THE 601: Biblical Foundations (Dr. Andrew Minto)

Study all three (3) questions. The proctor will choose one for you to answer at the examination.

  1. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (Profidentissimus Deus, Divino Afflante Spiritu, Dei Verbu, Historicity of the Gospels, and Mysterium Ecclesiae), the NCCB's Pastoral Statement for Catholics on Biblical Fundamentalism, class lecture, and the articles by Frein and Lindbeck, address and answer the following questions. What place and role does Scripture occupy within the Church with respect to the mediation of God's word. How does this view of Scripture, as the privileged instrument of God's word, rest on certain fundamentals, yet, at the same time, resist and contradict fundamentalism?
  2. Reflecting on the article by Ratzinger, the excerpts from Colin's Enlightenment and Alienation, Hayes & Holloday's Biblical Exegesis, and class lecture, write a response to the two articles by R. Brown addressing the key issue of the effect of Enlightenment thinking on modern exegesis and theological reflection and a remedy to this affect.
  3. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (see question #1), the two articles by de la Potterie, the articles by S. M. and F. Martin, and class lecture, write an essay that discusses the meaning and interrelation of the senses of Scripture.

THE 604A&B: Teachings of Vatican II (Dr. Alan Schreck)

Answer both parts.

  1. Discuss how each of the four constitutions of the Second Vatican Council express both continuity with past Catholic teaching and new approaches that present Catholic doctrine in light of the present situation and understanding of modern people; and
  2. How would you evaluate both the successes and shortcomings of the implementation of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in the Catholic Church from the close of the Council in 1965 to the present? Include in your answer the evaluation of the Catholic bishops form the "Extraordinary Synod" in 1985.

THE 609: Church Renewal (Dr. Alan Schreck)

Answer all three parts (a, b, c)

  1. Discuss the meaning of "renewal" and some of the various models of or approaches to Church renewal.
  2. List some major examples of successful Church renewal in the history of Christianity and describe briefly the impact or result of each one on the Church and/or the world.
  3. Describe some of the ways that you see God at work renewing His Church today. How can Catholics foster this grace of renewal?

THE 645: Pastoral and Spiritual Direction (Sr. Maria J. Walsh, CSJ)

Write an integrated essay for each of the following:

  1. Specifically describe The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as a "School of Prayer" and show how it flows from his lived experience.
  2. Specifically describe The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as a "School of Discernment" and show how it flows from his lived experience.
  3. Elaborate on contemporary literature in the field including spiritual direction and retreats.

THE 655: Mary in the Modern World (Dr. Mark Miravalle)

Answer both questions:

  1. Offer a competent theological definition of the Mariological terms: "Co-Redemptrix" and "Mediatrix of all Graces" with support from Divine Revelation, and
  2. Summarize the treatment of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her "maternal mediation" as contained in Pope John Paul II's Marian Encyclical, Redemptoris Mater.

THE 660: PI: Catechetical Saints (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM)

  1. Discuss the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph as "catechetical" saints, supported by material from Redemptoris Mater and Redemptoris Custos.
  2. Discuss the elements necessary for a saint to be noted as a "Catechetical Saint". You must cite catechetical documents of the Church and then illustrate these characteristics in the life of one specific catechetical saint.

THE 691: Catechetical Methods I (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM)

In Catechesi Tradendae #20, Pope John Paul II states the aim of catechesis. Authentic catechetical methodology must reflect that aim, while keeping in mind the faith, spiritual, and moral development of those to be catechized, as well as their age, intellectual/physical ability, and their social condition. A) Explain this premise, supporting your explanation with statements from the catechetical magisterial documents and required reading for this course. B) Explain how the Ecclesial Method defined by Msgr. Francis Kelly and St. John Bosco's Preventative Method of Reason, Religion and Kindness keeps the catechist faithful to the mind of the Church regarding Catechetical Methodology.

