B.Th. (Carmelite Studies)

This module aims to give a good general knowledge of the background of the New Testament. A knowledge of this background is necessary for understanding the texts of the New Testament. The module examines the background of the New Testament in terms of how it came about and the geography, politics, social and religious situation from which it evolved. It reviews other New Testament writings and summarises some of the basic theological themes of New Testament books.

Considering contemporary questions, this module explores the links between the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist and the ancient Jewish initiation rituals of the time of Jesus. It outlines the way in which these foundational Christian rites were understood and celebrated in the early centuries of the Church and in the tradition of Roman Catholicism, and it also explores the way in which they have been interpreted in some other Christian traditions. The current rites are studied, and modern-day pastoral and theological issues addressed in the light of the multi-faith and secularised nature of contemporary postmodern culture.

This module shows how Christian faith is firmly grounded in divine revelation. The question is approached by means of a general analysis of religious experience that shows how the human experience of faith opens out to the vast panorama of God’s love that ultimately is revealed decisively in Jesus Christ. Taking its cue from Church teaching on faith and revelation as enunciated by Vatican Councils I and II, the module investigates the historical unfolding and theological witness to revelation in the life and history of Israel, before proceeding to show how all is brought to completion in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

This module analyses Vatican II's understanding of the mystery of the Church in Lumen gentium, outlining its background and evolution, studying the different chapters of the document, and sketching the impact of its teaching. The module is designed to help learners understand the Church a little better by looking at the way that the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) understood the Church and reflecting on the different questions that are raised by this teaching. Since the module is part of a programme in Carmelite Studies, the way in which the one Carmelite charism is lived in different ways by lay men and women in the Catholic Church, by those who make public profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as Catholic Religious and by the bishops, priests and deacons who receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, as well as by the those who are not Roman Catholic, is also discussed.

This module is designed to introduce learners to moral theology, or Christian ethics, and to the different approaches, and emphases, of the more significant contributions to this field of theological study. Noting the contributions, and limitations, of a wide variety of perspectives, and highlighting the significance of the Bible, Tradition and the teaching of the Church, and addressing a variety of different ethical questions, the learners are introduced to some of the key questions in this area of research and facilitated in developing their own initial overview on this topic as a whole.

This module introduces the idea of biblical spirituality with particular focus on selected texts from the Book of Psalms and the letters of St. Paul. The goal of the module is to help the participant appreciate the richness of the ancient texts and its sometimes surprising potential for today’s spiritual pilgrim. The module will give a brief introduction to the idea of Biblical Spirituality with reference to the Psalms of the Old Testament. Learners will examine a Psalm in detail and learn more about the poetic techniques used in the Psalms and Hebrew poetry.

This module gives a good general knowledge of the background of the Old Testament. A knowledge of this background is necessary for an understanding the texts of the Old Testament. It also examines the background of the Old Testament in terms of its formation, its genres, and its books. It will look at the history of Israel and Judah, and it will provide insight into Old Testament theology, covering God, Creation and Covenant.

The material covered in this module includes the enduring appeal of Jesus, and distinguishes between the Jesus of history and Christ of faith, using Gospels as historical evidence. Learners s will also consider the death and resurrection of Jesus, the identity of Jesus in Christian theology and the understanding of Christ in other religious traditions.

This module examines the evolution of thought on the nature of Consecrated and Religious Life and on their associated charisms during, and after, the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). It also outlines the development that took place concerning the recognition of the charismatic nature of the various types of Consecrated Life in the Church, including Religious Life and different forms of lay consecration, in the period since Vatican II.

This module introduces the Synoptic Gospels in general, and the Gospel according to Matthew in particular. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called "the Synoptic Gospels." The Greek word synopsis means something which is seen together. The three gospels can be placed side by side so that their parallels are seen together at one glance. 

Paul was the first great Christian theologian, and his impact on subsequent theological thought can hardly be overestimated. Paul's letters are the oldest Christian documents we have, pre-dating even the Gospels. This module looks at Paul and his letters, their literacy form and genre, their development from composition to canon. It also covers the background, the community and the situation which occasioned each letter, the structure and message of each letter, and their relevance for today. Special attention is given to First Corinthians and Romans.

This module introduces the learner to fundamental issues, such as the authorship, genre, and purpose of the Acts of the Apostles, and it studies some chosen texts from the book. The Acts of the Apostles is an exciting book, full of dramatic stories and speeches rich in theology. It is our earliest work on church history, dealing with the period from Jesus’ ascension to Paul’s imprisonment (ca. 33-63 CE). The book is unique in the New Testament; no other book explicitly presents the history of the Church. Acts is about the growth of Christianity, and how it developed from a Jewish sect to a new religion. One might say that it is about the rebirth of the people of God, which is no longer synonymous with the Jews, but with Jews and Gentiles together in the Christian community.

