Course Description

This course will follow the development of the Catholic Church's theology on marriage in the 20th century by beginning with the 1917 Code of Canon Law (a more legal and contractual definition) and then continuing with Casti Connubii (Piux XI, 1930, which introduces a more personalist understanding of marriage and love) and how this personalist approach is taken up in Vatican II (Gaudium et Spes), Humanae Vitae, the writings of Pope John Paul II (especially his "theology of the body"), the 1983 Code of Canon Law and finally the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The course will highlight how a deeper understanding of the human person (anthropology) opens up new ways of understanding and speaking about morality and the Church's moral teaching.

Hours of Instruction: 6

Katrina J. Zeno MTS

Katrina Zeno

Katrina J. Zeno, MTS, is the former coordinator of the St. John Paul II Resource Center for Theology of the Body and Culture for the Diocese of Phoenix, AZ, and the author of three books and over 50 articles. She has been speaking nationally and internationally on St. John Paul II's "theology of the body" for over 20 years - including Rome, Australia, Switzerland, England, Slovakia, Paraguay, Guatemala, Austria, Trinidad, and all across Canada and the US. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Katrina received her BA in theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and her master in theological studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Washington, DC. Katrina is an Argentine tango and salsa enthusiast; she loves hiking, table tennis, and swimming; and she is the blest mother of a married son, Michael.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Handouts

    • Reflection Questions for Online Courses

    • Casti Connubii ("On Christian Marriage")
  • 2

    Session 1 - Catholic Teaching on Marriage and Love in the 20th Century

    • Session 1 - Video
  • 3

    Session 2 - Catholic Teaching on Marriage and Love in the 20th Century

    • Session 2 - Video
  • 4

    Session 3 - Catholic Teaching on Marriage and Love in the 20th Century

    • Session 3 - Video