Classic Spiritualities

Module Description:

The aim of this course is to introduce students to some classical texts from the vast literature of the Catholic spiritual tradition.  The introductory section of this module will present in outline some of the more prominent features of the Catholic spiritual tradition including spirituality as practical theology, the roots of Catholic spirituality in the New Testament notion of discipleship, and the influence of the monastic movement on the Catholic tradition. The introduction will also survey the diversity of Catholic spirituality. The greater part of the module will be devoted to a concentrated study of texts representing the monastic, Jesuit and Carmelite streams of the tradition, viz. the Rule for Monastics (Benedict), the Spiritual Exercises and Autobiography of Ignatius Loyola (Jesuit), the Life of Teresa of Avila by Herself, the Interior Castle (Teresa of Avila) and the Story of a Soul (Therese of Lisieux).

Indicative Bibliography:

Beevers, J. (ed.), trans., The Story of a Soul. Autobiography of Therese of Lisieux (New York: Doubleday/Image Book, 2001).
Cohen, J. (ed.), Life of Teresa of Avila By Herself (London: Penguin, 1987).
McGinn, B., The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism (Modern Library Classics, 2006).
Munitiz, J. (ed.), Ignatius Loyola: Personal Writings (London: Penguin, 1996).
Starr, M., trans., Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle (London: Penguin, 2003).
Whyte, C., trans., The Rule of St Benedict (London: Penguin, 2008).
Williams, R., The Wound of Knowledge (London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1979).

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Critically read selected texts from the monastic, Jesuit and Carmelite streams of tradition.
• Assess the wisdom of this tradition in relation to its own time and ours.
• Compare and contrast this wisdom with some of the presuppositions of contemporary populist culture.

Methods of Assessment and Student Workload:

Continually assessed.