Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

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Theology

  • Church History

    THE 8701 (.5 credit)
    Grade Level: 12th
    Prerequisites: None
    Notes: This course is offered as dual enrollment through St. Thomas University. It must be taken with its partner course, Ecumenism and World Religions.
    Description: This course is designed as an introduction to the history of the Catholic Church from its beginnings in the apostolic period to its most recent expressions in the twenty-first century. It began as a small band of supporters following the teachings of an itinerant preacher in an outpost of the Roman Empire. From there, the church expanded both its size and its importance in the grand scheme of Western history. The course will offer a unique contextual view of how the Catholic Church spread and developed. The church did so not in a vacuum, but in a setting of times, cultures, and events that both influenced and were influenced by the church. This course looks closely at the integral link between the history of the world and that of the church.  The course is aligned with the USCCB’s framework for high school theology as the option B elective entitled History of the Catholic Church.

  • Ecumenism and World Religions

    THE 8702 (.5 credit)
    Grade Level: 12th
    Prerequisites: None
    Notes: This course is offered as dual enrollment through St. Thomas University. It must be taken with its partner course, Church History.
    Description: This course will offer a Vatican II perspective on the Church’s call to dialogue with other Christian denominations and other religions.  It will examine the similarities that Catholicism shares with her sister churches as well as other religions to see where dialogue can begin.  It will also expose the differences that set Catholicism apart. We will also discuss and understand the doctrinal statement - “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” (there is no salvation outside the Church) and see its impact on interreligious dialogue.  This course will be aligned to the USCCB’s framework for high school theology in Option E - Ecumenical and Interreligious Issues.
     

  • Honors Ignatian Spirituality

    THE 8712 (1 credit)
    Grade Level: 12th
    Prerequisites: 
    • A spiritual maturity and willingness to growing through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
    • Completion of at least 75% of the service requirement for graduation.
    • A sincere interest in developing an understanding of Ignatian spirituality and the role of prayer in one’s life.
    • Must be a practicing Catholic.
    • A grade point average of 3.25 or more and a grade of B or above in all previous Theology classes.
    Notes: Students in this class will be required to complete the Spiritual Exercises.
    Description: The course, Honors Ignatian Spirituality, is a study of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual heritage as contained in his Autobiography, the Spiritual Exercises, the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and his Letters. The course will also explore Ignatius of Loyola’s importance in the Church and the world today, his influence on the Society of Jesus, his missionary character and his contribution to understanding God and the world. Ultimately, the study of Ignatius’ spirituality will help the student understand the spiritual values that shape our Jesuit school and its learning environment.
    Students are expected to participate in the Spiritual Exercises in either the fall or the spring semester, and from there begin the process of understanding and practicing this rich spirituality in their lives. Students will also study how Ignatian spirituality has influenced the Church, its social doctrine, and the meaning of service of the faith through the promotion of justice in our world.

  • Ignatian Leadership in Action

    THE 8403 (.5 Credit)
    Grade Level: 9th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: This service-learning theology course is designed to immerse freshmen into real world leadership issues and provide tools for effective execution of solving these problems.  Moreover, students will learn about the different stages in St. Ignatius’ life, and these stages formed him as the ideal leader for them to follow. The course will build towards collaborative team projects, which will be presented to the Lead4Change Organization for funding and execution.

  • Ignatian Leadership

    THE 8303 (.5 credit)
    Grade Level:     8th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: This course is designed to develop middle school students into effective and dynamic leaders in and outside the classroom. Students will examine the leadership principles and values that guided St. Ignatius of Loyola, as well as other notable Catholic men and women, that led them in becoming ideal leaders. Students taking this course will develop their leadership skills, focusing on communication, collaboration and  community engagement.

  • Peer Ministry 9

    THE 8405 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     9th
    Prerequisites: Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, Christian Service hours up to date, completed application and approval from Campus Ministry Office.
    Notes: Candidates will go through an interview process.
    Description: Students enrolled in the Peer Ministry classes will carry the same academic load as the rest of their particular grade level. In addition, they receive training in ministry, so that they are able to prepare and lead Days of Reflection and assist with Campus Ministry activities.

  • Peer Ministry 10

    THE 8505 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     10th
    Prerequisites:
    New Peer Ministers: Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, Christian Service hours up to date, completed application and approval from Campus Ministry Office.
    Current Peer Ministers:  Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, Christian Service Hours up to date, recommendation from current Peer Ministry Teacher and approval from Campus Ministry Office.
    Notes: New candidates will go through an interview process.
    Description: Students enrolled in the Peer Ministry classes will carry the same academic load as the rest of their particular grade level. In addition, they receive training in ministry, so that they are able to prepare and lead Days of Reflection, Retreats and Encounters for their peers. They also assist with Campus Ministry activities and events. Peer Ministers choose to share with their peers their faith in and personal relationship with Jesus, and in doing so continue to grow closer to the person of Jesus Christ.

