history and traditions of Israel, including a review of the vision and mission of the individual prophets, major prophetic themes, and the

RS 514 Old Testament Prophets: Historical Survey and Spiritual Reflections
A review of the historical setting, theological vision and personal mission of each of the Old Testament prophets, along with theological and spiritual reflections on the prophets' message for the faith community of our day.

RS 515 Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament
A general introduction to the concept of wisdom and the growth of a wisdom tradition in Israel within the larger context of Ancient Near Eastern culture, including a survey of the Wisdom writings of the Old Testament, and an examination of their major themes and significant theological concerns by means of the exegesis of selected passages.

RS 517 Book of Psalms
A study of the Psalms as inspired literary works which capture both the experience of commitment to a living God and the personal transformation which is one goal of that experience, along with analyses of the historical background, characteristic modes of Hebrew thinking and expression, and the cultural and religious milieu of individual Psalms which are representative of each major literary type. The main goal of the course is an appreciation of the enduring value of the Psalms in personal and communal prayer.

RS 521 Selected Texts of the Exodus Sinai Narratives
A detailed examination of selected passages from Israel's exodus, wilderness wandering and Sinai covenant traditions, employing the methods of historical, form, redaction and new literary criticism (a close reading of the text with narrative and stylistic analyses). To facilitate mastery of these methods, participants are expected to make short presentations during some class periods.

RS 525 Biblical Roots of Fidelity
A study of the theme of God's fidelity to the people of Israel and the people's fidelity to God according to the books of Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History, including the demands and benefits of fidelity; the greatest commandment; the consequences of a decision to serve God or other gods; strength and courage to follow God unreservedly; and implications for an understanding of New Testament discipleship.

RS 531 Synoptic Gospels
A comparative study of the three Synoptic Gospels, including a consideration of the historical setting of the New Testament within first-century Judaism and a brief review of modern New Testament scholarship, along with specific attention to questions of authorship and theological purpose, audience and dating, sources and structure, significant themes and selected texts in each individual gospel.

RS 533 Gospel According to Matthew
A study of the fundamental issues of the Synoptic Problem, source, form and redaction criticism, based on a detailed analysis of selected passages of the Gospel according to Matthew, along with attention to Christological dimensions expressed in the titles and miracles of Jesus, and a consideration of the Passion/Resurrection Narratives.

RS 535 Gospel According to Mark
An introduction to the literary genre of gospel, the Synoptic Problem and Synoptic methodology; a study of the origin, structure, style and purpose of Mark's gospel; attention to the history of the Markan community as illuminated by the gospel as well as to the miracle tradition contained therein; an analysis of several key themes in Mark's gospel (including Christology and discipleship), along with the exegesis of selected representative texts.

RS 537 Gospel According to Luke and Acts of the Apostles
A study of the Lukan corpus, including questions about authorship, date of composition, audience; the purpose of the combined work; the authenticity of its historical record; its sources and structure; and its relation to the Synoptic Gospels and to Paul's letters; along with a discussion of major themes and the examination of selected passages from both volumes.

RS 539 Johannine Literature
Attention to the distinctive character of the Fourth Gospel and the relationship between this gospel, the three canonical Johannine epistles and the Book of Revelation, including an overview of contemporary issues in Johannine scholarship along with an exegetical and theological analysis of selected texts from the gospel and the letters.

RS 541 Epistles of St. Paul
A brief survey of the Acts of the Apostles and the life of Paul, and an introduction to the Epistles in general, to provide the context and background for the study of the letters. The course focuses upon the principal letters of the Pauline corpus, and concludes with a brief discussion of the main themes of the Captivity Epistles and the Pastorals.

RS 543 Selected New Testament Letters
A reading and study of the important works of the New Testament considered by some to be Deutero-Pauline: Ephesians, Colossians, I-II Timothy and Titus. Separate attention will be given to the special case of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

RS 557 Resurrection Accounts in the New Testament
A introduction to Old Testament and inter-testamental concepts of resurrection, and a comparative analysis of the Resurrection accounts of I Corinthians and the four gospels, with attention to the characteristics of each account, their common or differing traditions and their respective sources, along with an emphasis upon the exegetical approaches of various contemporary Biblical critics.

