Directory of Novitiate Studies
of the
 Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

 Two-Year Cycle

Year One

Introduction to Prayer (postulants)

New Testament

Canonical Establishment of a Religious Institute

Spirituality

Religious Life

Constitutions of the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

Guided Reading

Gregorian Chant

Latin

Year Two

Introduction to Prayer (postulants)

Old Testament

Spirituality

Canon Law for Religious

History of the CRNJ: Background/Future Intent

Saint Augustine

Gregorian Chant

Guided Reading

Latin

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

1.         Introduction to Prayer

Offered each year:  introduction to meditation and personal, contemplative prayer through a study of its nature, necessity and method.  Particular study is made of the method of St. Teresa of Avila. The course examines different types of prayer, difficulties met in the practice of mental prayer and the signs of progress in contemplation. The course is given upon entrance into postulancy.  Postulants and novices join the whole community in daily practice of mental prayer during periods regularly scheduled for that purpose. Postulants are personally guided in the practice of mental prayer by the Novice Master. 

2.         Sacred Scripture/Lectio Divina 

Postulants and novices study and practice the art of spiritual reading known as Lectio Divina.  Sacred Scripture serves as the matter of a deliberate reading and spiritual reflection.  Specific books are selected from the Old and New Testaments for prayerful study and use in Lectio.  An introduction to the various books is given, major themes pointed out, commentaries of the Saints consulted.  Personal reflection and experience with Lectio is discussed privately with the Novice Master.

3.         Canonical Establishment of a Religious Institute

            The fundamental organism – spiritual, ecclesial, juridical – invovolved in the erection, devlopment and approbation of a new instiute of consecated life is throoughly studied.  The duties, processes and procedures of founders, collaboratoros and bishops in the process of new foundations is thoroughly developed in view of the Catholic Church’s norms. The course is taught in conjunction with a textbook of the same title and in view of the historical development of religious life in the west and Code of Canon Law.

4.         Catholic Spirituality

A comprehensive foundation in the general principles of Catholic spirituality tuaght over a two year period. The course covers the entire structure of the supernatural life: grace, infused virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit, nature of Christian perfection, universal call to holiness, sin, temptation, enemies of the spiritual life, need for conversion, spiritual combat, asceticism, purgation, necessity of the cross.  Also studied are all the positive means for spiritual growth: prayer, Sacraments, pursuit of virtue.

5.         Religious Life and the Evangelical Counsel. 

The principles of Catholic religious life in general, the Vita Canonica in particular. Three areas are stressed:

A.         Magisterial teaching on religious and consecrated life as found in a variety of contemporary Church documents.

B.        The teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas on religious life from De Perfectione Vitae Spiritualis and the Summa Theologica.

C.        The Evangelical Counsels:

            1.) Poverty

            2.) Consecrated Celibacy

            3.) Obedience

The study enables a novice to personally appropriate an authentic, ecclesial understanding of consecrated life, and the principles necessary for living it under vows in the community life/public apostolate context of the CRNJ.

6.         Constitutive Documents of the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

Introduction to the prinicples of canon law, universal law, proper law, and the juridical documents of the CRNJ.  Study of the insitute’s charism as expressed in the consitutive documents: Decree of Erection, Prologue, Rule, Constitutions and Directory of Discipline.   

7.         History of the CRNJ: Background/Future Intent 

History of the development of the congregation’s foundation, life, work and  future intentions.  Treated are the place of the CRNJ in the canonical tradition, its liturgical apostolate and exercise of public ministry according to the pastoral intent of the Motu Proprio, Ecclesia Dei Adflicta

8.         Code of Canon Law (concerns religious/religious life)

Introduction to the Church’s legislation concerning consecrated life. How the theology and spirituality of religious life is codified and expressed in juridical terms. Introduction to fundamental concepts necessary for understanding/living religious life as obligated by the profession of vows.

9.         Saint Augustine: His Life and His Religious Ideal

Course designed to impart understanding and love for the person, character and psychological disposition of Saint Augustine.  The novice will come to know Augustine’s thought, priestly spirituality and unique understanding of monastic life. Course divided into three parts:

1.)        Introduction to the person and life of St. Augustine aimed at engendering  devotion to him, learning to invoke his help as the canon’s spiritual Father in religion. 

2.)        Basic spirituality, philosophical and theological teachings of the saint. 

3.)        Overview of St. Augustine’ doctrine on religious and monastic life including his Rule for Monasteries.

10.      Gregorian Chant: Theory and Practice

Introduction to Gregorian chant and its practise.  Practical application for vocal participation/contribution to public choral Office and Mass.

