Mary in Scripture and Tradition
Course Level: Advanced
Course Summary
This is an ADVANCED level course and should not be attempted without sufficient grounding in the basics of the Catholic faith.
Fathers Johann Roten, S.M. and Bert Buby, S.M., two professors at the International Marian Research Institute, and Sister Jean Frisk, an expert in catechesis, designed this course on Mary to foster an appreciation of the place which the Virgin Mary occupies in the history of salvation and in the life of the Church. They also hope to build a more conscious awareness of the Marian dimension of the Catholic life. This advanced level course is enhanced by its link to the Mary Page of the Marian Library at the University of Dayton that contains ecclesial documents, iconography, a listing of apparitions, and practical answers to questions raised about the role of Mary in the Church today.
Upon entering Session 5 the Session Introduction informs the student that there is a choice of two topics, How to Handle Ecumenical Issues, or How to Handle Questions of Apparitions. Students pick one of the two.
Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.
General Course Objectives
- Understand the Mary of Sacred Scripture
- Discover Mary in the Catechism
- Recognize Mary's place in the Liturgy
- Learn about Marian Devotion
- Explore Specific Issues Regarding Mary
- Know How to Handle Ecumenical Issues
- Know How to Handle the Question of Apparitions
Course Materials
- No books required. All readings are online.
Course Structure and Highlights
- Week 1: Understand the Mary of Sacred Scripture
- Know the texts in the New Testament that refer to Mary
- See Mary in her relationship to Jesus, the Christ (Messiah)
- Week 2: Discover Mary in the Catechism
- Discover Marian references in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Understand the Marian dogmas, trace their historical origins, and discern their value
- Be able to explain Mary’s spiritual motherhood
- Week 3: Mary in the Liturgy
- Understand how the Church integrates Mary in the public prayers of the Church
- Know when the Church celebrates Mary in the liturgy
- Celebrate the seasons with Mary, for example by celebrating December 8th and 12th
- Week 4: Marian Devotion
- Understand the difference and the relationship between devotion and devotions
- Learn the meaning for your spiritual life of Marian devotion
- Discern the value of Marian icons for the spiritual life
- Week 5: How to Handle Ecumenical Issues
- Understand the importance of ecumenical dialogue
- Discover how other Christians, Jews, and Muslims see Mary
- Week 6: How to Handle the Question of Apparitions
- Know the advantages and cautions to exercise in discerning apparitions
- Help for students to discern the significance of apparitions
- Know the difference between private revelation and official revelation
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