Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE FDT4641

 
TITLE The Sacraments of Initiation: Theological and Canonical

 
UM LEVEL 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 7

 
DEPARTMENT Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology, including Ecumenism

 
DESCRIPTION This unit studies the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist from the point of view of systematic theology, and also offers the respective canonical legislation with regard to the sanctifying office of the Church. Christian initiation is presented as the progressive strengthening of the bond of Christians with Christ and his Paschal Mystery, this having orthopractical implications.

Study-unit Aims

- To enable students to grasp the theology of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
- To enable students to appreciate the orthopractical dimension of these sacraments.
- To grasp the canonical legislation regarding these sacraments.

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. be knowledgeable about the patristic and liturgical tradition at the basis of the sacraments of initiation;
2. grasp the contemporary theological debate about these sacraments;
3. be familiar with the canonical norms related to these sacraments;
4. formulate clearly the pastoral praxis concerning these sacraments.

2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills): By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. convey to others the essential dimensions of the Church's Tradition on these sacraments;
2. be familiar with legislation on Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings

- Philip Rosato, Introduzione ai sacramenti, 1992
- A.G. Martimort, The Church at Prayer, Vol III
- Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, 2007
- The Code of Canon Law, 1983
- B. Neunheuser, Baptism and Confirmation, Freiburg-London 1964
- P. Turner, Ages of Initiation, Collegeville 2000

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Study-unit: FDT3670

Pre-requisite Qualifications: Previous studies in Theology

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) Yes 70%
Examination (1 Hour) Yes 30%

 
LECTURER/S Hector Scerri
Kevin Schembri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit