Practical Theology Commons^™

Changing Mercy In Aotearoa New Zealand, Anna Nicholls Victoria University Of Wellington

Journal of Global Catholicism

This paper examines the evolving expression of Catholicity within the Mercy organization in Aotearoa New Zealand. It explores the impact of Vatican II, demographic shifts, and societal changes. Through interviews with lay leaders in Whānau Mercy Ministries, the religiosity, inclusive approach, and the tension between traditional Catholic identity and pluralism in the organization are explored. A pertinent discussion concerns how the organization uses a more secular portrayal of Catherine McAuley as a unifying figure for the religiously diverse audience. The author argues that while secularization influences the organization, it fosters human flourishing and community engagement, offering opportunities for growth rather …

The Untameability Of The Sacred: Votive Traditions At Notre Dame De Lourdes And El Santuario De Chimayó, Gabrielle Bibeau

Journal of Global Catholicism

This article compares divergent votive practices at Notre Dame de Lourdes in France and El Santuario de Chimayó in New Mexico. Lourdes’ embrace of modern aesthetic values—simplicity, order, and functional clarity—has led to the removal and tight regulation of most ex-votos. By contrast, Chimayó’s roots in Latin American Baroque aesthetics, with its emphasis on abundance, drama, and hybridity, create space for a vibrant proliferation of offerings. Drawing on Jacques Rancière’s theory of aesthetics and politics as the “distribution of the sensible,” the article shows how aesthetic judgments intertwine with clerical power to curate, constrain, and authorize pilgrims’ access to the …

Preserving A Liturgical Identity: The Liturgical And Musical Heritage Of Roman Catholic Apostolic Women Religious In The United States Of America, Andrew G. Jennings

Doctor of Pastoral Music Projects and Theses

This thesis examines the liturgical and musical heritage of Roman Catholic apostolic women religious in the United States and argues that their contributions represent a significant yet understudied dimension of American Catholic life. As many communities face declining numbers, the preservation of their liturgical and musical traditions becomes increasingly urgent. Using an interdisciplinary methodology that combines historical research, liturgical theology, pneumatology, phenomenology, narrative inquiry, and qualitative interviews, the study explores how women religious have shaped and preserved communal identity through liturgy, music, and apostolic ministry.

The research traces the historical development of apostolic women religious from their emergence in the …

Review Of: Justice After War: Jus Post Bellum In The 21st Century, Jacaranda Turvey Tait

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Meaning Of Christian Suffering In Aquinas, Pedro Cardoso Figueiredo Santiago

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This thesis investigates the theological meaning of Christian suffering in the thought of Thomas Aquinas. While much attention has been given to Aquinas’s treatment of the problem of evil, little has been written on the positive and salvific meaning of suffering as it appears in his Christology, sacramental theology, and moral theology. This study aims to demonstrate that for Aquinas, suffering—when united to Christ—acquires a redemptive value that transforms human pain into a means of configuration to the crucified and risen Lord.

The first chapter develops the Christological foundation of Christian suffering. Drawing primarily from Summa Theologiae III, q. 69, …

Toward A Biblical And Missiological Framework For Transformational Advocacy In The Seventh-Day-Adventist Church, Michelet William

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

איהה תעה The Hebrew Bible And Its Role In Daniel 12:1 A Diachronic And Synchronic Study On The Semantics Of Narrative And Prophetic Temporality, Araica Roger David Ruiz.

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

Dominion Shifts In Biblical Apocalyptic Literature: A Narrative Reading Of Daniel 7 And Revelation 12–14 Vis-À-Vis Genesis 1–3, Flavio Prestes Iii

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

An Analysis Of Herbert Douglass And Woodrow Whidden’S Use Of Ellen G. White's Writings On The Human Nature Of Christ, Cyril Marshall

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

Prophetic Reuse And Chronotope: The Reuse Of Prophecies And The Representation Of Time And Space In Daniel 10–12, Felipe A. Masotti

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

Indicators Of Typology In The Narrative Of Elijah: An Investigation Into The Predictive Nature Of The Typological Use Of The Old Testament In The New Testament, Jônatas De Mattos Leal

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

Which Reader? Interpretative Virtue, Ecclesial Context, And Social Loaction In Ephraim Radner And Richard Hays’S Proposal For Theological Interpretation Of Scripture, Iriann Marie Irizarry

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

“You Must Prophecy Again”: The Mission Of God’S People In Revelation 10–14, Adenilton Tavares De Aguiar

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is a dissertation abstract.

