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A New

Language
Study Series on
John Paul II’s
Theology of the
Prepared by

Women Affirming Life, Inc.,


Imago Dei, Inc.

and

Mary Shivanandan, S.T.D.,


Professor, John Paul II Institute for Studies
on Marriage and Family,
Catholic University of America
What is the “theology of
the body”?
The "theology of the
body" is a series of
Scriptural reflections
on the meaning of
human love and
sexuality developed
by Pope John Paul II
in a series of 130
homilies.
Why is it
called the
“theology of
the body”?
John Paul II
called these
reflections the
“theology of the
body” because in
some way, the
body itself
reveals the
mystery of God
the one-flesh
union of man
and woman
images divine
Trinitarian
communion.
How does the
“theology of the
body” help us
understand the
Christian
meaning of
marriage and
sexuality?
It helps us reclaim
the Christian
understanding of
sexuality and the
human person as
GIFT in order to
show us the true
meaning of human
love and life and….
. …it offers a
model for self-
giving love and
true happiness
for all Christians,
whether single,
married or
religious.
What is
A
New
Language?
FORMAT:
A four-season group study series with 8
– 12 participants. Each season consists
of 6 weekly 90 minute sessions.
PURPOSE:
• explore the Holy Father's teachings on the
theology of the body
• prayerfully reflect on the lived experience of
self-giving love
• grow in a deeper knowledge and appreciation
of our identity as men and women
• develop a stronger commitment to integrate
faith into everyday life
The group facilitator has:

OR
Each participant has:

AND
• Core texts: Crossing the Threshold of
Love by Dr. Mary Shivanandan and the
Study Guide A New Language
containing:
• references to excerpts from John Paul
II’s writings on theology of the body
• relevant Scripture passages
• cross references to the Catechism of
the Catholic Church
THE FOUR SEASONS:
• Original Unity of Man and
Woman
• Blessed Are the Pure of Heart
• Life in the Spirit
• Marriage and the Language of
the Body
Season One: Original Unity of

Man and Woman


Lays the foundation for
understanding the theology of
the body by discovering God’s
original plan for the human
person as man and woman and
their loving communion in the
creation account in Genesis.
Season One Topics
• Introduction to the Major Themes/The
Importance of Experience in Understanding
Revelation
• Original Solitude
• Original Unity
• Original Nakedness and the Nuptial Meaning
of the Body
• The Blessing of Fertility
• The Person, Gift and Communion
Season Two: Blessed Are the
Pure of Heart
Considers the redemption of
sexuality after the fall by
reflecting on Jesus’ words on
“adultery in the heart” in
Matthew 5: 27-28
Season Two Topics
• The Fall and Its Consequences for
Man/Woman Relations
• Lust: A Deception of the Heart and a
Distortion of the Language of the Body
• Christ’s Words on Adultery of the Heart: A Call
to Conversion
• Redemption of the Body in Christ
• Resurrection of the Body and Celibacy for the
Kingdom
Season Three: Life in the Spirit
Explores the meaning of
marriage and the relations
between men and women in
light of the analogy of
marriage with the ‘great
mystery’ of Christ’s union with
the Church as described in
Ephesians 5:21-33.
Season Three Topics
• Ephesians 5: A Key Text for Marriage and
Understanding Man and Woman
• The Head/Body Analogy - Bisubjectivity
• Submission: An Experiencing of Love
• Sacrament of Christ and the Church: Source
of All the Sacraments
• Sacrament of Creation and the Indissolubility
of Marriage
• Eros and Agape in Marriage
Season Four: Marriage and the
Language of the Body
Further develops an
understanding of marriage as
the symbol of Christ’s self-
giving love for the Church,
especially in the intimate link
between the love-giving and
life-giving aspects of the one-
flesh union.
Season Four Topics
• Teaching of Vatican Council II
• Significance of Humanae Vitae for
Anthropology
• Primacy of Love and the Language of
the Body
• Truth and the Language of the Body
• Ethos of Redemption and Motherhood
• Foundation of a Civilization of Love
Study group facilitators are formed
and trained by Imago Dei.
Study group format is based
on experiential learning.
• Provides the context for an encounter
between Revelation (as interpreted by
the Church) and experience.

• Offers sound doctrinal content.

• Recognizes that the truth penetrates


best when it is experienced and shared.
• Enables participants to learn from the
heart and form small Christian
communities.
• Looks beyond transmittal of information
to a transformation of mind and heart.
• Six-week session allows time to begin
to grasp the depth of the Holy Father’s
comprehensive and counter-cultural
teaching.
A Major
Purpose is
growth in
the spiritual
life.
Begins and ends with prayer

Includes Scriptural reflection

Offers Catechism references


for further study & reflection

Helps participants discern


how to live out the teaching in
daily life
Evangelizatio
n
is an
essential
component.
Participants are
encouraged to
spread the good
news.

“If you don’t give


it away, you lose
it.”
Reactions from Participants
“This was something I totally
appreciated…whether you’re a
man or woman, whether you’re
married or single, this is a rich
experience.”
“We all thought this was a wonderful
way to learn about the Pope’s
theology of the body.”

“It’s really an extraordinary vision –


very powerful, joyful, positive,
dynamic. It’s really wonderful.”
“It will be the intellectual
underpinnings for building the culture
of life.”

“Once you are there, it will take on a


life of its own… It’s something that is
so needed… It is something we are
being called to… what John Paul II
has elevated marriage to is
beautiful.”
“The Holy Father’s insights are
desperately needed by parents
both to enrich their marriage
and to equip them to guide and
nurture their children….”
“…Just before completing the
study series, my 11 year old
daughter said to me, “Mom,
when you talk about sex to me
it is so beautiful, but when my
friends talk to me, they make
me feel dirty.…”
“…Thanks a lot, Mom.
I love you.”
For more information
on starting a study group:

See www.imagodei-tob.org
or email: TOBStudy@ imagodei-tob.org
or call: 1-202-962-0040.

©2007 Imago Dei, Inc.

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