High School Catechetical Curriculum
for
Catholic High School Catechesis Courses and Programs
2009
by
The Catholic Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Curriculum Committee
August 2007 – May 2008
Jason Adams
Reverend Timothy Alkire
Amy Brockman
Robert Butz
Reverend Dale Ehrman
Grant Freeman
Mike Griswold
Mary Lee Gruse
Reverend David Hasser
Jessica Hickey
Eric Lecher
Reverend Jeffrey Martin
Heather Smith
Curriculum Coordinator
Sean Martin
Curriculum Editors
Dr. Anne D. Roat
Dr. A. Marie Williams
Curriculum Readers
Christina Pascual
Linda Schafer
Shari Schap
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Table of Contents
Preamble ........................................................................................................4
Course I.
Introduction to Catholicism: Call to Holiness
Section 1.01 Description .................................................................................................7
Section 1.02 Objectives ..................................................................................................7
Section 1.03 Outline........................................................................................................9
Section 1.04 Resources .................................................................................................13
Course II.
Sacraments
Section 2.01 Description ...............................................................................................16
Section 2.02 Objectives ................................................................................................16
Section 2.03 Outline......................................................................................................17
Section 2.04 Resources .................................................................................................26
Course III.
Old Testament
Section 3.01 Description ...............................................................................................29
Section 3.02 Objectives ................................................................................................29
Section 3.03 Outline......................................................................................................31
Section 3.04 Resources .................................................................................................34
Course IV.
New Testament
Section 4.01 Description ...............................................................................................36
Section 4.02 Objectives ................................................................................................36
Section 4.03 Outline......................................................................................................37
Section 4.04 Resources .................................................................................................40
Course V.
Morality
Section 5.01 Description ...............................................................................................42
Section 5.02 Objectives ................................................................................................42
Section 5.03 Outline......................................................................................................43
Section 5.04 Resources .................................................................................................48
Course VI.
Apologetics
Section 6.01 Description ...............................................................................................51
Section 6.02 Objectives ................................................................................................51
Section 6.03 Outline......................................................................................................52
Section 6.04 Resources .................................................................................................57
Course VII. History of the Church I
Section 7.01 Description ...............................................................................................61
Section 7.02 Objectives ................................................................................................61
Section 7.03 Outline......................................................................................................62
Section 7.04 Resources .................................................................................................68
Course VIII. History of the Church II
Section 8.01 Description ...............................................................................................70
Section 8.02 Objectives ................................................................................................70
Section 8.03 Outline......................................................................................................72
Section 8.04 Resources .................................................................................................79
References ...............................................................................................81
Texts ........................................................................................................84
Catechetical Resources ..........................................................................84
Useful Internet Resources .....................................................................86
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Preamble
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
The objective of this diocesan catechetical curriculum mirrors that which Pope John
Paul II set forth in his Apostolic Exhortation, Catechesi Tradendae: “The definitive aim
of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus
Christ: only he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the
life of the Holy Trinity” (Catechesi Tradendae 5). Since it is through divine revelation
that humankind has been shown God’s love, it is with great hope that, through a
systematic presentation of the truths of the Faith, the students will fall deeply in love with
Jesus Christ, and with the Catholic Church. The Church reminds us that:
The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must be directed to the love that
never ends. Whether something is proposed for belief, for hope or for action, the
love of our Lord must always be made accessible, so that anyone can see that all
the works of perfect Christian virtue spring from love and have no other objective
than to arrive at love (CCC 25).
This love of the Lord can be found and is nourished when Jesus Christ, especially his
real presence in the Eucharist, is the focal point in the daily catechetical lessons. As Pope
Benedict XVI boldly proclaimed:
Dear young people, the happiness you are seeking, the happiness you have a right
to enjoy has a name and a face: it is Jesus of Nazareth, hidden in the Eucharist.
Only he gives the fullness of life to humanity! With Mary, say your own ‘yes’ to
God, for he wishes to give himself to you (Pope Benedict XVI, World Youth Day
2005).
A number of sources were consulted in the preparation of this curriculum. Particular
attention has been paid to the Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the
Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age produced
by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Consideration has also been given
in the curriculum’s preparation to the primary deficiencies in the area of Catechesis
identified by Archbishop Daniel Buechlein of Indianapolis, and to the National Catholic
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Education Association’s ACRE Blueprint for doctrinal content and educational
objectives. The Curriculum Committee has reviewed the curricula being implemented in
several dioceses throughout the country. It has also taken into consideration the existing
format of high school religious education currently being used in the high schools of our
diocese, both in areas where good foundations have been laid and in areas requiring
reinforcement and improvement. In explicating and referencing doctrinal matters, the
Curriculum Committee has drawn heavily from the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
the Sacred Scriptures, ecclesial documents, and the Church Fathers.
While the curriculum is formatted for the four-year high school program, it is hoped
that it could be helpful in any setting within the diocese that seeks to offer high school
students structured catechetical instruction. It is strongly suggested that the courses be
taught in the order they appear so as to preserve a logical flow of ideas: Introduction to
Catholicism; Sacraments; Old Testament; New Testament; Morality; Apologetics;
History of the Church I; and History of the Church II.
The course Introduction to Catholicism serves as a foundation of catechesis providing
an overview of basic magisterial teachings. The majority of the course topics are taught
in greater detail in later courses. The rationale of this course is to have it serve as a
foundation for the other courses, focusing particularly on the variety of stages of
catechetical formation of the students in a typical Catholic freshman religion class.
The course descriptions have the dual purpose of summarizing course material for the
instructor and serving for use in the school’s course catalog. Cognitive objectives have
been furnished for each course to highlight the central content for the daily objectives.
The course outlines provided lay out the content and resources for lessons.
The course objectives are numbered to follow the logical flow of ideas of the course
outline not according to any particular level of significance or emphasis. Certain
objectives, denoted in bold, should be given more emphasis not to undermine the level of
significance of objectives in regular font, but rather to point out that some objectives
should be taught more in-depth.
It is the hope of the Curriculum Committee that the curriculum prepared here will be a
great source and aid for high school catechesis in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.
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“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Matthew
28:18-20).
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Introduction to Catholicism: Call to Holiness
Course Description
This course serves as the foundation of catechesis. In this course the student will be able
to synthesize and explain the basic magisterial teachings of the Apostles’ Creed, Divine
Revelation in Sacred Tradition and Scripture, the Trinity, Mary, the nature of the Church,
freedom, virtues, natural and revealed law, grace, and prayer. Students will learn how
each of these topics can be integrated into their role within the Mystical Body of Christ.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Explain the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed and describe its origins and
how it differs from the Nicene Creed.
2. Defend God’s existence with the classical proofs, i.e., St. Thomas Aquinas’ five
proofs for God’s existence.
3. Discuss the God of our faith has revealed himself as He Who is.
4. Identify the two-fold source of divine revelation that makes up the deposit of
faith as Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and that the Magisterium is
given the task of interpreting and clarifying the deposit of faith.
5. Explain the Trinity as the central mystery of the Catholic faith and life - God
as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
6. Examine the dogma of the Trinity including the divine persons, the work and
mission of the Trinity, and role of the Trinity in the economy of salvation.
7. Explain the Fatherhood of God and the names, titles, and symbols of the
Holy Spirit.
8. Explain Jesus as the Christ, Son of God, Lord, Eternal Word, and Mediator.
9. Describe the meaning and saving significance of the incarnation, passion,
death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.
10. Explain that the Holy Spirit, whom Christ the Head pours out on his members,
builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church.
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11. Analyze the origin, nature, and structure of the Church.
12. Identify the Church as the People of God, Body of Christ, Sacrament of Salvation,
Mystical Body of Christ, Bride of Christ, and Temple of the Holy Spirit.
13. Identify and explain the four marks of the Church as one, holy, catholic, and
apostolic.
14. Explain who belongs to the Catholic Church, how the Church relates to nonChristians, and the Church Fathers’ expression “outside the Church there is no
salvation.”
15. Describe the Communion of Saints, the role of saints in the life of the
Church, and the canonization process.
16. Describe angels as spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and
who serve his saving plans for other creatures.
17. Explain the role of Mary in the Church, describe the major Marian
apparitions, and examine the Marian doctrines of the Immaculate
Conception, Perpetual Virginity, and Motherhood of God, Assumption, and
Spiritual Motherhood.
18. Describe the Church doctrines on death, purgatory, judgment, heaven, and
hell.
19. Explain the second coming of Jesus, the tribulations preceding, and the
resurrection of the body.
20. Memorize and examine the precepts of the Church, seven sacraments, seven
virtues, eight beatitudes, and Ten Commandments.
21. Explain freedom, natural law, and revealed law.
22. Define sin, original sin, personal sin, sacrament, grace, sanctifying grace,
actual grace, and sacramental grace.
23. Define prayer and categorize the three expressions of prayer as vocal,
meditation, contemplation and differentiate the forms of prayer which are
blessing, adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise.
24. Analyze the obstacles and difficulties of prayer and defend that prayer and
Christian life are inseparable.
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25. Demonstrate the universal call to holiness and experience vocal and
meditative prayer by means of Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, Lectio
Divina, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
Course Outline
I. The Creed
A. God calls us to relationship through divine revelation (CCC 31, 74-95, 142-165)
1. Natural Revelation - proofs for God’s existence including arguments of St.
Thomas Aquinas, St. Anselm, Blaise Pascal
2. Transmission of divine revelation
a. Sacred Tradition
b. Sacred Scripture
c. Magisterium
B. The Holy Trinity (CCC 232-267)
1. Three divine persons in one divine nature
a. Father
i. Eternal fatherhood
ii. Creator of the world
b. Son
i. The Word (Logos)
ii. Incarnation
iii. Hypostatic union
iv. Passion, death, resurrection, and ascension
c. Holy Spirit
i. Proceeds from the Father and the Son
ii. Sanctifies and Advocates
2. Scriptural foundations of the Holy Trinity
3. Divine works and mission of the Trinity
C. Nature of the Church (CCC 751-865)
1. Names, symbols, images of the Church
2. Origin of the Church
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a. Universal instrument
b. Sacrament of salvation established by Christ
3. One, holy, catholic, apostolic as the four marks of the Church
D. Angels, Communion of Saints, and the Blessed Virgin Mary (CCC 67, 328-336,
466, 484-511, 963-975, 2678)
1. Angels
2. Saints
a. Intercession
b. Our devotion to them
c. Models of holiness
3. Mary
a. Marian Doctrines
i. Mother of God
ii. Immaculate Conception
iii. Perpetual Virginity
iv. Assumption
v. Spiritual Mother
b. Marian Devotion
i. Consecration
ii. Rosary
c. Apparitions at Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, Paris
E. Sin (CCC 399-401, 409, 1854-186)
1. Original Sin and effects such as concupiscence, loss of preternatural gifts, etc.
2. Personal Sin
a. Venial
b. Mortal
F. The Four Last Things (CCC 1020-1065)
1. Death
2. Judgment
a. Particular
b. Last (Parousia)
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3. Heaven
a. Purgatory or the final purification
b. Hope of new heaven and new earth
4. Hell
II. The Universal Call to Holiness:
A. General vocation to holiness (CCC 27-30,1721, 2013)
1. All Christians are called to fullness of Christian life, to perfection of charity,
and to holiness
2. Humanity’s call to live up to God-given dignity as creatures in image and
likeness of God by living out Christ’s twofold commandment of charity
a. Called to know, love, and serve the Lord
b. Desire for God is written in the human heart
c. Discernment of the vocations of ordained, married, religious, and single
3. Necessity of life of grace for holiness rooted in sacraments, virtues, living the
commandments, charitable works, penance, fasting, mortification, sacrifice,
and prayer
B. Sacraments (CCC 1113, 1131)
1. Sacrament - efficacious sign of grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to the
Church by which divine life is dispensed to us
2. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy
Orders, Marriage
C. Freedom and Virtue (CCC 1730-1738, 1805-1829)
1. Freedom is opposed to license
2. Freedom is choosing to do objective moral good
3. The good consisting in choices that perfect ourselves and others in virtue
4. Theological virtues
5. Cardinal virtues
6. Other moral / acquired virtues
D. Natural and Revealed Law (CCC 1716-1729, 1950-1986, 2041-2043, 2052-2082)
1. Humanity’s reasoned participation in the divine law
2. Ten Commandments
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3. Beatitudes / Sermon on the Mount
4. Precepts of the Church
5. Jesus - the living revelation of God whom we are called to imitate with help of
grace
E. Grace (CCC 1996-2005)
1. Christianity - immersion in life of God and his grace
2. Types of grace
a. Sanctifying
b. Actual
c. Sacramental
d. Special graces
3. Sources of grace
a. Sacraments
b. Prayer
c. Meritorious good works
4. Life of grace
a. Children of God
b. Sharers in life of God
F. Prayer (CCC 2559-2565, 2623-2649, 2700-2745)
1. Definition of prayer
2. Expressions of prayer
a. Vocal
b. Meditation
c. Contemplation
3. Forms of prayer
a. Blessing
b. Adoration
c. Petition
d. Intercession
e. Thanksgiving
f. Praise
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4. Difficulty in prayer or combating dryness in prayer
Recommended Resources
1. And You Are Christ's: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life. Thomas Dubay,
S.M. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1987. ISBN 0-89870-161-9.
2. The Angels and Their Mission: According to the Fathers of the Church. Jean Danielou,
S.J. Westminster, MD: Christian Classics, 1987. ISBN 0-87061-056-2.
3. Back to Virtue. Peter Kreeft. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1992. ISBN 0-89870422-7.
4. Catechism of Mental Prayer. Very Reverend Joseph Simler. Rockford, IL: Tan Books &
Publishers, 1985. ISBN 0-89555-256-6.
5. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
6. Chief Truths of the Faith: Creation, Original Sin, Christ, Faith, Grace, Eternal Life, Etc., A
Course in Religion, Book I. Fr. John Laux. Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers, 1994.
ISBN 0-89555-391-0.
7. The Church - Mystery, Sacrament, Community: A Catechesis on the Creed Volume 4.
Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 1998. ISBN 0-81981-546-2.
8. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI. Washington,
DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendiumccc_en.html
9. Contemplating the Trinity: The Path to the Abundant Christian Life. Reverend Raniero
Cantalamessa. Ijamsville, MD: The Word Among Us Press, 2007. ISBN 1-59325-097-5.
10. Ecclesia de Eucharistia. Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 2003.
ISBN 0-81982-351-1.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jpii_enc_17042003_ecclesia-de-eucharistia_en.html
11. Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life. Joseph Ratzinger. Washington, DC: The Catholic
University of America Press, 1988. ISBN 0-8132-0632-4.
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12. The Faith of the Early Fathers. 3 Volumes. William A. Jurgens. Collegeville, MN: The
Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
13. The Fulfillment of all Desire. Ralph Martin. Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road, 2007.
ISBN 1-931018-36-7.
14. The Genius of Women. Pope John Paul II. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 157455-113-2.
15. Introduction to Christianity. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius
Press, 1990. ISBN 0-89870-361-6.
16. Introduction to Mary. Mark Miravalle. Santa Barbara, CA: Queenship Publishing, 1997.
ISBN 1-88297-206-6.
17. Jesus, Son and Savior: A Catechesis on the Creed Volume 2. Pope John Paul II. Boston,
MA: Pauline Books & Media, 1996. ISBN 0-81983-959-0.
18. The Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell. Regis Martin. San Francisco, CA:
Ignatius Press, 1998. ISBN 0-89870-662-9.
19. Life In Christ. Gerard Weber and James Killgallon. Chicago, IL: ACTA Publications,
1995. ISBN 0-87946-105-5.
20. Mary in the Church: A Selection of Teaching Documents. United States Catholic
Conference of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2003. ISBN 1-57455-601-0.
21. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Washington, DC:
USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
22. Prayer for Beginners. Peter Kreeft. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2000. ISBN 089870-775-7.
23. Prayer Primer. Thomas Dubay, SM. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2002. ISBN 0-89870840-0.
24. Rosarium Virginis Mariae. Pope John Paul II. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002. ISBN 157455-538-3.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jpii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae_en.html
25. The Scripture Documents: An Anthology of Official Catholic Teachings. Dean Bechard.
Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002. ISBN 0-8146-2591-6.
26. The Sermon-Conferences of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Apostles’ Creed. St. Thomas
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Aquinas, edited by Nicholas Ayo. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005. ISBN 159752-027-6.
27. The Spirit: Giver of Life and Love: A Catechesis on the Creed Volume 3. Pope John Paul
II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 1996. ISBN 0-81986-987-2.
28. Summa Theologica. St. Thomas Aquinas. Allen, TX: Christian Classics, 1981. ISBN 087061-063-5. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
29. Theotokos - Woman, Mother, Disciple: A Catechesis on Mary, Mother of God Volume 5.
Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 1999. ISBN 0-81987-401-9.
30. The Trinity's Embrace, Our Salvation History: A Catechesis on Salvation History Volume
6. Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 2002. ISBN 0-81987-408-6.
31. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
32. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing Company,
Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
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Sacraments
Course Description
This course will address the liturgical life of the Church manifested in the sacramental
economy of salvation. In this course the student will be able to memorize and explain the
elements of the sacramental life which encompass the essential elements (form and
matter), effects, rite, minister, recipient, scriptural and traditional foundations, and
historical development. Emphasis will be placed on the logical place of each sacrament
in God’s plan, as well as practical relevance of and a deeper participation in the
Sacraments.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Differentiate between a sign and a symbol.
2. Define the Latin phrases lex orandi, lex credendai, and ex opere operato.
3. Define sacrament as an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and
entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.
4. Examine the Sacraments in light of the economy of salvation.
5. Explain the general effects of the Sacraments.
6. Categorize the seven sacraments into the sacraments of initiation, sacraments
of healing, and sacraments of service.
7. Explain and describe the essential elements (form and matter), effects, rite,
minister, recipient, scriptural and traditional foundations, and historical
development of all seven sacraments.
8. Explain the sacramental life in light of the Paschal mystery which is Jesus’
passion, death, and resurrection.
9. Describe grace, sanctifying grace, actual grace, and sacramental grace.
10. Describe the characteristics and forms of sacramentals and learn the value of
sacramentals.
11. Examine the liturgical calendar.
12. Examine the Latin and Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.
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13. Explain the necessity of Baptism for salvation.
14. Recognize the three types of Baptism as water, blood, and desire.
15. Describe the infusion into the soul of the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit
at Baptism.
16. Explain that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the
completion of Baptismal grace and that the purpose for Confirmation is for the
recipients to become true witnesses of Christ who are more strictly obliged to
spread and defend the faith by word and deed.
17. Analyze the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life.
18. Describe the Eucharist as a sacrificial memorial.
19. Examine why the faithful confess their sins to a priest.
20. Examine how to gain an indulgence.
21. Analyze Christ’s compassion toward the sick and describe the importance of
viaticum.
22. Examine the three degrees of the sacrament of Holy Orders and the episcopate as
the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, and value the dignity of the holy
priesthood.
23. Describe the nature of the sacrament of Marriage.
24. Explain the essential aspects of conjugal love - unitive and procreative.
25. Explain the grace received in the sacrament of Marriage as helping the couple to
attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating their children
highlighting Christ as the source of this grace.
Course Outline
I. Introduction to Sacraments
A. Sign and symbol (CCC 1145-1152)
B. Lex orandi, lex credendai, and ex opere operato (CCC 1122-1129)
C. Sacrament - efficacious sign of grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to the
Church by which divine life is dispensed to us (CCC 1131)
D. General effects of the Sacraments (CCC 1113-1134)
E. Grace (CCC 1996-2005, 1129)
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1. Sanctifying
2. Actual
3. Sacramental
4. Special graces
F. Seven sacraments (CCC 1113, 1525)
1. Sacraments of Christian Initiation
a. Baptism
b. Confirmation
c. Eucharist
2. Sacraments of Healing
a. Penance
b. Anointing of the Sick
3. Sacraments at the Service of Communion
a. Holy Orders
b. Matrimony
G. Sacramentals such as holy water, scapular, miraculous medal, and crucifix (CCC
1667-1679)
H. Liturgical calendar (CCC 1168-1173)
I. Rites (1200-1209)
1. Latin
2. Eastern
II. Sacraments of Initiation
A. Baptism (CCC 1213-1284)
1. Definition
2. Names for sacrament
a. Baptism
b. The washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit
3. Recipients - every person not yet baptized
4. Ministers
a. Ordinary
i. Bishop
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ii. Priest
iii. Deacon (Latin Rite)
b. Extraordinary - in case of necessity anyone even a non-baptized person
with required intention
5. Essential elements
a. Form - "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of
the Holy Spirit."
b. Matter - the pouring of water over the head of the person being baptized
6. Rite
7. Effects
a. Original sin and all personal sins are forgiven and all punishment for sin is
satisfied
b. Adopted child of God, partaker of the divine nature
c. Receive the infused virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit
d. Become members of the Church
e. Share in the common priesthood of all believers
f. Receive an indelible spiritual mark
8. Scriptural and Traditional foundations
a. Scripture references: Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:1-6;
Romans 6:3-4
b. Importance of baptizing infants
c. Trinitarian form of Baptism
9. Historical development with emphasis on Church Fathers
a. God's most beautiful and magnificent gift - St. Gregory of Nazianzus
b. Necessity for salvation - St. Cyril of Jerusalem
c. Water, blood, desire as the three types of Baptism
B. Confirmation (CCC 1285-1321, 1831)
1. Definition
a. Witnesses for Christ
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b. Recipient is obliged to spread and defend the Catholic faith in word and
deed
2. Names for sacrament
a. Confirmation
b. Chrismation
3. Recipients - any baptized Catholic who has not already been confirmed and is
in good standing with the Church
4. Ministers
a. Ordinary - bishop
b. Extraordinary - priest
5. Essential elements
a. Form - "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."
b. Matter - the anointing with sacred chrism on the forehead and the laying
on of hands
6. Rite
7. Effects
a. Roots us more deeply in the divine filiation
b. More firm union with Christ
c. Increase in gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel,
fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord
d. Special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith
e. More perfect bond with the Church
f. Receive an indelible spiritual mark
8. Scriptural and Traditional foundations
a. Scripture references: Acts 8:14-17; Acts 9:17-19; Acts 10:5; Acts 19:5-6;
Timothy 3:4-8
b. Reception beginning at the age of discretion and prior to if child is in
danger of death
c. Necessary for completion of baptismal grace by receiving Confirmation
9. Historical development with emphasis on Church Fathers
a. Guard what you have received - St. Ambrose
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b. Ability to withstand the power of the adversary and defeat him - St. Cyril
of Jerusalem
C. Eucharist (CCC 1322-1419)
1. Definition
2. Names for sacrament
a. Eucharist, Communion, Real Presence
b. Blessed Sacrament, Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Precious Body and Blood
c. Heavenly Host, Bread from Heaven, Heavenly Manna
d. Bread of Life, Food of the Angels
3. Recipients - any baptized Catholic in the state of grace and in good standing
with the Church (according to the particular laws governing that Rite)
4. Ministers
a. Ordinary
i. Bishop
ii. Priest
b. Extraordinary - none
5. Essential elements
a. Form - "Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be
given up for you. Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of
my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed
for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of
me."
b. Matter - unleavened wheat bread and natural grape wine
6. Rite - Eucharistic Canon of prayers within the Liturgy of a specific Rite
7. Effects
a. Union with Jesus
b. Reception of divine life through which Christ unites us to the Church
c. Separation from sin, preservation from future mortal sins
d. Strengthening of charity
e. Creation of unity with Christians
f. Commitment to the service of the poor
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8. Scriptural and Traditional foundations
a. Scripture references: Exodus 12; John 6:46-59; Luke 22:14-20; 1
Corinthians 11:17-34; Acts 2:42-47
b. The source and summit of the Christian life
c. Transubstantiation - changing of the substance of bread and wine into the
body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus
d. Sacrificial memorial
e. Species and Real Presence
9. Historical development with emphasis on Church Fathers
a. Early Church order to Eucharistic celebration - St. Justin Martyr
b. Offering Christ sacrificed for the sins of all - St. Cyril of Jerusalem
c. The Church offering the Sacrifice of Christ - St. Augustine
III. Sacraments of Healing:
A. Penance (CCC 875, 1348, 1422-1498, 1548, 2490 )
1. Definition
2. Names for sacrament
a. Penance and Reconciliation
b. Confession and Conversion
c. Sacrament of Forgiveness
3. Recipients - any baptized Catholic of the age of reason who has sinned and
seeks reconciliation with Christ and his Church
4. Ministers
a. Ordinary
i. Bishop
ii. Priest (some sins are reserved for the Bishop or Roman authorities)
b. Extraordinary: none
5. Essential elements
a. Form - “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit.”
b. Matter (understood as the proximate and remote preparation)
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i. Remote matter - sins committed after baptism, which have not been
confessed
ii. Proximate matter - contrition, confession of the sins, and penance
6. Rite
7. Effects
a. All sins forgiven
b. Eternal and at least a part of temporal punishment satisfied
c. Sanctifying grace strengthened or restored
d. Outpouring of grace to avoid sin
e. All merits and satisfactions lost with loss of grace restored
f. Reconciliation with the Church
8. Scriptural and Traditional foundations
a. Scripture references: John 20: 22-23; Matthew 16:19; 2 Corinthians 5:1820
b. Satisfaction
c. In persona Christi
d. Sacramental seal
e. Indulgences and purgatory
f. Absolution and general absolution
9. Historical development with emphasis on Church Fathers
a. Beginning of good works is the confession of evil works - St. Augustine
b. Necessary to confess our sins to a priest - St. Basil the Great
B. Anointing of the Sick (CCC 1499-1532)
1. Definition
2. Names for sacrament
a. Anointing of the Sick
b. Extreme Unction
3. Recipients - any baptized Catholic of the age of reason in danger of death
from sickness or old age, suffering from serious illness, or before serious
operations
4. Ministers
23
a. Ordinary
i. Bishop
ii. Priest
b. Extraordinary - none
5. Essential elements
a. Form - “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and
mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who
frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”
b. Matter - Oil of the Sick and the Laying on of Hands
6. Rite
7. Effects
a. Reception of grace and Ecclesial grace
b. Gift of the Holy Spirit
c. Union with Christ’s passion and preparation for death
d. Forgiveness of sins
e. Preparation for the final journey
8. Scriptural and Traditional foundations
a. Scripture references: James 5:13-15; Matthew 10:8; Mark 6:12-13
b. Viaticum
9. Historical development with emphasis on Church Fathers
a. One of the sacraments - Council of Constantinople II
b. Receive the Eucharist and Anointing of the sick as often a person is sick St. Caesar of Arles
IV.
Sacraments at the Service of Communion:
A. Holy Orders (CCC 1536-1600)
1. Definition
2. Name for sacrament - Holy Orders
3. Recipients - any Catholic male who is a full member of the Church (baptized
and confirmed)
4. Ministers
24
a. Ordinary - local bishop for the diaconate and presbyterate, with
permission from the pope any bishop for the episcopate
b. Extraordinary - none
5. Essential elements
a. Form - the consecratory prayers asking God to grant the ordained the
graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry.
b. Matter - the laying on of hands
6. Rite
7. Effects
a. Receive an indelible spiritual mark
b. Powers to govern, teach, and sanctify
8. Scriptural and Traditional foundations
a. Scripture references: Matthew 10:1-5; Luke 22:19; Acts 1:25-26; Acts 6:6;
Acts 14:22-23
b. Priest continues the work of redemption - St. John Vianney
9. Historical development with emphasis on Church Fathers
a. Cannot speak of the Church without Bishops, Priests, and Deacons - St.
Ignatius of Antioch
b. Concern for his flock is proof of his love for Christ - St. John Chrysostom
B. Matrimony (CCC 1601-1666)
1. Definition
2. Name for sacrament - Matrimony
3. Recipients - any baptized Catholic man and woman intending the sacramental
vows
4. Ministers
a. Ordinary - the couple - the man and woman receiving the sacrament
b. Extraordinary - none
5. Essential elements
a. Form - exchange of valid consent
(i) Freedom to contract marriage
(ii) Love and honor for the rest of life
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(iii) Openness to accepting children and bringing them up in the
Church
b. Matter - exchange of valid consent
6. Rite
7. Effects
a. Unity and indissolubility
b. Fidelity
c. Openness to life
d. Grace to help each other attain holiness
8. Scriptural and Traditional foundations
a. Scripture references: Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:6-9; Ephesians 5:32-33
b. Ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education
of offspring
9. Historical development with emphasis on Church Fathers
a. Denigrating marriage diminishes the glory of virginity - St. John
Chrysostom
b. Blessings of marriage include offspring, fidelity, and the sacramental bond
- St. Augustine of Hippo
Recommended Resources
1. Casti Connubii. Pope Pius XI. 1930.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_pxi_enc_31121930_casti-connubii_en.html
2. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
3. The Church at Prayer. A. G. Martimort. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press,
1992. ISBN 0-8146-2209-7.
4. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
26
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compe
ndium-ccc_en.html
5. Ecclesia de Eucharistia. Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books &
Media, 2003. ISBN 0-81982-351-1.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jpii_enc_17042003_ecclesia-de-eucharistia_en.html
6. The Faith of the Early Fathers. 3 Volumes. William A. Jurgens. Collegeville,
MN: The Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
7. Happy Are Those Who Are Called to This Supper: On Preparing to Receive
Christ Worthily in the Eucharist. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 978-1-57455-789-3.
http://www.usccb.org/dpp/Eucharist.pdf
8. Introduction to Catholicism: A Complete Course. Reverend James Socias.
Woodridge, IL: Midwest Theological Forum, 2003. ISBN 1-890177-28-8.
9. Life In Christ. Gerard Weber and James Killgallon. Chicago, IL: ACTA
Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-87946-105-5.
10. Mass and the Sacraments: A Course in Religion, Book II. Fr. John Laux.
Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, 1990. ISBN 0-89555-392-9.
11. The Mass of the Early Christians. Mike Aquilina. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday
Visitor, 2007. ISBN 1-59276-320-0.
12. The Meaning of Vocation: In the Words of John Paul II. Pope John Paul II. New
York, New York: Scepter Publishers, 1998. ISBN 0-93393-299-5.
13. Meeting Christ in the Sacraments. Colman O’Neill. New York, NY: Alba
House, 1991. ISBN 0-8189-0598-0.
14. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
15. Ordinatio Sacerdotalis. Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media,
1996. ISBN 0-81985-433-6.
16. Ratzinger Report: An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church. Joseph
Cardinal Ratzinger, Vittorio Messori. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1985.
ISBN 0-89870-080-9.
27
17. Sacraments in Scripture: Salvation History Made Present. Tim Gray.
Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-93101-804-9.
18. Sacramentum Caritatis. Pope Benedict XVI. Ijamsville, MD: The Word Among
Us, 2007. ISBN 1-59325-124-6
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf
_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis_en.html
19. Summa Theologica. St. Thomas Aquinas. Allen, TX: Christian Classics, 1981.
ISBN 0-87061-063-5. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
20. These Are the Sacraments. Bishop Fulton Sheen. New York, NY: Hawthorn
Books, 1962. http://www.ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/SACRAMEN.TXT
21. Thomas Aquinas: The Gifts of the Spirit. St. Thomas Aquinas, Benedict M.
Ashley O.P. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 1996. ISBN 1-56548-071-6.
22. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
23. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
24. Vatican Council II: Volume Two More Post Conciliar Documents. Austin
Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing Company, Inc., 1982. ISBN
0-91834-416-6.
25. Vita Consecrata. Pope John Paul II. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1996. ISBN 157455-122-1.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf
_jp-ii_exh_25031996_vita-consecrata_en.html
28
Old Testament
Course Description
This course covers the historical development, major theological themes, books, persons
and events of the Old Testament. Students will analyze the meaning of the text in its
literal and spiritual senses as well as its historical, literary, and cultural context. They
will examine Sacred Scripture as God’s Word and learn how the Old Testament
prefigures the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, through typology and prophecy. The
students will come to a deeper knowledge of God through the unfolding of salvation
history and their role in it.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Explain the inspiration and inerrancy of the Sacred Scriptures.
2. State that the deposit of the Faith is contained in Sacred Scripture and
Sacred Tradition.
3. Examine the duty of the Magisterium to interpret and defend the Sacred
Scriptures.
4. Analyze the hermeneutics of interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures for the reader
or exegete.
5. Describe and give examples of typology.
6. Explain and give examples of the literal and spiritual senses of Sacred
Scripture.
7. Describe the composition of the Sacred Scriptures, including the language,
style, and time periods.
8. Analyze the Sacred Scriptures in light of the covenants throughout salvation
history.
9. Describe the development of the canon of Scriptures.
10. Identify the Councils of Hippo and Carthage as having a significant role in the
development of the canon of Scriptures.
29
11. Identify the divisions of the Sacred Scriptures as forty-six books of the Old
Testament divided into the categories of the Law, History, Wisdom, and
Prophecy and twenty-seven books of the New Testament divided into the
categories of the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Letters, and Revelation.
12. Examine St. Jerome’s statement “ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of
Christ.”
13. Explain the functional use of the Bible including the footnotes and references
in the Bible and recall that in most Bibles the footnotes or commentary are
theological opinion or speculation, not necessarily Catholic Church doctrine.
14. Identify the Beginning, Exodus and Journey to the Promised Land, Conquest
of Canaan / Judges, United Kingdom, Divided Kingdom, Exile into Babylon,
Return from Exile, and Maccabean Revolt as the major time periods of the
Old Testament.
15. Explain that God alone created everything good, ordered it, sustains it, and holds
it in existence and that the world was made for the glory of God.
16. Examine the existence of angels.
17. Examine the creation of the visible world as explained in Genesis 1-2.
18. Examine the creation of man as the summit of God’s work and in the image and
likeness of God.
19. Explain the Sabbath day.
20. Explain that God created our first parents male and female in the original state of
holiness.
21. Explain the original sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, as recorded in
Genesis 3.
22. Explain and memorize Genesis 3:15 as the Protoevangelium.
23. Examine the historical events of Noah and the Flood, the covenant between the
Lord and Abraham, the twelve tribes of Israel, the major and minor prophets, the
historical lives and events of Moses and Aaron, the Exodus (with the use of
typology), the Israelites wandering in the desert for forty years, the life and events
of Joshua, the major judges, and the kings of Israel - Saul, David, and Solomon.
24. Identify the significance of the temple of Israel and David as a type of Christ.
30
25. Examine the historical events of Israel’s divided kingdom, the southern
kingdom’s exile into Babylon, the return from exile, and the Maccabean revolt.
Course Outline
I. Introduction to Scriptures
A. The Deposit of Faith - two modes of transmission (CCC 81-82)
B. Inspiration (CCC 105-106)
1. God is author of Sacred Scripture
2. Text of Sacred Scripture written down under inspiration of the Holy Spirit
3. God inspired human authors of the sacred books
a. God chose certain men and employed them in task
b. God made full use of their faculties and powers
i. He acted in them and by them
ii. True authors that consigned to writing whatever he wanted written,
and no more
C. Inerrancy (CCC 107)
1. Inspired books teach the truth
2. All that inspired authors or sacred writers state is regarded as affirmed by the
Holy Spirit
3. Books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which
God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to Sacred Scriptures
D. Interpretation (CCC 100, 109-119)
1. Interpreting the Word of God authentically entrusted solely to Magisterium
2. Interpreting Scriptures correctly
a. Attentive to what human authors truly wanted to affirm and to what God
wanted to reveal to us by their words
b. Account for conditions of their time and culture, literary genres in use at
that time, and modes of feeling, speaking, and narrating then current
c. In light of same Spirit by whom it was written
d. Attentive to content and unity of the whole Scripture, especially through
use of typology
31
e. Within the living Tradition of whole Church
f. Attentive to the analogy of faith
3. Senses
a. Literal sense - meaning conveyed by words of Scripture and discovered by
exegesis
b. Spiritual senses
i. Allegorical - recognizing significance of events in Scripture as they
relate to Christ
ii. Moral - events in Scripture ought to lead us to act justly
iii. Anagogical - viewing realities and events in terms of their eternal
significance, leading us toward heaven
E. Composition (CCC 110)
1. Language
2. Style
3. Time period
F. Salvation history and the covenant (CCC 128 – 130)
G. Canon (CCC 120)
1. Forty-six books in the Old Testament and twenty-seven books in the New
Testament
2. Development
a. Council of Hippo 393AD
b. Council of Carthage 397AD
H. Overview of the Scriptures (CCC 120 – 127)
1. Old Testament
a. Law
b. History
c. Wisdom
d. Prophecy
2. New Testament
a. Gospels
b. Acts of the Apostles
32
c. Letters
d. Revelation
I. Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church (CCC 131 – 133)
II. The Old Testament
A. The Beginning (CCC 56-62, 144-146, 369-379, 385-421, 701, 705-706, 845,
1094, 1219, 2569-2572)
1. Creation
a. Obligation to hold that souls are immediately created by God
b. Cannot hold to polygenism – the belief that the human race came from
many parents
2. Adam and Eve
a. Fall
b. The Protoevangelium
3. Noah and Flood (Matthew 24:37-39, Luke 17:26-27, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter
3:20, 2 Peter 2:5)
4. Abraham
5. Jacob (Israel) and 12 Tribes
B. The Exodus and Journey to the Promised Land (CCC 707)
1. Moses and Aaron
2. Exodus
3. Desert
C. The Conquest of Canaan / Judges (CCC 708)
1. Joshua
2. Judges
D. The United Kingdom (CCC 709)
1. Saul
2. David
3. Solomon
E. The Divided Kingdom (CCC 64)
1. Kings
a. Rehoboam and Jeroboam
33
b. Hezekiah and Josiah
2. Prophet in divided kingdom: Elijah
F. The Exile into Babylon (CCC 710)
1. Daniel
2. Ezekiel
G. The Return from Exile (CCC 711)
1. Ezra
2. Nehemiah
3. Temple rebuilt
H. The Maccabean Revolt (CCC 715 – 716)
Recommended Resources
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
2. Chance or Purpose? Creation, Evolution and a Rational Faith. Cardinal Christoph
Schonborn. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2007. ISBN 1-58617-212-3.
3. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compe
ndium-ccc_en.html
4. Creation and Evolution: A Conference with Pope Benedict XVI in Castel
Gandolfo. Cardinal Christoph Schonborn. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press,
2008. ISBN 1-58617-234-4.
5. The Faith of the Early Fathers. 3 Volumes. William A. Jurgens. Collegeville,
MN: The Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
6. A Father Who Keeps His Promises: Understanding Covenant Love in the Old
Testament. Scott Hahn. Cincinnati, OH: Servant Publications, 1997. ISBN 089283-829-9.
7. The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Jeff Cavins. West Chester, PA: Ascension
Press, 2006. UPC 811661010266. (24 part video series)
34
8. A Guide to the Bible. Antonio Fuentes. Dublin, Ireland: Four Courts Press,
1987. ISBN 1-85182-022-1.
9. Introduction to the Bible: The Nature, History, Authorship & Content of the Holy
Bible with Selections from & Commentaries on the Various Books. Fr. John
Laux. Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers, 1992. ISBN 0-89555-396-1.
10. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
11. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Raymond Brown, Joseph Fitzmyer, and
Roland Murphy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990. ISBN 0-13614934-0.
12. The Scripture Documents: An Anthology of Official Catholic Teachings. Dean
Philip Bechard. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2002. ISBN 0-81462-591-6.
13. Summa Theologica. St. Thomas Aquinas. Allen, TX: Christian Classics, 1981.
ISBN 0-87061-063-5. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
14. T3: The Teen Timeline. Mark Hart. West Chester, PA: Ascension Press, 2006.
UPC 1932927771. (4 part video series)
15. Understanding the Scriptures, A complete Course on Bible Study. Reverend
James Socias. Woodridge, IL: Midwest Theological Forum, 2005. ISBN 189017-747-4.
16. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
17. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
18. Where we got the Bible: Our Dept to the Catholic Church. Henry G. Graham.
San Diego, CA: Catholic Answers, 1997. ISBN 1-88899-204-2.
http://www.catecheticsonline.com/OTHER/whereBible.pdf
19. You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each
Book In The Bible. Peter Kreeft. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2005. ISBN
1-58617-045-7.
35
New Testament
This course covers the historical development, major theological themes, books, persons
and events of the New Testament. Students will analyze the meaning of the text in its
literal and spiritual senses as well as its historical, literary, cultural, and faith context.
They will examine Sacred Scripture as God’s Word, how the New Testament fulfills the
Old Testament, and how all of salvation history is summed up in the person of Jesus
Christ. The students will develop a deeper communion with Jesus Christ and a greater
desire to hand on the Gospel to others.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Examine the centrality of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
2. Explain that the Gospels are the heart of the Scriptures.
3. Explain the historical character of the Gospels.
4. Examine the historical context of the New Testament, including the theme of the
fullness of time.
5. Examine the authors, dates, and audiences for New Testament books studied.
6. Identify the divisions and books of the New Testament.
7. Identify the three stages of formation of the Gospels.
8. Demonstrate familiarity with the Gospel writers and their main focus.
9. Examine the significance of Christ’s Baptism.
10. Examine the significance of Christ’s temptation in the desert.
11. Examine the essential elements / themes in Christ’s teaching including the
parables, Sermon on the Mount, and miracles.
12. Examine Jesus’ hypostatic union.
13. Examine Mary as the Theotokos.
14. Analyze the “I AM” statements and Jesus’ proclamation of his divinity.
15. Examine as historical events the incarnation, passion, death, resurrection,
and ascension.
16. Examine the works and teaching of Jesus Christ.
36
17. Describe the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
18. Explain the work of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Church.
19. Describe the birth of the Church as beginning at the death of Christ and
revealed at Pentecost.
20. Examine the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul as recorded in Acts of the Apostles.
21. Examine the main themes and teachings in the New Testament Epistles.
22. Examine the major themes and teachings in the book of Revelation.
23. Examine the elements / purpose of Jesus’ second coming.
24. Examine the ways in which Christ fulfills the Old Testament prophecies.
25. Examine the ways in which Christ fulfills the types, covenants, and symbols
of the Old Testament.
Course Outline
I. Overview of the New Testament
A. Review of theological issues underlying Sacred Scripture (CCC 123-125)
1. Writings of New Testament have as their central object Jesus Christ
2. Gospels are heart of the Scriptures
B. Historical contexts - lives of the four evangelists, themes, etc. (CCC 124 – 127)
C. Origins of the New Testament books (CCC 124 – 127)
1. Authors
2. Dates
3. Audiences
D. Divisions and books of the New Testament (CCC 124 – 127)
1. Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
2. Acts of the Apostles
3. Epistles of Paul, James, Peter, John and Jude
4. Revelation
II. The Gospels
A. The three stages of formation (CCC 126)
1. The life and teaching of Jesus
2. The oral tradition
37
3. The written Gospels
B. Redeeming work of Christ (CCC 422-451)
1. As Savior
2. As Christ
3. As Son of God
4. As God
C. The Incarnation (CCC 456-511)
1. Hypostatic union of Jesus
2. Mary as the Theotokos
D. Jesus’ works and teachings (CCC 512-570)
1. Infancy narratives
2. The Baptism of Jesus
3. The Temptation of Jesus
4. Sermon on the Mount
5. Jesus’ teaching, including the parables
6. Jesus’ miracles
7. Jesus’ I AM statements
8. Founding of the Church
9. Institution of the Sacraments
E. Jesus’ Passion and Death (CCC 571-630)
F. Jesus’ Resurrection (CCC 631-658)
G. Jesus’ Ascension (CCC 659-667)
H. Jesus’ Second Coming (CCC 668-682)
III. Acts of the Apostles
A. The Holy Spirit (CCC 683-730)
B. The Holy Spirit and the Church in the last days (CCC 731-747)
C. Birth of the Church (CCC 758-769)
D. Sts. Peter and Paul (CCC 765)
IV.
Epistles
A. Romans (CCC 1987-2029)
1. Righteousness
38
2. Faith
3. Justification
B. 1 Corinthians (CCC 1998)
1. Apostolic authority
2. Receiving the Eucharist
3. Gifts
4. Marriage
5. Resurrection
C. 2 Corinthians (CCC 1999)
D. Galatians (CCC 1953)
E. Ephesians (CCC 2045)
F. Philippians (CCC 1949)
G. Colossians (CCC 2204)
H. 1-2 Thessalonians (CCC 2427)
I. 1-2 Timothy (CCC 2015)
J. Titus (CCC 2342)
K. Philemon (CCC 2414)
L. Hebrews (CCC 1965)
M. James (CCC 2069)
N. 1-2 Peter (CCC 1996)
O. 1-3 John (CCC 2345)
P. Jude (CCC 2641)
V. Revelation
A. Life everlasting (CCC 1020-1040)
B. The new kingdom (CCC 1041-1060)
C. The fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (CCC 1044)
VI.
Christ fulfills prophecies and types of Old Testament
A. Be attentive to content and unity of the whole Scripture (CCC 112)
B. Read Scripture within the living Tradition of the whole Church (CCC 113)
C. Be attentive to the analogy of faith (CCC 114)
D. Typology (CCC 128-130)
39
Recommended Resources
1. The Apostles. Pope Benedict XVI. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2007.
ISBN 1-59276-405-3.
2. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
3. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compe
ndium-ccc_en.html
4. The Faith of the Early Fathers. 3 Volumes. William A. Jurgens. Collegeville,
MN: The Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
5. A Father Who Keeps His Promises: Understanding Covenant Love in the Old
Testament. Scott Hahn. Cincinnati, OH: Servant Publications, 1997. ISBN 089283-829-9.
6. The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Jeff Cavins. West Chester, PA: Ascension
Press, 2006. UPC 811661010266. (24 part video series)
7. A Guide to the Bible. Antonio Fuentes. Dublin, Ireland: Four Courts Press,
1987. ISBN 1-85182-022-1.
8. Introduction to the Bible: The Nature, History, Authorship & Content of the Holy
Bible with Selections from & Commentaries on the Various Books. Fr. John
Laux. Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers, 1992. ISBN 0-89555-396-1.
9. Jesus of Nazareth. Pope Benedict XVI. New York, New York: Doubleday, 2007.
ISBN 0-38552-341-6.
10. The Navarre Bible New Testament. Princeton, NJ: Scepter Publishers, 2001.
ISBN 1-889334-59-6.
11. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
12. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Raymond Brown, Joseph Fitzmyer, and
Roland Murphy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990. ISBN 0-13614934-0.
40
13. The Scripture Documents: An Anthology of Official Catholic Teachings. Dean
Philip Bechard. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2002. ISBN 0-81462-591-6.
14. Summa Theologica. St. Thomas Aquinas. Allen, TX: Christian Classics, 1981.
ISBN 0-87061-063-5. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
15. T3: The Teen Timeline. Mark Hart. West Chester, PA: Ascension Press, 2006.
(4 part video series)
16. Understanding the New Testament and its Message. Vincent Branick. Mahwah,
NJ: Paulist Press, 1998. ISBN 0-8091-3780-1.
17. Understanding the Scriptures, A Complete Course on Bible Study. Reverend
James Socias. Woodridge, IL: Midwest Theological Forum, 2005. ISBN 189017-747-4.
18. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
19. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
20. Where We Got the Bible: Our Debt to the Catholic Church. Henry G. Graham.
San Diego, CA: Catholic Answers, 1997. ISBN 1-88899-204-2.
21. You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each
Book In The Bible. Peter Kreeft. San Franciscan, CA: Ignatius Press, 2005.
ISBN 1-58617-045-7.
41
Morality
Course Description
This course will address objective Catholic moral and social teaching, as grounded in the
Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. In this course the students will be
able to identify and analyze Catholic moral teaching and to articulate the structure of
moral choices. Students will be able to apply this knowledge of morality to their own
lives. They will become familiar with the various components of Catholic social
teaching, including, but not limited to, the formation of conscience, the dignity of the
human person, social charity and justice, and the common good.
The Ten Commandments section relied heavily upon the Life in Jesus Christ in the
USCCB’s Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of
Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age released in January 2008
and is used with permission.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Differentiate between objective morality and moral relativism.
2. Defend the reality of objective morality.
3. Describe human dignity and its origins.
4. Identify erroneous moral systems.
5. Identify the sources of moral theology.
6. Recognize the significant contributions of Humane Vitae.
7. Analyze the consequences of original sin.
8. Develop the idea of the condition of man resulting from sin.
9. Distinguish the different types of grace.
10. Explain the Church’s teachings on justification, sanctification, and merit.
11. Analyze the seven infused virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit in light of the
call to live a moral life.
12. Explain the difference between freedom and license.
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13. Explain that true freedom is the ability to do what one ought to do.
14. Analyze the object, intention, and circumstances as the elements of moral
acts.
15. Explain the moral principle that the end does not justify the means.
16. Explain the moral principle of double effect.
17. Analyze passions within the context of making moral decisions.
18. Explain conscience and a person’s responsibility toward their conscience.
19. Distinguish between an erroneous conscience and a true conscience.
20. Analyze the different types of sin.
21. Explain a person’s call to conversion.
22. Analyze the various types of law.
23. Examine in detail each of the Ten Commandments.
24. Examine the beatitudes.
25. Examine the precepts of the Church.
Course Outline
I. Introduction to Morality
A. Objective morality as opposed to relativism (CCC 1691)
B. Morality as vital to a relationship with Christ (CCC 1696)
C. Basis of human dignity (CCC 1691-1715)
D. Erroneous moral systems (CCC 1698)
1. Proportionalism
2. Consequentialism
3. Situation ethics
E. Sources of moral theology (CCC 1697)
1. Scripture
2. Tradition
3. Magisterium
4. Natural law
5. Ancillary sciences
F. Original sin (CCC 385-421)
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1. Concupiscence
2. Loss of the preternatural gifts
G. Grace (CCC 1996-2005)
1. Sanctifying
2. Habitual
3. Actual
4. Sacramental
5. Special graces
H. Justification, sanctification, and merit (CCC 1987- 2029)
I. Virtues (CCC 1803-1829)
1. Theological - faith, hope, and charity
2. Cardinal - prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance
J. Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1830-1832)
1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord
II. Freedom, Human Acts, Passions
A. True freedom is doing what one ought to do (CCC 1730-1748)
B. Structure of the moral act (CCC 1749-1761)
1. Object, circumstance, end
2. Full and partial knowledge
3. Ends do not justify means
4. Principle of double effect
C. Passions (CCC 1762-1775)
1. Love and hatred, desire and fear, joy, sadness, and anger
2. “To love is to will the good of another”
III. Conscience
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A. Divisions of conscience (CCC 1776-1802, 2240)
1. Erroneous conscience - vincible ignorance, invincible ignorance, lax
conscience, heteronomous conscience, scrupulosity
2. True conscience as corresponds to the moral law - certain conscience,
antecedent, concomitant, consequent
B. Strategies for dealing with doubtful conscience
IV.
