Would you like to learn more about what the Catholic Church teaches in regard to Mary the Mother of God? If so, a new, free, self-paced online course from Sacred Heart Seminary might be just the ticket!
The course “Behold Thy Mother: Getting to Know the Blessed Virgin Mary” kicks off on November 29 and runs through December 27. The goal of the course is to provide Catholics with an opportunity to reflect “on the beautiful teachings of our Catholic faith about Mary.”
The course consists of four modules, centered on four Great Marian Dogmas. They are led by Dr. Robert Fastiggi, Bishop Kevin M. Britt Chair of Dogmatic Theology & Christology:
- 1: Role as Mother of God
- 2: Perpetual Virginity
- 3: Immaculate Conception
- 4: Assumption into Heaven
Bonus Presentations
In addition, the course will include presentations by four other instructors.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe” is led by Dr. Janet Diaz, Part-time Faculty, Director of Evangelization, Church of the Holy Family, Novi, MI. This segment “beautifully illustrates the apparition of the Blessed Mary to Juan Diego in 1531 on the Hill of Tepeyac (modern day Mexico City).”
“Our Lady of Lourdes” is led by Dr. Donald Wallenfang (OCDS), Professor of Theology/Philosophy. This segment “presents the apparition of the Virgin Mary appearing to 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 in Lourdes, France and the series of events that followed.”
“Our Lady of Kibeho” is led by Fr. John Vandenakker (CC), Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology & Director of Graduate Pastoral Formation. This segment “shares the story of the Our Lady appearing to three college students in Southwestern Rwanda in the 1980’s and her apocalyptic warning for Rwanda.”
“Our Lady of Fatima” is led by Dr. Ralph Martin, Professor of Theology & Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization. This segment “recounts the beautiful story of Mary’s apparitions in 1917 to three school-aged children in Fatima, Portugal and her fore promised “Miracle of the Sun.”
Self-Paced and No Stress
As the course information page says:
“Consider this an Advent retreat experience for the lay faithful, done at your own pace and guided by five globally esteemed professors from Sacred Heart, all of whom help form holy, healthy, and joyful priests—as well as deacons, religious, and lay leaders—for service of the gospel. This is an opportunity to grow a deeper relationship and spend time with the Lord.”
Each module will include:
- Featured Lecture (~20 minutes)
- Marian Apparition Lecture (~10 minutes)
- Supplemental Reading Material (~30 minutes)
- Online Discussion Forum
- Personal Assessment Quiz
As with the other free, online courses offered by Sacred Heart Seminary, “Behold Thy Mother: Getting to Know the Blessed Virgin Mary” is designed to avoid delivering any kind of high level of rigor or stress. The course is non-credit and self-paced. You can view and complete each module at your convenience.
More information registration on the course and registration details can be found HERE.
