THEOLOGY OF RELIGIOUS VOWS
Introduction
This course on the Theology of Religious Vows provides the students with the basic and essential elements in understanding religious life and religious vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Religious life, which serves as the context in the study of the vows is discussed first to show its relationship though each differs in its theology. This course is divided into two main parts namely, Part I religious life and Part II religious vows, which is the central and the main focus of the study.
Part I, deals with religious life in general. It includes the change of perspective / emphasis as regards theology prior to and after the Second Vatican Council onwards. The change of emphasis has somehow affected the theology of religious life in general and the understanding and practice of religious vows in particular. Other related topics are the two major shifts in the theology of religious life which are considered the foundation-shaking contributions of Vatican Council II; major sources of the contemporary theological reflection on religious life; identity of religious life today; main tasks of religious / vowed life in the third millennium; theological theory of religious life; characteristics of Christian religious life; ultimate purpose common to all great religions; meaning, content, and structures of religious profession; brief history of religious profession; and the relationship of profession and the vows. Included also are the three false premises which are controversial regarding the equation of religious profession with the profession of the vows.
Part II, the bulk of the study, deals with the theology of religious vows. The vows in general are discussed, its definition, and some common characteristics. There are also some terms used and defined in the study. The vows, though they form a total way of life as a framework for living and a framework for loving, are explained separately for the sake of the study. The three traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience are explained according to their anthropological, theological (Christian), and religious dimensions, following one and the same process to make it simpler and more comprehensible.
The anthropological dimension of each vow justifies the idea that chastity, poverty, and obedience are basically and essentially human realities / values, which are deeply engraved in the hearts of all human beings regardless of religion, belief, race, culture, status, sex, and other accidentals in life. It explains how these human values function and operate on the three levels of psychic life namely, the psycho-physiological, psycho-social, and spiritual-rational.
The Christian ( theological ) dimension explains the truth that these human values of chastity, poverty, and obedience are Christian / Kingdom values which were taught and lived by Jesus Christ Himself. Christians, who are the radical followers of Jesus Christ, ought to live these values as their master did. Jesus Christ becomes the point of reference and identification in understanding and living these virtues. Another biblical figure who is outstanding in living out these Christian virtues and who is venerated as the model and prototype disciple of Christ is the Blessed Virgin Mary. From her, we learn also the meaning of chastity, poverty, and obedience.
The religious dimension helps us to understand the nature, essence, and object of each vow. The vows are substantially and essentially the same Christian virtues lived and taught by Jesus Christ. Religious vows are incomprehensible without reference to Christ. It is lived within the ambiance of religious community and it is more specified and concretized in the Rule and Constitution of each religious institute. The vows of the religious are public and therefore it binds them to God and to the people of God, enabling them to be deeply committed and responsible in making these virtues visible in their lives.1. Religious Chastity - includes the anthropological foundation of chastity based on the three levels of psychic life; theological foundation of chastity; dimensions of religious chastity such as charismatic, community, missionary, ecological, and ascetical; religious chastity as a sign; uses and abuses of religious chastity; means to grow in chastity; significance of intimacy and friendship; signs of genuine friendship; and the different levels of intimacy. Religious chastity is explained in the perspective of love.
2. Religious Poverty - includes the anthropological foundation of poverty based on the three levels of psychic life; phenomenology of poverty as contextualized in the Philippine culture; theological foundation of poverty; dimensions of religious poverty such as charismatic, community, missionary, ecological, and apostolic / ascetical; poverty as a sign; models in understanding religious poverty; uses and abuses of poverty; criteria for evaluation of the spirit of poverty; and what is / what is not poverty. Religious poverty is explained in the perspective of good stewardship and mutual sustainability of the goods of the earth.
3. Religious Obedience - includes the anthropological foundation of obedience based on the three levels of psychic life, common good, and freedom; etymological meaning of obedience; theological foundation of obedience; religious obedience; the previous and the new vision of religious obedience; obedience as a personal covenant with God; obedience as a way to personal growth and fulfillment; obedience for mission; obedience as dialogue; cultural dimension of obedience (Filipino context), psychological, ecological, and community dimensions. Religious obedience is explained in the perspective of oneness of mind and heart with God ( union with the will of God ).
Course Requirements:
This subject is divided into four ( 4 ) main topics:
1. Religious Life
2. Vow of Chastity
3. Vow of Poverty
4. Vow of ObedienceAt the end of each topic, the students are expected to submit a research paper containing 5-8 pages, single-spaced and included in it is a one page personal reflection regarding the chosen topic and the list of bibliography. Choose one from the given questions at the end of each part of the subject.
Table of Contents:
PART I. RELIGIOUS LIFE
Introduction (download)
1. The Emphasis of the Pre-Vatican II Theology
2. The New Perspective of the Second Vatican Council Theology
3. Two Major Shifts in the Theology of Religious Life
4. Major Sources of the Contemporary Theological Reflection on Religious Life
5. Identity of Religious Life Today
6. Main Tasks of Religious / Vowed Life in the Third Millennium
7. Theory of Religious Life
8. Characteristics of a Christian Religious
9. Ultimate Purpose Common to All Great Religions
10. Archetypal Values: Chastity, Poverty, Obedience
11. Religious / Vowed Life: A Liminal State
12. Religious Profession
PART II. RELIGIOUS VOWS
VOW OF CHASTITY (download)
1. INTRODUCTION (VOWS IN GENERAL)
2. INTRODUCTION (VOW OF CHASTITY )
3. DEFINITION OF TERMS
4. ANTHROPOLOGICAL DIMENSION OF CHASTITY (HUMAN REALITY)
5. THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN CHASTITY
6. RELIGIOUS CHASTITY (VOW OF CHASTITY)
CONCLUSIONVOW OF POVERTY (download)
1. INTRODUCTION
2. ANTHROPOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF POVERTY
3. THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN POVERTY
4. RELIGIOUS POVERTY (VOW OF POVERTY)
CONCLUSIONVOW OF OBEDIENCE (download)
1. INTRODUCTION
2. ANTHROPOLOGICAL DIMENSION OF OBEDIENCE (HUMAN OBEDIENCE)
3. THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF OBEDIENCE (CHRISTIAN OBEDIENCE)
4. RELIGIOUS OBEDIENCE
CONCLUSIONBIBLIOGRAPHY (download)