Course Description

Our goal is heaven, but what are the means to attain it? We are to be perfect, but how do we come to perfection? This course will look closely at the traditional Catholic answer of the Three Ways: Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive. The main text will be The Ordinary Path to Holiness by Thomas Richard, supplemented by readings from the great masters, such as Saints Gregory of Nyssa, John Climacus, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and Francis de Sales. From this survey, we hope to learn those practices available to each of us by which we might grow in all prayer and virtue.

Hours of Instruction: 12

Fr. Oliver Vietor

Rev. Oliver Vietor has a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy and a M.Div. from Yale University Divinity School. He was ordained in the Catholic Church under the terms of the Pastoral Provision for former Episcopal clergymen. He and his wife, Ashley, and their six children have lived in Phoenix since 2005 and began attending St. Thomas the Apostle in 2007. He taught in the Institute last year and has taught previously in his ministry and in high school.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Handouts

    • Reflection Questions for Online Courses

    • Syllabus

    • Scripture Texts

    • Survey - Sevens

    • Survey - Spiritual Exercises

    • Survey - Sins, Virtues, Gifts

    • Survey - The Unitive Way
  • 2

    Session 1 - A Survey of Spiritual Theology

    • Session 1 - Video
  • 3

    Session 2 - A Survey of Spiritual Theology

    • Session 2 - Video
  • 4

    Session 3 - A Survey of Spiritual Theology

    • Session 3 - Video
  • 5

    Session 4 - A Survey of Spiritual Theology

    • Session 4 - Video
  • 6

    Session 5 - A Survey of Spiritual Theology

    • Session 5 - Video
  • 7

    Session 6 - A Survey of Spiritual Theology

    • Session 6 - Video