DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the spiritual understanding and practices of six key figures drawn from the Medieval and Catholic Reformation era. Their stories will be set in the context of the medieval understanding of liturgy and spirituality. In particular, the tension between church-based spirituality (the Eucharist) and experiential spirituality (mystical experience) will be examined. These six figures are Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi, Clare of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Ignatius of Loyola, and Teresa of Ávila. Judy Peace will serve as guest lecturer on the women mystics. Offered in Orvieto, Italy, the course will include trips to Assisi and Siena as well as exploration of the town of Orvieto, in particular its cathedral.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have (1) come to understand the core concepts of spirituality on the part of six key figures in the Medieval and Catholic Reformation era set in their historical and theological context; (2) explored various spiritual practices from these individuals and the traditions they inspired (including praying the monastic hours); (3) visited Assisi, Siena, and Orvieto, Italy, and so developed a first-hand understanding of several of these traditions; and (4) learned how to lead others in various spiritual practices.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Given the current fascination with spirituality, there is renewed interest in exploring spiritual traditions other than one's own. The goal is not just to understand better such traditions but to engage in the spiritual practices of these traditions in such a way as to develop an understanding of the personal and communal value of these practices.

COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of lecture, discussion, small groups, engagement in spiritual practices, trips to various sites, and interactive dialogue. This course is taught in conjunction with TC519 Medieval Art and Theology, in which students must also be enrolled as either a credit student or an auditor.

REQUIRED READING: Read 1000 pages from the following books:

Durka, Gloria. Praying with Hildegard of Bingen. Saint Mary's Press, 1991.

Lonsdale, David. Eyes to See, Ears to Hear: An Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality. Orbis, 2000.

Mass, R., & G. O'Donnell, eds. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Abingdon, 1990.

O'Driscoll, Mary, ed. Catherine of Siena. Selected Spiritual Writings. New City Press, 1993.

Short, William, OFM. Poverty and Joy: The Franciscan Tradition. Orbis, 1999.

Teresa of Avila. The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus. (Choose any translation of her autobiography.)

Course Reader (articles will be posted online at Moodle.com).

Francis and Clare. The Complete Works. (The Classics of Western Spirituality.) Paulist Press, 1982.

Teresa of Avila. The Way of Perfection. Trans. E. Allison Peers. Image Books, Doubleday, 1991.

Ignatius of Loyola. The Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works. (The Classics of Western Spirituality.) Paulist Press, 1991.

1. Read 1000 pages from the Reading List (25%).

2. Participate in all the various experiences in this field-based course and write a personal reflection paper on the whole experience (6 pages) (30%).

3. Write a research paper on one of the six major figures in the course or on the spiritual tradition flowing from one of these individuals (12-15 pp.) (45%).