+`Module 1: GENERAL

ORIENTATION
In this module, we will review and
familiarize the USA Vision-
Mission-AGA, the nature,
elements, and principles of the
Social Teachings of the Church.
Here, we will come to appreciate
the importance of studying
Theology 5 in relation to our
being an Augustinian. It is good
for us to review the university’s
vision, mission and graduate
attributes, which you have
been memorizing since last year,
so that we can focus again on
what we want to become
as Augustinians.

Module 1: Learning Objectives:

At the end of the module, the students shall be able to:
1. reflect and share ideas on what make a good Augustinian and
Christian believer;
2. familiarize the USA Vision-Mission-AGA, the nature, elements,
characteristics, and
principles of the Social Teachings of the Church;
3. illustrate ways on how to live as good Christian believer and
Augustinian student in the
time of pandemic.
Module 1: Course Content
LESSON 1: TOPIC 1: THE USA VISION- MISSION- AUGUSTINIAN GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
Activity 1a: Reflect and share (Synchronous)
Instructions:
1. As a student of the University of San Agustin you are called an Augustinian. Then
ask yourself this question, “what makes a good Augustinian student?”
2. Share your opinion in 3-6 sentences on our discussion board. (You will receive 5 points
if you share your opinion privately to the teacher. However you will receive 10 points if
you post this on our discussion board )
Activity 1b: Lecture Presentation: USA Vision-Mission-Augustinian Graduate Attributes
(Synchronous)
Being a student of the University of San Agustin, wearing the school uniform and school
identification card give you an identity as Augustinian, but does not automatically make you
a GOOD Augustinian. To be a good Augustinian implies that you submit yourself to the
formation that is directed towards the university’s vision, mission and graduate attributes.
TOPIC 2: NATURE, CHARACTERISTICS, ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE STC
Activity 2a: Reflect and share (Synchronous) 10-15 mins
Instruction: May I ask you again to reflect on the question, “what make a good Christian
believer?”Share your opinion in 3-6 sentences on our discussion board. (You will receive 5
points if you share your opinion privately to the teacher. However you will receive 10 points if
you post this on our discussion board )
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus taught us how to be a good Christian, to obey the greatest
commandment:
Mark 13: 28-33
One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and
saw him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied: “The
first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and
with all your strength. The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no
other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are
right in saying,
‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your
strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and
sacrifices.”
This gospel passage is one of the biblical foundations of the Social Teachings of the
Church. To help us understand what the Social Teachings of the Church is, let us watch
attentively to this video clip.
Activity 2b: Video Clip Presentation:
Synthesis: The Catholic Social Teachings (CST) is universally known also as the Social Teachings of the
Church. 

Activity 2c: Lecture Presentation: Nature, elements and characteristics, and principles of the
Social Teachings of the Church 20-30 mins.

THEO_5-STC_Meaning_nature_elements_characteristics_and_principles.pptx

TOPIC 3: PRINCIPLES OF THE SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH

Activity 3a: Video clip Presentation: Principal Themes of STC 5-10 mins.

Activity 3b: Discussion chat (5 minutes)

Write on our discussion board the 7 principal themes of the Social Teachings of
the Church which you learned from the video.

The 7 Principal themes of the Social Teaching of the Church are as follows:

LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON - God created us in his his image and makes us like him,
because of this we believe that each person has inherent dignity and has worth beyond money or
power.
CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARTICIPATION - its where we learn to love and how to get along.
The church teaches that this relationship is sacred and that it should be nurtured by society.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - there are fundamental rights that everyone has regardless of who they
are and where they live: The right to food, clothes, shelter, education and healthcare and in addition to
being able to choose those who govern. With rights also comes responsibilities. To advocate for just
laws, to be proactive and providing for oneself and family. Caring for others and being a productive part
of society.

OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE - We should worry about for those who suffer the most.
When there is money to give that's where we should put it.

THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND RIGHTS OF WORKERS - the purposes of work are two-fold, to be able to
provide for oneself and family and to provide a sense of fulfillment and self worth. Everyone has an
obligation to work if they can. Everyone has the right to honest work and no job is unimportant. Pay and
benefits should be fair and working conditions respectful of ones dignity.

SOLIDARITY - everyone, no matter who they are or their situation in life are our brothers and sisters. We
are all connected and responsible for each other's welfare.

CARE FOR GOD'S CREATION - God created the earth for us and we should be good towards the earth
and to all that lives and grows. We must be sensitive to protecting the environment and we ought to be
ethical in our treatment of animals. The earth is our home that must be respected for and cared for.

LESSON 2: THE NATURE OF THE SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH

What is meant by Social Teachings of the Church?

• 1. It is the accurate formulation of the results of a careful reflection on the complex

realities of human existence, in society and in the international order, in the light of faith and of
the church tradition. (SRS102 / CSDC # 72)

• 2. Is the application of the Word of God to people’s lives and society, offering principles for
reflection, criteria for judgment and directives for action (Centissimus Annus).

• It is a systematized body of moral teachings on political and economic issues communicated

through the ordinary Magisterium of the Church (Ruben Gregorio, Christians in the World).
These teachings are ordinarily expressed in the form of Encyclicals. An Encyclical is a letter
addressed by the Pope to all bishops of the whole Church intended for wide or general
circulation.

• 4. Is a teaching given by the living Magisterium of the Church that means by the Pope and
Bishops speaking in the name of the mission and the power of teaching entrusted by Christ to
the apostles and their successors.

• 5. It is a teaching applied to the social problems of our time; a light given by the Church in order
to help peoples to organize a more humane society in accordance with God’s plan for the world.
(Lucie de Noel).

Aim of the Church’s Social Teachings

 • 1. To interpret human realities/social situations whether they are in conformity with or in
divergence from the Gospel.i.e, the gospel’s teaching on man and his vocation. (SRS 41)

• 2. To guide Christian behavior, that is, how to respond to social situations which in turn
give rise to a commitment to justice.

Elements of the Social Teachings of the Church

The Social Teachings of the Church contains the following:

• a. Truths- moral and religious

truths which enlighten Christians on the nature and dignity of man

• b. Principles and norms that must be applied in public and private relationships (moral
behavior concerning family life, economy politics, etc.)

• c. Values- that Christians must respect defend and cherish.

Characteristics of the Social Teachings of the Church

• Permanent Character – The Social Teachings of the Church, since it is based on the Bible, Sacred
Tradition and Natural Law, it is always valid at all times, for all peoples and for all places. Divine
revelation

• Evolutionary Character – The Social Teachings of the Church adopts its principles to the existing
social situations in a given particular period of History. It also means that because of the changing
social situation, the social teaching of the Church evolves; it has to be interpreted and applied
according to changing and varying situations where the Church is in. (CST is continually updated &
developed)

Where can we find the Social Teachings of the Church?