This module gives a good introductory knowledge of the prophets and prophetic literature, by looking at prophecy in general, and by looking in more detail at some chosen prophets and texts. The prophetic books are for many people among the most beloved literature of the Bible. They contain narratives and poetry of superb quality, and the messages include both doom and salvation, emphasis on social justice and right worship, and political advice. The prophets are important in themselves, but also as a source for the writings and theologies of the New Testament. With their message, the prophets remain relevant today.

The Pentateuch is the name given to the first five books of the Bible, i.e. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These books contain stories, poems and laws composed at different times, and gathered together at different stages. The oldest text may come from about 1000 BCE, while the youngest may come from about 400 BCE. This module gives a good introduction to the Pentateuch by looking at its content and formation, and by presenting analysis of a few chosen key texts.

The overall aim of this module is to introduce learners to the mystery of the Triune God, One God in Three Persons, as revealed, in a limited sense, in the Old Testament and, more fully, in the New Testament.  The faith of the church is that the only Son of God, the eternal Son of the eternal Father, became incarnate in the womb of His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is achieved by presenting the relevant texts from the Old and New Testament, tracing the development of the understanding of the Trinity at, and after, the Council of Nicea (325 CE), and outlining some of the key theologians who contributed to our present understanding of Trinitarian theology, and reviewing some contemporary writers on the Trinity.

The overall aim of this module is to introduce learners to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and to the Sacrament of the Sick, which are recognised as the two Sacraments of healing. This is achieved by outlining the Biblical basis of both Sacraments, the historical development of the theology of these Sacraments from the early centuries of the Church down to the present time, and the key points of the teaching of the Church on these Sacraments. Recognising the divergence in traditions, this module is designed to present the Biblical basis and historical development of the teaching of the Catholic Church on these Sacraments, which played a significant role in the lives of some of our Carmelite Saints, notably in St. Peter Thomas O.Carm., St. Nuno of Saint Mary, O.Carm. and St. Titus Brandsma, O.Carm.

This module gives a general historical framework in which to understand the development of the Family of Carmel from its origins in the 13th century of hermits on Mount Carmel up to its present situation at the beginning of the 21st century. The module will enable students to understand how the Carmelite Family has evolved and developed, and hence to appreciate the values and heritage represented by its component parts. However, Carmel is not simply an organisation, but a family composed of individuals, past and present. We are all human and the members of the Family of Carmel are no different. Finally, there will be an opportunity to encounter – briefly – the writings and the teaching of some of the outstanding inspirational figures who have been members of the Carmelite Family.

This module introduces students to the early history of the Carmelites, to explore the way in which the Carmelite charism was expressed in the Formula of Life given to the Carmelites by St Albert, and to reflect on the way in which that Formula of Life was modified to become the Carmelite Rule. Its overall purpose is to outline the way in which these developments provide the foundations for the way in which the different branches of the Carmelite family - lay people, sisters, nuns and friars - share the one Carmelite charism and give expression to that charism in a wide variety of different contexts and circumstances.

This module introduces a major aspect of the Carmelite heritage, providing a confident grasp of the figures of Elijah and Mary in the Carmelite tradition along with a sense of its obscure origins and early development. The module delivers a heightened awareness of the importance of Carmelite writings before the 16th century reforms of St Teresa of Jesus as well as a knowledge of various ways in which Carmelite writers have looked on Mary and Elijah. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on texts of Carmelite saints and major authors and see the important developments about Mary and Elijah in the Carmelite Order after Vatican II.

This module focuses on the Carmelite charism and explores its riches in the light of the scriptures, especially the gospels. The Order of Carmel is deeply rooted in the Land of the Bible. As the name suggests, the Order originated on Mount Carmel itself – in the wadi ’Ain es Siah near the ‘Fountain of Elijah’; the first hermits of Carmel had come together just before the end of the 12th century and were given a rule by St. Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem (1206-1214). So, it was here in the Holy Land that Carmelites learnt their first lessons in prayer. The module is designed for those who wish to understand, pray and live the scriptures in the spirit of Carmel.

This module brings the student on an historical journey dealing with Carmelite reform and renewal in the Sixteenth century and its meaning for us today. Carmelite reform was not easily or quickly achieved. The single person from this period whose influence has been greatest has been St Teresa of Ávila. She will have a central place in this module. The module will focus on Teresa, her reforming and founding intentions and how these developed. Also, the sources of her ideas and her relationship to the culture of her time.

