27 April 2006

Reading List: Catholic Spirituality Fall 2006 U.D.

Christian Spirituality: History of the Catholic Tradition, Fall 2006
Fr. Philip N. Powell, OP, PhD


Aumann, Jordan. Christian Spirituality in the Catholic Tradition, Ignatius Press, 1985.
Egan, Harvey. An Anthology of Christian Mysticism, Liturgical Press, 1991.
O’Connor, Flannery. Three By Flannery O’Connor, Signet Classics, 1983.

(NB. All texts found in the Egan anthology unless otherwise noted. Additional texts TBA found on-line or distributed in class)

Patristic/Late Antiquity (JA, 1-74)


Origen, Commentary on the Song of Songs
Gregory of Nyssa, Commentary on the Song of Songs
Evagrius Ponticus, The Praktikos
Augustine of Hippo, Homily on Psalm 41
John Cassian, Conferences, 10: On Prayer
Pseudo-Dionysius, The Mystical Theology
Gregory the Great, Homilies on Ezekiel
John Climacus, The Ladder
Maximus Confessor, The Four Hundred Chapters on Love

Early Medieval (JA, 80-140)


Symeon the New Theologian, Hymns of Divine Love
William of St. Thierry, The Golden Epistle
Bernard of Clairvaux, On the Song of Songs (sermons)
Aelred of Rievaulx, On Spiritual Friendship
Richard of St. Victor, On the Four Degrees of Passionate Charity

Medieval (JA, 80-140)

Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias
Francis of Assisi, The Stigmata
Hadewijch of Antwerp, Letters
Bonaventure, The Soul’s Journey into God
Mechtild of Magdeburg, The Flowing Light of the Godhead
Jordan of Saxony, Libellus (selections, handout)
Gertrude the Great, The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude
Angela of Foligno, The Book of Divine Consolation

Late Medieval/Early Renassiance (JA, 8-140)

Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue
Anonymous, The Cloud of Unknowing
Julian of Norwich, Showings
Catherine of Genoa, The Spiritual Dialogue

Dionysian/Devotio moderna (JA, 144-175)

Meister Eckhart, Blessed Are the Poor, et al
Gregory Palamas, The Hagioritic Tome
Henry Suso, The Supernatural Experience, et al

Post- Tridentine (JA, 178-211)

Ignatius of Loyola, A Pilgrim’s Journey
Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle
John of the Cross, The Dark Night
Blaise Pascal, An Experience of God

Modern (JA, 218-277 and handouts)

Therese of Lisieux, My Vocation is Love
M. Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul
Rainer Marie Rilke, First and Ninth Elegy, Duino Elegies (handout)
T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer
Flannery O’Connor, The Violent Bear It Away (novel)
Pope John Paul II, Rosarium virginis mariae (excerpts)
Pope Benedict XVI, Deus caritas est

7 comments:

  1. Father,

    What is the course schedule (meeting times and days)?

    Although a working professional, I'd love to attend this class if I can make it work around my paternal and familial responsibilities.

    And do you know what UD is charging for the course?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10:00 PM

    What's the point of posting this online? It seems like a cheap attempt to gain cheers from strangers. Oh, right. Right.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Flambeaux,

    The class will meet at 8a, Tues and Thurs. Not sure about how much the course would cost. You can call the university and ask about price per credit hour.

    Anonymous,

    There are at least two reasons for posting this:

    1). Doing so allows people who know this stuff better than I do to comment on my choices, suggest better texts, other authors--this has happened already.

    2). Doing so also allows potential students here at UD ready access to the list so that they can a) make a more informed choice about whether or not to register for the class and b) purchase or the borrow books and get a headstart on the reading.

    Now, here's my question to you: what is it that's eating away at your charity (and apparently your courage) so eagerly that you feel OK about impunging my motives for doing something as obviously practical as posting a reading list of a class I'm teaching?

    Fr. Philip

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous10:11 AM

    Father,

    I think you should add that this list is a good resource for those of us who just want some new ideas of good books to read.

    Thank you for posting it. I do wish I could attend but I live far, far from Dallas.

    ReplyDelete
  5. *sigh*

    That's what I was afraid of. Weekday classes are just not reconcilable with my work schedule.

    Oh well. I had been hoping that is was a weekday evening course.

    Enjoy teaching it. And thanks for posting the reading list, as I can add it to my ever-growing list of stuff to be read in 2007.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great reading lists! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1:46 AM

    Father Philip, I just graduated from UD this past may and wanted to let you know that I am very grateful that you have uploaded your homilies. Thank you for caring so much, and working hard to give good homilies and teach with love, it really shows.

    ReplyDelete