The Social Teachings of the Church may be found in the following loci of magisterial teaching
(Montemayor, 1988 p. 2):

• 1. Papal pronouncement/proclamations particularly those on matters of faith and morals.

• 2. Apostolic Letters or Encyclical Letters. Encyclicals are originally letters meant to be passed
around. Its name came from Greek words “en”- in, “kyklos”- circle, which combine to form
“enkyklike” or to go in circle. Encyclical letters, therefore, are letters that are meant to be passed
around until it is back to the original sender. But today it’s a lot difference due the advancement
of printing. (Encyclical is a letter addressed by the pope to all bishops of the whole church for
wide or general circulation.)

• Where can we find the STC?

• Examples of Social Encyclicals

• 1. Rerum Novarum

• 2. Quadragesimo Anno
 • 3. Mater et Magistra

• 4. Populorum Progressio

• 5. Caritas in Veritate

• 6. Laudato Si, etc

• 3. Code of Canon Law.

• 4. Pronouncements made by Ecumenical councils. An ecumenical council is a meeting of all

bishops that belong to the college of bishops under the leadership of the Pope.

• 5. Pronouncement made by the Synod of Bishops. A Synod of Bishops is a meeting of

Bishops selected from different parts of the world in order to assist the Pope on certain matters.

Sources of the Social Teachings of the Church.

The Basic sources and foundation of Catholic Social teachings are:

• v Divine Revelation as contained in the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition as faithfully
interpreted and transmitted by the Church’s Magisterium

• v Natural Law which is inscribed by the Creator in man’s very being as understood by his
intelligence. Natural law is interpreted and authenticated by the Magisterium or the teaching
authority of the Church and applied to the present day experiences of the people.

• But running parallel to this sources are the contributions derived from human reason and
experience. The STC is developed by using the resources of human wisdom and modern sciences
through the assistance of learned priests, religious, laity, theologians, scientists, technologists,
and other thinkers.

• This teaching authority is the guardian and interpreter of all official teachings in the church. It is
not above the Word of God but serves it and explains it faithfully in accord with the divine
commission and with the help of the Holy Spirit.

• WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF STC?

1. it presents “principles for reflection, criteria for judgment, and directives for action oriented
towards moral conduct that promotes a just society
2. 2. Stc is necessary for the formation of social consciences (pcp ii)
3. -Knowledge and interiorization of the social teachings is necessary

Lesson 4: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE MODERN CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS

 The term “social doctrine” goes back to Pope Pius XI, (Encyclical Letter Quadragesimo Anno)
and designates the doctrinal “corpus” concerning issues relevant to society which, from the
Encyclical Letter Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII, developed in the Church through the
Magisterium of the Roman Pontiffs and the Bishops in communion with them. (CSDC #87)
 The Church's concern for social matters certainly did not begin with that document, for the Church
has never failed to show interest in society. Nonetheless, the Encyclical Letter Rerum Novarum marks
the beginning of a new path. Grafting itself onto a tradition hundreds of years old, it signals a new
beginning and a singular development of the Church's teaching in the area of social matters.

 In the nineteenth century, events of an economic nature produced a dramatic social, political and
cultural impact. Events connected with the Industrial Revolution profoundly changed centuries-old
societal structures, raising serious problems of justice and posing the first great social question — the
labour question — prompted by the conflict between capital and labour.

  In this context, the Church felt the need to become involved and intervene in a new way: the
res novae (“new things”) brought about by these events represented a challenge to her teaching
and motivated her special pastoral concern for masses of people.

Factors that Give Rise to the Great Social Question:

 1. Industrial Revolution – The Invention of Machines. The advent of machines has changed the
picture of the economic life. It has created a shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy
in Western Europe. This shift resulted in the congregation of the huge masses of workingmen
around the emerging industrial centers. This is what we call “Urbanization.”

 2. Capitalism- which makes use of the machines solely for profit. The economic theories of
Capitalism guided the above industrial growth.

 Main Tenets of Capitalism: In Populorum Progressio, Pope Paul VI describes also Neo –liberal
capitalism as follows:

  

 Its overall and predominant motive is Profit.

 Profit for profits sake. Profit at all cost! Capital has priority over labor. Material profit over
human beings is the rule of the thumb. Money assumes more value than people. People
become object, not subject, to be harnessed for making profit.

 The supreme law is competition, unlimited and free. In fact, this is the sole guiding rule in
economic life.

 Survival of the fittest! Big fish eats the small fish! Big businesses kill the small businesses.
Ordinary or small people have no place in the system.

 The right to private property, particularly to the means of production is absolute.

 The owner has no social obligation. He/she does not have responsibility for the common good.
The owner can do as he/she pleases; what to produce, how to produce, what price tag to attach
to the product. Owner’s rights have no limits. Sky is the limit. And all for the sake of profit. (Alay
Kapwa 1998 Resource Book 56)

 Non-interference of the state in economic matters

 John XXIII’s Mater et Magistra thus described these tenets of Capitalism as they existed during the
times of Rerum Novarum.

 “As it is well known, the outlook that prevailed on economic matters was the most part a purely
naturalistic one, which denied any correlation between economics and morality. It was alleged
that the only motive of economic action was personal profit. The supreme rule regulating the
relations between economic agents was free competition without limit. Interest on capital prices
of goods and services, profits, and wages were determined by the purely mechanical application
of the laws of the market. The state it was held should refrain from all intervention in the
economic field. Trade unions, according to the conditions of different countries, were forbidden,
tolerated, or considered to have legal personality I private law.” (MM #11)

 Widespread economic oppression/exploitation of the masses. The capitalist economic view

resulted to the exploitation of the masses for profit and has thus become a common practice.
The sudden growth of the economy and the individualistic theories that govern it produced a
new class of people known as the PROLETARIAT. This class has been described as “ the masses
of workers in the new expanded cities-a formless group without internal coherence and
security.

 Rise of Marxist Socialism. The economic misery of the masses was such that a number of
socialist groups arose and these took up the cause of the masses. The most prominent of these
socialist, Marxist Socialism, proposed radical changes that affect not only the economic sphere
but also the basic institutions of society. In addition, it maintained that these changes could be
brought about only through CLASS STRUGGLE. All this created an atmosphere ripe for violent
change.

 Synthesis:

  The Catholic Church, faced with this widespread economic oppression and with the threat of
violence from Marxist socialism, had to come out with a position on the economic issues of the
day.

  Since these issues involved Christians on both sides, the Church position had to come from
her central authority in order to show her deep concern for them and also to avoid any sign of
vested interest.  

  This position was expressed through Leo XIII’s RERUM NOVARUM. This document became
the first official social teaching of the Church. A line of documents followed it.