Mercy and Sin
A. Mercy, conversion, and reconciliation (CCC 1846-1848)
B. Divisions of sin (CCC 1849-1876, 2110, 2825)
1. Original sin
2. Actual sin
a. Mortal
b. Venial
c. Commission or formal and Omission
3. Vice
V. Law
A. Divisions (CCC 1950-1986)
1. Eternal
2. Natural
3. Human
4. Divine
B. Just law (CCC 1949)
VI.
Ten Commandments
A. First Commandment - “I am the Lord, your God; you shall not have strange gods
before me.” (CCC 2084-2141)
1. Theological virtues - faith, hope and charity
2. Sins against the first commandment: superstition; idolatry; divination and
magic; irreligion; atheism; agnosticism; despair; presumption
B. Second Commandment - “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in
vain.” (CCC 2142-2167)
1. Reverent speech about God
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2. Sins against the second commandment: blasphemy or other abuse of God’s
name; perjury; misusing God’s name in oaths or false oaths
C. Third Commandment - “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.” (CCC 21682195)
1. Meaning of Lord’s Day in Old Testament and New Testament
2. Serious obligation to attend Mass
3. Day of grace and rest from work
4. Sins against the third commandment: missing Mass on Sundays and holy days
of obligation; failing to pray; failing to keep holy the Lord’s day
D. Fourth Commandment - “Honor your father and your mother.” (CCC 2179-2257)
1. Obedience in the family
a. Context of Christian family
b. Duties of family members
2. Duties of civil authority and duties of citizens
3. Sins against the fourth commandment: disobeying parents; disobeying lawful
superiors
E. Fifth Commandment - “You shall not kill.” (CCC 364, 2258-2330)
1. Respect human life in all stages and situations
2. Legitimate self-defense and the death penalty
3. Principles regarding health, science, bodily integrity
4. Sins against the fifth commandment: murder; abortion; euthanasia; suicide;
embryonic stem-cell research; abuse of alcohol, drugs, food, or tobacco; abuse
of the body
F. Sixth Commandment - “You shall not commit adultery.” (CCC 2331-2400)
1. Vocation to chastity
2. Offenses against chastity
3. Christian vision of Marriage: Theology of the Body
4. Natural family planning
5. Sins against the sixth commandment: offenses against the dignity of
marriage; contraception; impure acts
G. Seventh Commandment - “You shall not steal.” (CCC 2401-2463)
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1. Right to private property and just treatment
2. Overview of the social doctrine of the Church
3. Economic activity and social justice
4. Justice and solidarity among nations
5. Sins against the seventh commandment: theft; keeping something loaned or
lost; the destruction of the property of others; business fraud; paying unjust
wages; breaking contracts
H. Eighth Commandment - “You shall not bear false witness against another.” (CCC
2464-2513)
1. Living and witnessing truth
2. Keeping secrets and confidences
3. The responsibilities of the media and art
4. Sins against the eighth commandment: lying; perjury; rash judgment;
detraction; calumny; boasting; making fun of others
I. Ninth Commandment - “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.” (2351, 2354,
2364-2365, 2514-2533)
1. Respect sanctity of marriage vows
2. Practice modesty and purity of heart in thought, words, actions, and
appearance
3. Sins against the ninth commandment: lust; pornography
J. Tenth Commandment - “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.” (CCC 25342557)
1. Practice simplicity of life and trust in God
2. Sins against the tenth commandment: envy; greed
VII.
Beatitudes
A. The Beatitudes (CCC 1716-1717, 1966-1970)
B. Desire for Happiness (CCC 1718-1719)
C. The Christian Beatitude (CCC 1720-1724)
VIII.
Precepts of the Church
A. Obligatory character (CCC 2041)
B. Precepts of the Church (CCC 2042-2043)
47
Recommended Resources
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
2. Catholic Moral Tradition. David Bohr. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor,
1999. ISBN 0-8973-931-2.
3. Catholic Morality: A Course in Religion, Book III. Fr. John Laux. Rockford, IL:
Tan Books & Publishing, 1994. ISBN 0-89555-393-7.
4. Catholic Sexual Ethics: A Summary, Explanation, & Defense Updated. Rev.
Ronald Lawler. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 1996. ISBN 0-87973-670-4.
5. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_comp
ndium-ccc_en.html
6. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Pontifical Council for Social
Justice, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Washington, D.C:
USCCB Publishing, 2007. ISBN 13:978-1-57455-692-6
7. Deus Caritas Est. Pope Benedict XVI. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN
1-57455-758-0.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_benxvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html
8. The Encyclicals of John Paul II. J. Michael Miller, ed. Huntington, IN: Our
Sunday Visitor, 2001. ISBN 0-87973-316-0.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/index.htm
9. The Facts of Life: An Authoritative Guide to Life and Family Issues, 2nd edition.
Brian Clowes. Front Royal, VA: Human Life International, 2001. ISBN 155922-048-1.
10. Faith and Certitude. Rev. Thomas Dubay. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press,
1998. ISBN 0-89870-054-X.
11. The Faith of the Early Fathers. 3 Volumes. William A. Jurgens. Collegeville,
MN: The Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
48
12. Faith, Hope, Love. Josef Pieper. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1997. ISBN
0-89870-623-8.
13. The Four Cardinal Virtues. Josef Pieper. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre
Dame Press, 1966. ISBN 0-26800-103-0.
14. Humanae Vitae. Pope Paul VI. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 1968.
ISBN 0-81983-347-9.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_pvi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html
15. I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: Meeting Christ in New Neighbors.
Catholic Bishops of Indiana. Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Catholic Conference,
2006.
http://www.indianacc.org/bins/site/content/documents/StrangerEnglish%20%282%29.pdf
?_resolutionfile=ftppath|documents/StrangerEnglish%20(2).pdf
16. Man and Woman He Created Them. Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline
Books & Media, 2006. ISBN 0-8198-7421-3.
17. Medicine and Christian Morality. Thomas J. O’Donnell. Staten Island, NY: Alba
House, 1996. ISBN 0-81890-765-7.
18. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
19. Our Moral Life in Christ. Reverend James Socias. Woodridge, IL: Midwest
Theological Forum, 2003. ISBN 1-89017-729-6.
20. Principles of Christian Morality. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. San Francisco, CA:
Ignatius Press, 1986. ISBN 0-89870-086-8.
21. A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews with an Absolutist. Peter Kreeft.
San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1999. ISBN 0-89870-731-5.
22. Spe Salvi. Pope Benedict XVI. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2008. ISBN
1-58617-251-4.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_benxvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html
23. Spiritual Theology. Jordan Aumann. London, UK: Sheed and Ward Limited,
1980. ISBN 0-7220-8518-4.
49
24. Summa Theologica. St. Thomas Aquinas. Allen, TX: Christian Classics, 1981.
ISBN 0-87061-063-5. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
25. The Theology of the Body. Pope John Paul II. Boston, MA: Pauline Books &
Media, 1997. ISBN 0-8198-7394-2.
26. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
27. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
28. Victory over Vice. Bishop Fulton Sheen. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute
Press, 2008. ISBN 1-92883-230-X.
29. Welcoming the Stranger Among Us. United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2000. ISBN 1-57455-643-6.
50
Apologetics
Course Description
This course will equip students with essential skills to explain and defend Catholic
teaching. Topics include, but are not limited to the Trinity, Scripture and Tradition, the
four marks of the Church, Mary, the saints, relics, the Sacraments, the dignity of the
human person, evil and sin, justification and merit. The students will strive to exercise
the grace of Confirmation by participating in the Church’s mission to evangelize.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Explain and memorize Genesis 3:15, 1 Peter 3:15b-16, Matthew 16:16-19, 1
Timothy 3:15, Matthew 28:19-20, John 3:16, and John 6:53-56.
2. Explain the attributes of God.
3. Defend the doctrine of the Trinity.
4. Defend the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ.
5. Defend the two-fold source of the deposit of faith as the Sacred Scriptures
and Sacred Tradition.
6. Defend the development of the Sacred Scriptures.
7. Defend the fact that Jesus founded the Catholic Church upon Peter the
Apostle.
8. Defend that the fullness of the means of salvation subsists in the Catholic
Church.
9. Defend that the Catholic has apostolic succession.
10. Discuss implications where apostolic succession does not exist.
11. Defend the dogma of Mary as the Mother of God.
12. Defend the dogma of Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
13. Defend the dogma of Mary’s Perpetual Virginity.
14. Defend the dogma of Mary’s Assumption.
15. Defend the doctrine of Mary as Spiritual Mother.
16. Defend the honoring of Mary.
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17. Explain the Communion of Saints.
18. Defend the intercession of saints.
19. Defend the doctrine of Purgatory.
20. Defend the use of sacramentals.
21. Defend the common misconceptions of each of the seven sacraments.
22. Defend the dignity of the human person.
23. Explain the dangers of evils in the world.
24. Defend the doctrines of merit, justification, and salvation.
25. Defend the Catholic doctrines against Modernism.
Course Outline
I. Introduction to Apologetics
A. Definition of apologetics (CCC 849-856)
B. Historical foundations (CCC 250, 464)
C. Technique: do’s and don’ts (CCC 1285)
II. Trinity
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies (CCC 466)
1. Polytheism
2. Modalism
3. No filioque
4. Gnosticism
5. Arianism
6. Monophysitism
7. Nestorianism
B. Catholic doctrines (CCC 199-278, 464-478)
1. Attributes of God
a. Scripture references: Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10;
Isaiah 45:5; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Ephesians 4:5-6
b. Prophets convince disobedient that there is one God - St. Ignatius of
Antioch
2. Trinity
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a. Scripture references: Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 10:30-33;
Ephesians 4:30
b. God a perfect Trinity - St. Gregory the Miracle-Worker
3. Jesus is True God and True Man
a. Scripture references: John 1:1; John 8:58-59; John 10:30-33; John 12:45;
John 20:28; Colossians. 2:9; Titus 2:13
b. Jesus Christ, our God - St. Ignatius of Antioch
C. Other faiths
1. Mormons
2. Jehovah’s Witnesses
3. Unitarians
III. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture
A. Objections, false beliefs and heresies - sola scriptura
B. Church doctrines and explanations (CCC 74 – 100)
1. Development of the canon - acceptance of the authority of Scripture is
acceptance of magisterial authority
2. Tradition
IV.
Four Marks of the Church
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies
1. Jesus did not begin religion or church
2. No need of sacraments to be saved
3. Doesn’t matter which church I join
4. Jesus did not build Church upon Peter
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 811-870)
1. One - Christ founded the Catholic Church
2. Holy - the Sacraments
3. Catholic - fullness of the means of salvation
4. Apostolic
a. Apostolic succession
b. Papal authority (Matthew 16:18-19)
V. Mary
53
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies
1. Catholics worship Mary
2. Mary not mediator because Jesus is only mediator
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 466, 490-507, 963-972)
1. Three types of worship
a. Latria
b. Hyperdulia
c. Dulia
2. Mother of God
3. Immaculate Conception
4. Perpetual Virgin
5. Assumption
6. Spiritual Mother
VI.
Saints
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies - no need to pray to saints when we can
pray directly to God
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 946-962)
1. Communion of Saints
2. Intercession
3. Why saint prayer is not necromancy
VII.
Purgatory
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies - Doctrine of Purgatory not biblical
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 1472, 1030-1032)
1. Scriptural references: Revelation 21:27; 1 Corinthians 3:15; 2 Maccabees 12:
44-46
2. Praying for those in Purgatory - St. Cyril of Jerusalem
VIII.
Sacramentals
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies - use of sacramentals is idolatry
B. Catholic doctrine and explanations (CCC 1667-1679, 2110-2111)
1. Statues / pictures
2. Relics (Acts 19:11-12)
54
a. 1st Class
b. 2nd Class
c. 3rd Class
3. Guarding against superstition
IX.
