This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2024-2025
Teacher(s)
Language
French
Main themes
These objectives will be achieved after
- an analysis of a specific question in one of the main fields of the pastoral studies ;
- a presentation of the interdisciplinary dimension with some human sciences ;
- an initiation into the use of the main tools ;
- a presentation of different methods in pastoral theology.
- an analysis of a specific question in one of the main fields of the pastoral studies ;
- a presentation of the interdisciplinary dimension with some human sciences ;
- an initiation into the use of the main tools ;
- a presentation of different methods in pastoral theology.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | appreciate the importance of human sciences to understand the current world ; |
| 2 | use the main tools in the field ; |
| 3 | achieve a critical correlation between human experiences and theological thought. |
Content
In 2024-2025, the course will focus on ‘ The evangelising power of popular piety ’ (EG 122-126). A theological question
There are three reasons for taking an interest in popular piety as a theological issue. The first is that Pope Francis, in 2013, honoured and valued popular piety, something he had done throughout his pontificate and even before that in his ministry in Argentina. The second is the paucity of theological research literature on the subject, while other human sciences have taken and continue to take an interest in these practices, particularly anthropologists, ethnologists and psychologists. The third reason is topical, with the publication on 17 May 2024 by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Procedural Norms for the Decoration of Presumed Supernatural Phenomena. This document marks a radical turning point in the approach of ecclesiastical authorities to unexplained phenomena that are often the source of popular piety. The course will cover a series of major topics revolving around people (intercessors), objects, gestures and places that mediate or do not mediate grace, times and rites. The aim is to try to arrive at a properly theological, but also pastoral, reflection on a particularly complex and highly contextual subject (cf. Ad theologiam promovendam 4 and 8).
There are three reasons for taking an interest in popular piety as a theological issue. The first is that Pope Francis, in 2013, honoured and valued popular piety, something he had done throughout his pontificate and even before that in his ministry in Argentina. The second is the paucity of theological research literature on the subject, while other human sciences have taken and continue to take an interest in these practices, particularly anthropologists, ethnologists and psychologists. The third reason is topical, with the publication on 17 May 2024 by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Procedural Norms for the Decoration of Presumed Supernatural Phenomena. This document marks a radical turning point in the approach of ecclesiastical authorities to unexplained phenomena that are often the source of popular piety. The course will cover a series of major topics revolving around people (intercessors), objects, gestures and places that mediate or do not mediate grace, times and rites. The aim is to try to arrive at a properly theological, but also pastoral, reflection on a particularly complex and highly contextual subject (cf. Ad theologiam promovendam 4 and 8).
Teaching methods
Teaching will take the form of lectures presented with the help of projections and written material distributed during the course and available on moodle. All documentation and sources are available on moodle.
Time during the course will be devoted to group work based on empirical data and various materials. At least one session will take place at the Musée L.
Time during the course will be devoted to group work based on empirical data and various materials. At least one session will take place at the Musée L.
Evaluation methods
Active participation is encouraged. The quality of participation may be taken into account in the final mark for the course.
This course will be assessed in two stages: a written paper (12 points) followed by a meeting with the professor (8 points). The work must be an original study of a concrete practice typical of popular piety. What is expected is a phenomenological case study, using the methodology of practical theology.
This course will be assessed in two stages: a written paper (12 points) followed by a meeting with the professor (8 points). The work must be an original study of a concrete practice typical of popular piety. What is expected is a phenomenological case study, using the methodology of practical theology.
Faculty or entity