RS 570 Book of Revelation
This course first treats the apocalyptic genre: its unique literary characteristics, the message peculiar to it, and its canons of interpretation. All this will then be applied to an exegetical survey of the Book of Revelation. The survey will highlight the book's predominant message of hope to believers of the first century and of our own time.

RS 580 Use of Sacred Scripture in Moral Theology
An examination of the Vatican II affirmation that Sacred Scripture must be viewed as the “soul” or foundation of all theology (Optatam Totius, 16), with special emphasis upon an interdisciplinary study of how Sacred Scripture has been used as the basis for moral action in the history of the Church up to the present day. (Also presented in seminar form as RS 590)

RS 583 Biblical Spirituality
This course explores basic themes of Christian Spirituality as found in the Old and New Testaments. They begin with the account of humankind’s fall from union with God through sin as recorded in Genesis. They then trace God’s plan of salvation from its initiation with Abraham through the rest of the Old Testament and into the New Testament particularly as noted in the writings of John and Paul.

RS 584 The Holy Spirit and the Church in the New Testament
The course will present an in-depth study of revealed data of the New Testament which provides the basis for subsequent formulations of the Church regarding pneumatology (the Spirit sent by the Father and the Son, the Spirit given to the person who believes, the work of the Spirit in those who believe), ecclesiology (the Spirit forms the body of Christ which is the Church, the formation of the Church through baptism for the remission of sins), and eschatology (the resurrection of the body, the hope of glory, and participation in the Divine Life.

RS 586 The Holy Eucharist in the New Testament
This course will examine New Testament texts regarding the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Consideration will be given to the authenticity of the words of institution, the liturgical character of the accounts, the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist, the Real Presence, and the importance of anamnesis in the life of the Church. Old Testament background of remembrance, sacrifice, covenant, communion with the Divine, the enigmatic “Servant of Yahweh” and expiation for sins, will help the student appreciate and savor this Eucharistic Mystery as presented in Scripture for the life of the Church.

RS 587 Biblical Catechesis
Biblical Catechesis seeks to provide an introduction to the role of Sacred Scripture in the content and method of teaching the Catholic Faith. Emphasis in this course will be on the history of salvation reflected in the sacred text. The covenant which began with Abraham that leads to and is fully realized in the ministry, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is examined through overarching themes: promise-fulfillment, sacrifice, sacraments, and continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The course will examine these themes with a view to presenting them in catechetical instruction on various levels of intellect and faith formation. Students taking this course will be required to actively participate in classroom practicum. The required pre-requisite for this course is RS 501: Foundational Course in Sacred Scripture. No exceptions can be given for this pre-requisite due to the fact that the course builds directly on the foundations provided in RS 501, particularly regarding the Church’s understanding of the Biblical text and its directives for study and interpretation.

RS 601 Foundational Course in Systematic Theology
This course offers an introductory study of systematic theology in the Catholic tradition, including an examination of human experience, Divine Revelation, faith and the teaching Church as the principal fonts of the theological enterprise, along with an assessment of several theological methods and contemporary developments.

RS 605 Foundational Documents of Vatican II
A theological reflection on the teachings of Vatican II, concentrating on its four pivotal constitutions; the course examines the scripturally-based ecclesiology of Lumen Gentium; the relation of Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium in Dei Verbum; Christian anthropology, marriage and family in Gaudium et Spes; and the bases for liturgical renewal in Sacrosanctum Concilium. Additional topics of interest include ecumenical dialogue, church-state relations and values in social communications from the perspective of Conciliar teachings.

RS 611 Mystery of God: Unity and Trinity
A study of the traditional tract known as “God, One and Three” in the light of current theological procedures which stress a method based on Scripture and related to the pastoral situation, including particular attention to what in the modern age has been called “The Problem of God”.

RS 612 Theology of the Cross
This course offers a study of the cross of Christ in His work of salvation, and the redemptive value given to human suffering by His passion, death and resurrection. The course will explore the precise way in which the suffering of the members of the Mystical Body of Christ are joined to the self-offering of the head of the Body in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Emphasis will be given to the relation between the Paschal Mystery and the Eucharist as the fundamental structure of a Christian life.

