Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Confirmation, Matrimony, Penance, Anointing of the Sick

Unit Code: 
CT355
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

The unit will offer an historical and theological study of the sacramental rites of confirmation, matrimony, penance and anointing of the sick, with a view to seeing their relevance and importance in the life of the Church today. It considers sacramental rites that are of considerable significance for ordained ministry, especially in the Roman Catholic Church. Hence the pastoral aspect of the unit is very significant. The unit involves biblical exegesis, a consideration of how the rites have been understood theologically and administered practically at various stages of the Church’s history, and theological reflection on the sacramental dimension of the Church.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an appreciation of the bases of these rites in the New Testament, and the ways they have been understood and administered at various stages of the Church’s history
  2. discuss their significance for the Church today
  3. demonstrate an appreciation of a sacramental view of the world and of Christian life
  4. integrate sacramental theology with practical issues of liturgical leadership and pastoral care
  5. (if appropriate) administer these rites in ways that meet the actual needs of Christians today, especially at significant moments, or crisis times, of their lives.
Lecturer/s: 
Janette Gray
Lecturer/s: 
Robin Koning
Lecturer/s: 
John Wilcken
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 1
Day: 
Wednesday
Time: 
10 - 1
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Unit Frequency: 
Biennial
Years Offered: 
2011
Years Offered: 
2013
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Courses: 
Master of Theological Studies
Field: 
Field C Christian Thought and History
Disciplines: 
Systematic Theology
MDiv Field: 
Faith and Ministry Praxis
Department Name: 
Department of Christian Thought and History
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Elective
MDiv Type of Study: 
Integrative
Prerequisites: 

30 points of Foundational study in Christian Thought and History

Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Teaching Methods: 

Lectures and seminars

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
3
Expected personal study hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours for unit: 
144
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word essay

Weighting: 
50%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word essay

Weighting: 
50%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

Austin, G. Anointing with the spirit.  New York: Pueblo, 1985.

Cooke, B.  Sacraments and sacramentality.  Connecticut: 23rd Publications, 1983.

Dallen, J. The reconciling community. New York: Pueblo, 1986.

Empereur, J. Prophetic anointing. Delaware: Glazier, 1982

Favazza, J. The order of penitents. Minnesota: Collegeville, 1988.

Gusmer, C.W. And you visited me. New York: Pueblo, 1984.

Hebblethwaite, M. & Donovan, K.  The theology of penance. Mercier, 1979.

Kavanagh, A. Confirmation: origins and reform. New York: Pueblo,1988.

Mackin, T. What is marriage?  Marriage in the Catholic Church. New York: Paulist, 1982.

Mackin, T. Divorce and remarriage. New York: Paulist, 1984.

Mackin, T.  The marital sacrament. New York: Paulist, 1989.

Martos, J.  Doors to the sacred.  London: SCM, 1981.

Moore, G. (ed). A hunger for reconciliation. Homebush: St Pauls 2004.

O’Loughlin, F. The future of the sacrament of penance. Strathfield: St Pauls, 2007.

Segundo, J. The sacraments today.  New York: Maryknoll,  1974.

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.