Sacraments
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies - Sacraments are merely symbolic rituals
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 1213-1284, 1322-1419, 1422-1498,
1536-1600)
1. Baptism
a. Regeneration
b. Necessary for salvation (John 3:5, Mark 16:16, Romans 5:18-19)
c. Infant Baptism
2. Eucharist
a. True Presence (John 6)
b. Sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:26)
3. Penance
a. Forgiveness of sins after Baptism (2 Corinthians 5:20, Matthew 5:24)
b. Commission of the Apostles to forgive sins (Mark 2:5, Luke 7:48, John
20:21-23, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18, Matthew 28:16-20)
c. Confessing of sins to a priest (Exodus 20:17, Matthew 5:28)
4. Holy Orders
a. Priestly celibacy (Matthew 19:12, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35)
b. Only men can receive Holy Orders
c. Calling priests “father” (1 Corinthians 4:14-15, 1Thessolonians 2:11)
X. Dignity of the Human Person
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies
1. Modern misconceptions about sexual morality
2. Modern misconceptions about medical ethics
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 355-384, 1629, 2270-2275, 2357-2359,
2366-2379, 2382-2386, 2399)
1. Intrinsically male or female
55
2. Dignity and purpose of marriage and family
3. Church teaching on homosexuality, homosexual unions, abortion,
contraception, divorce
4. Description of Natural Family Planning
5. Definition of an annulment
6. Church teaching on stem cell research / medical ethics
XI.
Evil and Sin
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies
1. Sin is just a mistake
2. Non-existence of hell, evil spirits, and demons
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 1033-1037, 1864, 2111-2117)
1. Existence of hell
2. Sin against the Holy Spirit
3. Worst thing in the world not sin, but denial of sin - Archbishop Fulton Sheen
4. The reality of evil in our world
a. Exorcisms, obsession, possession
b. Danger of horoscopes, Ouija Boards, divination, magic, etc.
C. Mortal sin (CCC 1854-1865)
1. Scripture references: 1 John 5:16-17; James 1:14-15
2. Conditions for a Mortal sin
XII.
Justification and Merit
A. Objections, false beliefs, and heresies
1. Once saved always saved
2. Sole fide
B. Catholic doctrines and explanations (CCC 1950-2029)
1. Salvation and redemption
2. Faith and works (Galatians 5:6, 1 Corinthians 13:2, John 14:21, Matthew
19:16-17, James 2:24,26)
XIII.
Modernism
A. Synthesis of all heresies (CCC 285, 2123-2126, 2425)
1. Gnosticism, Communism, and Atheism
56
2. The Enlightenment
a. Philosophy of Descartes and Voltaire and psychology / education of Freud
and Jung
b. Science
3. Freemasonry
B. Pascendi Dominici Gregis and Lamentabili Sane by Pope Pius X
Recommended Resources
1. Answer Me This. Patrick Madrid. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2003.
ISBN 1-93170-958-0.
2. Beginning Apologetics Super Set. Father Chacon and Jim Burnham. Farmington,
NM: San Juan Catholic Seminar, 2007. ISBN 1-93008-423-4.
3. Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic. David B. Currie. San Francisco, CA:
Ignatius Press, 1996. ISBN 0-89870-569-X.
4. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
5. Catholic Apologetics: God, Christianity, and the Church, a Course in Religion,
Book IV. Fr. John Laux, Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers, 1994. ISBN 089555-394-5.
6. Catholic Apologetics Today: Answers to Modern Critics. Fr. William Most.
Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, 1986. ISBN 0-89555-305-8.
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/most/getwork.cfm?worknum=212
7. The Catholic Catechism: A Contemporary Catechism of the Teachings of the
Catholic Church. John A Hardon, S.J. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1975.
ISBN 0-38508-045-X.
8. Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible
Christians." Karl Keating. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1988. ISBN 089870-177-5.
9. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
57
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compe
ndium-ccc_en.html
10. Crossing the Threshold of Hope. John Paul II. New York, NY: Knopf, 1995.
ISBN 0-67976-561-1. http://www.catholic.net/RCC/POPE/HopeBook/toc.html
11. The Encyclicals of John Paul II. J. Michael Miller, ed. Huntington, IN: Our
Sunday Visitor, 2001. ISBN 0-87973-316-0.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/index.htm
12. Eucharistic Miracles. Joan Carroll Cruz. Rockford, IL: Tan Books and
Publishers, 1987. ISBN 0-89555-303-1.
13. Evangelii Nuntiandi. Pope Paul VI. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 1976.
ISBN 0-81982-325-2.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_pvi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi_en.html
14. The Faith of the Early Fathers. Three Volumes. William A. Jurgens.
Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
15. A Family Retreat. Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Ramsey, NJ: Keep the Faith, 2004.
Item #0686. DVD series.
16. Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma. Ludwig Ott. Rockford, IL: Tan Books and
Publishers, 1974. ISBN 0-89555-009-1.
17. Handbook of Christian Apologetics: Hundreds of Answers to Crucial Questions.
Peter Kreeft. Westmont, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. ISBN 0-83081-774-3.
18. The Incorruptibles: A Study of the Incorruption of the Bodies of Various Catholic
Saints and Beati. Joan Carroll Cruz. Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers,
1977. ISBN 0-89555-066-0.
19. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
20. New Evangelization: Building a Civilization of Love. Joseph Cardinal Raztiner.
Address to Catechists & Religion Teachers Jubilee of Catechists, December 12,
2000. http://www.ewtn.com/new_evangelization/Ratzinger.htm
21. Nuts & Bolts: A Practical Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Faith.
Tim Staples. Irving, TX: Basilica Press, 1999. ISBN 0-96426-102-2.
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22. A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics. Patrick Madrid. Huntington, IN: Our
Sunday Visitor, 2006. ISBN 1-59276-208-5.
23. Radio Replies: Three Volumes. Leslie Rumble and Charles M. Carty. Rockford,
IL: Tan Books and Publishers, 1979. ISBN 0-89555-159-4.
24. Relics: The Shroud of Turin, the True Cross, the Blood of Januarius...History,
Mysticism, and the Catholic Church. Joan Carroll Cruz. Huntington, IN: Our
Sunday Visitor, 1984. ISBN 0-87973-701-8.
25. The Scripture Documents: An Anthology of Official Catholic Teachings. Dean
Philip Bechard. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2002. ISBN 0-81462-591-6.
26. Sources of Catholic Dogma. Henry Denzinger. Fitzwilliam, NH: Loreto
Publications, 1957. ISBN 1-930278-22-5.
http://www.catecheticsonline.com/SourcesofDogma.php
27. Summa Theologica. St. Thomas Aquinas. Allen, TX: Christian Classics, 1981.
ISBN 0-87061-063-5. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
28. Teaching of Christ: 5th Edition. Bishop Donald Wuerl, Rev. Ronald Lawler, and
Rev. Kris Stubna. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2004. ISBN 1-59276094-5.
29. Theology for Beginners: Third Edition. F. J. Sheed. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant
Books, 1982. ISBN 0-89283-124-3.
30. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
31. Upon This Rock: St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early
Church. Stephen K. Ray. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1999. ISBN-10: 089870-723-4.
32. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
33. What Catholics Really Believe-Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to
Common Misconceptions about the Catholic Faith. Karl Keating. San Francisco,
CA: Ignatius Press, 1995. ISBN 0-89870-553-3.
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34. Where is that in the Bible? Patrick Madrid. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor,
1999. ISBN 0-87973-693-3.
35. Why is that in Tradition? Patrick Madrid. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor,
2002. ISBN 1-93170-906-8.
60
History of the Church I
Course Descriptions
This course surveys the history of the Catholic Church from Pentecost to the thirteenth
century. Students will examine the major themes of the Church’s influence throughout
the world. Special emphasis will be given to men and women who have played
influential roles in this part of history as well as councils, synods, heresies, and the
development of theology. The students will deepen their love for the Catholic Church
and embrace their Catholic identity.
NB: Lives of saints should be mentioned throughout this course both to show the
restoration of faith and hope in times of crisis as well as to illustrate ways of encountering
Christ through all periods of Church history.
The History of the Church I outline relies heavily upon The History of the Catholic
Church in the USCCB’s Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the
Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age released
January 2008 and is used with permission.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Evaluate the state of the Greco-Roman world and its traditions and analyze how
philosophy in the Greco-Roman world prepared for the Gospel.
2. Demonstrate the importance of the Pax Romana.
3. Describe how Church history is the result of both the guidance of the Holy Spirit
and the free choices of individuals in history.
4. Examine the importance of Pentecost and the birth of the Catholic Church
and demonstrate that the Apostles were the first bishops and St. Peter was
the first pope.
5. Evaluate the extreme obstacles that the Apostles faced to spread the Faith.
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6. Demonstrate that the Eucharist has always been the center of Christian
worship.
7. Differentiate between the Roman Emperors and the dates of their persecutions
and describe the growth of the Church despite the persecutions.
8. Analyze the most important martyrs and popes.
9. Evaluate Constantine’s relationship to the Church and examine the importance of
the Edict of Milan.
10. Compare the major heresies of the Early Church.
11. Evaluate the contributions of the Church Fathers and describe how the
Church develops doctrine.
12. Examine the impact of the Fall of Rome on the Church.
13. Analyze how the Church preserved and spread civilization.
14. Analyze St. Benedict and his Rule and its impact.
15. Defend the primacy of Peter (Rome) over the Eastern Patriarchates.
16. Describe the initial missionary efforts by which Europe was converted.
17. Analyze the relationship between the Church and the State from Charlemagne
through the Gregorian Reform.
18. Describe the rise of Scholasticism and the flourishing of Christian culture.
19. Evaluate the role of the Inquisition including its achievements and abuses.
20. Evaluate the impact of the bubonic plague on European society.
21. Evaluate the hurdles that the Church faced during the Avignon Papacy and the
Western Schism.
22. Determine the factors behind the Hundred Years War and its resolution.
23. Evaluate the origins of Islam and the motivations for a Christian military
response and examine the outcomes of the Crusades.
24. Examine the rise of humanism and compare Christian humanists with secular
humanists.
25. Appraise the leadership of Isabel of Spain and examine the significance of the
Holy Roman Empire under the Hapsburgs.
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Course Outline
I. Roman society and pre-Christian religious world
A. Greek philosophy paved way for Christian thought
B. Roman Empire facilitated rapid spread of Christianity
C. Pax Romana created optimal conditions for growth and spread of Christianity
II. Christ established his Church to continue his saving presence and work
A. The origin, foundation, and manifestation of the Church
1. Church instituted by Christ who
a. Inaugurated the Church by preaching the Good News
b. Endowed his community with a structure
c. Gave the Church totally of himself for our salvation
2. Church is revealed by the Holy Spirit - events of Pentecost
B. Holy Spirit inspires the Apostles’ mission - great commission (CCC 857- 862)
1. Missionary journeys of St. Paul
2. Role of Peter and Apostles in the early Church
3. Apostolic succession preserves mission, office, and teaching of Apostles as
entrusted to them by Christ
III. History of Church in Post-Apostolic Times
A. Age of growth amid persecution
1. Unique phenomenon in Roman Empire
a. Major persecutions of early Church (Nero, Trajan, Hadrian, Diocletian,
Marcus Aurelius, Valerian, and Decius)
b. Blood of martyrs, seed of Christians - Tertullian
c. Teachings of St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeus, and
St. Polycarp sustained faith of persecuted Church
2. The Eucharist is the heart of early Christian worship
a. Catacombs and house liturgies
b. Descriptions in Didache and St. Justin Martyr
B. Age of the Fathers of the Church (CCC 9, 192, 250, 884, 887, 891)
1. Constantine and Edict of Milan
a. Freedom of worship
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b. Public worship
i. Building of churches and basilicas
ii. Building of churches for Mass and celebrations of the Sacraments
iii. Sense of transcendence of God in stately settings
2. The Church Fathers
a. First Christian apologists
b. Shared characteristics of orthodoxy in doctrine, antiquity, holiness,
notoriety, and approval by the Church
c. Sermons and commentaries on Scripture and the Sacraments
3. Fathers and Doctors of the Church: St. Basil; St. Gregory Nazienzen; St. John
Chrysostom; St. Athanasius; St. Ephrem; St. Ambrose; St. Jerome; St.
Augustine; St. Leo the Great; St. Gregory the Great.