RS 613 Theology of Christ
An investigation of the relationship of Jesus of Nazareth to ultimate salvation, with attention to Jesus' historical activity and message, the origin of faith responses to Jesus and the foundational confessional patterns of the Church, and including theological and anthropological dimensions of the Mystery of Christ and the role of Marian dogmas in Christology.

RS 615 Theology of the Spirit
A study of the development of the faith awareness of the Holy Spirit in Christianity, including Biblical faith in the Spirit of God, the redefinition of the concept of God through the awareness of the Spirit in Church community and the meaning of constituting Church in the power of the Spirit.

RS 619 Theology of Grace
An examination of the origin and growth of the new life received through Jesus Christ and the development of confessional language with specific reference to Paul, Augustine, Aquinas and Luther, with emphasis upon the core paradox of divine sovereignty and human freedom, along with attention to related doctrines of original sin, predestination, merit and justification.

RS 620 In the Image and Likeness of God
This course is devoted to the study of the doctrines of creation in general, angels, the nature and supernatural elevation of man, original justice, original sin, grace, justification and merit.

RS 631 Theology of the Church
A consideration of the Church as simultaneously a human community and a mystery of faith in history; the Church's relationship to the Kingdom of God for understanding its foundation and mission; the Church as People of God, Body of Christ, and Creation of the Spirit; and the roles of papal ministry, the college of bishops, teaching office, and Mary as a type of the Church.

RS 645 Mary, Mother of God and the Church
A study of Marian texts in Sacred Scripture, patristic and conciliar teachings and the major Marian doctrines, with special attention to recent Magisterial teaching on the Blessed Virgin and the place of Marian devotions in contemporary Christian spiritual life.

RS 651 Theology of the Sacraments
A doctrinal survey of the sacraments: the relationship of the individual sacraments to the Mystery of Christ and the Church, including both principles of general sacramental theology and a consideration of major doctrinal questions regarding individual sacraments.

RS 653 Sacraments of Initiation
The development of the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation proceeding from their original union through their distinction to the contemporary emphasis on their renewed union, with attention to the Eucharist as the culmination of the initiation process.

RS 654 RCIA: Theology and Practice
A complete and detailed study of the history and theology of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, including a treatment of the structure of the Rite, the various options and alternatives it provides, and a detailed study of its liturgical aspects.

RS 655 Theology of Eucharist
An examination of various dimensions of the Christian Eucharist, beginning with the Scriptural traditions and their theologies, including consideration of the Eucharist as a sacrament of the eschatological future and in-gathering of God's people, as a sacrament of the divine presence and the moral empowerment of the community, and as a sacrament of the passion of Jesus and the definitive liberation of humanity.

RS 657 Penance and Reconciliation
A historical and theological analysis of sin, penance and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, including an examination of the mystery and ministry of reconciliation as evidenced in the present liturgical ritual and the application of the ritual to various segments of Church membership.

RS 658 The Fathers of the Church on Christian Initiation
The course will examine early Christianity’s experience of Christian Initiation as articulated in the writings of the Fathers of the Church. Attention will be devoted to the Church’s manner of welcoming, forming, leading and sustaining new members and the entire community in the Liturgical Order of Initiation and how this Order became formative of Church. The course will examine how the Fathers creatively received the Tradition and handed-on this living experience in the pastoral setting of their local Church (Dei Verbum, 1965). In light of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (1988) and the General Directory for Catechesis (1997), the course will examine a variety of specific Patristic texts to uncover how the Fathers modeled the Catechumenate on the Divine Pedagogy and how the Baptismal Catechumenate became the model for all catechetical activity.

RS 665 Patrology
This course will survey the writings of early Christian authors, the Father of the Eastern and Western Church. Special attention will be given to the historical circumstances in which they wrote, as well as the works they produced and the themes that preoccupied them. Emphasis will be placed on the role the Fathers played in the life of the Church and their influence on their contemporaries and subsequent generations of Christians. This course will focus on the Fathers as witnesses to the Church’s faith in the Trinity and in the Eucharist. Coming to grips with the practical effects of heresy forced the Fathers to develop a rich catechesis and spirituality of the Trinity and the Eucharist.

RS 701 Foundational Course in Moral Theology
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental issues of moral theology in the light of Scripture, the moral tradition of the Church and the human sciences. It includes an overview of the history of moral theology and an examination of Jesus Christ as the source and model of moral values, humanity's dignity and destiny, moral decision-making and the formation of conscience, human freedom, sin and conversion.

RS 703 Survey of Contemporary American Catholic Moral Theologians
A study of the idea of theological pluralism within the Catholic Church and the question of theological dissent from Magisterial teachings, and an examination of the methodologies and conclusions of selected authors, including Charles Curran, Germain Grisez, Philip Keane, William May and Richard McCormick with respect to their evaluations of special moral questions. (Also presented in seminar form as RS 790)

RS 704 Veritatis Splendor and the Moral Magisterium of Pope John Paul II
This course will study Pope John Paul II’s 1993 moral encyclical Veritatis Splendor in the broader context of papal teaching, especially as found in two subsequent and directly connected encyclicals, Evangelium Vitae and Fides et Ratio.

RS 707 Theological and Moral Virtues
A study of the moral life from the perspective of the classical and Christian teaching of the virtues, including the natural moral virtues organized around the cardinal virtues of justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance, along with the moral duties toward God arising from the gift of the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. (Also presented in seminar form as RS 790)

RS 711 Medical Moral and Life Issues
The presentation and explanation of several general principles operative in the moral evaluation of health care issues, along with the application of these principles to several specific issues, including abortion, contraception, human experimentation, triage, human reconstruction and euthanasia.

RS 714 Moral Issues in Death and Dying
An examination of the moral obligation to pursue and to preserve life, and an evaluation of this obligation as absolute or non-absolute, along with the application of the moral distinction between ordinary and extra-ordinary means to questions of medical treatment of the dying and the permanently unconscious patient; also includes a consideration of the moral implications of the federal Patient Self-Determination Act and the legislation of various states on these issues.

RS 721 Sexuality and Marriage in Catholic Teachings
A study of the philosophical and theological foundations of Catholic teaching and a consideration of specific moral issues, including conjugal chastity, natural family planning, contraception, masturbation, premarital sex, homosexuality, sterilization, technological reproduction, and celibacy. The presentation affirms the reasonableness of the Church's teaching on human sexuality and attempts to show the freedom which results from a life lived in conformity with that teaching.

RS 725 Sacramentality and Christian Marriage
An examination of the theology of marriage as a sacrament and some of the principal moral issues involved in married life, including a consideration of the character of natural marriage as a basis for understanding the sacramental character of marriage and a treatment of the historical development of Catholic doctrine, with particular emphasis upon the thought of John Paul II in the sexuality catecheses of his Wednesday audiences and in Familiaris Consortio.

RS 731/SW 734 Catholic Social Thought
An examination of the moral dimensions of humanity's social nature in terms of classical concepts such as the common good, the correlation of rights and duties, the nature of law and the power of the state; the fundamental components of the social order with a view to the primacy of the family, the nature of private property, resistance to unjust government; and the international social order and just war theories in a nuclear age. Of particular importance is the development and articulation of such concepts in the great modern encyclicals of the Church.

RS 751 Contemporary Moral Issues and the Mass Media
A study of moral issues such as abortion, organ transplants, surrogate motherhood, genetic testing, aging, euthanasia and others as they are covered in the media, both secular and religious. The course includes a treatment of the major theological themes relating to these topics and the presentation of practical pointers on how to use the media to communicate in a cogent, interesting and convincing style the Church's teaching on these complex issues.

RS 761 Catholic Teachings on War and Peace
This course offers a study of issues of war and peace from the Catholic perspective, with particular attention to the development of the just war doctrine from St. Augustine to the present. It includes a particular examination of the American Bishops' pastoral letter, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response in relationship to the pastoral letters of several other episcopal conferences in the 1980's.

RS 762 Contraception and Church Teaching
The teaching of the Catholic Church on contraception will be explored in detail. Basic moral principles and concepts supporting the teaching will be explained and a thorough presentation of the history of the teaching will be provided. The course will examine the encyclicals Casti Connubii and Humanae Vitae. The approach of various theologians will be explored. A special emphasis will be given to the philosophical and theological basis for the Theology of the Body of Pope John Paul II and how it helps to clarify the teaching.