  • Peer Ministry 11

    THE 8605 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     11th
    Prerequisites:
    New Peer Ministers: Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, Christian Service hours up to date, completed application and approval from Campus Ministry Office.
    Current Peer Ministers:  Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, Christian Service Hours up to date, recommendation from current Peer Ministry Teacher and approval from Campus Ministry Office.
    Notes: New candidates will go through an interview process.
    Description: Students enrolled in the Peer Ministry classes will carry the same academic load as the rest of their particular grade level, covering specific branches of Sacramental Theology and Catholic Morality. In addition, they receive training in ministry, Catholic leadership, and growth in personal and communal spirituality, so that they are able to prepare and lead Days of Reflection, Retreats, the Cardoner Emersion and Encounters for their peers.

  • Peer Ministry 12

    THE 8705 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     12th
    Prerequisites:
    New Peer Ministers: Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, Christian Service hours up to date, completed application and approval from Campus Ministry Office.
    Current Peer Ministers:  Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0, Christian Service Hours up to date, recommendation from current Peer Ministry Teacher and approval from Campus Ministry Office.
    Notes: New candidates will go through an interview process.
    Description: Students enrolled in the Peer Ministry classes will carry the same academic load as the rest of their particular grade level, covering specific branches of Catholic Social Teaching and Vocational Theology. In addition, they receive training in ministry, Catholic leadership, and growth in personal and communal spirituality, so that they are able to prepare and lead Days of Reflection, Retreats   Junior Encounter, and Encounters for their peers.

  • Theology 6

    THE 8100 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     6th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: Foundations of Christian Faith is designed to help students understand what we believe as Catholic Christians. The course is intended to convey a basic understanding of our faith. Not only will students be instructed in what we believe but how those beliefs are lived out through doctrine, tradition, liturgy and scripture. The course will focus on stories from the Old Testament and how they connect to Jesus’ fulfillment of God’s covenant described in the New Testament and lived out in the Catholic Church today. The course will also include a study of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

  • Theology 7

    THE 8200 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     7th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: We Live Our Faith as Disciples of Jesus addresses the dogmas of the Catholic faith as expressed through the creeds of the Church and the person of Jesus during the first semester. During the second semester the course is centered on the seven sacraments of the Church. The course presents Jesus' call to each person to become his disciple and describes the ways in which his teachings and the Church nourish them for discipleship. The course also includes discussion and prayer in the Catholic tradition, the sacraments, the Ten Commandments, the liturgical calendar, Church history, the saints, as well as the teachings of the Church. Students will experience personal growth in their faith through scripture, action and prayer.

  • Theology 8

    THE 8300 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     8th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: This course focuses on the Sacrament of Confirmation and Morality. The Eighth-Grade students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. There is a focus on the Holy Spirit, offering opportunity for reflection and spiritual development, while giving an overview of basic concepts in moral theology as well as more specific moral issues that students educated in the Catholic Faith should practice.  Students focus on the importance of imitating Christ and promoting the Kingdom of Heaven.

  • Theology 9

    THE 8402 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     9th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: The purpose of this course is for students to understand the compatibility of faith and reason.  Topics include:  classical arguments for the existence of God; an introduction to logic; divine Revelation, Scripture, and Sacred Tradition; Natural Law; the interpretation of suffering and the confrontation with evil; and evangelization.  This course unfolds especially through an engagement with the following Scriptural texts:  Psalms, Proverbs, and the Book of Job.

  • Theology 10

    THE 8500 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     10th
    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Theology 9
    Description: This course is structured as two distinct one-semester studies.  The first semester is a deep immersion in the Biblical basis for the ways the Church understands and experiences Jesus Christ, with special emphasis on the basis for the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union.  The second semester is a survey of the history of the Catholic Church.  This course unfolds especially through an engagement with the following Scriptural texts:  the Gospel according to St. John, the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Pauline Epistles, and the Catholic Epistles.

  • Theology 11

    THE 8600 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     11th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: This course is a deep consideration of the personal and communal aspects of Christian Morality.  Topics include:  the meaning of freedom; conscience, virtue and vice; the moral analysis of actions; the dignity of the human person; the sanctity of human life; sexual morality; and stewardship of the goods of creation.  This course unfolds especially through an engagement with the following Scriptural texts:  Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

  • Theology 12

    THE 8700 (1 credit)
    Grade Level:     12th
    Prerequisites: None
    Description: This course will provide students with resources to continue in a living relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church after they graduate from Belen Jesuit.  Topics include: the teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discernment of Spirits; Apologetics; Ecumenism and World Religions; the various Vocations and States of Life within the Church; and the Theology of the Body.  This course culminates with a preparation for faith life in college and unfolds through an engagement with the Book of Revelation and the Song of Songs.

Faculty

BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain.  The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.  In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty.  The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow.  Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.