This module is an introduction to the historical dispute about the origins and founders of the Carmelite Order. It traces the development of a 13th and 14th century tradition claiming that the Order began with the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, and continued through New Testament times and the first millennium of Christianity before receiving a Formula of Life from St. Albert of Jerusalem early in the second millennium. It also outlines the process by which the Order came to be recognised as having its true beginning in the early thirteenth century Formula of Life drawn up by St. Albert of Jerusalem and the gradual abandonment of the tradition claiming that the prophet Elijah was the founder of the Carmelites. These historical developments are interpreted in the light of the developments that have taken place in understanding the foundation of the different forms of Religious Life since Vatican II.

This module is an introduction to the origins, different forms, development, and history of female contemplative life in the Western Church. The development in the theological understanding of this form of Religious Life is indicated and an overview of the significance of enclosure in this way of life is suggested. The aims of this module are to sketch the history and development of the different forms of female Contemplative Religious Life in the Church (Monasticism; Canons Regular; Mendicants; Developments since the Council of Trent) and to outline an understanding of the developments concerning this form of consecrated life that have taken place since Vatican II.

This module is an introduction the Compiègne Martyrs who were sixteen French Carmelite nuns who died at the guillotine in 1794 having offered their lives for the Church and their country. Ten days after their death the reign of terror ended. In December 1902 Pope Leo XIII introduced their cause and in 1905 Pope Pius X promulgated them in 1906. The module explores the family origins and lives of the Martyrs before the French Revolution and includes a broad outline of the historical background to the French Revolution and its various stages which led to the arrest and martyrdom of the Carmelites.

This module is an introduction to some of the devotions, sacramentals, and popular piety found across the Carmelite Family from its origins to the present day. It outlines a contemporary, post-Conciliar approach to devotions in the light of renewed appreciation of popular piety. It covers the theology, development, and pastoral implications of ‘devotions’. Carmel’s devotion to major figures such as Elijah, Mary and other saints is also explored.

The overall aim of this module is to enable the learner to locate the history of the Carmelites since the Protestant Reformation within the broader perspective of the history of the Church and to cultivate the kind of historical consciousness that enables the history of the Carmelites to be interpreted in its proper historical context. It does this by focusing on the ecumenical councils of the Church after the Protestant Reformation, highlighting the historical context of each council, its teaching, and its impact, inviting the learner to recognise the organic development of Church teaching as a growing understanding that remains faithful to its original inspiration and expression and, on that basis, inviting the learner to recognise the history of the Carmelites as experiencing a similar kind of growth.

This module introduces one of the most important saints in Carmel, St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) a mystic and a doctor of the Church. By the end of the module students will have come to know this fascinating woman and been introduced to her major works. The module also considers 16th century Carmelite Reform from her perspective as well as her pedagogy and teaching on prayer. Students will be invited to consider her relevance as a spiritual teacher today.

This module introduces the main aspects of the life, times, and message of St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), setting him in his religious, literary, and social context, taking seriously his identity as a poet. The module provides an introductory background of St. John’s life, culture, theology and understanding of what we would call psychology, in order to offer some resources with which to read St. John’s main works. Assuming that many students will have no experience in approaching poetry in any analytical way and may be wary of it, the module also offers some guidelines for this.

This module introduces the life and times of St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi (1566- 1607), offering an appreciation of the chief characteristics of her spirituality and reflecting on her understanding of the Eucharist and the Church. The 16 units of the module are an edited translation of: Paola Moschetti. Il grido dell’Amore, Vita e spiritualità di santa Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi, Feeria: Città Ideale, 2006. The title might be translated as: The Cry of Love, The Life and Spirituality of St Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi.

This module on St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897), more popularly known as Thérèse of the Child Jesus or the Little Flower, offers a basic introduction to the life and spirituality of the youngest Doctor of the Church, one of the most popular saints and respected spiritual teachers of our time. This module introduces St. Thérèse personally as the great spiritual teacher that she is and glimpses the treasure of her spiritual wisdom. Students learn why she was named a Doctor of the Church and consider what makes her wisdom so relevant for the violent world of today.

This module introduces students to the life and spirituality of the World War II martyr, St. Titus Brandsma O.Carm (1881-1942), to explore the way in which Carmelite spirituality shaped his life and work, and to reflect on the significance of his martyrdom. The module covers the early life of St. Titus before he became a Carmelite, his early years as a Carmelite, his studies in Rome, and activities when he lived at Oss. It continues with his return to Holland until the Nazi invasion in 1940 and outlines the events leading up to the arrest of St. Titus, his time in prison, and the circumstances of his death. The final section of this module explores some of the significant aspects of the spirituality of St. Titus.

This module introduces the life and spirituality of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906 ). Students are encouraged throughout the module to read Elizabeth for themselves, to get to know her through her letters and other writings. The module explores her life as a young laywoman and Carmelite nun.

