This year-long course introduces freshmen to the story of salvation history, the Catholic approach to understanding the Bible in its historical context, and how to apply the Scriptures to their everyday lives. Students will engage with current theological insights, will have the opportunity to relate to and interact with Scripture both intellectually as well as spiritually, and will be encouraged to study Scripture in a holistic manner. The study of the Hebrew Scriptures will focus on the foundational aspects of Judaism and its relation to Christianity; the study of the Christian Scriptures will focus on the person of Jesus Christ and the significance of his life and ministry. Students will also spend time familiarizing themselves with Ignatius of Loyola, a brief history of the Society of Jesus, and Ignatian Spirituality.

First Semester: Building on the freshman year, this semester history and Christology course introduces students to the early church’s answers to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”, and invites students to develop their own personal answers to that question, based on their own experience and that of the Church. By the end of the course, students will be able to explain how the Church has grown into its role as the Body of Christ throughout its history in the world, and they will learn how the Archdiocese of St. Louis has similarly grown to become what it is today. Additionally, students will explore ways in which they can participate in the Church’s continued movement toward fulfilling its role as the Body of Christ.

Second Semester: The second semester is itself composed of two quarter courses. The first quarter centers on the presence of Jesus in the Church through the Seven Sacraments. Students study the history, theology, and practice of the sacraments, and they explore the meaning and purpose of sacraments in their own lives and in the life of the Church. In the second quarter, the focus shifts to the Theology of the Body as developed by Pope Saint John Paul II. The course works to foster positive attitudes toward sexuality and Catholic moral principles.

First Semester: This semester course serves as an introduction to important fundamental ideas about how a Catholic understands Faith and how key beliefs of our Faith can be explained in an intelligent manner. We also investigate ideas of thinkers who challenge our beliefs, especially thinkers who are popular in some academic circles in American universities. Another aspect of this course is to show how the tools of reason are used in the service of coming to a deeper understanding of Faith as understood in a Catholic context. Finally, clear thinking is essential for being an articulate Catholic. We consider and learn to use the intellectual tools of framing good questions, marshaling appropriate evidence for our positions, and presenting our religion in an intellectually vigorous manner.

Second Semester: This course aims to help students grow as men for others by coming to know morality as an outgrowth of our mutual, loving relationship with God. In doing so, students will become more conversant with Church teaching and with the inner workings of many specific moral issues. This course teaches basic Catholic Moral philosophy and principles such as Natural Law, conscience formation, and Catholic Social Teaching. It also asks students to apply these principles to the compelling moral questions of the day.

This semester course is concerned with the choices students face in the present, the choices that loom in their immediate future, and the choices they will face in adult life. The course is designed to help the student look seriously and critically at the decisions he has already made and will make. Time is spent examining some foundational issues: the nature of human life and freedom, the relevance of the humanity and divinity of Christ in their own lives, an Incarnational view of the world, and a Christian view of sexuality and the body. The specific topics to which the above discussion is applied include: dating and relationships, marriage, ministry and priesthood, preparing for college, and choosing a career.