OCST05. INTRODUCTION TO LITURGICAL SPIRITUALITY

Professor: Dr. Patrick Ekpada, OCD

Course Rational

The course deals with the formal process of Christian Spirituality “per ritus et preces.” It aims therefore at introducing a student into the spirit of liturgy so as to understand sacred liturgy for what it really is in the life of the Church and of every individual Christian. For Sacred Liturgy, that is the worship of the Church, the Mystery of Christian worship, is the primary and first Christian spiritual experience, and the fount and apex of Christian Spiritual life. Thus, it should become the basic and preferred rule of Christian Spiritual life. This course, therefore, is an introduction into that spirituality founded and nourished by the worship of the Church.

Course Description

The course explores the following areas:
The Second Vatican Council teaches in its Constitution on Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium, the “magna carta of liturgical spirituality;” Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi and Lex Agendi; Themes of liturgical spirituality and its problematics in its five central points: 1. Defining Sacred Liturgy as the spiritual treasure of the People of God. 2. The Nucleus of Liturgical Spirituality. 3. the Sources of authentic nourishments of Liturgical Spirituality. 4. The Characterizing qualities of Liturgical Spirituality. 5. And finally, Liturgical Spirituality: its possibility.

Course Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, the students should be able to:

Examine Liturgy as the foundation of Christian Spirituality;
Explain the meaning of Liturgical Spirituality;
Explain how Liturgy can and should nourish the life of Christian spiritual growth;
Distinguish between authentic Christian spirituality and devotionalism and
Itemise and analyse sources of authentic Liturgical Spirituality

Method:
[Pre-registered lessons, Zoom live sessions, personal study]

Criteria for evaluation:
Written Paper (4-6 pages) on the Themes: (1) The Spirituality of the Liturgy of the Hours; (2) Eucharist and Christian Spirituality; Choice of two or three Saints and exposition of their teaching on the spirituality of the Eucharist (3) Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi and lex agendi; Liturgy and Christian spiritual growth; Sources of authentic nourishments of Liturgical Spirituality.

Course Schedule:

DATE

THEMES/TOPICS

READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK 1

2 APRIL 2025

General Introduction and Meaning of Liturgical Spirituality

Irwin, Kevin W. Context and Text: Methods in Liturgical Spirituality

WEEK 2 9 APRIL 2025	Sacrosanctum Concilium	2, 5, 6-8, 10,102
WEEK 3 30 APRIL 2025	Sacrosanctum Concilium	14, 21, 47-48, 59, 61,
WEEK 4 7 MAY 2025	Liturgy as a School of Prayer	Read Liturgical Prayer and how this is different from devotional prayer. Write a page summary
WEEK 5 14 MAY 2025	Liturgy of the Hours (in brief)	Read the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours.
WEEK 6 21 MAY 2025	The Paschal Mystery and Liturgical Spirituality	The Paschal Mystery

Time distribution:
[12 hours in class, personal readings, preparation of the written paper or oral examination]

Essential bibliography: [5-8 titles]

Boselli, Goffredo. The Spiritual Meaning of the Liturgy: School of Prayer, Source of Life. Collegeville (MN): Liturgical Press, 2014.
Janowiak, Paul. Standing Together in the Community of God : Liturgical Spirituality and the Presence of Christ. Collegeville, MN.: Liturgical Press, 2011.
Keating, Thomas. The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience. New York: Continuum, 2008.
Laughlin, Corinna. The Liturgy: The Source and Summit of Our Christian Life. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2018.
Sacrosanctum Concilium Oecumenicum Vaticanum II. “Constitutio de Sacra Liturgia Sacrosanctum Concilium (4 decembris 1963).” AAS 56 (1964), 97-138.
Schmisek, Brian, Macalintal, Diana and Cormier, Jay. Living Liturgy 2018: Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities. Liturgical Press, 2017.

Braso, G.M. Liturgy and Spirituality. Collegeville (MN): Liturgical Press, 1960.
Castellano, Cervera J. “Liturgy and Spirituality.” In Handbook for Liturgical Studies, vol 2: Fundamental Liturgy. Edited by A. J. Chupungco. Collegeville (MN): Liturgical Press, 1998, 45-64.
Irwin, K.W. Liturgy, prayer and spirituality. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
. The Sacraments: Historical Foundation and Liturgical Theology. New York: Paulist Press, 2016.
Janowiak. P.A. Standing Together in the Community of God: Liturgical Spirituality and the Presence of Christ. Collegeville (MN): Liturgical Press, 2011.
Madigah. S. Spirituality Rooted in Liturgy. Washington (DC): Pastoral Press, 1988.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Revised Edition, Nairobi, Pauline’s Publications Africa, 2001.