A.         Theory:           History, theory and spirituality of chant for instilling appreciation for chant, its perennial value as liturgical music, and why it is the foundation

of all other authentic forms of liturgical music. Includes commentaries from the Fathers.

B.        Practice:          Perfection in the acurate articulation and singing of Latin chant.  Group and individual practices are scheduled daily and whenever else necessary.

11.      Guided Reading

Spiritual nourishment through directed reading of solid theological, liturgical and spiritual writings as assigned by the Novice Master. Spiritual readings may be assigned to the class as a whole or to tailord for specific individuals. Readings from a list of suggested works may also be selected.  Approval by the Novice Masteris required for works not found on the list of recommended readings.

12.      Latin

Study of Latin grammar and syntax.  First level objective: comprehension of basic liturgical texts. Course lays the foundation for continued Latin studies needed for later ecclesiastical studies.  Course brings forward the value and beauty of Latin, particularly for liturgical prayer.  Emphasis is also placed on acquiring a clear and correct Latin pronunciation.

 

NOVITIATE READING LIST

Suggested Works:

Spiritual Life and Prayer:

Lives of the Saints

The Works of St. Teresa of Avila

The Works of St. Francis de Sales

The Works of Blessed Columban Marmion, O.S.B.

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis

Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux

Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius Loyola

Little Catechism, St J.-Marie Vianney

Spiritual Combat, Lorenzo Scupoli

Spiritual Life, Adolph Tanquerey

Practice of Perfection and Christian Virtues, Alphonsus Rodriguez, S.J.

The Three Ages of the Interior Life, Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.

Religious Life:

True Spouse of Jesus Christ, St. Alphonsus Ligouri

Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery, Richard Butler, O.P. 

Priesthood:

Dignity and Duties of the Priest, St. Alphonsus Ligouri

Spiritual Life of the Priest, M. Eugene Boylan, O.C.R.

Priest, the Man of God, St. Joseph Cafasso

Blessed Virgin Mary:

The Glories of Mary, St. Alphonsus Ligouri

Womb of God, George A. Maloney, S.J.

Works from the Marian doctrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe

Vatican I: Marian Council, William G. Most

REQUIRED READING AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR NOVITIATE STUDIES

Introduction to Prayer:

Catechism of Mental Prayer, Vy. Rev. Joseph Simler (TAN Books, Rockford, IL, 1984).

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part IV, Section One, #2558-2758.

Conversation With Christ, Peter Thomas Rohrbach (TAN Books, Rockford, IL, 1982).

Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation,

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Oct. 15, 1989.

Mental Prayer According to the Principles of St. Thomas Aquinas, Denis Fahey, C.S.Sp.

(Christian Book Club of America, Palmdale, CA, 1993).

Prayer Primer,Thomas Dubay, S.M. (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, 2002).

Lectio Divina/Sacred Scripture:

Holy Bible

Marian Devotion:

Cultus Marialis, Pope Paul VI, February 2, 1974

Marian Encyclicals, Pope Leo XIII, 1878-1903.

One More Gift, Fr. Luigi Faccenda, O.F.M. (Immaculata Press, West Covina, CA, 1990).

Our Lady of Sorrows, Charles Journet, (Sheed and Ward, New York, 1938).

Religious in the Footsteps of Mary, S.C.R.S.I., a collection of essays compiled

and published by Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1987.

Redemptoris Mater, Pope John Paul II, March 25, 1987.

Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II, October 16, 2002.

Catholic Spirituality:

Spiritual Theology, Jordan Aumann, O.P. (Sheed and Ward, London, 1980).

Theology of Christian Perfection, Antonio Royo, O.P. and Jordan Aumann, O.P.

(Priory Press, Dubuque, IA, 1962).

Three Ages of the Interior Life, Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (TAN, Rockford, IL, 1948).

Church Documents on Religious Life:

Ecclesiae Sanctae II, Pope Paul VI, Aug. 6, 1966.

Essential Elements in the Church's Teaching on Religious Life as Applied to Institutes Dedicated to Works of the Apostolate, S.C.R.S.I., May 31, 1983.

Evangelica Testificatio, Pope Paul VI, June 29, 1971.

Fraternal Life in Community (Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor), C.I.C.L.S.A.L., Feb. 2, 1994.

Lumen Gentium, Vatican II, Nov. 21, 1964; Chapters V and VI.

Perfectae Caritatis, Vatican II, Oct. 28, 1965.

Redemptionis Donum, Pope John Paul II, March 25, 1984.

Vita ConsecratA, Pope John Paul II, March 25, 1996.

