Mondays 2023-2024 – Mystagogy: Church History, Characters, and Doctrines
With Fr. Francis Belanger, O.P.
Mondays at 7 PM in the lower church, starting September 18th.
All parishioners are welcome. The word “mystagogy” refers to the last stage of faith formation for converts. But, in another way, it is the life-long process by which fully initiated Catholics delve more deeply into their faith. This year we’ll be reflecting on the history of the Church — an avenue that allows us to learn about devotions, teachings, saints and sinners.
The class will meet throughout the year except when the Tuesday Parish Study series is meeting in the Fall and Spring.
Mystagogy Schedule 2023-2024
(Mondays at 7 PM in the Lower Church)
In case you missed the lecture, the audio and the handout are available for each week of the series.
September 18 The Sacred Heart: Scripture, Mystics and the Modern World
Handout for September 18
September 25 St. Francis, the Crèche and Stations of the Cross
October 2 Guest Speaker: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P., Dominican Promoter General of the Holy Rosary: “Praying the Rosary with Sacred Art”
***** Break for Parish Study (Tuesdays at 6:45 pm) *****
November 6 The Council of Jerusalem: “The Holy Spirit and Us”
November 13 The First Council of Nicea, Part I: Martyrs, Doctors and an Emperor
November 20 Nicea, Part II, and Constantinople: Monks and Patriarchs
November 27 Ephesus and Chalcedon: Mary the Mother of God and Jesus her Son
December 4 NO CLASS
December 11 St. Augustine and the Church Fathers of East and West
December 18 Constantinople II and III: Christological Controversies Continue
*****Christmas Break*****
January 8 Nicea II and Constantinople IV: The Last of the Ancient Eight
January 15 Lateran I & II: Lay Investiture, Priestly Celibacy and the Crusades
January 22 The Middle Ages, Oh My! Thomas Aquinas, Universities and Gothic Architecture
January 29 Lateran III & IV: Heresies and Friars
February 5 Obscure Medieval Councils Part I: Lyons I and II and Vienne (Whatever Happened to the Knights Templar?)
February 12 Obscure Medieval Councils Part II: Constance, Florence and Lateran V (How Many Popes are We Supposed to Have?)
***** To Be Continued—Break for Parish Study and Easter*****
April 8 The Age of Missions: Christianity Spreads to Asia and the Americas
April 15 The Council of Trent, Part One: The Reformation and the Catholic Response
April 22 The Council of Trent, Part Two: The Council Decrees and Figures of the Catholic Reformation
April 29 No Class
May 6 Vatican I : A Council Interrupted
May 13 Vatican II: The Build Up and the Council Itself
May 20 Vatican II: Personages, Aftermath and the Synod of Bishops