Nature of the Liturgy Seminar
2025-2026
This course is part of the OLGC Extension Program which meets on WEDNESDAYS.
An Introductory Seminar on the Nature and Principles of Catholic Liturgy
The Catholic Church’s primary objective is communion with God. Liturgy comes from the Greek word leitourgia, meaning, “a service in the name of/on behalf of the people.”(CCC 1069) is the primary work, therefore, toward which the Catholic Church is called. The Second Vatican Council Fathers taught: “[T]he liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the fount from which all her power flows” (SC, 10).
Liturgy includes the Eucharistic Sacrifice (Divine Liturgy), the celebration of the seven sacraments and the Liturgy of the Hours. They are the source of sanctification -making the human person a participant in the divine life. They are also the summit toward which all of the work of the Church tends. In other words: all domestic life, all apostolic works and every other endeavor of the baptized person finds both its source and summit in the Liturgy.
By means of the Socratic seminar, the year-long tutorial will examine the nature and principles of Catholic Liturgy. The year will begin with the Scriptural roots of Liturgy and then proceed to read and discuss what certain important Church Fathers taught about the Liturgy. The students will then read two important primary sources of the twentieth century on the Liturgy: the dogmatic constitution The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium).
The students will look also at the nature and principles governing sacred art, sacred architecture and sacred music.
> Nature and Mission of the Church Seminar will be offered in 2026-2027
HOMEWORK/EVALUATION
Students will be expected to read the assigned passages for each seminar and come prepared to discuss them. Discussion does not mean people have all the answers. Rather, it means the students come prepared to dialogue collegially, in order to seek the principles and grasp the meaning of the texts. The student’s assessment will be based on completion of the weekly assignments, intelligent participation in the seminar, and writing two essays – one for the midterm and the other as a final. There are no tests or quizzes.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
Students in this course typically work independently; however, some students may need parental assistance with understanding the assigned material.
COURSE FEE: $390 pay-in-full / $426 payment plan
SUPPLY FEE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 11th & 12th
PREREQUISITES: None
CREDIT HOURS: 1 credit
MIN/MAX: Min 3, Max 12
TEXTS*:
Catholic Revised Standard Bible Ignatius Press Edition
First Apology by Saint Justin the Martyr (provided)
On the Sacraments by St. Ambrose (online)
On the Divine Liturgy by Saint Germanus
Lectures on the Christian Sacraments
Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents
The Wellspring of Worship by Fr. Jean Corbon
Additional texts TBD
Additional supplies*:
*Please do not purchase any texts or supplies until you receive the officially, updated book & supply list after registration.
**The OLGC Extension Program meets on Wednesday mornings only, not on Mondays.