  It is clear then, that Rerum Novarum and the other social documents that came after it form
in the strict sense of the word, the SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH.

LESSON 5: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CATHOLIC

SOCIAL TEACHINGS
(The Papal Social Encyclicals through the Years)
  Values: Appreciation of the Church’s Social Teaching, Gratitude, Devotion to study the
Church’s Social Teaching.

Social Teachings of the Church

Catholic Social Teaching

Timeline through the Documents

Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, 1891

(Of New Things)

 Context: Industrial Revolution leads to exploiting workers.

 Message:

 First comprehensive document of social justice.

 Defends workers’ rights based on natural law.

 Rights include work, private property, just wage, workers’ associations.

Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 1931

(The Fortieth Year)

 Context: Fortieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum; Great Depression underway; dictatorships

growing in Europe.

 Message:

 States need to reform greedy capitalist systems to which they have become slaves.

 Communism dangerous because condones violence and abolishes private property.

 Labor and capital need each other.

 Workers need just wage to acquire private property.

 International economic cooperation urged.

 Principle of “subsidiarity” introduced.

John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961

(Mother and Teacher)

 Context: Science and technology advance in developed nations, while millions live in poverty in
Third World.

 Message:

 Disparity between rich and poor nations must be addressed.

 Arms race contributes to poverty.

 Economic imbalances cause threat to peace.

  Rich nations must help poor ones while respecting culture.

 Nations are interdependent and need to cooperate.

 Catholics should know social teaching and be active.

John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 1963

(Peace on Earth)

 Context: Cold War, erection of Berlin Wall (1961), Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).

 Message:

 Peace ensured through social rights and responsibilities-- between people; between
citizens and public authorities; between states; among nations.

 World needs to recognize rights of women.

 Arms race goes against justice, reason and human dignity.

 United Nations needs to be strengthened

Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes, 1965

(Church in the Modern World)

 Context: Continuing Cold War and arms race.

 Message:

 Church is not separate from the world, but intimately intertwined with it.

 Assesses the rapid cultural changes and technological advances in the light of the
Gospel.

 Overall warm and optimistic tone, but reflects pastoral concern for faith, family,
transcendent destiny of man.

Paul VI, Octogesima Adveniens, 1971

(The Coming Eightieth Year)

 Context: World verging on recession. In U.S., see civil rights and women’s movements, Vietnam
war protests.

 Message:

 Urbanization has presented problems, especially the “new poor” – cities’ elderly,
handicapped and marginalized.

 Discrimination continues based on race, color, sex, religion.

 Christians called to engage political process to address injustices, applying gospel

principles.

Synod of Bishops, Justice in the World, 1971

  Context: Political upheavals of 60’s. Increased focus on “liberation” especially in Latin America.

 Message:

 Structural injustices and oppression must be met by liberation rooted in justice. God is
“liberator of the oppressed.”

 Church must speak on behalf of the oppressed, be a witness for justice.

Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975

(On Evangelization in the Modern World)

 Context: Rising atheistic secularism, consumerism, growing consciousness of evil of oppression.

 Message:

 Evangelization crucial in a de-Christianized world.

 Witness of evangelization should permeate judgment, values, interests, thought,

lifestyle.

 Evangelization includes challenging injustice and preaching liberation.

John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 1981

(On Human Work)

 Context: Great numbers of people are unemployed, migrant workers exploited. Both capitalist
and communist systems exploiting the worker.

 Message:

 Work is part of man’s vocation and dignity, participation in God’s creative work. Has
spiritual dimension.

 Decent wages, rights and benefits of worker must be assured.

 Work must serve the family, with special consideration for working mothers.

 Steps must be taken to assure that disabled can participate in dignity of work.

U.S. Bishops, Economic Justice for All, 1986

 Context: In U.S., 33 million poor, 20-30 million needy, 8 million unemployed.

 Message:

 Inequalities of income, consumption, privilege and power should be examined.

 The poor should have most urgent claim on conscience of nation.

 Employment policy, tax and welfare systems, farm support, role of U.S. in world trade
should be examined.

 Church must model justice in wages, management and investment.

John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987
(On Social Concern)

 Context: World economy in flux – debt, unemployment and recession hitting both rich and poor
nations.

 Message:

 Critiques economic gap between northern and southern hemispheres and global debt.
Should be one united world.

 East-West tensions and competition block world cooperation and solidarity.

 Critiques consumerism and waste, as well as international trade practices that hurt
developing nations.

John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 1991

(The Hundredth Year)

 Context: 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum. Collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

 Message:

 Critiques fundamental error of communism – atheistic view of humanity.

 Gives qualified support to free market as most efficient system for utilizing resources
and responding to needs. Free market also recognizes freedom of human person.

 Warns against consumerism, as well as making capitalist system an all-encompassing

ideology.

John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 1995

(The Gospel of Life)

 Context: Prevalence of “culture of death” – abortion, euthanasia, death penalty.

 Message:

 Gives overview of threats to human life both past and present, and brief history of the
many Biblical prohibitions against killing.

 Speaks out against abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty.

 Calls for a “culture of life” embracing truth, life and love.

Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 2005

(God is Love)

 Context: First Encyclical of Benedict XVI. Comes in the midst of a culture of relativism.

 Message:

 Encyclical divided into two parts:

  Part One: Explains the true meaning of love and shows how human love is raised
up, not destroyed, by divine love.

 Part Two: Affirms the Church’s irreplaceable vocation to carry the charity of
Christ into a world in need.

Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 2009

(Charity in Truth)

 Context: Worldwide economic crisis centered on weakness in financial institutions and the
collapse of the housing market.

 Message:

 True human development requires charity lived out in truth, including respect for the
common good, religious freedom, and the sanctity of human life. Only an economy of
communion, a business ethic centered in persons and not in profit, will be a sufficient
response to the present economic and financial crisis.

Module 2: THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL MISSION

Module 2: THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL MISSION

Welcome to Module 2 !
In this module, we will try to understand the meaning and mission of the
Church as well as the purposes and historical development of the Social Teachings of
the Church. It is a sad fact that many Catholics are not familiar with the basic content
of Catholic social teaching, and they do not adequately understand that the social
mission of the Church is an essential part of Catholic faith. Hopefully, this lesson will
help deepen our Christian faith as Augustinians.
 
