The Age of the Fathers of the Church

Doctrnal Elements of a Currculum Framework for the Development of Catechetcal Materals for Young People of Hgh School Age

I. Christ Established His Church to Continue His Saving Presence and Work

A. The origin, foundation, and manifestation of the Church. 1. Church planned by the Father LG, no. 2; CCC, no. 759. 2. Church instituted by Christ who CCC, nos. 748, 763-766 a. Inaugurated the Church by preaching Good News. b. Endowed his community with a structure. c. Gave the Church totally of himself for our salvation. 3. Church is revealed by Holy Spirit: ifty-day preparation for Pentecost CCC, nos. 767-768. a. The events of the irst Pentecost. b. The Holy Spirit’s charisms in Church’s life 1 Cor 12–14. B. Holy Spirit inspires the Apostles’ mission—great commission Mt 28:16-20; CCC, nos. 857-860. 1. The missionary journeys of St. Paul. 2. The role of Peter and the Apostles in the early Church. 3. Apostolic Succession preserves the mission, ofice, and teaching of the Apostles as entrusted to them by Christ CCC, nos. 857-862.

II. History of Church in Post-Apostolic Times 1. An Age of Growth amid Persecution

A. Unique phenomenon in roman Empire. 1. Empire was tolerant in principle but changed regarding Christians who denied roman gods and refused to worship them. 2. “Blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church” Tertullian [catacombs]. 3. Teachings of St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Justin Martyr, and St. Irenaeus sustained the faith of the persecuted Church. B. House liturgies—Eucharist is heart of early Christian worship. 1. Transition from Last Supper to Breaking of Bread. 2. Development of Liturgy of the Word and of Eucharistic Prayer. 3. Descriptions in the Didache; St. Justin Martyr Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. II, p. 694.

2. The Age of the Fathers of the Church

A. Constantine and Edict of Milan. 1. Freedom of worship. 2. From house liturgies to worship in public. a. Building of churches for Mass and celebrations of sacraments. b. Sense of transcendence of God in stately settings. B. Fathers inculturated Scripture for Greek and roman peoples CCC, nos. 76, 688. 1. Inluenced by Plato’s philosophy through Plotinus. 2. With sermons and commentaries on Scripture and sacraments. a. Preaching was a powerful means for catechesis and evangelization. b. Fathers and doctors of Church include St. Basil, St. Gregory Nazienzen, St. John Chrysostom, St. Athanasius, St. Ephrem, St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. Leo the Great, St. Gregory the Great. N.B. Lives of saints should be mentioned throughout this course both to show the restoration of faith and hope in times of crisis as well as to illustrate ways of encountering Christ through all periods of Church history. C. The development of the Eastern Patriarchates. 1. These were located in Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and Alexandria. 2. The See of Peter in rome in relation to the Patriarchates. Option B: History of the Catholic Church C ourse Four presented a catechesis of the Church and the Body of Christ in history: its nature and meaning, images, marks, life and ministry, guide to moral life, and the role of prayer. This elective can supplement that catechesis on the Church. The purpose of this course is to supply the students with a general knowledge of the Church’s history from apostolic times to the present. They will be introduced to the fact that the Church was founded by Christ through the Apostles and is sustained by him throughout history through the Holy Spirit. The students will come to know that the Church is the living Body of Christ today and, as such, has both divine and human elements. In this course, students will learn about the Church’s 2,000 years of history and about how the Church is led and governed by the successors of the Apostles. Doctrnal Elements of a Currculum Framework for the Development of Catechetcal Materals for Young People of Hgh School Age D. Church councils and doctrinal development CCC, nos. 9, 192, 250, 884, 887, 891. 1. Church response to heresies Arianism and Nes- torianism: Nicea, AD 325; First Constantinople, 381; Ephesus, 431; Chalcedon, 451; and three later councils. a. Creeds and catechesis for Christian instruction. 2. Dealt with doctrines of Incarnation and the Trinity. 3. Some Eastern Churches began separating over doctrinal disputes; the irst separation occurred in 431, the second in 451, and the third in 1054.

3. The Roman Church of the West