FINALITÀ
To help the students to combine theology and spirituality.
To have an overall view of the teaching of the Church on the religious consecrated life, as concerns its identity, contents, rules, directives, and exhortations.
ARGOMENTI
In the light of the Holy Trinity and on the base of the biblical sources, the course will highlight the consecrated life in its three essential dimensions or components: a) consecration; b) communion; c) mission. Each of these basic elements will be analysed in the multiple variety of its aspects, forms and relations: Trinitarian, Christological, spiritual, ecclesiological, sacramental, anthropological, vocational, charismatic, institutional, missionary, historical and eschatological.
Main themes of the course are: 1. The ecclesiastical Magisterium on the consecrated life. 2. A brief summary of the historical realizations of the consecrated life and its theological outlooks: founders and foundresses; transmitted charism; Rules and Constitutions; charismatic re-foundation. 3. The consecrated life as sacrament/mystery: sign and instrument of salvation; vocation as gift and responsibility; variety of vocations and charisms; uniqueness of goal: sequela Christi in holiness/perfection. 4. The profession of the evangelical counsels: a) consecrated chastity as mystery of integrity; b) consecrated poverty as mystery of kenosis; c) consecrated obedience, as mystery of submission. Personal and communitarian dimension of the vows. 5. The consecrated life as communion and community: the Trinitarian prototype; the anthropological foundations; fraternal love as strength and cross: towards all, towards the privileged ones; extension of fraternal life: local communities and other levels; services of those in authority; the Habit; the closed space. 6. The consecrated life as mission and dialogue: personal testimony; cooperation with the Laity; manifold presence in fields of helpful love; evangelization and new evangelization; inculturation and interculturation in a pluricentric world. 7. The formation: promotion of vocations; phases of initial formation within the ongoing formation; decision and crisis; renewal and reform.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to: Identify the main tenets of the consecrated life; explain in discussion the ecclesial teaching of the consecrated life; expounding on how to live and to promote the consecrated life
TESTI
Textbook:
Wójtowicz, Kazimierz. 2014. The Priceless Gift of the Consecrated Life. A Primer of the Theology of Consecrated Life. Translated by Pascale-Dominique Nau. Rome: Lulu.
Bibliography:
Cabra, Pier Giordano. 2010. A Short Course on the Consecrated Life: Reflections on Theology. Oxbridge: Institute on Religious Life; Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 1990. Directives “Potissimum Institutionis” on Formation in Religious Institutes. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 1994. Fraternal Life in Community. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 2002. Instruction “Starting afresh from Christ” Concerning A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 2008. Instruction “Faciem tuam, Domine, requiram” on the Service of Authority and Obedience. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 2014. Letter “Keep Watch!” to Consecrated Men and Women Journeying in the Footsteps of God on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 2016. Identity and mission of the Religious Brother in the Church. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 2017. Guidelines “New Wine in new wineskins” Concerning the Consecrated Life and its Ongoing Challenges Since Vatican II. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Francis. 2014. Apostolic Letter to All Consecrated People on the Occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; García Paredes, José Cristo Rey. 2006. Theology of Religious Life: Covenant and Mission. 5 vols. Translated by Domingo Moraleda. Quezon City: Claretian Publications; John Paul II. 1996. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Vita Consecrata” on the Consecrated Life and Its Mission in the Church and in the World. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Martinelli, Paolo, ed. 2017. Custodi dello stupore. La vita consacrata: Vangelo, profezia e Speranza. Milano: Glossa; McDonough, Eizabeth. 1985. Religious in the 1983 Code: New Approaches to the new Law. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press; Paul VI. 1971. Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelica Testificatio” on the Renewal of the Religious Life According to the Teaching of the Second Vatican Council. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Pius XII. 1947. Apostolic Constitution “Provida Mater Ecclesia” Concerning Secular Institutes. Vatican City: Vatican Polyglot Press; Sacred Congregation for Religious and for Secular Institutes, and Sacred Congregation for Bishops. 1978. Directives “Mutual relations” Between Bishops and Religious in the Church. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Schneiders, Sandra. 2000. Finding the Treasure: Locating Catholic Religious Life in a New Ecclesial and Cultural Context. New York: Paulist Press; Schneiders, Sandra. 2001. Selling All: Commitment, Consecrated Celibacy, and Community in Catholic Religious Life. New York: Paulist Press; Second Vatican Council. 1965. Decree “Perfectae Caritatis” on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House; Uríbarri Bilbao, Gabino. 2007. Portar las marcas de Jesús. Teología y espiritualidad de la vida consagrada. 4th Edición. Madrid: Desclée de Brouwer.