Module 2: Learning Objectives
At the end of the module, the students shall be able to:
1. manifest clear knowledge and understanding that the Social Teachings of the
Church is the Church’s social mission.
2. recognize the Church’s efforts in helping the people in times of crisis.
3. make a prayer to show support to the church's social mission
Module 2: Course Content: THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL MISSION
 Topic 1: Meaning of the Church
We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus who pushes back the horizons of our hopes and
invited the brave to follow Him. Amen.
 Activity 1a: Reflect and share (Synchronous) 10-15 mins
Instructions:

1. Draw an object that symbolizes your idea of the "Church". Explain briefly how that
objects represents the Church
2. Share your drawing and explanation in our discussion board. You will get 10pts. for this
task.
 Activity 1b: Video clip presentation: 10-20 mins
Activity 1c: Lecture Presentation: Meaning of the Church(Synchronous) 30-40 mins

Topic 2: Mission of the Church

Activity 2a. Video clip presentation (Synchronous) 10-15 mins.
 Activity 2b: Analysis 10-15 mins.
What does the Catholic Church in Singapore do?
Why are they doing these? Write your answer in our discussion board.
 Activity 2c: Lecture Presentation: 40-50 mins.
 
Topic 3: Historical Development of the Social Teachings of the Church
Topic 3: Historical Development of the Social Teachings of the Church 
Activity 4a: Video clip presentation: 10-15 mins.
Matthew 25: 40 & 45
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least
brothers of mine, you did for me…. What you did not do for one
of these least ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off
to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life”.
 
Activity 4b: Assessment Tasks: 
A. Assignment: to be done offline but to be submitted on or before Friday
for individual presentation.
Instruction:
Our assignment task is inspired by Vatican Council II Gaudium et Spes #1.
“The joys and hopes, the griefs and
the anxieties of the men of this age,
especially those who are poor or in
any way afflicted, these are the joys
and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of
the followers of Christ”.

Look for video clips about the Church’s efforts in helping people in times of crisis,
especially during this time of covid 19 pandemics. (Offline)
(For non connectivity students)
Look for news clips about the Church’s efforts in helping people in times of crisis.
Make a collage of these clips.

B. Prayer writing (CO3) Make a personal prayer showing your support to the church’s
social mission.

Question 1
 STC are ordinarily expressed in the form of Encyclicals.
Question 2
 A source of STC contained in the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition as faithfully
interpreted and transmitted by the Church’s Magisterium
Question 3
 7 Themes of the STC.
Question 5
 STC is given by the living Magisterium of the Church that means by the Pope and Bishops
speaking in the name of the mission and the power of teaching entrusted by Christ to the
apostles and their successors.
Question 6
 A premier academic community of life-long learners working with one mind and one heart to
search for, discover and share the Truth for the promotion of authentic human and societal
development.
Question 7
 Elements of the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church
Question 8
 Source of STC which is inscribed by the Creator in man’s very being as understood by his
intelligence.
Question 9
 An Encyclical is a letter addressed by the Pope to all bishops only.
Question 10
Characteristics of STC
Question 11
 A transformative community builder oriented towards God, a restless critical and creative
thinker, a social communicator of the Truth
Question 12
 _____ is the application of the Word of God to people’s lives and society, offering principles for
reflection, criteria for judgment and directives for action
Question 13
 The University of San Agustin is an Augustinian, Catholic and Filipino educational institution
that aims to form the members of its academic community in Virtus et Scientia to serve Western
Visayas, the Philippines and the world.
Question 14
 STC is a systematized body of moral teachings on political and economic issues communicated
through the ordinary Magisterium of the Church.
Question 15
 STC is applied to the social problems of our time; a light given by the Church in order to help
peoples to organize a more humane society in accordance with God’s plan for the world.

Module 3 : THE THE HUMAN PERSON

Module 3 : THE THE HUMAN PERSON

Opening Prayer: As we start with our module 3, let us pray

Psalm 8: 1-10 (New American Bible)

O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! You
have exalted your majesty above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babies and sucklings you have fashioned praise
because of your foes, to silence the hostile and the vengeful.
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and
the stars which you set in place - What is man that you should be
mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him?
You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with
glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet: all sheep and oxen, yes, and the
beasts
f the field, the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever
swims the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your
name over all the earth!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was
in
the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen!

Welcome to Module 3!

In this module, we will study the most important character in the course of the
Social Teachings of the Church, the very important creature and masterpiece of
God, the Human Person. This topic was already taken up in our Moral Theology.
In this module, we will focus only on the dignity of the human person based in his
nature as a social being and human rights and responsibilities.

Module 3: Learning Objectives

At the end of the module, the students shall be able to:
1. demonstrate clear understanding of the teachings of the Church about the
human person.
2. make a critical reflection on issues in the society affecting the dignity of the
human person.
3. create a presentation showing the ways to respect and protect the dignity of the
human person.

THE HUMAN PERSON- Human dignity

• Values:

respect of the human person and his human dignity

Persons In Christ:

• For Christians, the answer can only be grounded in Jesus Christ himself. In Christ and through
Christ, we have acquired full awareness of our dignity, of the heights to which we are raised, of
the surpassing worth of our humanity, and of the meaning of our existence”. “For by his
incarnation, the Son of God has united himself in some fashion with every person”

• Christ reveals how the essential dignity of all persons is grounded directly on their origin,
meaning and destiny.

The Nature of the Human Person (CFC 682-92)

• All human rights, personal and social, all moral duties and responsibilities, all virtues and moral
character—all depend directly on the answers we give to the questions:

• *Who am I as a person in the community?

• *As a disciple of Jesus Christ, in his Church?

 • Christian moral life is simply the call to become loving persons, in the fullness of life-with –
others-in-community before God, in imitation of Jesus Christ. The key to moral life is the human
person, considered in the light of both reason and faith.

We believe all persons are: fundamental truths

• *Created by God in His image and likeness;

• *Redeemed by the blood of Christ,

• *Sanctified by the indwelling Holy Spirit,

• *Called to be children of God

• *Destined for eternal life. (CFC685)

NATURE OF HUMAN PERSON

• 1. OPEN AND RELATIONAL

• 2. CONSCIOUS BEING

• 3. EMBODIED SPIRIT

• 4. HISTORICAL

• 5. UNIQUE YET FUNDAMENTALLY EQUAL

• The person is placed in the world with others. We need the world (family, country) in order to
live, to eat, and to be clothed, to shelter.

• No man is an island; we grow into our full selves as persons only in relating to others. To be a
human person is to be directed toward others. We realize being a person means: THE BS’

• ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of your brethren, you do it unto me. .’

• This is how God created us – as social beings.

• This is how we have been redeemed by Christ – as a people

• This is how the Holy Spirit works not only within but among us as the people of God journeying
toward our common destiny in God.

1. Open and relational

• being by others ( our conception, birth, upbringing),

• being with others ( our family, friends, neighbors, etc.)

• being for others (love and service)

3. Conscious beings

*Why do animals don’t laugh?

 *Who has the capacity to love?

3. Embodied spirit

• All our relationships with others and with God are expressed through our bodies, which are the
“natural sacrament” of our spiritual depth.

