The Saints and Catholic Social Teaching

(1 Credit Hour) · Undergraduate

This one-credit course explores the relationship between the lives of the saints and Catholic social teaching. It focuses on the ways the infused virtues, especially love of God, spills over into an outward dynamic of love of neighbor. The first two classes focus on developing a theology of service and social action beginning with the New Testament figures of Mary, Stephen, and the apostle John, and continuing with key saints throughout the ages, such ss Martin of Tours, Thomas Becket, Francis of Assisi, and Vincent de Paul. Then turns to modern day figures such as Franz Jagerstatter Oscar Romero, Dorothy Day, and the martyred Trappists monks of Algeria. Requirements will be limited to journaling on sainthood and saints, and joining with others for a group project to be presented to the class in the final class meetings.