4. Development of the Eastern Patriarchates
a. Located in Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and Alexandria
b. Primacy of the See of Peter in Rome in relation to the Patriarchates
5. Church councils and doctrinal development
a. Church response to heresies (Arianism and Nestorianism)
i. St. Athanasius
ii. Council of Nicea in 325AD
iii. First Council of Constantinople in 381AD
iv. Council of Ephesus in 431AD
v. Council of Chalcedon in 451AD
b. Creeds and catechesis for Christian instruction
c. Dealt with doctrines of the Incarnation and the Trinity
6. Some Eastern Churches separate over doctrinal disputes
a. First separation 431AD
b. Second separation 451AD
c. Third separation 1054AD
C. The Roman Church of the West
1. Collapse of Roman Empire of the West around 476AD
a. Barbarian invasions, weakened government
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b. Political influence of popes and bishops increased
i. Church was the remaining trusted authority
ii. Helped maintain law and order amid the encroaching invaders
iii. Assisted with protection of civilians and feeding the poor
2. The monks as evangelizers
a. St. Benedict and the Benedictines
i. Western monasticism preserved
ii. Rebuilt culture and civilization
b. St. Columban and the Celtic monks
3. Initial missionary efforts by which Europe was converted
a. Sts. Patrick and Boniface
b. Sts. Cyril and Methodius
c. Sts. Augustine of Canterbury and Bede
d. Sts. Stephen the Great and Wenceslaus
D. The Church of the Middle Ages
1. Politics and religion
a. Charlemagne’s Frankish Empire
b. Clashes between Church and monarchies on selection of bishops
c. Gregory VII - Hildebrand and Gregorian Reform establishes primacy of
spiritual authority over temporal
2. New religious orders and new universities
a. Bernard and the Cistercians
b. Rise of the Mendicant Orders
i. Franciscan
ii. Dominican
c. Council of Lateran IV
i. Albigensianism combated
ii. Transubstantiation of Eucharist
d. Rise of Eucharistic adoration and Feast of Corpus Christi
e. Universities and Scholasticism
i. Movement from monastic and cathedral schools to university
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ii. Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Padua, Krakow, etc.
f. Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas
i. Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy joined together
ii. Philosophy as the handmaiden of theology
3. Culture
a. Thomas a’ Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ
b. Birth of vernacular literature
c. Beginnings of drama
i. Mystery plays
ii. Morality plays
d. Trade guilds were basis of economic structure
e. Gothic cathedrals
i. Height, light, and stained glass bring power, beauty, and transcendence
of God to common person
ii. Make visible our spiritual journey to heaven
f. Sts. Clare and Francis
g. Sts. Gertrude and Margaret of Scotland
h. Sts. Dominic and Albert the Great
4. Events of the late Middle Ages
a. Inquisition
i. Origin - Albigensianism
ii. Process
iii. Abuses and misconceptions
iv. Inquisition in Spain - addressed Muslim converts rather than
Albigensian problems
b. Black Death
c. Hundred Years War - St. Joan of Arc
d. Great Schism and the Avignon Papacy
i. St. Catherine of Siena
ii. Pope Gregory XII
e. Return to Rome and the Western Schism - Council of Constance
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f. Decline of Scholasticism and rise of heresy
E. The Crusades
1. Islam’s birth and its first encounters with Christianity
2. Shrines in the Holy Land fall under Islam’s control
3. Invasion of Europe
a. Iberian Peninsula taken 711AD
b. Pelayo begins Reconquista
c. Motivations for Christian military response
4. Militant Orders
a. Templars
b. Hospitallers
c. Teutonic Knights
5. Success and failure of Crusades
a. Heroes of the Crusades
i. Pope Urban II
ii. Raymond of Toulouse
iii. Richard the Lionheart
iv. Godfrey of Boullion
b. Abuses which tarnish the Crusades
6. Some results
a. Cultural and economic resurgence of Europe
b. Tensions between East and West
F. The Renaissance - return to sources
1. Scholars
a. Dante - Divine Comedy
b. Erasmus and St. Thomas More
c. Revival of study of classical culture and languages
d. Humanism - Christian vs. secular
e. Machiavelli
2. Art, architecture and music
a. Florence and the Medici’s patrons of arts and its schools
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b. Fra Angelico, Giotto, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bramante, and Bernini
c. The new St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, and Duomo in Florence
d. St. Philip Neri, Apostle of Rome, promoted the music of Palestrina and
historical scholarship of Baronius
3. Rise of the New Monarchs
a. Spain - Isabel and Cardinal Ximenes
b. Hapsburgs - Charles V
c. St. Francis of Paola, spiritual director to Louis XI, Charles VIII, and Louis
XII
Recommended Resources
1. Building of Christendom: History of Christendom Volume 2. Warren H. Carroll.
Christendom Press, 2004. ISBN 0-93188-824-7.
2. Butler’s Lives of the Saints. Fr. Alban Bulter. Rockford, IL: Tan Books &
Publishers, 1995. ISBN 0-89555-530-1.
3. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
4. Church History: A Complete History of the Catholic Church to the Present Day for
High School, College and Adult Reading. Fr. John Laux. Rockford, IL: Tan Books
& Publishers, 1989. ISBN 0-89555-349-X.
5. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. Alan Schreck. Ann Arbor, MI:
Servant Publications, 1987. ISBN 0-89283-328-9.
6. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendi
um-ccc_en.html
7. The Faith of the Early Fathers. 3 Volumes. William A. Jurgens. Collegeville, MN:
The Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
8. Founding of Christendom: History of Christendom Vol 1. Warren H. Carroll.
Christendom Press, 2004. ISBN 0-93188-821-2.
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9. Glory of Christendom: History of Christendom Vol 3. Warren H. Carroll.
Christendom Press, 2004. ISBN 0-93188-854-9.
10. The History of the Church. Reverend James Socias. Woodridge, IL: Midwest
Theological Forum, 2005. ISBN 1-89017-746-6.
11. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Washington,
DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
12. A Short History of the Catholic Church. Jose Orlandis. Dublin, Ireland: Four Courts
Press, 1993. ISBN 1-85182-125-2.
13. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
14. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
69
History of the Church II
Course Description
This course surveys the history of the Catholic Church from the fourteenth century
through the present. Students will examine the influences of the Protestant Reformation,
the Enlightenment, and various significant Church councils and decrees as well as
responses to these events. Special emphasis will be given to men and women who have
played influential roles in this part of history, as well as the heresy of modernism, and
any continuing development in theology. The students will deepen their love for the
Catholic Church and embrace their Catholic identity.
NB: Lives of saints should be mentioned throughout this course both to show the
restoration of faith and hope in times of crisis as well as to illustrate ways of encountering
Christ through all periods of Church history.
The History of the Church II outline relies heavily upon The History of the Catholic
Church in the USCCB’s Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the
Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age released
January 2008 and is used with permission.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to accomplish the objectives.
1. Differentiate between genuine abuses of power in the pre-Reformation
Church and the doctrinal changes proposed by Martin Luther, show how the
Protestant revolt developed under Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and Henry VIII
and explain the terms sola fide and sola scriptura and contrast them with the
Catholic teaching.
2. Examine the achievements of the Council of Trent and describe the lives and
works of the saints who were active during the Catholic counter-reformation.
3. Determine the factors which lead to the idea of cuius regio-eius religio.
4. Visualize the Battle of Lepanto and examine the significance of its outcome.
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5. Illustrate the missionary achievements of the Church in the Age of
Exploration and examine the role of the Guadalupe apparitions in the
conversion of Mexico.
6. Analyze the rise of Enlightenment thought and contrast it with Catholic ideals.
7. Describe the fall of the Stuart dynasty in England and its significance for the
Church.
8. Determine the factors which gave rise to the French Revolution and illustrate how
the events of the Revolution such as persecution of priests and religious were
driven by Enlightenment ideals.
9. Differentiate between the two errors of Liberalism and Marxism.
10. Illustrate the social injustices which occurred during the Industrial Revolution.
11. Summarize the principles of Catholic social teaching put forward by Pope
Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum including the principles of the universal
destination of goods, subsidiarity, and the common good.
12. Show some of the ways in which France experienced religious revival in the
19th century.
13. Summarize the Oxford movement in England and the outcome of John Henry
Newman’s conversion.
14. Construct a picture of the Kulturkampf following the Franco-Prussian War by
stating its goal, principles, primary figures, practices, and outcome.
15. Determine the factors leading to the loss of the Papal States and evaluate the
outcome.
16. Summarize the main themes of Pius IX’s pontificate including the Syllabus of
Errors, Immaculate Conception, and Church facing the modern world and
describe the achievements and teachings of the First Vatican Council.
17. Summarize the pontificate of Pope St. Pius X focusing especially on his
motto, lowering of First Communion age, and the liturgical movement /
Gregorian chant.
18. Analyze the issues at stake with the warfare of World War I and Benedict XV’s
calls for peace and analyze the pontificate of Pius XI including his relationship
with Hitler and Mussolini.
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19. Explain the sufferings of the Church during the Spanish civil war including the
persecution of priests and religious and demonstrate knowledge of the Catholic
resistance.
20. Explain the events leading to the persecution of the Church in Mexico, the
Cristero Rebellion, and the martyrdom of Miguel Pro.
21. Describe the pontificate of Pius XII including his efforts to protect the Jews
and the dogma of the Assumption and analyze the rise of Communism in
light of Catholic social teaching.
22. Describe the position and main figures of the Church in early America including
the Jesuit missionaries, Junipero Serra, and Archbishop Carroll and examine the
lives and work of the American Saints.
23. Analyze the phenomena of anti-Catholic nativism facing immigrants to America
and describe the contribution of the Church to the educational system in America.
24. Describe the vision of the Second Vatican Council and its primary
documents, achievements, and challenges following the council.
25. Summarize the main themes and events of John Paul II’s pontificate, his
contributions to peace and evangelization, and theological focus and examine
the life and thought of Pope Benedict XVI, his writings as Pope, and his
current achievements.
Course Outline
I. The Call for Reform
A. Luther’s complaints, proposals, and innovations
1. 95 Theses
a. Few dealt with the abuses/corruption
b. Most were actual disagreements and divergences from Church teaching
2. Sale of indulgences, clerical corruption, and ignorance of the Faith
3. Sola Fides, Sola Gratia, and Sola Scriptura
B. The break from Rome - Protestantism
1. Martin Luther (Germany)
2. John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli (Switzerland)
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3. Henry VIII (England)
4. John Knox (Scotland)
C. Nationalism
1. 30 Years War between Catholics and Protestants
2. Cuius Regio-Eius Religio - Rise of State Churches
3. Persecution in Elizabethan England
D. Church Responds at the Council of Trent (CCC 1362-1372, 1376)
1. Renewal of bishops, priests, and religious
2. Doctrinal and pastoral issues
a. Role of grace and good works
b. Sacrificial character of the Mass
c. Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist - Transubstantiation
d. Seminaries and proper formation of priests
e. A universal catechism
B. Counter Reform and Catholic victories
1. Mass of St. Pius V, Roman Catechism, and Jesuit Education
2. St. Ignatius of Loyola
3. Sts. Peter Canisius and Robert Bellarmine
4. Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross
5. Sts. Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal
6. Sts. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac
7. Sts. Charles Borromeo and Alphonsus Ligouri
8. Battle of Lepanto - Muslims are on the defensive
II. The Church’s Missionaries Confront New Cultures
A. The Americas
1. St. Peter Claver’s ministry to African slaves
2. Conversion of Mexico - Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego
3. St. Rose of Lima and St Martin de Porres
4. North American Martyrs - Church in American colonies
B. Missionaries (Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans)
C. Japan, India - St. Francis Xavier
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III. The Church and the Age of Enlightenment
A. Rationalism, Empiricism, Deism, and Skepticism - Bacon, Descartes, Voltaire,
and Rousseau
1. Loss of confidence in human ability to known things as they are
2. Rejection of that which cannot be empirically measured
3. Tendency to view Christianity as a superstition or ignorance
4. Erosion of confidence in traditional hierarchy of authority, both temporal and
spiritual
5. Subsequent social-political structure built on skepticism
B. The Stuart Kings - expulsion of Catholic Kings and usurping of governing power
by parliament
C. The French Revolution and its impact on the Church
1. Experimentation in Enlightenment theories provides driving force behind the
Revolution rather than oppression by tyrant king
2. Deliberate attempt to stamp out the Catholic Church via persecution of clergy:
Carmelites of Compiegne
3. Rise of Vendee and Catholic military response
IV.
The Church in the Modern Era
A. Liberalism and Marxism
B. Industrial Revolution and social injustices
1. No living wage, no pensions or sick leave, child labor, sweat shops
2. Denial of right to form labor unions or mount strikes
3. Management’s ignoring human dignity of workers etc.
C. Pope Leo XIII promulgates Rerum Novarum (CCC 1807, 1883, 1885, 1894, 2209,
2401, 2403, 2246, 2435)
1. Universal destination of goods of earth for all people
2. Subsidiarity, justice for workers, reform of capitalism
3. Common good, private property, living wage, unions
D. Religious growth in nineteenth century France
1. Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Marists, the Palatine Fathers, and the Little
Sisters of the Poor
74
2. St. Bernadette’s vision of Mary at Lourdes
3. St. Therese of Lisieux
4. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
5. St. John Vianney
6. St. Catherine Labouré
E. The Oxford Movement in England - Newman
F. Challenges to the Church
1.
Kulturkampf in Germany
2.