• Man is open to Transcendence – because of man’s spiritual reality, man is open to the Infinite
(God) and to all created things.

• Openness to God: With his intellect and will, man raises himself above all the created order and
above himself, he becomes independent from creatures, is free in relation to created things and
tends towards Total Truth and the Absolute Good. (CSDC # 130)

4. Historical

• Every person has a personal, individual history from birth to death.

5. Unique yet fundamentally equal

• In all men, there is a common, universal reality, human nature-“our common humanity”.

(Yet each of us is called to “image” God in a unique way- no one can “take our place,” as it were. Each
one has his own individuality. Each one of us is a unique reality, singular, distinct from one another.)

• The fundamental equality of all individual persons also grounds the participation and
solidarity/ unity of all the peoples.

• In all men, there is a common, universal reality, human nature-“our common humanity”.

• Despite physical differences as well as differing intellectual and moral powers, we instinctively
realize that as persons, in some basic way, we are all equal. This is what our Faith explains: “All
men are endowed with a rational soul and are created in God’s image; they have the same
nature and origin and, being redeemed by Christ, they enjoy the same divine calling and destiny,
there is a basic equality between all men” (GS 29).

• Yet each of us is called to “image” God in a unique way- no one can “take our place,” as it were.
Each one has his own individuality. Each one of us is a unique reality, singular, distinct from one
another.

• To each of us Christ says: “Fear not. For I have called you by your name and you were mine” (Is
43:1).

• We are all equal; we recognize the unique identity of each person despite of our color, race,
culture, beliefs, and status in life. etc.

• The fundamental equality of all individual persons also grounds the participation and solidarity/
unity of all the peoples.
 • “Since God the Father is the origin and purpose of all people, we are all called to be
brothers/sisters. Therefore, if we have been summoned by the same destiny, which is both
human and divine, we can and should work together to build up the world in genuine peace”
(GS 92).

Module 4: The Family

Module 4: THE FAMILY
 
 
Prayer to St. Joseph for our Family
Joseph, strengthen in our family, every bond of love which
unites us, the marriage bond, the love of parent and child,
the bonds of mutual love between all.
Joseph, protect our family from every danger from without
and from every threat to peace, unity and harmony within.
Joseph, teach us to be kind and loving towards one another,
careful for one another, tolerant of one another, forgiving
towards on another.
Joseph, may contentment with our lot and joy in each other
abound in our house, as we seek faithfully to serve
and greatly to love God.
Joseph, be you yourself, a father towards the family of ours
and pray Mary, be a mother to us.
Amen.

Module 4: Overview

Welcome to Module 4: Family

Hello Augustinians! Welcome to our Augustinian Formation class.
In this module, we will try to reflect on the topic of the Family and how God manifests
his love to the union of man and woman bounded in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
The module is composed of three topics and varied activities are required for you to
participate as our formative and summative assessments. At the end of the every topic
in the module, you will submit a written reflection.

Module 4: Learning Objectives

By the end of the module, students will be able to:
● explain the importance and role of the family in the society;
● write a commentary on the existing legislative bills that threatens the Filipino families;
● compose a prayer for the well-being of your family
Overview of a Family: (5-10 minutes)
A family is a composition of a man and a woman united together in
love in the sacrament of matrimony. They are to be open to life by their
offspring and they are to provide for the welfare of their children. It a
small and basic unit in society.

Module 4 – Activity 1b: Bible reading (5 minutes)

Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be
registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor
of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town
of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was
descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to
whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. And she gave birth to her
firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because
there was no place for them in the inn.

Module 4 – Activity 1c: Share an example (5-10 minutes)

Instructions: Sharing (5 points)

● Think about your family, post your experience about your family.
● Briefly share your experience in our discussion board.
 
Module 4 – Activity 1d: Exposition (35 minutes).
● The conjugal family is established upon the consent of the spouses. Marriage and the
family are ordered for the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of
children. The love of the spouses and the begetting of children create among members of
the same family personal relationships and primordial responsibilities. (CCC2201).
● The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial
communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church.
(CCC2204).
● The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural society in which husband
and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life. Authority, stability
and a life of relationships within the family constitutes the foundation for freedom,
security and fraternity within society. The family is the community in which, from
childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honor God and make good use of
freedom. Family life is an initiation into life in society (CCC 2207).
● The family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take
responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and the poor. There are
many families who at times incapable of providing this help. It devolves then on other
persons, other families and, in a subsidiary way, society to provide for their needs:
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans
and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (CCC
2208).
● The importance of the family for the life and well-being of society (GS 47) entails a
particular responsibility for society to support and strengthen marriage and family. Civil
authority should consider it a grave duty “to acknowledge the true nature of marriage
and the family, to protect and foster them, to safeguard public morality and promote
domestic prosperity (CCC 2210).
 
Overview:
The Church was commissioned by the Lord to preach the Good News to all people in
order to form them to be Christ-like. It includes all kinds of institution and most
importantly, the family.

Module 4 – Activity 2b:Saint John Paul II Letter to Families (1994)

The family in the modern world has been beset by many profound and rapid changes
that have affected society and culture. Many families are living this situation in fidelity to
those values that constitute the foundation of the institution of the family. Others have
become uncertain and bewildered over their role or even doubtful and almost unaware
of the ultimate meaning of truth of conjugal and family life.
The family constitute one of the most precious of human values, the Church wishes to
speak and offer her help to those who are already aware of the value of marriage and
the family and seek to live it faithfully, to those who are uncertain and anxious and
searching for the truth, and those who are unjustly impeded from living freely their family
lives. Supporting the first, illuminating the second and assisting others for her services
to every person who wonders about the destiny of marriage and the family.

Module 4 – Activity 2c: Sharing (5 points)

Share an experience by posting three or six sentences on our discussion board related
to the Church‟s effort in forming the family. (10 minutes).

