Curriculum of Studies
“The priest is formed above all to know Christ, to live Christ, and to preach Christ.”
Curriculum
Mater Dei Seminary offers a full-time six-year course of studies in preparation for Holy Orders in the traditional rite. The program is ordered toward sound philosophy and theology, spiritual formation, and pastoral competence.
Core areas include: Philosophy, Languages (Latin & Greek), Sacred Scripture, Ascetical Theology, Church History, Sacred Music, Moral & Dogmatic Theology, Canon Law, Liturgy, Sacramental & Pastoral Theology, Homiletics, Patrology, and Apologetics.
Program at a Glance
The six-year theological studies program comprises these classes:
- Philosophy (first two years): Logic — correct thinking; Criteriology — certitude of our thoughts; Cosmology — the material world; Theodicy — God, His nature, attributes, and activities; Ontology — being; Ethics — morality by reason; Sociology — man in society; Psychology — living bodies and the human soul.
- Dogmatic Theology — the study of Divine Revelation
- Moral Theology — morality based on Divine Revelation
- Sacramental Theology — administration of the Sacraments and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
- Sacred Scripture — the Old and New Testaments
- Canon Law — legislation of the Church
- Latin & Greek — the two ecclesiastical languages
- Ecclesiastical History — history of the Catholic Church
- Ascetical Theology — the spiritual life
- Liturgy — the rubrics
- Ecclesiastical Chant — Gregorian chant
- Homiletics — the art of preaching
- Patrology — teachings of the early Fathers
Language track: By the end of six years, a seminarian will have four years of Latin and two semesters of Greek.
Course Descriptions
Browse the detailed descriptions for each subject area below.
ΦPhilosophy▾
A) Dialectics (Logic)
This course studies correct thinking through the lens of logic: ideas (description & definition), judgment and proposition, and reasoning expressed in syllogisms (laws, figures, moods).
Textbook: Logic, Glenn.
B) Criteriology
The science of certitude in cognition: knowledge in general, sense and intellectual knowledge; nature of truth, states of mind and criteria of truth; the nature and existence of certitude.
Textbook: Criteriology, Glenn.
C) Ontology
Philosophy of being: real vs. logical being; act & potency; essence & existence; properties of being (unity, truth, goodness, beauty, perfection); categories; substance & accident; causes intrinsic and extrinsic.
Textbook: Ontology, Glenn.
D) Cosmology
Philosophical study of created things: the character and constitution of bodies; systems of Monism, Atomism, Dynamism, and Hylomorphism; creation, teleology, nature, laws, and miracles.
Textbook: Cosmology, Glenn.
E) Ethics
Moral philosophy and natural law: human acts, ends, law & conscience, morality, properties and consequences. Individual Ethics (duties toward God, self, neighbor) and Social Ethics (family, state, work, Church, society of nations).
Textbook: Ethics, Glenn.
F) Sociology
Principles of social order in light of God and the human soul: the family as a natural image of God, social functions, and the proper harmony of society.
Textbook: Sociology, Glenn.
G) Psychology
The science of life and its manifestations: vegetal and sentient life; origin of species; human sentiency (sensation, appetition, locomotion); intellect and will (their nature, interaction, and freedom).
Textbook: Psychology, Glenn.
H) Theodicy
Natural theology: existence of God; the divine essence and attributes; divine operations (immanent and transient); a rational approach to the “God-question.”
Textbook: Theodicy, Glenn.
History of Philosophy
Critical survey of man’s pursuit of truth: Ancient Oriental, Greek & Greco-Roman, Patristic, Medieval, and Modern philosophy.
Textbook: The History of Philosophy, Glenn.
ΛLatin & Greek▾
Elementary Latin I
Fundamentals: basic vocabulary; five declensions; four conjugations; tenses, moods, voices; grammar & translation exercises; strong grounding in grammar and syntax.
Textbook: First Year Latin, Henle.
Elementary Latin II
Continued introductory Latin with focus on Classical texts; intensive review of forms and elementary syntax; selections from Caesar’s Gallic War.
Textbook: Second Year Latin, Henle.
Intermediate Latin I
Intermediate level; review of forms and syntax; translations from the Breviary and Missal.
Textbook: Latin Grammar, Scanlon.
Intermediate Latin II
Intermediate readings from canon law, philosophy, theology, and Church history.
Textbook: Second Latin, Scanlon.
Intermediate Latin III
Applies the “natural method” to read Latin natively; aids for memorization and comprehension without constant dictionary use.
Textbook: Latin by the Natural Method, Most.
Ecclesiastical Latin I
Grammar, vocabulary, and exercises for reading the Missal and Breviary; connected readings from liturgical sources.
Textbook: Latin Grammar for the Reading of the Missal and Breviary, Scanlon.
Ecclesiastical Latin II
Texts from the Roman Ritual and Roman Missal; reinforcement of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary through prayers, hymns, biblical and liturgical texts.
Textbooks: The Roman Missal; The Roman Ritual.
