The Spirituality of an Institute of Consecrated Life: Living a Charism

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to the terminology, issues, and challenges pertinent to the practice of and the theological reflection on the spirituality of an Institute of Consecrated Life and its lay associates, who make up a charismatic family.

Using the figure of Saint Eugene de Mazenod and of those associated with his charism from 1816 until the present as a working example, the participants will be accompanied in exploring the spirituality of their own Institute.

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION

This course is not offered for enrichment. It is being offered asynchronously online...

1/ For academic credit: for M.A. (3 credits) or M.Div (2 credits)

2/ or for a certificate, where the students are expected to do the work that is set and will be guided in the study of their particular congregational spiritualities.

GOAL OF THE COURSE

• To provide the students with a basic knowledge of the sources, historical development, content and expression of the spirituality of their Institute.

• To assist the students to appropriate and express their own spiritual journey.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion the students will

Objective 1: identify and explain the major elements of the spirituality of their Institute of Consecrated Life.

Objective 2: demonstrate an understanding of the spirituality of their Institute as a living tradition which continues to offer means for a contemporary application.

Objective 3: integrate key themes from the spiritual tradition into their own personal, communitarian and missionary practice.

TOPICS OF THE COURSE

• INTRODUCTORY PRINCIPLES

  • The life of the founding figure.

  • What is spirituality?

  • The historical context of consecrate life.

  • Spirituality is born from and expresses a charism.

  • Identifying the spirit from the foundation until the present.

• SCHOOLS OF SPIRITUALITY THAT HAVE INFLUENCED THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE INSTITUTE 

  • Biblical foundation

  • Monasticism and contemplative life

  • Apostolic missionary life

  • Charismatic families

• IDENTIFYING THE PARTICULAR BIBLICAL FOCUS OF THE INSTITUTE

  • In the experience of the founding figure

  • Its Scriptural foundation

  • Particular expressions and themes to be identified and studied.

• MISSION AS EXPRESSION OF THE CHARISM

  • Mission for the founding figure

  • Development of the Institute

  • In the Constitutions and Rules

• CHARISM EXPRESSED THROUGH THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS

  • Overall understanding of the evangelical counsels for consecrated life

  • Specific focus on the lived expression of the counsels in the institutes

  • Vows particular to some institutes

• CHARISM EXPRESSED IN COMMUNAL LIFE

• CHARIMS EXPRESSED IN LIVING FAITH

  • Prayer

  • Devotions particular to the institute

  • The Blessed Virgin Mary

  • Saints and other models of faith

• FORMATION AS ASSIMILATION OF THE CHARISM

• CHARISM EXPRESSED IN THE SPIRIT OF GOVERNMENT