This course is part of the Distance Learning Website of the Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland (CIBI)
This online module is designed to introduce students to some of the devotions, sacramentals, and popular piety found across the Carmelite Family from its origins to the present day. It outlines a contemporary, post-Conciliar approach to devotions in the light of renewed appreciation of popular piety. It covers such topics as:
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the theology, development and pastoral implications of ‘devotions’ -
Carmel’s devotion to major figures such as Elijah, Mary, and other saints -
the symbolism of the Carmelite Brown Scapular -
attitudes to prayer, contemplation, and asceticism -
Carmel’s promotion of pilgrimage and other acts of piety -
the link between liturgy and popular devotions -
the universal and distinctive elements of Carmelite devotions within wider Christian belief and culture
There is no set course book for this module; recommended further reading will be given as appropriate, with advice on where such resources might be found.
Over the semester we will cover the material in the following units:
| Week 1 | Unit 1 | The theology, spirituality and development of devotions, sacramentals and Carmelite popular piety |
| Unit 2 | Defining Carmelite devotions and popular piety | |
| Week 2 | Unit 3 | In allegiance to Jesus: early devotion and prayer on Mount Carmel |
| Unit 4 | Following the Prophet: Carmelite devotion to Elijah | |
| Week 3 | Questionnaire 1 | on units 1-4 |
| Week 4 | Unit 5 | Carmelite devotion to Mary 1 |
| Unit 6 | Carmelite devotion to Mary 2 | |
| Week 5 | Unit 7 | The legacy of medieval Carmelite devotions 1 |
| Unit 8 | The legacy of medieval Carmelite devotions 2 | |
| Week 6 | Questionnaire 2 | on units 5-8 |
| Week 7 | Unit 9 | Scapular 1: history of a devotion |
| Unit 10 | Scapular 2: pastoral concerns | |
| Week 8 | Unit 11 | Scapular 3: saints of the scapular |
| Unit 12 | Devotional attitudes in the Carmelite tradition | |
| Week 9 | Questionnaire 3 | on units 9-12 |
| Week 10 | Unit 13 | Carmelite devotion to Christ and his family 1: Jesus |
| Unit 14 | Carmelite devotion to Christ and his family 2: St. Joseph | |
| Week 11 | Unit 15 | Carmelite devotion to Christ and his family 3: wider family |
| Unit 16 | Popular saints in Carmelite devotion | |
| Week 12 | Questionnaire 4 | on units 13-16 |
| Assignment | on all units |
Module Tutor: Johan Bergström-Allen
The course is divided into 8 units, with 4 questionnaires, spread over the period of the module, and a final examination at the end.
Once posted, each unit will be available until the end of the module. The dates on which each of the units, and the other material for this module is available in the calendar in the Student Section.
| | Item | |
| | Units 1 & 2 | |
| | Units 3 & 4 | |
| | Questionnaire 1 | |
| | Units 5 & 6 | |
| | Units 7 & 8 | |
| | Questionnaire 2 | |
| | Units 9 & 10 | |
| | Units 11 & 12 | |
| | Questionnaire 3 | |
| | Units 13 & 14 | |
| | Units 15 & 16 | |
| | Questionnaire 4 | |
| | Examination Questions | |
Please click HERE to access the STUDENT SECTION for module start and end dates
From the date corresponding to the relevant Monday (see main web page of www.cibi.ie), you can click on the relevant unit to access it.
Once you have successfully accessed and studied the material in each pair of units, please click on the relevant questionnaire to access it when it is launched. Read the questions and send your answers by email to the course administrator: [email protected]
One question must be chosen from the three final examination questions posted and the answer must be submitted by email on or before the date indicated to the administrator:
Copyright:
The author of the course holds the copyright to this material (text, graphic and other); distribution to family or friends, or publication (including on internet) of any part of the material is not permitted without the author’s explicit written permission.