Full course description
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Description
Created by Dr. Katharine E. Harmon, Liturgical Prayer: Liturgy of the Hours explores the theology, history, and practice of a traditional pattern of public Christian prayer, the “Liturgy of the Hours,” or the “Divine Office.” The Liturgy of the Hours invites the body of the faithful, the Church, to respond to the Scriptural invitation to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) by praying at regular intervals throughout the day and night. In this course, students will become familiar with the basic structure and content of the Liturgy of the Hours, discuss significant theological themes which shape the Hours, consider key moments in the historical development of the Liturgy of the Hours, and evaluate the challenges and catechetical potential afforded by the Liturgy of the Hours. Doing so will afford opportunities for students to discuss the practical dimensions of adopting the Liturgy of the Hours in pastoral settings, to develop a theology of liturgical prayer, and to build a framework for teaching and implementing liturgical prayer patterned on the Liturgy of the Hours.
Course Content
Unit 1: Liturgical Prayer: Prayer of Christ, Prayer with the Church
Unit 2: Memory, Time, and Sanctification
Unit 3: Two Ways of Praying: Interior Piety and Communal Worship
Unit 4: Ritual Patterns and Ritual Meaning
Unit 5: Catechesis, Adaptation and Implementation
Course Format
- Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
- Up to 20 students in each course.
- Video lectures with text transcripts available.
- Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration, internet links provided for all readings.
- Written assignments (200-250) required.
- Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.
Participation Requirements
- View or read the lecture for each unit.
- Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
- Answer weekly discussion question.
- Respond to weekly unit assignment.
- Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
- Complete the course evaluation.
Required Texts
Participants need to have a copy of Two Ways of Praying (Paul. F. Bradshaw; OSL Publications, 2008) to use during the course. All other readings will be available online in the course space.
Time Expectations
3 to 5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.