Full course description
Partner dioceses receive discounted courses. This link provides a list of partner dioceses and discount codes to use when registering.
The Mass is not just a service that Catholics attend on Sundays. Rather, the Mass offers a comprehensive theological and spiritual vision of the world that is the very foundation of Catholic life. In this course, students will develop a theological understanding of the Mass. In Theology of the Mass, course participants will discover deeper theology of the Church drawn from the Eucharist; an understanding of the role of memory in the Church’s Eucharistic worship; appreciation for the meaning of Eucharistic sacrifice; and a spirituality of communion that leads each and every Christian to “glorify God” in the world. This course is intended for catechists, liturgists, deacons, and all those seeking to contemplate the gift of the Mass for Catholic life in the world.
Learning Objectives:
- To discover a theological meaning to each part of the Mass.
- To think about the catechetical dimensions of teaching the Mass within a parish or school.
- Begin to see the Mass as a school of prayer for the Christian.
*Participants in the course must have their own copy of Timothy O'Malley's Bored Again Catholic (Our Sunday Visitor, 2017).
Course Content
Unit 1: Entrance Rites
Unit 2: Confession and Praise
Unit 3: The Liturgy of the Word
Unit 4: The Sacrifice of the Mass
Unit 5: The Eucharistic Prayer
Unit 6: Communion and the World
Course Format
- Seven weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
- Up to 20 students in each course.
- Video summaries and assigned readings from required book.
- Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration.
- Written assignments (200-250) required.
- Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.
Participation Requirements
- Read weekly lectures.
- 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.
Time Expectations
3 to 5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.
Course Certificate
An electronic certificate of completion awarding 35 contact hours will be available in course when completing all course requirements.
Area: Liturgy