Religious Life/Vows:

Augustine’s Ideal of the Religious Life, Adolar Zumkeller, O.S.A. (Fordham University Press, New York, 1986).

De Perfectione Vitae Spiritualis, St. Thomas Aquinas.

Ends of the Religious Life According to St. Thomas Aquinas, Abp. Paul Philippe (Fraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Edition).

Religious Life According to Saint Augustine, Athanase Sage, A.A. (New City Press, Brooklyn, NY, 1990).

Religious Life According to Vatican II and the New Code of Canon Law, Elio Gambari, S.M.M., J.C.D. (Daughters of St. Paul, Boston, MA, 1986).

Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery, Richard Butler, O.P. (Henry Regnery Co., 1961).

Summa Theologica (IIa-IIae, qq.179-189: Active and Contemplative Life and the States of Perfection )

Virtue of Religion and itsActs(Summa Theologica, IIa-IIae, qq.81-91) St. Thomas Aquinas

What Is Religious Life?, Thomas Dubay, S.M. (Dimension Books, Denville, NJ, 1979).

Celibacy:

And You Are Christ’s, Thomas Dubay, S.M. (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, 1987).

Courage to be Chaste, Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. (Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ, 1985).

Priest for All Seasons: Masculine and Celibate, Conrad W. Baars (Franciscan Herald Press, Chicago, IL, 1972).

Sacerdotalis Caelibatus:  On Priestly Celibacy, Pope Paul VI, June 24, 1967.

Summa Theologica (IIa-IIae, q.151: Chastity;  q.152: Virginity; q.155: Continence; qq.160, 168 & 169: Modesty)

When God Asks for an Undivided Heart, Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R. (Daughters of St. Paul, Boston, MA, 1995).

Poverty:

Dedicated Poverty, Philip F. Mulhern, O.P. (Alba House, Staten Island, NY, 1973).

Happy Are You Poor, Thomas Dubay, S.M. (Dimension Books, Denville, NJ, 1981).

Obedience:

Mysticism of Obedience, Bernard Leeming, S.J. (Daughters of St. Paul, Boston, MA, 1964).

Obedience: The Greatest Freedom, excerpts from a variety of Saints and theologians (Daughters of St. Paul, Boston, MA, 1966).

Summa Theologica (IIa-IIae, q.104: Obedience) 

Saint Augustine:

Augustine’s Ideal of the Religious Life, Adolar Zumkeller, O.S.A. (Fordham University Press, New York, 1986).

Augustine of Hippo and His Monastic Rule, George Lawless, OSA, (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1987)

Confessions, Saint Augustine.

Rule of Saint Augustine, introduction and commentary by Tarscius J. van Bavel, OSA (Cistercian Publications, Kalamazoo, MI, 1996).

Saint Augustine: Man, Pastor, Mystic, Agostino Trape, O.S.A. (Catholic Book Publishing, New York, 1986).

Canonical Life, History/Spirituality:

Docere Verbo et Exemplo: An Aspect of Twelfth-Century Spirituality, Carolyn Walker (Harvard Theological Studies, No. 31., Scholars Press, Missoula, MO, 1979).

History of Christian Spirituality, J. Leclercq, F. Vandenbrouke and L. Bouyer, (The Spirituality of the Middle Ages, Vol. 2, Chapter 6: The New Orders, pp.127-150,  Seabury Press, New York, NY, 1968).

Making of the Middle Ages, R.W. Southern, (Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, 1953).

Monastic and Religious Orders in Britain, 1000-1300, Janet Burton, (Cambridge University Press, NY, 1994).

Origin of the Austin Canons and Their Introduction Into England, J. C. Dickinson, (SPCK, London, 1950).

Premontres: Histoire et Spirituality, Bernard Ardura, O.Praem. (University de St. Etienne, 1995, 2nd edition).

Religion and the Rise of Western Culture, Christopher Dawson, (Doubleday, NY, 1957)

You Offer to the Clergy the Practise of Community Life, address given by Pope John Paul II to the International Congress of the Confederation of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine, (September 6, 2002, L’Osservatore Romano, English edition, Oct. 21, 1985).

Canon Law for Religious:

Canonical Establishment of a Religious Institute: Process and Procedures, Elio Gambari,SMM,(privateworked commissioned and published by Sr. Maria Michele Armato, O.P., South Amboy, NJ, 2001)

Code of Canon Law, Book II, Part III, Section I; canons 573-730.

Constitutions of the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

Constitutive Documents of the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem: Prologue,Rule, Constitutions, Direcotry of Dicipline and other Documents, (private printing, La Crosse, WI, 2003)