Loss of papal states
V. Vatican I
A. Pope Pius IX reigned 32 years (CCC 490-493)
1. Strengthened spiritual authority of pope after loss of papal states
2. Man of deep faith and virtues
3. Beatified in 2000
4. Syllabus of Errors - condemned modernism, religious indifferentism, and
relativism
5. Immaculate Conception dogma 1854
B. The First Vatican Council (CCC 889-891, 2035, 2051)
1. 306 years after Council of Trent, opened December 8, 1869
2. First discussion was the Dogmatic Constitution on Faith
a. Council Fathers approved document Dei Filius
b. Use of reason to know God - but revelation is necessary
3. Infallibility of pope proclaimed July 1870
4. August papal states occupied and Pope suspended the Council
VI.
Pope St. Pius X (1903-1914)
A. Motto “Instaurare Omnia In Christo” (“To Restore All Things in Christ”)
B. Lowered age of First Communion to age of reason
C. Popularized Gregorian Chant and helped liturgical movement
D. Opposed “Modernism”
VII.
The Church and the World Wars
A. Benedict XV and World War I - seven point peace plan
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B. Pius XI
1. Signed Lateran Treaty with Mussolini and broke with Mussolini in 1931
2. His break with Hitler - Encyclical Mit Brennender Sorge
3. Persecutions of the Church in Mexico and Spain
C. Pius XII
1. Opposed Nazis - Christmas messages for peace
2. Pius and the Jews - his efforts to protect them
3. Spiritual signs of light in darkness of war and its aftermath
4. 1950 proclaimed dogma of the Assumption - Munificentissimus Deus
5. The Church and the Communist Empire
VIII.
The Church in the United States
A. Colonial America
1. French-Speaking Catholics - Jesuit explorers, missions, martyrs
2. Spanish-Speaking Catholics - Junipero Serra
3. English Colonial Catholics - Archbishop Carroll
B. Immigrations - Ethnic Catholics
1. Church supports working class through Catholic school and hospital systemsreligious orders
2. Nativist movement in America by the Know-Nothings, Blood-Tubs, etc.
a. White (and sometimes red) martyrdom for Catholics came to America,
some of this legacy remains alive today
b. Objection to Catholic immigrants because they were not born on
American soil and were seen as having allegiance to foreign power
(Europe and the Pope)
c. Denied Catholics could be true American citizens, circulated false rumors
about Catholics, and denied employment to Catholic immigrants (“No
Irish need apply”), violence to prevent Catholics from voting
d. Catholic immigrants defended by leaders such as Archbishop John Hughes
of New York
C. Catholic Education
1. Rise of parochial schools and education of children and youth
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2. Efforts in higher education
3. Significant percentage of world’s Catholic colleges and universities found in
United States
D. Patronage and example of American saints
1. St. Elizabeth Seton
2. St. Frances Cabrini
3. St. John Neumann
4. St. Katharine Drexel
5. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
6. St. Theodora Guerin
7. St. Blessed Junipero Serra
8. Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
IX.
Vatican Council II - A Pastoral Approach to the World
A. Pope John XXIII’s pastoral vision for the Council and his opening speech at the
Council - Gaudet Mater Ecclesia, “Rejoice, O Mother Church,” October 11, 1962
B. Pope Paul VI (1963)
1. Guided remaining sessions of Council
2. Implemented Council teachings
3. Dealt with the controversy over Humanae Vitae
C. Some Developments after the Council
1. Study and implementation of document of the Councils
a. Changes in liturgy – Sacrosanctum Concilium
b. Growth of Scripture study – Dei Verbum
c. Growth of lay involvement – Apostolicam Actuositatem.
d. Developments in catechesis – Gravissimum Educationis
2. Call to evangelize - Evangelii Nuntiandi
3. Difficulties after Council in interpretation and implementation of Council
documents and goals
a. Dissension passed over from self-criticism to self-destruction - Joseph
Cardinal Ratzinger
77
b. Especially destructive was tendency to turn away from what Council
actually taught in favor of so-called spirit of Vatican II - in reality a
pernicious anti-spirit
X. Pope John Paul II
A. First non-Italian pope in centuries
1. Vigorous
2. Dramatic
3. Faced down Communism
B. Evangelizer to the world
1. 104 papal trips overseas
2. His dialogue of salvation
C. Teacher who wrote numerous encyclicals, post-synodal documents, and other
writings
1. Fides et Ratio
2. Veritatis Splendor - condemnation of Relativism
3. Evangelium Vitae
4. Ecclesia de Eucharistia
D. Themes
1. “Be not afraid”
2. Totus Tuus
3. Human dignity
4. New evangelization
E. Assassination attempt
1. Example of courage
2. Example of faith
3. Example of forgiveness
F. The Catechism of the Catholic Church
XI.
Pope Benedict XVI
A. Distinguished scholar and theologian
B. Appointed as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
C. Dean of the College of Cardinals
78
D. Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis
E. Encyclicals Deus Caritas Est and Spe Salvi
Recommended Resources
1. Butler’s Lives of the Saints. Fr. Alban Bulter. Rockford, IL: Tan Books &
Publishers, 1995. ISBN 0-89555-530-1.
2. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
3. Christ and the Americas. Anne W. Carroll. Rockford, IL: Tan Books & Publishers,
1997. ISBN 0-89555-594-8.
4. Church History: A Complete History of the Catholic Church to the Present Day for
High School, College and Adult Reading. Fr. John Laux. Rockford, IL: Tan Books
& Publishers, 1989. ISBN 0-89555-349-X.
5. Cleaving of Christendom: History of Christendom Vol 4. Warren H. Carroll.
Christendom Press, 2004. ISBN 0-93188-875-1
6. The Compact History of the Catholic Church. Alan Schreck. Ann Arbor, MI:
Servant Publications, 1987. ISBN 0-89283-328-9.
7. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-720-3.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendi
um-ccc_en.html
8. The Faith of the Early Fathers. Three Volumes. William A. Jurgens. Collegeville,
MN: The Liturgical Press, 1980. ISBN 0-81461-025-0.
9. The Guillotine & the Cross. Warren H. Carroll. Chicago, IL: Christendom Press,
2004. ISBN 0-93188-845-X.
10. The History of the Church. Reverend James Socias. Woodridge, IL: Midwest
Theological Forum, 2005. ISBN 1-89017-746-6.
11. New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Washington,
DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
79
12. The Revolution Against Christendom: A History of Christendom, Volume 5. Warren
H. Carroll. Christendom Press, 2006. ISBN 0-93188-880-8.
13. A Short History of the Catholic Church. Jose Orlandis. Dublin, Ireland: Four Courts
Press, 1993. ISBN 1-85182-125-2.
14. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
15. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
80
References
Aquinas, St. Thomas. Summa Theologica. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/
Carroll, Anne W. Christ and the Americas. Rockford, IL: Tan Books &
Publishers, 1997.
Carroll, Warren H. History of Christendom, Volumes 1-5. Chicago, IL:
Christendom Press, 2004.
Carroll, Warren H. The Guillotine & the Cross. Chicago, IL: Christendom
Press, 1986.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997.
Chacon, Father Frank and Jim Burnham. Beginning Apologetics. 11 Booklets
Farmington, NM: San Juan Catholic Seminars, 2000.
Chesterton, G.K. Lepanto. http://www.chesterton.org/gkc/poet/lepanto.html
Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of
Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age. United
States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2008.
http://www.usccb.org/education/framework.pdf
Dubay S.M., Father Thomas. “And You Are Christ’s”. San Francisco, CA:
Ignatius Press, 1987.
Jurgens, William A. The Faith of the Early Fathers. Three volumes. Collegeville,
MN: The Liturgical Press, 1970.
Liturgy of the Hours. New York, NY: Catholic Book Publishing Company,
1975. http://www.universalis.com/
New American Bible. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
Pope Benedict XVI. Apostolic Journey to Cologne: Address of His Holiness.
2005.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/august/doc
uments/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050818_youth-celebration_en.html
81
Pope John XXIII. Opening Speech to the Council. October 11, 1962.
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/v2.html
Pope John Paul II. Catechesi Tradendae. 1979.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/docum
ents/hf_jp-ii_exh_16101979_catechesi-tradendae_en.html
Pope John Paul II. Ecclesia de Eucharistia. 2003.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf
_jp-ii_enc_17042003_ecclesia-de-eucharistia_en.html
Pope Leo XIII. Rerum Novarum. 1891.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_lxiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum_en.html
Pope Pius X. Lamentabili Sane. 1907.
http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_df07ls.htm
Pope Pius X. Pascendi Dominici Gregis. 1907.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/encyclicals/documents/hf_px_enc_19070908_pascendi-dominici-gregis_en.html
Pope Pius XII. Divino Afflante Spiritu. 1943.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_pxii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu_en.html
Pope Pius XII. Humani Generis. 1950.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_pxii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.html
Ratzinger, Joseph Cardinal and Vittorio Messori. The Ratzinger Report. San
Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1985.
Second Vatican Council. Dei Verbum. 1965.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents
/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html
Second Vatican Council. Gaudium et Spes. 1965.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents
/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html
Sheen, Bishop Fulton. A Family Retreat. Ramsey, NJ: Keep the Faith, 2004.
82
Socias, Rev. James gen. ed. Didache Series. Woodridge, IL: Midwest
Theological Forum, 2007.
83
Texts
Any of the texts from the USCCB’s conformity list can be used with the diocesan
curriculum. The most up-to-date listing can be found at:
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/document/Currentlist.pdf
The texts presently (2008-2009 school year) in use at both diocesan high schools are:
Didache Series: Introduction to Catholicism; Understanding the Scriptures; Our Moral
Life in Christ; and The History of the Catholic Church. Rev. James Socias, gen. ed.
Chicago, IL: Midwest Theological Forum, 2007.
Beginning Apologetics Booklet Series: How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith;
Study Guide for Beginning Apologetics; How to Answer Jehovah’s Witnesses and
Mormons; Yes! You Should Believe in the Trinity; How to Explain and Defend the Real
Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; How to Answer Atheists and New Agers; How to
Answer Tough Moral Questions; How to Explain and Defend Marian Doctrines; How to
Read the Bible; How to Explain and Defend the End Times; and How to Answer
Muslims. Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham. San Juan Catholic Seminars, 2000.
Catechetical Resources
1. Catechesi Tradendae. Pope John Paul II. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1984. ISBN 155586-654-9.
2. Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-110-8.
3. Educational Philosophy of St. John Bosco. John Morrison. New Rochelle, NY:
Salesiana Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0-89944-050-9.
4. Evangelii Nuntiandi. Pope Paul VI. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 1976.
ISBN 0-81982-325-2.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_pvi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi_en.html
84
5. First Catechetical Instruction of St. Augustine. St. Augustine. Mahwah, NJ, Paulist
Press, 1978. ISBN 0-80910-047-9.
6. General Directory for Catechesis. Congregation for Clergy. Washington, DC:
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1997. ISBN 1-57455-225-2.
7. The Mystery We Proclaim, Second Edition: Catechesis for the Third Millennium.
Monsignor Francis Kelly. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2008. ISBN 155635-684-6.
8. National Directory for Catechesis. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 2005. ISBN 1-57455-443-3.
9. New Evangelization: Building a Civilization of Love. Joseph Cardinal Raztiner.
Address to Catechists & Religion Teachers Jubilee of Catechists, December 12, 2000.
http://www.ewtn.com/new_evangelization/Ratzinger.htm
10. Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Washington, DC: USCCB, 1999. ISBN 1-57455-299-6.
11. Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. United States
Catholic Conference of Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997. ISBN 1-57455004-7.
12. Study Guide for the United States Adult Catholic Catechism. Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.
Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 2006. ISBN 978-1-59276-206-4.
13. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006. ISBN 1-57455-450-6.
14. Vatican Council II. Austin Flannery, ed. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing
Company, Inc., 1996. ISBN 0-918344-37-9.
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Useful Internet Resources
(The committee recognizes that this list is not exhaustive, but has proven to be helpful in
catechizing youth.)
Apologetics
http://www.catholic.com/
http://www.cin.org/users/james/
http://www.cuf.org/Faithfacts/category_view.asp?catID=12
http://www.envoymagazine.com/
http://www.osv.com/
Catechetics
http://www.catecheticsonline.com/blog/
http://www.nccl.org
http://www.ncea.org
http://www.silk.net/RelEd/catechetics.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church
http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/index.cfm
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Fathers/Doctors of the Church
http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html
http://www.doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com/
http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/
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Libraries
http://bav.vatican.va/en/v_home_bav/home_bav.shtml
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/
http://www.ewtn.com/new_library/index.asp
http://www.newadvent.org/library/
http://www.salvationhistory.com/library/index.cfm
Papal Documents
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/index.htm
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/
Prayers
http://www.universalis.com/
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayer_saint.htm
http://www.scborromeo.org/prayers.htm
Scriptures
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
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