RS 812 Liturgy and Christian Life
An introduction to liturgical prayer and liturgical spirituality, with emphasis on the meaning and place of worship and ritual, sign and symbol in the Christian life, along with a study of the Church year as the unfolding of the mystery of Christ, the Liturgy of the Hours as the Church's celebration and proclamation, and related topics such as architecture, art and music in the liturgy.

RS 820 History of Catholic Spirituality in America
A historical survey of the development of Catholic spirituality as it develops within from the larger Church tradition and how that piety has been lived out in the United States from its beginnings to the present time, with special emphasis upon the Church in Philadelphia.

RS 821/SW733 History of the Catholic Church in America
The history of Roman Catholicism in what became the United States of America is the topic of the course. The constituent elements of American Catholicism from 1565 to the 1990's are put in the context of major themes such as ethnicity, parish life, leadership, the frontier, urbanization, piety, socialization, and the larger American social-cultural history.

RS 825 History of the Early Church
A survey of the history of the Church from the first to the seventh century, with an emphasis on the social milieu, institutions, beliefs and practices, and major figures of the early Church as a foundation for theological study and pastoral ministry. Also included is an introduction to historical methodology.

RS 833 Christian Marriage and Family Ministry
A study of the history and theology of Christian marriage and family life by tracing the Judeo-Christian understanding of marriage from the Old Testament through the New Testament to the present, including its link with covenant; special emphasis is given to recent Church documents regarding marriage and family life, including Familiaris Consortio, A Family Perspective in Church and Society, and Putting Children and Families First.

RS 841 Principles and Applications of Church Law
An introductory study of the nature, history and function of Church Law, with emphasis upon the development of Church Law since Vatican Council II, including such topics as basic principles (Book I), rights and responsibilities of the faithful and ecclesial structures (Book II), the teaching mission of the Church (Book III), the sanctifying mission of the Church (Book IV) and temporal goods (Book V).

RS 850 Dimensions of Pastoral Counseling I
An introductory study of the essential goals of pastoral counseling, the nature of the counseling process, basic skills and approaches used in the counseling relationship, along with a consideration of typical difficulties in both adolescent and adult stages of personal development. (Also presented in seminar form as RS 890)

RS 851 Dimensions of Pastoral Counseling II
This course builds upon the fundamentals of the counseling relationship and basic pastoral skills addressed in RS 850: Dimensions of Pastoral Counseling I with particular attention to the issues of diagnosis, intervention and the process of change; it includes audio/video tape supervision of the student's interview and counseling skills.

RS 852 Principles and Norms for Evangelization and Catechesis
A survey study of Magisterial documents pertaining to Catechesis: The Creed of the People of God; the Catechetical Directories, General and National; Evangelii Nuntiandi and Catechesi Tradendae: the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA); the Code of Canon Law; and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

RS 853 Catechetical Program Organization and Methodology
This course addresses the work of Directors of Religious Education and their training of catechists and volunteers, together with methods of organization, supervision and evaluation. The General Directory for Catechesis, Parts III through V, is correlated with the National Catechetical Directory and is then applied to practical parish catechetical issues.

RS 854 Catechesis and the Contemporary Parish
This course offers a comprehensive overview of the essential elements and stages of catechetical development and maturity within the parish community. Following the direction given in the General Directory for Catechesis, initiatory catechesis (RCIA, all pre-sacramental programs and basic catechesis of children, youth and uncatechized adults), continuing catechesis (Scripture studies, liturgical instruction, spiritual formation) and perfective catechesis (apologetics and theological investigation) will be examined in the various areas of parish life. The course will offer guidance in developing an organic parish program of catechetics.

RS 855 Catechesis: Content and Methodology
This course will explore a variety of catechetical methods recognizing that “method is at the service of revelation and conversion” (Catechesi Tradendae, 52) and “that good catechetical method is a guarantee of fidelity to content” (General Directory for Catechesis, 149). Catechetical methods will be examined in light of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the new General Directory for Catechesis. The ecclesial method and liturgy, Scripture, morality and spirituality in methodology will be highlighted.

