One of the courses I am teaching this fall at Villanova University is \u201cPastoral Care of the Sick.\u201d I have reproduced below the course description and the books that the course will use. I direct significant attention to the history of the theology and practice of anointing the sick but also to questions of the meaning of sickness and what it means to join one\u2019s suffering to the suffering of Christ. I welcome feedback and conversation on the course and on any suggestions you may have for instructional resources.<\/p>\n
Description and book list follows.<\/p>\n
DESCRIPTION<\/p>\n
In its mission statement, Villanova University commits itself to \u201cconcern for the common good\u201d and a \u201cvigorous and respectful pursuit of truth and wisdom in every area of humanity.\u201d The mission statement further emphasizes the importance of \u201cservice experiences\u201d and \u201ccompassion for the suffering.\u201d In a similar vein, the mission statement of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies notes \u201cattention to contemporary issues\u201d and \u201cthe need for redemption in a world marked by\u2026suffering.\u201d Additionally, the department encourages pursuit of \u201ca wisdom that can serve as a basis for practical and prophetic action,\u201d as well as \u201cacting responsibly in a world where regard and respect for others have become urgent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPastoral Care of the Sick\u201d is a course being offered in response to these goals. The course will begin with a treatment of the theological understanding of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, including reading of primary texts on pastoral care from the Roman Catholic Church. The course will continue with a pastoral-theological exploration of the entire range of care provided to the ill and dying. The course will conclude with an examination of the spirituality of caregivers, specifically Christian nurses and other Christian medical professionals. The course thus seeks not only to ground students in the Catholic pastoral \/ theological tradition of care for those who are ill but also seeks in a special way to prepare pre-med and nursing students at Villanova for the gifts and challenges that await them in their chosen careers.<\/p>\n
Materials for this course will include readings and at least one video. As the liturgical calendar of the archdiocese permits, participation in the White Mass and \/ or other liturgies bearing on the medical profession will also be featured. The course may also feature guest speakers such as chaplains at area hospitals.<\/p>\n
REQUIRED TEXTS:<\/p>\n
Kasza, John. Understanding Sacramental Healing. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2007. ISBN 978-1-59525-009-4<\/p>\n
Pastoral Care of the Sick. New Jersey: Catholic Book Publishing, 1983. ISBN 978-0-89942-456-9<\/p>\n
Morrill, Bruce. Divine Worship and Human Healing: Liturgical Theology at the Margins of Life and Death. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8146-6217-5<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien, Mary Elizabeth. The Nurse\u2019s Calling: A Christian Spirituality of Caring for the Sick. New York: Paulist Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8091-4009-8<\/p>\n
OPTIONAL TEXT<\/p>\n
Weaver, Natalie Kertes. The Theology of Suffering and Death: An Introduction for Caregivers. New York: Routledge, 2012. ISBN: 978-0415781084<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The course seeks not only to ground students in the Catholic pastoral \/ theological tradition of care for those who are ill but also seeks in a special way to prepare pre-med and nursing students at Villanova for the gifts and challenges that await them in their chosen careers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[285,31,1137],"tags":[1208,2911],"class_list":["post-31720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pastoral-theology","category-sacramental-theology","category-teaching-liturgy","tag-anointing-of-the-sick","tag-teaching-liturgy-2"],"yoast_head":"\n