Signs and gifts of God: Sacraments of life and church (CT2310Y)

Content

This unit aims to present with ecumenical sensitivity the origin, meaning and purpose of the Christian sacraments. It begins by outlining foundational concepts upon which contemporary sacramental theology rests, including the importance of symbol, ritual, Jesus as primordial sacrament and the Church as fundamental sacrament. Using this framework, the unit then undertakes a survey of the seven sacraments, paying particular attention to their historical, symbolic, liturgical and pastoral dimensions. Finally, the unit explores and evaluates more recent directions within sacramental theology as a discipline.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

CT1000Y or equivalent and two units of biblical studies at level 1

Pedagogy

Use of “visible learning” pedagogy Seminar format: short lectures; class discussions and activities

Indicative Bibliography

• Chauvet, Louis-Marie. The Sacraments: the Word of God at the Mercy of the Body. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2001.
• Cooke, Bernard. Sacraments and Sacramentality. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1983.
• Lawler, Michael. Symbol and Sacrament: A Contemporary Sacramental Theology. Omaha, NEB.: Creighton University Press, 1987, 1995.
• Martinez, German. Signs of Freedom: Theology of the Christian Sacraments. Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2003.
• Martos, Joseph. Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Ligouri MO/Triumph, 2001.
• Mitchell, Nathan. Meeting Mystery: Liturgy, Worship, Sacraments (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2006.
• Noll, Ray. Sacraments: A New Understanding for a New Generation. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1999 (2nd printing 2001).
• Osborne, Kenan. Sacramental Theology: A General Introduction. Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 1988.
• Philibert, Paul. At the Heart of Christian Worship: Liturgical essays of Yves Congar. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2010.
• Rahner, Karl. The Church and the Sacraments. New York: Herder and Herder, 1963.
• Schillebeeckx, Edward. Christ the Sacrament of Encounter with God. New York & London: Sheed & Ward, 1963.

Assessment