ARGOMENTI
1. Nature and Scope of Spiritual Theology. Its sources: bible, liturgy, theology, saints. The Goal of our striving: the glory of God, salvation, sanctification, life in the Trinity. 2. The supernatural organism: grace, gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, beatitudes. Perfection of the Christian life: definition, nature, universal call, evangelical precepts and counsels, grades of perfection. 3. Growth in holiness: conversion from sin, remedies, progressive purgation and purification. Means of spiritual growth: sacraments, good works, prayer. Kinds and grades of prayer. 4. Aids to spiritual growth: presence of God, examination of conscience, desire for perfection, conformity to God's will, fidelity to grace, plan of life, spiritual reading, holy friendships. 5. Spiritual direction: definition, the spiritual director, the person directed. Discernment of spirits: definition, types of spirits, obsession and possession.
TESTI
Textbook: AUMANN J., Spiritual Theology, Continuum, London-New York, 2006.
CHAN S., Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life, InterVarsity Press, Dovers Grove 1998. DOWNEY M. (ed.), The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 1993.
ID., Nuovo Dizionario di Spiritualità, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Città del Vaticano, 2003. DUPRÉ L.K. - WISEMAN J.A., Light from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism, Paulist Press, New York, 2001. HOLDER A., The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality, Blackwell Publ., Malden, MA, 2006. JONES CH. -WAINWRIGHT G. - YARNOLD E., The Study of Spirituality, SCPK, London 62000. KUTTIANIMATTATHIL J. (ed.), Spiritual direction today, Essays in Honour of Rev. Fr. Matthew Maruvathrail, SDB, Kristu Jyoti Publications, Bangalore, 2011. MCGRATH A. E., Christian Spirituality: An Introduction, Blackwell Publ., Crestwood, New York 92005. POWER D., A Spiritual Theology for Priesthood: The Mystery of Christ and the Mystery of the Priest, Catholic University of America, Washington, 1998. MURSELL G., The Story of Christian Spirituality: Two Thousand Years, from East to West, Lion Hudson Plc, 2001. SHELDRAKE P., A Brief History of Spirituality, Blackwell Publ., 2006. ID., The New SCM Dictionary of Christian Spirituality, SCM, London, 2005. (Some classical spiritual masterpieces will be also indicated). SPIDLIK T., Spirituality of the Christian East: A Systematic Handbook, Cistercencian Publications, Kalamazoo, MI, 1986.