This module introduces the life and spirituality of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) (1891-1942), a modern saint, convert from Judaism, German philosopher, cloistered Carmelite, and martyr in the death camps of Auschwitz concentration camp. The module covers her early years and academic search for God, as well as her conversion to Christianity and Catholicism.

This module studies the lives of Louis (1823-1894) and Zélie Martin (1831-1877), who were the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Louis and Zélie Martin are the first married couple ever to be canonised together at the same ceremony. They were beatified on October 19, 2008, at the Basilica in Lisieux dedicated to their youngest daughter, St. Thérèse,.  With loving recognition of her parents’ holiness, St. Thérèse wrote in a letter to Abbé Maurice Bellière, on July 26 1997 ‘God gave me a father and a mother more worthy of heaven than of earth’. 

This module is an outline of the life of the Italian Canon Regular, Bishop and Patriarch of Jerusalem, Albert degli Avogadri (1149-1214), who drew up the Formula of Life for the First Carmelites. It outlines St. Alberts early years from about 1150 to 1170 approximately, and the fourteen years he spent as a Canon Regular of the Holy Cross of Mortara. It also outlines St. Albert’s life as Bishop of Vercelli under Pope Innocent III (1198-1205), when imperial influence waned due to the struggle for succession of two rival claimants.

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) is probably the best known of all Carmelite saints. Much has been written about her, while in her autobiography we hear her own description of her journey of faith and love. This module gives a new insight into St. Thérèse, mainly through her correspondence, using the letters written by her that have been preserved, as well as some letters that were written to or about her. Letters provide a unique insight into the mind of their writer, as they are more spontaneous than an autobiography or other writings that have been planned and prepared. The module focuses on Thérèse's childhood and adolescence and the last months of preparation for entering Carmel.

This module takes St. Teresa of Avila (Teresa of Jesus) (1515-1582) as our model and teacher and allows her to talk us through the various forms and stages of prayer that she experienced and that she so clearly articulated in her writings. By the end of the module, students will have not only a better knowledge of the teachings of St. Teresa, but a deeper understanding of the value of a life of prayer, a life to which every one of us is called, whatever our status or vocation in life. On the 27 September 1970, Pope Paul VI solemnly proclaimed St. Teresa of Avila to be a Doctor of the Church. She was the first woman in the history of the Church to be honoured in this way even though she had never studied theology or been to university, yet the Pope proclaimed her to be a teacher for the entire Church.

This module uses St. Elizabeth’s life (1880-1906) as a case study to think about Christian transformation from a Carmelite perspective. The module not only focuses on St. Elizabeth, but also the broader issue of how we can learn from mystical writers. Studying the mystics is not just an historical exercise because their writings invite us to engage with an encounter that transcends the limitations of time. One of the principal concerns of mystical is to talk of the process of personal transformation that draws us into the life of Christ. Before this tradition can again enrich our own contemporary spirituality, we must first define an appropriate theological language that allows us to speak meaningfully of it to others.

This module introduces the main aspects of the life and message of St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), providing an approach to reading the works of this major Carmelite figure. The teaching about St. John is to be found in the essential text for this module The Impact of God – Soundings from St John of the Cross by Iain Matthew OCD (London: Hodder & Stoughton,1995). The module explores St. John the man and the relationship between his life and his writings. Also, St. John’s understanding of God as invasive and seeking encounter. It also covers the centrality of Christ in St. John’s experience and teaching.

This module is intended to complement other material in relation to both St Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906)  (see modules S06 and S12) and St.  John of the Cross (1542-1591)(see modules S02 and S13). To undertake this module it is not necessary to have completed these previous modules, as the treatment outlined in this module studies St. Elizabeth from a particular perspective, namely her spiritual development and identity through her reading of the works of St. John of the Cross. There will be some inevitable overlap, which hopefully may emphasise certain points or perhaps provide a slightly different perspective. This module attempts to trace St. Elizabeth's spiritual growth from her reading and meditation on St. John's works. Only a very brief outline of St. Elizabeth’s life is given, as it is more than adequately covered elsewhere.

This module is concerned primarily with the spiritual significance of Jessica Powers' life (1905-1988) and work for contemporary Carmelites. Her life is outlined as the necessary backdrop against which her poems, and especially her mystical poetry, needs to be understood. As Siegfried and Morneau recognise, the primary influence that shaped Jessica's life and her poetry was probably the poetry of St. John of the Cross. In Jessica's case also, we are dealing, not only with metaphysical poetry of the finest calibre, as Prozesky has noted, but also with poetry that, particularly in the later poems, has a characteristically 'divine tone' that hints at a similarly 'mystical' experience. The module outlines Jessica’s early life in Mauston Wisconsin, her two years in Chicago and her return to Mauston in 1937. It also covers the years that Jessica was Prioress and her final years until the end of her life.