The Clarity And Obscurity Of Inspired Writings: A Historical Survey From Late Antiquity To Early Nineteenth- Century America, Denis Kaiser

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

Throughout Christian history, pastors, scholars, and church leaders have discussed whether, or to what extent, Scripture is clear or obscure. This article surveys the views on the clarity and obscurity of Scripture as advocated by Christian writers in five eras from late antiquity to early nineteenth-century America. Writers in the Protestant tradition have generally objected to the common notions among Roman Catholics that Scripture is obscure, consists of a four-fold sense, and that normative teaching authority is in the hands of the magisterium. Lutheran, Reformed, and Pietist scholars have generally emphasized the importance of having an educated clergy that understands …

Editorial Vol 60 No. 2, Martin F. Hanna, Oliver M. Glanz

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is the Editorial

Table Of Contents Vol 60.2

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This is the Table of Contents

Women Deacons In The Catholic Church: Servants To The Servant, Elizabeth A. Screnock

Master of Theological Studies Honors Theses

Even as recently as this past fall at the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the question of women serving as deacons in the Catholic Church is being internationally studied and discussed. This thesis repudiates arguments against women deacons and provides historical and Biblical evidence that support the argument to include women in the diaconate. A theology of the Holy Spirit is examined, presenting a way to perceive of the Sacrament of Holy Orders by including the Virgin Mary. It concludes that women discerning the “call” to be “servants to the Servant” should be ordained deacons. …

Pedro Aceves Mfa Thesis, Pedro M. Aceves

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

My Work is about looking at Cruising through a queer decolonial lens. Using multiple mediums such as photo, glass, Augmented reality, and film, I explore these queer histories and aesthetics through not just an anthropological approach but also an artistic epistemological approach weaving together narratives of prehispanic and modern queer Latinidad.

Music In The Catholic Church: An Analysis Of Hymns And Congregational Singing In Roman Catholic Churches In The United States, Andrew T. Medrick

Senior Theses

This thesis examines the musical dilemma in the American Catholic Church, highlighting issues such as inappropriate musical selections for the Mass and a profound lack of congregational singing. Through a literature review of Vatican documents, expert opinions, and hymns, I analyze the criteria for music used in the Mass, identify common failures of musical selections presented in many Catholic churches, and offer practical guidance to improve sacred music in parishes and dioceses. I conclude that music used in the Mass must be sourced primarily from Sacred Scripture, in full conformity to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, and easy …

Review Of Grassroots Ecumenism: The Way Of Local Christian Reunion, John A. Radano

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Exploring Undergraduate Understanding And Learning Of Catholic Social Teaching In Catholic Higher Education, Kenny Van Tilburg

Dissertations

Since the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s, Catholic higher education (CHE) has wrestled with its Catholic identity in a changing landscape and changing world (Gallin, 1996, 2000; Gleason, 1995; Morey & Piderit, 2006). A big component of this identity-recognition process is the continued evolution and inclusion of Catholic social teaching (CST) in the educational approach of CHE. Despite its importance, much evidence has suggested CST is underwhelmingly present in the education of contemporary CHE (Beyer, 2021; Galligan-Stierle, 2014; Hudson et al., 2018; Nickerson & Dammer, 2018; Reed-Bouley, 2016; Sullivan & Pagnucco, 2014; United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB], …

Bringing The Margins To The Center A New Model For Synodal Discernment In Parishes, Robert Choiniere

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This article proposes a transformative approach to synodal discernment within parish communities by emphasizing the inclusion of marginalized voices. Traditional models often overlook these perspectives, resulting in a partial and sometimes skewed understanding of parish needs and aspirations. By bringing the margins to the center, this new model ensures a more comprehensive and authentic process of communal discernment. It outlines practical steps for implementing this inclusive approach, highlights the theological foundations supporting the participation of all community members, and shares case studies demonstrating the positive impact of this model. The article argues that true synodality can only be achieved when …