RS 889 Death and Dying: A Christian Perspective
An investigation of death and dying from varied horizons, viewing the reality of death theologically, sociologically and psychologically, along with a discussion of crisis, the death of children and adolescents, and practical ramifications for pastoral ministry; especially designed for parish and hospital ministers, and classroom teachers.

RS 901 History of Christian Spirituality
An introductory study of the foundations of Christian spirituality, along with the various forms of spirituality developed through the successive periods of the Church's life.

RS 903 Theology of Prayer
Biblical and doctrinal reflections on the presence of God and the nature of Christian prayer, including topics such as the exercise of prayer and attitudes of prayerfulness; the component elements of prayerfulness; growing in conformity to God's will; prayerfulness as memory of and desire for God; and prayer by connaturality and its degrees.

RS 910 Spirituality of Faith and Hope
Biblical and theological reflections on the spiritual life from the perspective of faith and hope, as evidenced in the theology of Vatican Council II, along with an emphasis upon the significance of these twin virtues for the life and mission of the Church.

RS 911 The Experience of Faith: Religious Poetry and the Christian Tradition
A survey of religious poetry studied within the framework of specific beliefs and Christian doctrine and critiqued within the context of the faith of the age, with attention to questions of the sacred vs. the secular, religious experience, the dark night of the soul and the mystery of God and emphasis upon the metaphysical poets, the Puritan tradition, Tennyson's In Memoriam, Hopkins' Wreck of the Deutschland, Dickinson, Eliot and others.

RS 912 Foundations of Christian Spirituality
An investigation of the various foundations of spirituality in the Catholic Tradition: the primacy of the Word and Spirit in the genesis and development of the spiritual life; the healing and transformation of the human person; the apophatic dimension of the encounter with God; asceticism and mysticism; the “three ages of the spiritual life”; also includes some consideration of ecumenical perspectives on Christian spirituality. (Also presented in seminar form as RS 990)

RS 914 Spiritual Theology
This course develops a working definition for spiritual theology and spirituality in relationship to theology as a whole. The pursuit of Christian perfection and the universal call to holiness is examined for the spirituality of the laity, the consecrated life, and the ministerial priesthood. Central themes include: the Trinitarian, sacramental, and ecclesial aspects of our life in Christ; conversion; Mary and the Christian life; prayer; and aids to spiritual growth.

RS 940 Liturgy and Spirituality
An examination of the close relationship between the personal search for God and the corporate life of worship as developed in the tradition of Christian faith and practice, considered through a study of historical models and the theological principles on which those models are based; particular attention is given to the interplay between sacraments, the Liturgy of the Hours and personal prayer as constitutive of authentic Christian spirituality.

RS 941 Spirituality of the Early Church
A study of the religious literature of the early centuries, a period of great cultural, spiritual and apostolic wealth, with a focus upon the Apostolic Fathers, including a review of their privileged witnesses to Tradition, their defense of the Faith, and their understanding of dogmatic progress, inculturation and the experience of the divine.

RS 951 Theology of the Consecrated Life
An examination of the dogmatic foundations of the consecrated life as “a gift of God which the Church has received from her Lord” (Lumen Gentium, 43), including historical research into the development of the consecrated life and a consideration of the evangelical counsels, life in community, and the prayer and ministry of consecrated Christians.

RS 962 The Spiritual Doctrine of Saint Thérese of Lisieux
This course will survey the life and spiritual doctrine of Saint Thér?se of Lisieux as manifested in her “autobiography,” The Story of a Soul, her Letters and Last Conversations. Special attention will be given to various theological investigations of her ascetico-mystical teaching, including that of Hans Urs von Balthasar.

RS 963 The Spirituality of Saint Francis De Sales
This course will examine the ascetical and mystical teaching of Saint Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church. Topics will include: Saint Francis’ teaching on prayer, growth in virtue, mystical contemplation, and the universal call to holiness.

RS 964 The Spirituality of Saint Katharine Drexel
This course will reflect upon the life and spiritual doctrine of the woman from Philadelphia who was canonized in the year 2000. Saint Katherine’s spirituality was rooted in a love for the Eucharist that nourished her apostolic work. Her “total gift of self” included founding a congregation to serve the Native and African American peoples. The spirituality of Saint Katherine provides significant insights for the contemporary spirituality of the laity, consecrated life, and ordained.