Syllabus for Orders
Kenrick School of Theology
LS 513 Marriage, Orders & Celibacy (3hours)

Fr. C. Eugene Morris, Room 303
Office phone: 792- 6303
Spring Semester, 2004
Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11:45 am
Room – 125
morris@kenrick.edu
www.fathermorris.net

 Course Description:
            This section of the course is dedicated to the sacrament of Holy Orders with a consideration of the sacrament in its historical context.  The section of the course will focus on the development of the sacrament, its current theological understanding in general and a specific attentive given to the diaconal and priestly degrees of Holy Orders.  Finally there will a presentation on the ritual of Ordination as expressive of the spirituality of the priesthood.

Envisioned Outcomes:
An understanding of the historical development of the sacrament of Holy Orders
An appreciation for and understanding the current theology of Holy Orders
To foster an developing understanding of priestly spirituality
An ability to articulate the Church’s teaching on the reservation of Holy Orders to men
A facility with the distinction in the three degrees of Holy Orders.

Classroom Rules:
The rules for general behavior and decorum as given in the Student Handbook are to be observed.  In addition to those rules, the following are to be observed:

  1. Class attendance is mandatory:  prior permission must be sought for any absences except in the most extreme emergencies.
  1. Students must arrive on time for class.  Admittance to class after the first five minutes will be granted at the pleasure of the professor.  If you arrive after the first five minutes of class time you are to wait outside until you are invited in.
  1. House Dress (collar in place) is required.
  1. The needs of the whole class take precedence over your personal concerns.  Class time is not designed for private discussions of an academic or other nature, nor are your personal issues my central focus.  Questions are always welcomed; however I may ask you to hold your question until a more appropriate moment.  If you have questions concerning experiences you have had, time will be allotted to deal briefly with these questions; I am available outside of class time for more extensive discussions.

Texts:

  1. Required

            Nichols, A. Holy Order: Apostolic Priesthood from the New Testament to the Second Vatican Council. Dublin: Veritas, 1990. 
            Second Vatican Council, Christus Dominus, #4-7, 25-35  
            -----------------------------, Lumen Gentium, #18 – 29 
            -----------------------------, Presbyterorum Ordinis
            Pope John Paul, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis
            ------------------, Pastores Dabo Vobis, #11-33

  1. Recommended

            Congregation for Clergy, et al., Ecclesia de mysterio [on the Collaboration of the Lay Faithful in the ministry of Priests, 1997.]
            Martos, J. Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacraments in the Catholic Church.  Ligouri, MO: Ligouri/Triumph, 1981.
            Vorgrimler, H. Sacramental Theology. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1992.

Course requirements:
1.  The most important requirement in this course is the full, conscious and active participation of each student in class.  To this end you must be physically present and engaged to the fullest degree possible.  This is central to your success. 
2.  Readings as assigned:  Do them!
3.  Discussion Boards:  If necessary!
4.  Final Paper:  This essay is designed to provide the student a systematic manner in which to summarize the theology of Holy Orders.  The student is asked to choose one of the three degrees of Orders.  He is to compare and contrast the homily and the prayer of consecration giving particular attention to the expression of the theology of the degree of Holy Orders for which the homily and prayer were written.  The assignment should be three to five pages in length, double-spaced utilizing proper grammar and syntax. 
5.  Exam:  The final exam will be an oral in conjunction with the marriage component of the course.  The student will receive five (5) questions related to this content area of the course.  On the day of the exam, one will be chosen for discussion.
6.  This section of the course comprises one-third of the course grade.  The Orders section of the course grade will be computed on the following basis:

            Written Assignment: 50%
            Exam: 40%
            Participation: 10%