IMTH

IMTH Ecclesial or Pastoral Theology Elective 2 Credits Spring:

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Spring:

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

(and one of the following two)

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Building on the Church’s understanding of nature and grace, this course treats the Church’s development of a moral tradition that identifies the proper character of human actions, the virtuous character of the human person, and the opposite of these in sin and vice. The context for this moral profile is a proper understanding of the weight of law in moral discourse and an acknowledgment of the mystery of suffering and evil. Finally, the course presents the object of Catholic Christian morality as becoming a holy person, shaped by the spiritual practices derived from the faith Tradition.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

This course introduces students to the Church's social doctrine. This introduction is accomplished by a careful overview of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, with special attention paid to the most important social encyclicals of the Church’s Magisterium. Students also explore ways to prepare and form the laity to sanctify the world of politics, business, and culture more effectively.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Ecclesial and Pastoral Ministry (two, 4 credits)

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

(and one of the following two)

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Ecclesial and Pastoral Ministry (two, 4 credits)

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

This course introduces students to the literary, historical, and theological study of John’s writings, especially his Gospel. The objective is to gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Johannine writings, including their use in the Church’s Tradition. Special attention will be given to the use of the Gospel of John in the Catholic Christian celebrations of Christmas and Easter.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Theology (three, 6 credits)

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

This course will explore the theme of love in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, in Luke-Acts, in the Pauline corpus, and most especially in the Johannine literature through a semantic field study of the words and concepts affiliated with love. The notions of love in the Old Testament as well as in ancient Greek philosophy will be discussed. Students will examine commentaries across the ages including several from the Patristic era, Thomas Aquinas, and the more recent scholarship of Ceslas Spicq OP, Francis J. Moloney SDB, Pheme Perkins, Luke Timothy Johnson and others. This course will require students to write an exegetical paper engaging the tools and methodology of modern Catholic biblical study. At the conclusion of this course students will be better equipped to convey through their teaching, worship, and witness the essence of the life of a disciple: loving God and neighbor.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

“I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15). This course will explore a Catholic theology of Divine-Human friendship as revealed in sacred scripture, magisterial teachings, as well as the writings and witnesses of Saints throughout the ages. The course will begin by examining Divine-Human friendship in the Old and New Testaments with a particular emphasis on the Gospel of John. Students will study the ancient, medieval, and contemporary theologians on Divine-Human friendship, especially the writings of Saint Ambrose, Richard of Saint Victor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Aelred of Rievaulx, and Saint Francis de Sales. Students will reflect upon their own friendship with God and the necessity of cultivating sacred friendships for growth in the spiritual life.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Beginning with the Theology of the Body that Pope Saint John Paul II presented, this course will explore the understanding of marriage as a sacramental covenant in God. As such, it is also an ecclesial reality subject to canon law and the liturgical expressions of the Church. Marriage and family are the context within which one needs to treat many of the bioethical issues facing the modern believer. This course explores how this context bears upon our moral judgment.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Spring:

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

207

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

2 Elective courses (4 credits) in: Scripture, Theology, Ecclesial and Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Direction, or Missiology. 101

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

If one member suffers in the Body of Christ, all the members suffer with them (1 Cor 12:26). For this reason, the Church has always cared for the sick, the dying, and the grieving through works of charity and mutual support in addition to her sacramental ministry. All the baptized share in the ministry of mutual charity to support those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. In this course, students will learn the theological foundation, the pastoral skills, and practical guidance to accompany the sick, dying, and grieving in the parish community. The course will begin with an overview of the Catholic theology of suffering and then explore a mystagogical theology of the Sacraments of Anointing, Communion to the sick and homebound, and Reconciliation revealed in The Pastoral Care of the Sick Rites of Anointing and Viaticum. Catholic moral teaching on end of life will be embedded throughout the lectures. Students will learn the best practices in parish ministries 208

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

The goals of this course are to develop an understanding of the basic elements of organizational leadership and to examine the exercise of pastoral leadership in the parish and local church. The main goal of the class is the development and integration of the skills related to solid leadership and the ability to work collaboratively with clergy and laity in the parish and in the diocese for the growth of the mission of Jesus Christ in the areas they have been assigned. It is believed that in the coming days collaborative ministry that is informed by a strong understanding of the faith, the laws of the Church and good management practices is essential for the growth of the Church. This course develops participants’ vocabulary and understanding of fundamental issues in organizational and Church leadership. Particular application is made to their current experience and projected pastoral leadership roles in the local church. Topics include: leadership theory and styles, interpersonal and group skills, organizational skills (collaboration, planning, management of others, evaluation), roles of pastor and staff, parish councils and mission of the laity, and decision-making.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a faith formation experience for children ages three to twelve years old. It is based on the belief that young children can and do experience God. Founded on the principles of Maria Montessori and Sofia Cavalletti, the catechesis is rooted in scripture and liturgy. Central to the catechesis is the atrium, a special environment created to nurture the child’s spirituality with beautiful materials that focus the child’s attention on key scripture passages or liturgical moments. This course explores the main message of Jesus - the Kingdom God - what is it, how do we live in it, how do we celebrate it. Part 1 of the course delves into Parables of the Kingdom of God which give us clues about the characteristics of the Kingdom, examples of how to live in the Kingdom, and our response to the invitation to live in the Kingdom thru the Parousia. Part 2 explores Sign Language of the Liturgy, lifting up the signs, colors, gestures, prayers and sacramental elements of our liturgy and pondering their meaning while giving a taste of each CGS level.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

209

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Total: 8 Credits Total Program: 18 Credits 100

Subject

IMTH

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

This course presents a systematic study of the person and mission of Jesus Christ as found in Scripture and Tradition. It examines the following topics: the mystery of Christ in Sacred Scripture (Old Testament foundations and the Christ event in the New Testament and the early Christian community); the mystery of Christ in the history of the Church (patristic and conciliar Christology and Christology in the history of theology until Vatican II); and Systematic Christology (the hypostatic union, the pre-existence of the Word, the virginal conception, the freedom and sinlessness of Jesus, and the universality of the salvific work of Christ). Addendum Approved By: Fr. Nathanael Polinski, OSB Academic Dean of the Seminary Addendum Approved Date: January 16, 2026

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu

Special topic courses cover particular content in Scripture and Systematic theology at the Master’s level. These apply as electives for the Catholic Theology Certificate.

Subject

IMTH

Type

course

Source

saintvincentseminary.edu