The Sacraments - Study Materials

Course Syllabus

This course explores the faith and life of the Church with regard to the sacraments and the entire liturgical life of the church. After discussing the biblical, historical, and dogmatic aspects of the Church's sacramental life, we will explore how we can deepen and enrich our participation in that life.

Required Texts

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed. Ignatius Press, Liguori, Daughters of St. Paul. (Henceforth abbr. CCC. Beware of the difference between paragraph nos. & page nos.)

2. McDonnell, Kilian and George T. Montague, eds. Fanning the Flame. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press [Michael Glazier], 1991. (short pamphlet)

3. Dupuis, Jacques, SJ, ed. The Christian Faith: Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church. New York: Alba. Latest edition (7th ed., 2000). 6th ed 1995 and 5th edition OK too. (Henceforth abbreviated CF)

4. Emminghaus, Johannes. The Eucharist: Essence, Form, Celebration. 2nd ed. Trans. Matthew O'Connell. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1978. 0-8146-1010-2. (Abbr. EEFC)

5. Deiss, Lucien. Springtime of the Liturgy. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1979. 0-8146-1023-4. (Collection of ancient sources on the liturgy. Abbr. SL)

Recommended Reading

The non-required sections of Deiss, Springtime make for excellent reading. Also see the course bibliography especially A. Bouley, ed., Catholic Rites Today, J. Daniélou's The Bible and the Liturgy (Univ. Notre Dame Press, 1956), and two books by Louis Bouyer, Liturgical Piety and The Eucharist. See also the collection of post-conciliar documents on liturgy in A. Flannery, ed., Vatican Council II: Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents, vol 1, revised ed (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1992). I find it important for students to have available the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, Eucharisticum Mysterium (Flannery pp. 100-136) and Eucharistiae Sacramentum (242-253). For exact, documented info on what is legally allowed in the Roman Mass, see James Akin, Mass Confusion: The Do's and Dont's of Catholic Worship, 2nd ed. (San Diego: Catholic Answers, 1999). A fine ecumenical consensus document is Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, Faith and Order Paper No. 111 (Geneva: World Council of Churches, 1982). ISBN for the latter is 2-8254-0709-7. Finally, buy and use an ed. of The Liturgy of the Hours!