Module 4 – Activity 2d: Exposition

● Pope John Paul II in 1981 issued an Apostolic Exhortation that directly is focused on
the family.
● The family is viewed as the communion of love between God and people, a
fundamental part of Revelation and faith experience of Israel, finds a meaningful
expression in the marriage covenant which is established between a man and a woman.
● For this reason the central word of Revelation, “God loves his people,” is likewise
proclaimed through the living and concrete word whereby a man and a woman express
their conjugal love. Their bond of love becomes the image and the symbol of the
covenant which unitesGod and His people. And the same sin which can harm the
people to their God: idolatry is prostitution, infidelity is adultery, disobedience to the
lawis abandonment of the spousal love of the Lord. But the infidelity of Israeldoes not
destroy the eternal fidelity of the Lord, and therefore the ever faithful love of God is put
forward as the model of the faithful love whichshould exist between spouses. (Familiaris
Consortio #12)
● The great value of marriage and family and their deepest meaning, the Church once
again feels the pressing need to proclaim the Gospel, that isthe “Good News”, to all
people without exception, in particular to all thosewho are called to marriage. The
Church ought to apply herself to understanding the situations within which marriage and
the family are livedtoday, in order to fulfill her task of serving. (Familiaris Consortio #3).
● The families of our times is that the Church must bring the unchangeable and ever
new Gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it is the families involved inthe present conditions of
the world that are called to accept and to live the plan of God that pertains to them. The
call and demand of the spirit resoundin every events of history, and so the Church can
also be guided to a mere profound understanding of the inexhaustible mystery of
marriage and thefamily by the circumstances, the question and the anxieties and hopes
of theyoung people, married couples and parents of today. (Familiaris Consortio #4).
● According to the plan of God, marriage is the foundation of the wider community of
the family, since the very institution of marriage and conjugal love are ordained to the
proclamation and education of children.
● Love is essentially a gift; and conjugal love, while leading the spouses to the
reciprocal “knowledge” which makes them “one flesh” does not end with the couple,
because it makes capable of the greatest possible gift, the bywhich they become
cooperators with God for giving life to a new humanperson. Thus the couple, while
giving themselves to one another, give not just themselves but also the reality of
children, who are living reflection oftheir love, a permanent sign of conjugal unity and a
living and inseparable synthesis of their being a father and a mother.When they become
parents, spouses receive from God the gift of a new responsibility. Their parental love is
called to become for the children the visible sign of the very love of God, “from whom
every family in heavenand on earth is named. (Familiaris Consortio #14).
● In Matrimony and in the family a complex of interpersonal relationship is set up-
married life, fatherhood and motherhood, filiation and fraternity-through which each
human-person is introduced into the “family family” and into the “family of God” which is
the Church.
● Christian marriage and the Christian family build up the Church: for in the family the
human person is not only brought into being and progressively introduced by means of
education into the human community, but by means of the rebirth of baptism and
education in the faith the child is also introduced into God‟s family, which is the Church.
● The human family, disunited by sin, is reconstituted in its unity by the redemptive
power of the death and Resurrection of Christ. Christian marriage, by participating in the
salvific efficacy of this event, constitutes the natural setting in which the human person
is introduced into the great family of the Church.
● The Church, thus finds in the family, born from the sacrament, the cradle and the
setting in which she enter the human generations, and where these in their turn can
enter the Church. (Familiaris Consortio #15).
 
Module 4 – Activity 2f: Final Exposition
Christ mandated the Church to go out throughout the world to all people regardless of
race to preach the Good News. As its primordial responsibility, to form the family is one
of its primary mission is for her to guide, to form that ultimately will lead it to the kingdom
of God.
Module 2: THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL MISSION
Module 2: THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL MISSION

Welcome to Module 2 !
In this module, we will try to understand the meaning and mission of the
Church as well as the purposes and historical development of the Social Teachings of
the Church. It is a sad fact that many Catholics are not familiar with the basic content
of Catholic social teaching, and they do not adequately understand that the social
mission of the Church is an essential part of Catholic faith. Hopefully, this lesson will
help deepen our Christian faith as Augustinians.
 
Module 2: Learning Objectives
At the end of the module, the students shall be able to:
1. manifest clear knowledge and understanding that the Social Teachings of the
Church is the Church’s social mission.
2. recognize the Church’s efforts in helping the people in times of crisis.
3. make a prayer to show support to the church's social mission
Module 2: Course Content: THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL MISSION

Topic 1: Meaning of the Church

We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus who pushes back the horizons of our hopes and
invited the brave to follow Him. Amen.
 Activity 1a: Reflect and share (Synchronous) 10-15 mins
Instructions:
1. Draw an object that symbolizes your idea of the "Church". Explain briefly how that
objects represents the Church
2. Share your drawing and explanation in our discussion board. You will get 10pts. for this
task.
 Activity 1b: Video clip presentation: 10-20 mins
Activity 1c: Lecture Presentation: Meaning of the Church(Synchronous) 30-40 mins

Topic 2: Mission of the Church

Activity 2a. Video clip presentation (Synchronous) 10-15 mins.
 Activity 2b: Analysis 10-15 mins.
What does the Catholic Church in Singapore do?
Why are they doing these? Write your answer in our discussion board.
 Activity 2c: Lecture Presentation: 40-50 mins.
 
Topic 3: Historical Development of the Social Teachings of the Church
Topic 3: Historical Development of the Social Teachings of the Church 
Activity 4a: Video clip presentation: 10-15 mins.
Matthew 25: 40 & 45
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least
brothers of mine, you did for me…. What you did not do for one
of these least ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off
to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life”.
 
Activity 4b: Assessment Tasks: 
A. Assignment: to be done offline but to be submitted on or before Friday
for individual presentation.
Instruction:
Our assignment task is inspired by Vatican Council II Gaudium et Spes #1.
“The joys and hopes, the griefs and
the anxieties of the men of this age,
especially those who are poor or in
any way afflicted, these are the joys
and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of
the followers of Christ”.
Look for video clips about the Church’s efforts in helping people in times of crisis,
especially during this time of covid 19 pandemics. (Offline)
(For non connectivity students)
Look for news clips about the Church’s efforts in helping people in times of crisis.
Make a collage of these clips.

B. Prayer writing (CO3) Make a personal prayer showing your support to the church’s
social mission.

Question 1
 STC are ordinarily expressed in the form of Encyclicals.
Question 2
 A source of STC contained in the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition as faithfully
interpreted and transmitted by the Church’s Magisterium
Question 3
 7 Themes of the STC.
Question 5
 STC is given by the living Magisterium of the Church that means by the Pope and Bishops
speaking in the name of the mission and the power of teaching entrusted by Christ to the
apostles and their successors.
Question 6
 A premier academic community of life-long learners working with one mind and one heart to
search for, discover and share the Truth for the promotion of authentic human and societal
development.
Question 7
 Elements of the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church
Question 8
 Source of STC which is inscribed by the Creator in man’s very being as understood by his
intelligence.
Question 9
 An Encyclical is a letter addressed by the Pope to all bishops only.
Question 10
Characteristics of STC
Question 11
 A transformative community builder oriented towards God, a restless critical and creative
thinker, a social communicator of the Truth
Question 12
 _____ is the application of the Word of God to people’s lives and society, offering principles for
reflection, criteria for judgment and directives for action
Question 13
 The University of San Agustin is an Augustinian, Catholic and Filipino educational institution
that aims to form the members of its academic community in Virtus et Scientia to serve Western
Visayas, the Philippines and the world.
Question 14
 STC is a systematized body of moral teachings on political and economic issues communicated
through the ordinary Magisterium of the Church.
Question 15
 STC is applied to the social problems of our time; a light given by the Church in order to help
peoples to organize a more humane society in accordance with God’s plan for the world.