THE 693N: The Catechumenate in the RCIA (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

Discuss the similarities and any divergencies between the fourth century catechumenates and the present-day Order of Christian Initiation.

THE 700: CMP: American Politics, Morality & Faith (Prof. Kevin Miller)

Thoroughly compare and contrast, and evaluate, the several understandings of the interrelationships among politics, morality, and faith that were discussed in the course.

THE 711: NTW: Luminous Mysteries (Dr. Gregory Vall)

Describe in detail the differences among the four Gospel accounts of Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan. What light does Acts 10:34-43 shed on Jesus' baptism and its place within the overall "Christ event"? Making reference to the various NT accounts and to the appropriate OT passages, explain how Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan is a mystery of recapitulation, and explain its relation to the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery.

THE 730: Grace and the Virtues (Dr. Regis Martin)

  1. Trace the development of the Church's teaching on grace from St. Paul, through Augustine, to the councils of Orange and Trent.
  2. What has been the impact of that teaching in terms of understanding of virtue?

THE 733: Tradition & Development of Doctrine (Fr. Dan Pattee, TOR)

Write an essay on the relationship between Tradition and what Yves Congar, OP calls its "monuments," and then answer the following question: how did Alfred Loisy conceive of this relationship and what were the weaknesses of his position?

THE 740A WAS CANCELLED

THE 740B: TI: Women in Christian Tradition (Prof. Patricia Donohue-White)

Answers are to be in essay form and should clearly illustrate a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant readings and lectures from the course as well as an ability to think clearly, critically and creatively about the subject matter. Answer One of the following:

 

  1. Women in early Church hagiography (J. Peterson, Handmaids of the Lord, P. Brown The body and Society , E. Clark Women in the Early Church, and Brock and Harvey Holy Women of the Syrian Orinet)
    • Discuss in general terms the nature of these texts, analyzing the differences between what these texts tell us about the actual lives of women and what they tell us about cultural ideals of women and sanctity.
    • Present and analyze the concept of 'gendered voice' and illustrate the ways in which this concept impacts our reading of these texts.
    • Analyze the ideal of martyrdom and the ideal virginity and their functions in these stories and in the lives of Christian women (be sure to liberally illustrate your points with examples from the texts).
    • How does the recovery of these women's stories enhance our understanding of Christian tradition?

     

  2. Voices of Medieval Women (C. Bynum Holy Feast and Holy Fast, B. McGinn The Flowering of Mysticism and the specific woman on whom you wrote your paper).
    • Present in broad strokes elements of the cultural, Eccesial, and theological context of the Medieval period which made possible the emergence of women's voices in spiritual writings. Include a discussion of the various religious options open to women in this time, the ways in which women sought to establish an authoritative spiritual voice, and the complementary relations they established with men.
    • Examine in detail some of the key symbols and motifs which characterize women's spirituality as similar to and distinct from that of contemporary men (e.g., the use of body symbolism, the 'weak woman' topos, the affective character of the spirituality, the focus on the humanity of Jesus). Be sure to illustrate your discussion with examples from the readings.
    • Elucidate the above points in terms of a specific Medieval woman writer (i.e., the one you researched)
    • Discuss various ways in which an understanding of the distinctive voices of Medieval women might enhance our understanding of spirituality at the beginning of the 21st century. Be sure to include a discussion of what you see as both negative and positive about Medieval women's sense of self and their understanding of relation to God.

THE 740N: TI: Scripture, Liturgy, Eschatology (Dr. Scott Hahn)

Briefly discuss the basic principles of biblical interpretation and actualization as they apply to the Church's sacramental liturgy. What is the meaning of mystagogy? Briefly summarize some of the mystagogical elements in 1 Corinthians, Hebrews and the Apocalypse.

THE 780: Scripture, the Heart of Catechesis (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

Discuss the significance and content of the forty days from Easter to the Ascension in terms of Christ's relationship with and formation of the Apostles, being sure to substantiate this with Scripture citations.

 

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