Liturgical Theology Syllabus

Liturgical Theology

Prepared for the deacons in formation of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Readings for the First Weekend (14-16 November 2008): History of Liturgy and Sacramental Theology

A. Required Readings available on the Internet

Council of Trent. Session 7: Decree Concerning the Sacraments, Canons on the Sacraments in General
Daniel G. Van Slyke. "The Changing Meanings of sacramentum: Historical Sketches" Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal 11.3 (2007) 245-279.

B. Required Texts

Denis Crouan. The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy. Trans. Michael Miller. San Francisco, Ignatius, 2005.
Jean Danielou. The Bible and the Liturgy. Notre Dame IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1956.

Readings for the Second Weekend (9-11 January 2008): Modern and Contemporary Liturgical Theology and Liturgical Books

A. Required Readings available on the Internet

Pope Pius XII. Encyclical on the Sacred Liturgy Mediator Dei (20 November 1947)
Second Vatican Council. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum concilium (4 December 1963)
Pope Paul VI. Apostolic Letter/Motu Proprio Sacram liturgiam (25 January 1964)
Pope Benedict XVI. Apostolic Letter/Motu Proprio Summorum pontificum (7 July 2007)
Pope Benedict XVI. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum caritatis (22 February 2007)

B. Required Texts

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. The Spirit of the Liturgy. Trans. John Saward. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2000.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1066-1209.

C. Recommended Texts

Romano Guardini. The Spirit of the Liturgy: Readings in Liturgical Renewal. Eugene OR: Wipf and Stock, 2004.
Aidan Nichols. Looking at the Liturgy: A Critical View of Its Contemporary Form. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1996.

Final Examination

In one single-spaced page each, answer five (5) of the following six (6) questions. The final examination may be submitted as an e-mail attachment or mailed via post to the professor at the addresses indicated on the contacts page. Due on Saturday 31 January, by 11:59 p.m.

How has the meaning of the word "sacrament" changed over the course of history?
Summarize the teachings of the Fathers of the Church on the Eucharist.
Outline the history of the development of Roman liturgical books. Be sure to provide specific examples of important documents and initiatives.
In as precise and concise a manner as possible, summarize the theology of the sacraments in genere or "in general." In other words, describe the common features of sacramental doctrine. You may use examples from specific sacraments, but it is not necessary to address the key teachings on each sacrament in particular.
In a manner that would edify a group of educated lay faithful, describe Mediator Dei and relate it to the Second Vatican Council's document on sacred liturgy.
Discuss clearly at least three points that Cardinal Ratzinger makes in The Spirit of the Liturgy. Note how those points shed light on specific teachings in Pope Benedict XVI's Sacramentum caritatis.