Module 3 : THE THE HUMAN PERSON

Module 3 : THE THE HUMAN PERSON

Opening Prayer: As we start with our module 3, let us pray

Psalm 8: 1-10 (New American Bible)

O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! You
have exalted your majesty above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babies and sucklings you have fashioned praise
because of your foes, to silence the hostile and the vengeful.
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and
the stars which you set in place - What is man that you should be
mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him?
You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with
glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet: all sheep and oxen, yes, and the
beasts
f the field, the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever
swims the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your
name over all the earth!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was
in
the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen!

Welcome to Module 3!

In this module, we will study the most important character in the course of the
Social Teachings of the Church, the very important creature and masterpiece of
God, the Human Person. This topic was already taken up in our Moral Theology.
In this module, we will focus only on the dignity of the human person based in his
nature as a social being and human rights and responsibilities.

Module 3: Learning Objectives

At the end of the module, the students shall be able to:
1. demonstrate clear understanding of the teachings of the Church about the
human person.
2. make a critical reflection on issues in the society affecting the dignity of the
human person.
3. create a presentation showing the ways to respect and protect the dignity of the
human person.

Module 4: The Family

Module 4: THE FAMILY
 
 
Prayer to St. Joseph for our Family
Joseph, strengthen in our family, every bond of love which
unites us, the marriage bond, the love of parent and child,
the bonds of mutual love between all.
Joseph, protect our family from every danger from without
and from every threat to peace, unity and harmony within.
Joseph, teach us to be kind and loving towards one another,
careful for one another, tolerant of one another, forgiving
towards on another.
Joseph, may contentment with our lot and joy in each other
abound in our house, as we seek faithfully to serve
and greatly to love God.
Joseph, be you yourself, a father towards the family of ours
and pray Mary, be a mother to us.
Amen.

Module 4: Overview

Welcome to Module 4: Family

Hello Augustinians! Welcome to our Augustinian Formation class.
In this module, we will try to reflect on the topic of the Family and how God manifests
his love to the union of man and woman bounded in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
The module is composed of three topics and varied activities are required for you to
participate as our formative and summative assessments. At the end of the every topic
in the module, you will submit a written reflection.

Module 4: Learning Objectives

By the end of the module, students will be able to:
● explain the importance and role of the family in the society;
● write a commentary on the existing legislative bills that threatens the Filipino families;
● compose a prayer for the well-being of your family

Overview of a Family: (5-10 minutes)

A family is a composition of a man and a woman united together in
love in the sacrament of matrimony. They are to be open to life by their
offspring and they are to provide for the welfare of their children. It a
small and basic unit in society.

Module 4 – Activity 1b: Bible reading (5 minutes)

Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be
registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor
of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town
of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was
descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to
whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. And she gave birth to her
firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because
there was no place for them in the inn.

Module 4 – Activity 1c: Share an example (5-10 minutes)

Instructions: Sharing (5 points)

● Think about your family, post your experience about your family.
● Briefly share your experience in our discussion board.
 
Module 4 – Activity 1d: Exposition (35 minutes).
● The conjugal family is established upon the consent of the spouses. Marriage and the
family are ordered for the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of
children. The love of the spouses and the begetting of children create among members of
the same family personal relationships and primordial responsibilities. (CCC2201).
● The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial
communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church.
(CCC2204).
● The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural society in which husband
and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life. Authority, stability
and a life of relationships within the family constitutes the foundation for freedom,
security and fraternity within society. The family is the community in which, from
childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honor God and make good use of
freedom. Family life is an initiation into life in society (CCC 2207).
● The family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take
responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and the poor. There are
many families who at times incapable of providing this help. It devolves then on other
persons, other families and, in a subsidiary way, society to provide for their needs:
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans
and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (CCC
2208).
● The importance of the family for the life and well-being of society (GS 47) entails a
particular responsibility for society to support and strengthen marriage and family. Civil
authority should consider it a grave duty “to acknowledge the true nature of marriage
and the family, to protect and foster them, to safeguard public morality and promote
domestic prosperity (CCC 2210).
 
Overview:
The Church was commissioned by the Lord to preach the Good News to all people in
order to form them to be Christ-like. It includes all kinds of institution and most
importantly, the family.

Module 4 – Activity 2b:Saint John Paul II Letter to Families (1994)

The family in the modern world has been beset by many profound and rapid changes
that have affected society and culture. Many families are living this situation in fidelity to
those values that constitute the foundation of the institution of the family. Others have
become uncertain and bewildered over their role or even doubtful and almost unaware
of the ultimate meaning of truth of conjugal and family life.
The family constitute one of the most precious of human values, the Church wishes to
speak and offer her help to those who are already aware of the value of marriage and
the family and seek to live it faithfully, to those who are uncertain and anxious and
searching for the truth, and those who are unjustly impeded from living freely their family
lives. Supporting the first, illuminating the second and assisting others for her services
to every person who wonders about the destiny of marriage and the family.

Module 4 – Activity 2c: Sharing (5 points)

Share an experience by posting three or six sentences on our discussion board related
to the Church‟s effort in forming the family. (10 minutes).