Ecclesiastical Latin III
Translations of Fathers and Doctors (e.g., St. Robert Bellarmine; St. Thomas Aquinas).
Textbooks: Bellarmine, Opera Omnia; Aquinas, Summa contra Gentiles.
Intro to Greek
Alphabet; three declensions; verbs; word order; adjectives; prepositions; indirect discourse; core vocabulary.
Textbook: Basic Greek, Jim Found.
Beginner Greek
Vocabulary building; grammar review; reading and translation of phrases and short passages in classical Greek.
Textbook: Greek for Beginners, L. A. Wilding.
✠Sacred Scripture▾
Sacred Scripture I
Introduction to the Catholic Bible, its books, historical/cultural background, geography/archaeology, inspiration and inerrancy, and the canon.
Textbook: Cornelius a Lapide, The Great Commentary.
Sacred Scripture II
Doctrinal, moral, and prophetical aspects of Scripture; tools and methods of Catholic exegesis.
Textbooks: Bp. Frederick Knecht, A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture; Charles Callan, O.P., Greatest Stories Ever Told.
Sacred Scripture III
Selected questions: Catholic & Protestant Bibles; inspiration & inerrancy; creation & evolution; Old Testament religion and morality; the Flood, etc.
Textbook: Rudolph Bandas, Biblical Questions Series.
History of the Bible
Nature, history, authorship, and content of Scripture; book-by-book analysis with commentary.
Textbook: Laux, Introduction to the Bible.
†Ascetical Theology▾
Ascetical Theology I
Foundations of the spiritual life: perfection of Christian life, the duty of tending to perfection, and its general means.
Textbook: Tanquerey, The Spiritual Life.
Ascetical Theology II
Practice of Christian virtues; incorporation into Christ; devotion to Mary; priestly life of meditation and contemplation; discernment of spirits.
Textbook: Tanquerey, Doctrine and Devotion.
Advanced Ascetical Theology
Understanding and devout recitation of the Divine Office: history, structure, Hours, Collects, Te Deum, and practical guidance.
Textbook: O’Sullivan, The Divine Office: How to Say It Devoutly, How to Make It a Pleasure.
⌛Church History▾
Ecclesiastical History I
From Our Lord’s life and the birth of the Church through persecutions, saints, councils, heresies, Crusades, Reformation, Enlightenment, French Revolution, Oxford Movement, Vatican I, and more.
Textbook: Laux, Church History.
Ecclesiastical History II
Councils of the Church: Constantinople, Chalcedon, Lateran I, Trent, etc.—their theological, ecclesial, and historical contexts.
Textbook: Philip Hughes, The Church in Crisis: A History of the General Councils.
♪Sacred Music▾
Ecclesiastical Chant I
Nature and rules of Gregorian chant; notation forms; modes; pitch; liturgical Latin pronunciation.
Textbook: Rev. Andrew Klarmann, Gregorian Chant.
Ecclesiastical Chant II
Systematic study of chant and official musical texts; Solesmes method; principal Masses and chants.
Textbook: Rossini, The Priest’s Chants and Recitatives at the Altar.
Ecclesiastical Chant III
Liturgical chant and Solesmes rhythmic signs as used in official books.
Textbook: Liber Usualis (Desclée).
℣Moral Theology▾
Introduction to Moral Theology
History and basic notions: conscience, freedom, values, norms, natural law; relation of Moral Theology to Scripture and Tradition.
Textbook: Francis J. Connell, Outlines of Moral Theology.
Moral Theology I
Human acts & morality; law (natural & positive); sin and virtue; grace and the cardinal virtues.
Textbook: Henry Davis, Moral and Pastoral Theology, Vol. I.
Moral Theology II
Decalogue and precepts of the Church; foundations and applications in Christian life.
Textbooks: Davis, Moral and Pastoral Theology, Vol. II; Jone–Adelman, Moral Theology.
Moral Theology III
Sacraments in moral perspective: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Indulgences, Censures.
Textbook: Davis, Moral and Pastoral Theology, Vol. III.
Moral Theology IV
Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, Marriage; clerical and religious states; duties of the laity.
Textbooks: Davis, Moral and Pastoral Theology, Vol. IV; Gerald Kelly, Medico-Moral Problems; Towards Happiness and Holiness in Marriage.
Casuistry
Case-based moral reasoning across pastoral topics (marriage, sexuality, sin, confession, forgiveness) to build prudential judgment.
Textbook: Stanislaus Woywod, The Casuist: A Collection of Cases in Moral and Pastoral Theology.
☩Dogmatic Theology▾
Introduction to Dogmatic Theology
Overview of dogma: God, creation & fall, heaven & hell, sin & grace, revelation.
Textbooks: Herzog, God and Creation; God the Redeemer; Channels of Redemption.
Dogmatic Theology I
Apologetic demonstration of the truth and reasonableness of the Catholic religion; refutation of objections.
Textbook: Doyle, The Defense of the Catholic Church.
