The Master of Arts Course Program
A. First Year
First Trimester
Theology of the Liturgy (1.5 units) - Deals with the nature and purpose of Christian worship as renewed by Vatican Council II. The course focuses on the liturgy’s theological, Christological, pneumatological, ecclesiological, and symbolic aspects.
Sacramental Theology (1.5) - Continues the path taken by the course Theology of the Liturgy [Lit 02a] which brought the students to an in-depth study of the nature and purpose of Christian worship as renewed by the Second Vatican Council. Presupposing the students’ solid knowledge of the theological, Christological, pneumatological, ecclesiological, and symbolic aspects of the Liturgy, this course leads the students to identify the aforesaid theological dimensions in the whole sacramental reality as well as in each of the seven sacraments, to consider their celebrative and pastoral dimensions, and the spirituality that flows from their celebration.
Introduction to Liturgical Latin (3.0) - Introduces the students into the basic structure of the language in which the Roman liturgy and its official documents are originally published.
Second Trimester
Latin Liturgical Translation (3.0) - Familiarizes the student with Latin technical terms often used in the liturgy and how they should be translated into the vernacular.
History of the Liturgy (3.0) - Surveys the historical development of the shape of Christian worship from the New Testament through the patristic period and the middle ages down to the present time. The course offers insights on what can be learned from history that can benefit liturgical understanding and practice today.
Third Trimester
Christian Initiation (1.5 units) - Covers the sacrament of Baptism for infants, the stages of the catechumenate of adults, the sacrament of Confirmation, and First Communion. The course includes pastoral guidelines on the celebration of these sacraments on the basis of their history and liturgical theology.
Lay Liturgical Ministries (1.5 units) - Presents the different liturgical ministries exercised by lay persons whether as presiders or ministers. The course discusses also the practice of the Sunday Assembly in the Absence of a Priest under the leadership of lay ministers.
Liturgical Books and Documents (3.0 units) - Studies the different types of books used in the liturgy as well as the documents that the Church has issued in connection with the discipline and renewal of liturgical celebrations.
B. Second Year
First Trimester
Liturgical Music (1.5) - Surveys the historical development of Church music until the reform of Vatican Council II and presents the types of Philippine music that can influence the composition of liturgical music.
Sacraments of Commitment I [Ordination] (1.0 unit) - Examines the theology of holy orders especially from existing liturgical books and documents.
Sacraments of Commitment II [Marriage] (1.0 unit) - Traces the historical and theological development of the rite of marriage from the Roman times to the present and points out its ritual and pastoral effects on the celebration of the sacrament today.
Liturgical Seminar (1.0 unit) - Exposes the students to liturgical topics and issues that are not provided in the regular curriculum. To fulfill this requirement, each student must participate in at least three seminars or conferences on various liturgical topics and present a certificate of attendance and/or participation in attestation thereto.
Sacramentals and Blessings (1.5 units) - Deals with the history, theology, and pastoral practice of such sacramentals as the rites of religious profession and of Christian funerals and the various rites of blessings contained in the Book of Blessings.
Second Trimester
Theology and Celebration of the Eucharist (2.0 units) - Studies the historical development of the Eucharist from the Last Supper to its present shape as described in the fifth edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. The course examines the doctrine and symbolic elements of the various parts of the celebration, especially the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist.
Sacraments of Healing I [Anointing of the Sick] (1.0 unit) - Studies the history, theology, and pastoral practice of the care and anointing of the sick and analyzes the theological and pastoral problems connected with it.
Liturgical Time I [Liturgical Year] (2.0 units) - Explores the theology and pastoral dimension of the Liturgical Year, especially the Sunday assembly, the feasts of Easter and Christmas, the liturgical seasons, and other activities in the liturgical calendar.
Third Trimester
Principles of Liturgical Education (3.0 units) - In view of enhancing the task of communicating the rich liturgical doctrine of the Church whether in preaching or in formal teaching, this course explores the mystagogical paradigm prescribed by pertinent Church documents for teaching liturgical doctrine. It considers liturgy in its theologico-liturgical, celebrative, and anthropologico-spiritual aspects and provides venue for students to exercise themselves in articulating the same.
Liturgical Time II [Liturgy of the Hours] (1.0 unit) - Studies the history and theology of the Liturgy of the Hours and its different ritual components.
Inculturation of the Liturgy (2.0 units) - Defines liturgical inculturation from liturgical and cultural perspectives, studies the process of inculturation, analyzes the components of culture and the methods of inculturation, and offers historical and contemporary models, especially the Misa ng Bayang Pilipino and Pagdiriwang ng Pag-iisang Dibdib.
Sacraments of Healing II [Penance] (1.0 unit) - Studies the history, theology, and pastoral practice of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation and analyzes the theological and pastoral problems connected with it.
Summer
Research Methodology I (3.0) - Serves as an integration-synthesis course aimed at enabling the students to see the whole course program from a global perspective. The course introduces and exercises students to various types and aspects of liturgical research that can form part of possible itineraries for liturgical discourse of either academic or pastoral nature, or both.
Research Methodology II (3.0) - Orients and initiates the students into writing a thesis or a research-project paper on a liturgical topic. It begins with an exposition on the qualities of a liturgical thesis/research-project paper, proceeds to the articulation of the status quaestionis, the scope and limitation, the significance of the study, its contribution to liturgical science, the methodology and research itinerary, proper citation of sources and studies, organization and development of the thesis/research paper.
The Doctoral Course Program
The program comprises 60 units which include 42 units of course work (= 12 units of basic courses and 30 units of major courses), internship and practicum (teaching/research assistantship = 6 units), and the dissertation ( =12 units).
Basic Courses(12 units)
• Seminar-Workshop on Advanced Liturgical Research (Comparative Liturgy)
• A Hermeneutical Research on the Vatican II Liturgy Constitution: Its History, Sources, Theology and Pastoral Implementation
• Research-Seminar on Principles of Liturgical Education and Formation
• Principles for Pastoral Liturgical Praxis: A Methodological Research
Major Courses (30 Units)
The major courses cover the following essential areas of liturgical science: Liturgical Theology, Liturgical Sources, Practical/Pastoral Liturgy, Rituality, Liturgical Spirituality.
Liturgical Theology:
• The Collectio Missarum de Beata Maria Virgine: A Study of Its Sources and Theological Themes
• Hermeneutical Research Itinerary for Liturgical Texts and for the Lectionary
Liturgical Sources
• Seminar on Selected Themes on Bible and Liturgy
• Seminar on the Theology of the Paschal Mystery in Selected Patristic Homilies
Practical/Pastoral Liturgy
• Seminar-Workshop on Practical Inculturation
• Ecumenical Convergences on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry: A Research Itinerary
• Seminar on Liturgical Law
Rituality
• Seminar on the Praenotanda of the Liturgical Books
• Seminar on Oriental Liturgies
Liturgical Spirituality
• Seminar on the Anthropological Underpinnings of Liturgical Feasts and Seasons
• Seminar on Special Themes on Liturgical Spirituality
Internship and Practicum: Teaching/Research Assistantship (6 units)
Dissertion (12 units)
Class Schedules
The program is on a trimester basis: I: June – September; II: September – December; III: January – April. Classes are held only on Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Aside from classes on regular class days, students are encouraged to participate in liturgical symposia and conferences for exposure and opportunities to interact with fellow liturgists of the country. Two of such occasions are the annual National Meeting of Diocesan Directors of Liturgy which has been going on since 1986 and the Liturgy Conference that is held annually around the Easter time.
