Catholic Social Teaching

This course reviews major Church documents on social teaching. 

It emphasizes the integral connection between social justice and its moral foundations in Scripture and magisterial documents.

Students study the principles, values, criteria for judgment, and directives for action. Emphasis is placed on magisterial social teaching from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis.

According to the USCCB, Catholic social justice is “a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.”

We offer this class as a part of our M.A. in Pastoral Ministry program.

This degree is the optimal step for individuals passionate about answering their calling to serving as a theology teacher, Director of Religious Education, campus minister, or catechist.

Our students are formed to minister to a variety of populations, including the youth, young adults, couples, parents, and others!

• The Old Testament and Its Interpretation
• The New Testament and Its Interpretation
• Dogmatic Theology
• Church History
• Moral Theology
• Catholic Social Teaching
• Pastoral Ministry in Theory and Practice
• Liturgical and Sacramental Theology
• The Nature and Order of the Church
• Pastoral Care for Marriage and Families
• Practicum

• Contribute to the development of the hearts, minds, and souls of K-12 students
• Oversee youth, young adult, and college ministry programs
• Manage an OCIA program
• Properly prepare couples for Pre-Cana
• Guide parents through their child’s baptism
• Develop and Implement a CCD program

If you’re ready to take the next steps toward pursuing your M.A. in Pastoral Ministry and enroll in our practicum course, please apply for our pastoral ministry degree today.

If you have any questions regarding our spiritual theology class or program objectives, feel free to email us at [email protected]

St. John’s Seminary offers an online Catholic Master of Arts in Ministry for directors of religious education, youth ministers, campus ministers, catechists, K-12 theology teachers, and anyone else interested in receiving formation for ministry, such as permanent deacons.

This program helps students improve their knowledge of the Catholic intellectual tradition and improve their ministerial skills for the life of the Church in California.