MDiv, Pastoral Ministries

Description

The Master of Divinity is a first professional degree whose purpose is to prepare students for effective ministry in the Church. The program normally requires a minimum of four academic years (eight semesters) of full-time work or the equivalent. A student who wishes to proceed at a different pace scholastically should seek the guidance of the Academic Dean.

Objectives of the Program

        1.    The student demonstrates a personal rootedness, professional competence, and commitment to ongoing formation in the Roman Catholic tradition essential for developing ministerial identity and mission.

                •      The student interprets Scripture from within the living tradition of the Church.

                •      The student applies Scripture in concrete pastoral contexts.

                •      The student demonstrates a complete, unified vision of the truths contained in the doctrinal, moral, and liturgical tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.

        2.    The student demonstrates the skills essential to be an effective communicator, teacher, and homilist of the Word of God in today’s world.

                •      The student preaches succinct, concrete homilies that are drawn from Scriptural and liturgical sources.

                •      The student preaches homilies that take into account the mystery that is being celebrated and the needs of the listeners.

                •      The student prepares and preaches celebrations of the Word of God.

                •      The student teaches clearly and faithfully the message of Jesus Christ and his Church.

                •      The student models and encourages missionary discipleship among the faithful.

        3.    The student demonstrates the habits essential to becoming a man of prayer who is willing, able, and competent to lead others in prayer and worship through effective liturgical presiding according to the mind of the Church.

                •      The student witnesses to the person of Jesus Christ and his message of salvation in pastoral encounters and in community prayer.

                •      The student plans and leads communal prayers and devotions.

                •      The student articulates a spirituality of the diocesan priesthood and integrates it into his own life.

                •      The student engages a spiritual director to assist his spiritual growth.

        4.    The student demonstrates effective, competent, and professional pastoral skills necessary for the multiethnic and multicultural context of parochial ministry for the Catholic priesthood.

                •      The student demonstrates competent theological inquiry, reflection, and application in pastoral ministry.

                •      The student provides competent spiritual and pastoral guidance.

                •      The student exercises and models consultative and collaborative leadership in service of the parish with his brother priests and bishop.

                •      The student negotiates effectively among cultures and populations different from his own.