Content

To renew its liturgical life in the current age, the church as critically evaluated its own tradition, and “returned to the sources” for guidance. This unit explores the history of the Church’s liturgy, focusing especially on key developments in the ancient/patristic, medieval and modern periods. It explores the changing patterns of how the church embodies in the liturgy its nature and its relationship with the world and with culture. With special reference to the Eucharist throughout, students are encouraged to discover the dynamic role liturgy has played in the Church’s navigation of two millennia of history.

Unit code: DL8430Y

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Liturgy

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Identify and critically explain key historical developments in the liturgy

2.

Articulate a critical understanding of how key historical developments in the liturgy have been reflected in Eucharistic celebration

3.

Analyse significant primary and secondary sources relating to key historical developments in the liturgy

4.

Critically evaluate the nature and purpose of liturgical reform in the modern Church

Pedagogy

Asynchronous and synchronous lectures and tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Baldovin, John F. Reforming the Liturgy: A Response to the Critics. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2008.
  • Ferrone, Rita. Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium. New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2007.
  • Jones, Cheslyn, Geoffrey Wainwright, Edward Yarnold and Paul Bradshaw, eds., The Study of Liturgy. London: SPCK, 1997.
  • McGowan, Andrew B. Ancient Christian Worship. Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Academic,2014
  • Pilcher, Carmel, David Orr, and Elizabeth Harrington, eds. Vatican II: Reforming Liturgy. Adelaide: ATF Theology, 2013.
  • Ratzinger, Joseph Cardinal. The Spirit of the Liturgy. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2000.
  • Spinks, Bryan D. Do This in Remembrance of Me: The Eucharist from the Early Church to the Present Day. London: SCM Press, 2013.
  • Vincie, Catherine. Celebrating Divine Mystery. A Primer in Liturgical Theology. Collegeville MN, Liturgical Press, 2009
  • Wainwright, Geoffrey and Karen B. Westerfield Tucker, eds. The Oxford History of Christian Worship. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
  • White, James F. Roman Catholic Worship: Trent to Today. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2003.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay - Document/Material Culture Study 2000 30.0
Essay 1500 20.0
Essay 3000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 28 Jul, 2025

Unit record last updated: 2025-07-28 09:23:11 +1000