COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the nature and purpose of Consecrated Life in the Catholic Church, a form of Christian witnessing undertaken by sacred ministers and lay persons who have made a public profession of vows of evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, recognized and sanctioned by the Church. It is a life dedicated to God in a special way, obliging the practice of chastity in celibacy for the sake of the kingdom, poverty, and obedience.
The profession of these evangelical counsels, within a permanent state of life recognized by the Church, characterizes the life consecrated to God. Members of institutes of consecrated life serve the Church's saving mission, living common or communal life or fraternal life in common under Superiors who have authority over the Institute as defined in the Universal Law and the Institute's own norms.
Course Objectives
The course aims to explain and equip students with a clearer and deeper understanding of Consecrated Life through the following objectives:
i. Explore the concept and significance of Consecrated Life in the Church
ii. Identify the different types of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
iii. Analyze and examine the evangelical Counsels: the vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience in Consecrated Life.
iv. Explain the fraternal Life in common, the importance of community life and friendship in the community.
v. Understand the role of Superiors as Servant Leaders in Consecrated Life institutions.
vi. Identify the essential qualities of effective Religious Leaders.
Methodology
The course will explore consecrated life through a mix of lectures, interactions, and discussions, requiring active participation from students. Participants will engage with various canons of the Code of Canon Law and reference materials. Class assignments will reinforce learning and understanding. Students are expected to contribute to discussions and complete readings. At the end, there will be an examination. This approach will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of consecrated life.
Course Outline
Week 1: Friday: 16 January 2026
Introductory and Definition of Terms
Week 2: Friday: 23 January 2026
Consecrated Life; Types of Institutes
Week 3: Friday: 30 January 2026
Consecrated Life; Types of Institutes
Week 4: Friday: 6 February 2026
Evangelical counsel of Chastity
Week 5: Friday: 13 February 2026
Evangelical counsel of Poverty
Week 6: Friday: 20 February 2026
Evangelical counsel Obedience
Week 7: Friday: 27 February 2026
Fraternal life in common: Community life, Friendship in the community.
Week 8: Friday: 6 March 2026
Fraternal life in common: Community life, Friendship in the community.
Week 9: Friday: 13 March 2026
Servant Leadership: Superiors as Leaders, Qualities of Religious Leadership.
Week 10: Friday: 20 March 2026
Revision Lecture
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