FINALITÀ
The course aims to help the students to combine theology and spirituality, Christian doctrine and practice, contemplation and action. In this framework the course offers the doctrinal foundations and the progressive stages of growing in Christian life towards perfection. Given that Christian life consists essentially in loving God, ourselves and the neighbour, the present course plans to helping to analyse the tenets of this goal and to striving for it. The real purpose of the study of the spiritual life is not to produce scholars but to form holy Christians. As the majority of the students are called to be Christian leaders, shepherds and spiritual guides, they must know the ways of God and the ways of men, to lead them to the stature of Christ. This objective will be met by means of the following learning activities: Attendance at lessons. Expositions by the professor and an interaction of the students. Reading at least a classic spiritual Christian masterpiece.
ARGOMENTI
Nature and Scope of Spiritual Theology: Terminology, Method, Sources, Types, Schools. Spirituality, Bible and Theology: biblical images and Christian spirituality - theological foundations of spirituality. The Goal of Our Striving: The Glory of God, Salvation, Sanctification. Our Life in the Trinity: the Father, Christ, the Spirit: The Father, goal of the all creatures - Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life - the Holy Spirit Sanctifier. The Supernatural Organism :Grace (Sanctifying, actual, effects), Indwelling of the Trinity, Infused Virtues, Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Beatitudes. Perfection of the Christian Life: The Nature of Christian Perfection, The Mystical State. Growth in holiness: Conversion from Sin, means of Spiritual Growth (The Sacraments, Meritorious Good Works, Prayer of Petition). The Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity) and the Moral Virtues (Prudence, Counsel, Justice, Piety, Temperance, Fear, Fortitude). Vocal Prayer, Meditation, Lectio Divina, Affective Prayer, Prayer of Simplicity, Contemplative Prayer, Prayer of Quiet, Prayer of Union, Prayer of Conforming, Union Prayer, Transforming Union. Aids to Spiritual Growth (The Presence of God, Examination of Conscience, The Desire for Perfection, Conformity to God's Will, Fidelity to Grace, Plan of Life, Spiritual Reading, Holy Friendships, Spiritual Direction. Discernment of Spirits (Types of Spirits, Psychosomatic Phenomena, Extraordinary Mystical Phenomena).
TESTI
Aumann, Jordan. Spiritual Theology. London, Sheed & Ward 2010. Also in the web: www.domcentral.org/study/aumann/st/default.htm; Chan, Simon. Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life. Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 1998; Collins, Kenneth J., ed. Exploring Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader. Grand Rapids, Baker Academic 2000; Downey, Michael,ed. The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality.Collegeville: Liturgical Press 1993; Holder, Arthur. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Indianapolis: Blackwell, 2006; Jones, Cheslyn, Geoffrey Wainwright and Edward Yarnold, eds. The Study of Spirituality London, SCPK, 2004; McGrath, Alister E. Christian Spirituality. An Introduction. Indianapolis: Blackwell 2005; Mursell, Gordon. The Story of Christian Spirituality: Two Thousand Years, from East to West. Oxford, Lion Hudson Plc 2001; Sheldrake, Philip. A Brief History of Spirituality. Indianapolis: Blackwell, 2006; Wiseman, James A. Spirituality and Mysticism: A Global View Maryknoll: Orbis Book, 2006.