Discernir Juntos En Grupos Pequeños, Franck Janin Sj

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

El autor partiendo de su experiencia personal ofrece una reflexión y una metodología clara sobre el discernimiento en común, obviamente inspirado todo ello en los Ejercicios Espirituales de San Ignacio de Loyola. Se constatan las dificultades, la problemática. pero también las posibilidades y potencialidades de dicha propuesta. Ciertamente el proceso es complejo. Requiere mucha generosidad y disposición por parte de todos aquellos que participan, pero tal y como concluye el autor “funciona”. Nos encontramos ante una propuesta de la espiritualidad ignaciana que puede enriquecer e iluminar los nuevos caminos de sinodalidad por los que camina la Iglesia.

The Ministries Of New Communities In The Ivory Coast Scrutinised Under The Lens Of The Theological And Magisterial Vision Of The Church, Joseph Loïc Mben Sj

Journal of Global Catholicism

The goal of this article is to show that the ministries of new communities are in conformity with the theological and magisterial vision of the Church and that, in many cases, they contribute to its enrichment. Following some lexical clarifications, it makes particular use of the schema of the threefold offices of Christ in which the members of new communities partake as the baptized, to show how the ministries realize each of the dimensions of Christ’s office.

Les Ministères Des Communautés Nouvelles Au Crible De La Vision Théologique Et Magistérielle De L’Eglise, Joseph Loïc Mben Sj

Journal of Global Catholicism

L’objectif de cet article est de montrer que les ministères des communautés nouvelles sont en conformité avec la vision théologique et magistérielle de l’Eglise et que, dans bien des cas, ils contribuent à l’enrichir. Passé les clarifications lexicales, il s’agira, en utilisant notamment le schéma du triple office du Christ auquel les membres des communautés nouvelles participent en tant que baptisé-e-s, de montrer comment les ministères réalisent chacune des dimensions de l’office du Christ.

Editor's Introduction, Mathew Schmalz

Journal of Global Catholicism

No abstract provided.

Using Catholic Social Thought And The Normativity Of The Future In Responding To The Super Wicked Problem Of Climate Change, Stephanie Ann Yu Puen

Theology Department Faculty Publications

The climate crisis has been dubbed a “super wicked problem”—one where there is a sense of urgency, complicity in the problem by those who wish to solve it, and difficulty in sacrificing the short term for the long term. To respond to the difficulty of long-term thinking in addressing super wicked problems as part of SDG 13 (Climate Action), there is a need to pay attention to the narratives, norms, and values at work, and how we employ these categories in climate action. This paper discusses how Catholic social thought and the concept of the normativity of the future can …

Organizing And The Revitalization Of American Catholicism, Richard L. Wood

Sociology Faculty and Staff Publications

American Catholicism today struggles to sustain its longtime character as a truly “public religion”—that is, a religious tradition with a vital presence within the public sphere in the US. Reinvigorating Catholicism in the US will require both internal renewal and new approaches to public life, both of which will require continuity with the deep tradition and significant reorientation of ecclesial dynamics. This paper argues that specific, faith-based community-organizing practices can help renew the public voice of Catholicism. In adopting such practices and inflecting them through Catholic commitment to theologically coherent processes of leadership formation, American Catholicism can reinvigorate parish life …

Review Of Monastic Ecological Wisdom: A Living Tradition, Katherine Howard

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Synod And The Arts Inspire Hope And Imagination, Becky Mcintyre, Beth Ford Mcnamee Ed.D., Maureen O'Connell

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

The process of journeying together, spiritual listening, discerning communally, and incorporating community art has kindled hope and imagination for Philadelphia-area university students during the ongoing, three-year global Synod on “Communion, Participation and Mission,” which Pope Francis convened in October of 2021. The SCHEAP leadership team desires to share what we have learned through our hope-filled and creative synodal process so that others may cultivate the protagonism of college students in imagining the future of the Church through synodal practices of spiritual listening, relationship-building, and creative communal discernment.