Module 4 – Activity 2d: Exposition

● Pope John Paul II in 1981 issued an Apostolic Exhortation that directly is focused on
the family.
● The family is viewed as the communion of love between God and people, a
fundamental part of Revelation and faith experience of Israel, finds a meaningful
expression in the marriage covenant which is established between a man and a woman.
● For this reason the central word of Revelation, “God loves his people,” is likewise
proclaimed through the living and concrete word whereby a man and a woman express
their conjugal love. Their bond of love becomes the image and the symbol of the
covenant which unitesGod and His people. And the same sin which can harm the
people to their God: idolatry is prostitution, infidelity is adultery, disobedience to the
lawis abandonment of the spousal love of the Lord. But the infidelity of Israeldoes not
destroy the eternal fidelity of the Lord, and therefore the ever faithful love of God is put
forward as the model of the faithful love whichshould exist between spouses. (Familiaris
Consortio #12)
● The great value of marriage and family and their deepest meaning, the Church once
again feels the pressing need to proclaim the Gospel, that isthe “Good News”, to all
people without exception, in particular to all thosewho are called to marriage. The
Church ought to apply herself to understanding the situations within which marriage and
the family are livedtoday, in order to fulfill her task of serving. (Familiaris Consortio #3).
● The families of our times is that the Church must bring the unchangeable and ever
new Gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it is the families involved inthe present conditions of
the world that are called to accept and to live the plan of God that pertains to them. The
call and demand of the spirit resoundin every events of history, and so the Church can
also be guided to a mere profound understanding of the inexhaustible mystery of
marriage and thefamily by the circumstances, the question and the anxieties and hopes
of theyoung people, married couples and parents of today. (Familiaris Consortio #4).
● According to the plan of God, marriage is the foundation of the wider community of
the family, since the very institution of marriage and conjugal love are ordained to the
proclamation and education of children.
● Love is essentially a gift; and conjugal love, while leading the spouses to the
reciprocal “knowledge” which makes them “one flesh” does not end with the couple,
because it makes capable of the greatest possible gift, the bywhich they become
cooperators with God for giving life to a new humanperson. Thus the couple, while
giving themselves to one another, give not just themselves but also the reality of
children, who are living reflection oftheir love, a permanent sign of conjugal unity and a
living and inseparable synthesis of their being a father and a mother.When they become
parents, spouses receive from God the gift of a new responsibility. Their parental love is
called to become for the children the visible sign of the very love of God, “from whom
every family in heavenand on earth is named. (Familiaris Consortio #14).
● In Matrimony and in the family a complex of interpersonal relationship is set up-
married life, fatherhood and motherhood, filiation and fraternity-through which each
human-person is introduced into the “family family” and into the “family of God” which is
the Church.
● Christian marriage and the Christian family build up the Church: for in the family the
human person is not only brought into being and progressively introduced by means of
education into the human community, but by means of the rebirth of baptism and
education in the faith the child is also introduced into God‟s family, which is the Church.
● The human family, disunited by sin, is reconstituted in its unity by the redemptive
power of the death and Resurrection of Christ. Christian marriage, by participating in the
salvific efficacy of this event, constitutes the natural setting in which the human person
is introduced into the great family of the Church.
● The Church, thus finds in the family, born from the sacrament, the cradle and the
setting in which she enter the human generations, and where these in their turn can
enter the Church. (Familiaris Consortio #15).
 
Module 4 – Activity 2f: Final Exposition
Christ mandated the Church to go out throughout the world to all people regardless of
race to preach the Good News. As its primordial responsibility, to form the family is one
of its primary mission is for her to guide, to form that ultimately will lead it to the kingdom
of God.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE

Origin of marriage.
 God instituted marriage
“ And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him an help meet for
him” Genesis 2:8.
 Since marriage was instituted by the unchanging God, His plan, pattern and purpose for it has not
changed.
What is Marriage?
 a union between a single man and a single woman
 An adult decision
 Has parental consent

God’s Purpose for Marriage:

 Partnership
 Procreation
 Pleasure
 Purity
  Protection
 ● Pope John Paul II in 1981 issued an Apostolic Exhortation that directly is focused on the
family.
● The family is viewed as the communion of love between God and people, a fundamental part of
Revelation and faith experience of Israel, finds a meaningful expression in the marriage covenant
which is established between a man and a woman.
● For this reason the central word of Revelation, “God loves his people,” is likewise proclaimed
through the living and concrete word whereby a man and a woman express their conjugal love.
Their bond of love becomes the image and the symbol of the covenant which unites God and His
people. And the same sin which can harm the people to their God: idolatry is prostitution,
infidelity is adultery, disobedience to the law is abandonment of the spousal love of the Lord. But
the infidelity of Israel does not destroy the eternal fidelity of the Lord, and therefore the ever
faithful love of God is put forward as the model of the faithful love which should exist between
spouses. (Familiaris Consortio #12)
 ● The great value of marriage and family and their deepest meaning, the Church once again feels
the pressing need to proclaim the Gospel, that isthe “Good News”, to all people without
exception, in particular to all thosewho are called to marriage. The Church ought to apply herself
to understanding the situations within which marriage and the family are livedtoday, in order to
fulfill her task of serving. (Familiaris Consortio #3).
● The families of our times is that the Church must bring the unchangeable and ever new Gospel
of Jesus Christ, just as it is the families involved inthe present conditions of the world that are
called to accept and to live the plan of God that pertains to them. The call and demand of the
spirit resoundin every events of history, and so the Church can also be guided to a mere profound
understanding of the inexhaustible mystery of marriage and thefamily by the circumstances, the
question and the anxieties and hopes of theyoung people, married couples and parents of today.
(Familiaris Consortio #4).
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
 ● According to the plan of God, marriage is the foundation of the wider community of the family,
since the very institution of marriage and conjugal love are ordained to the proclamation and
education of children.

● Love is essentially a gift; and conjugal love, while leading the spouses to the reciprocal
“knowledge” which makes them “one flesh” does not end with the couple, because it makes
capable of the greatest possible gift, the by which they become cooperators with God for giving
life to a new human person. Thus the couple, while giving themselves to one another, give not
just themselves but also the reality of children, who are living reflection of their love, a
permanent sign of conjugal unity and a living and inseparable synthesis of their being a father and
a mother. When they become parents, spouses receive from God the gift of a new responsibility.
Their parental love is called to become for the children the visible sign of the very love of God,
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. (Familiaris Consortio #14).
 ● In Matrimony and in the family a complex of interpersonal relationship is set up-married life,
fatherhood and motherhood, filiation and fraternity-through which each human-person is
introduced into the “family family” and into the “family of God” which is the Church.
 ● Christian marriage and the Christian family build up the Church: for in the family the human
person is not only brought into being and progressively introduced by means of education into the
 human community, but by means of the rebirth of baptism and education in the faith the child is
also introduced into God‟s family, which is the Church.
 ● The human family, disunited by sin, is reconstituted in its unity by the redemptive power of the
death and Resurrection of Christ. Christian marriage, by participating in the salvific efficacy of
this event, constitutes the natural setting in which the human person is introduced into the great
family of the Church.
● The Church, thus finds in the family, born from the sacrament, the cradle and the setting in
which she enter the human generations, and where these in their turn can enter the Church.
(Familiaris Consortio #15).
Role Of Youth In The Family
 Mutual love for parents and siblings
 Obedience to parents and following godly instructions
 Commitment to and involvement in the family devotion.
 Openness and sincerity
 Avoid third-party influence (ungodly relationships)that separates from the family
 Avoid comparison with others
 Stay within the godly boundary you are given.
Perversion/ Wrong Concept Of Marriage
 Online dating/ boyfriend and girlfriend relationships
 Sex before marriage
 Living together without marriage commitment/cohabitation agreement
 Divorce
 Same -sex marriage
Preparation for a Fitting (Godly) Marriage
 Be sure of your faith in Christ
 Define your values based on God’s word and stick to it.
 Avoid unequal yoke, ungodly counsels.
 Expose yourself to godly teachings about marriage and family life.
 Keep yourself pure.
 Make yourself marriageable: develop yourself.
 Trust in the Lord and commit your way into His hand, even marriage.
 A marriage and family that will last MUST be built on God through faith in Jesus Christ
(Heb.3:4)