Dogmatic Theology II
God’s knowability, essence, and attributes; the Trinity; creation and the supernatural; Christology (Hypostatic Union); Soteriology; Mariology.
Textbooks (Pohle series): God: His Knowability, Essence, and Attributes; The Divine Trinity; God the Author of Nature and the Supernatural; Christology; Soteriology; Mariology.
Dogmatic Theology III
Grace (actual & habitual); the Sacraments (I–IV); Eschatology.
Textbooks (Pohle): Grace; The Sacraments I–IV; Eschatology.
Dogmatic Theology (Ecclesiology) IV
Apologetics and dogma of the Church: foundation, structure, properties, magisterium, sources and acts of divine faith.
Textbook: Van Noort, The Church of Christ.
Advanced Dogmatic Theology I
Concise synthesis of Catholic doctrine with notes of theological certainty and references to Fathers, Doctors, and Saints.
Textbook: Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma.
Advanced Dogmatic Theology II
Creeds, definitions, papal and conciliar documents, and major Holy Office decisions to 1957.
Textbook: Denzinger, Sources of Catholic Dogma.
§Canon Law▾
Canon Law I
Law in general and in the Church; sources and history; councils; ancient collections; customs, rescripts, privileges, dispensations.
Textbook: Cicognani, Canon Law.
Canon Law II
Overview of the 1917 Code: introduction, sources, commentary on Book I (General Norms).
Textbook: Bouscaren, Canon Law: A Text and Commentary.
Canon Law III
Practical cases and applications; compilation of official documents.
Textbook: Bouscaren & O’Connor, Canon Law Digest, Vols. I–II.
Canon Law IV
Continuation of practical cases and documents.
Textbook: Bouscaren & O’Connor, Canon Law Digest, Vols. III–IV.
✢Liturgy▾
Intro to Sacred Liturgy
History, sources, laws, and customs of Catholic liturgics; decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Rites; technical terms and rubricists.
Textbook: Baier, Catholic Liturgics.
Sacred Liturgy I
Rubrics for sacraments, Divine Worship, and the Divine Office; the Mass and its meanings; seasons and saints; indulgences.
Textbooks: Wuest, C.Ss.R., Matters Liturgical (Collectio Rerum Liturgicarum); O’Kane, The Rubrics of the Roman Ritual.
Sacred Liturgy II
General rubrics of the Roman Missal; Low Mass and High Mass, including special forms and cases; theological and spiritual significance.
Textbooks: J. O’Connell, Celebration of the Mass; Msgr. Lawrence O’Connell & Rev. Walter Schmitz, The Book of Ceremonies.
Sacred Liturgy III
Holy Week ceremonies in detail per 1955 reforms of Pius XII; decrees, approved authors, spiritual significance, exact rubrical performance.
Textbooks: Walter Schmitz, Holy Week Manual for Priests; O’Connell, Simplification of the Rubrics.
⛨Sacramental Theology▾
Sacramental Theology I
Proximate moral principles and canonical norms for sacramental ministry; biblical, historical, and systematic foundations.
Textbook: Halligan, O.P., The Administration of the Sacraments.
Sacramental Theology II
Confession in theory and practice; pastoral direction for children, married couples, seminarians, priests, and religious.
Textbooks: Schieler, The Theory & Practice of the Confessional; O’Connell, The Good Confessor.
Sacramental Theology III
Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Extreme Unction with moral applications to their administration and rites.
Textbook: Weller, The Roman Ritual: The Sacraments and Processions, Vol. 1.
♱Pastoral Theology▾
Pastoral Theology
Practical rules for priestly ministry and cura animarum: sacraments, preaching, parish governance, temporal administration, spiritual direction.
Textbook: Schulze, A Manual of Pastoral Theology.
¶Homiletics▾
Homiletics
Principles and techniques of sermon preparation and delivery with practical exercises; study of classic pulpit oratory (17th–18th c.).
Textbooks: Ignaz Schuëch, O.S.B., Manual of Homiletics and Catechetics; John Sharp, Our Preaching; John Selner, Fundamental Course in Sacred Eloquence.
ΨPastoral Psychology▾
Pastoral Psychology
Understanding the soul’s conditions and needs across stages of the spiritual life; considerations for pastoral care of psychopathic and neurotic disorders.
Textbook: Demal, Pastoral Psychology in Practice.
PPatrology▾
Patrology I
Rules for weighing patristic authority; Apostolic Fathers; Greek Fathers (apologists, controversialists, commentators); Latin Fathers and writers; growth and decline of patristic literature.
Textbook: Bernard Schmid, A Manual of Patrology.
AApologetics▾
Apologetics
Rational knowability of God; credibility of Catholicism; refutation of modern errors (with supplemental materials on Feeneyism, Recognize-and-Resist, and the errors of Vatican II).
Textbooks: Doyle, S.J., The Defense of the Catholic Church; Glenn, Apologetics; Krull, C.PP.S., Christian Denominations; The Documents of Vatican II.
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