"Our world needs Jesus Christ and the hope and beauty of the gospel. Our Church has an inherent beauty that will continue to draw people into communion until the end of times. I would like to invite you to join the distinguished faculty of Sacred Heart Major Seminary on a Lenten journey of hope as we explore and re-encounter the beauty of our faith and what it truly means to be Catholic."

– Dr. John Gresham
Director of  Distance Education & Online Learning, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

This FREE non-credit course is being offered online using the seminary's learning management system, Canvas. Upon signing up for the course, students will receive credentials for accessing the online class.

The class will be conducted online giving students the freedom to engage with the material and complete course tasks around their own schedule. The class will consist of six modules which can be completed according to the individual's own pace.

Each module will be taught by one of our distinguished faculty members and include:

 The goal of the course is not to deliver a high level of rigor or stress, but instead expose any Catholic who wants to learn more about their faith to the beauty of our faith and the opportunity to build a deeper foundation on the Church's teachings.

Consider this a Lenten retreat experience for the lay faithful, done at your own pace and guided by six globally esteemed professors from Sacred Heart, all of whom help form holy, healthy, and joyful priests—as well as deacons, religious, and lay leaders—for service of the gospel. This is an opportunity to grow a deeper appreciation of the richness and beauty of our Church’s teaching. It’s an opportunity to spend time with the Lord. 

What will be covered?  

The Beauty of Scripture | Dr. Mary Healy

Dr. Healy takes us on a journey exploring the beauty and power of God’s Word to us in Sacred Scripture.  

Professor of Sacred Scripture - Instructor Bio 

The Beauty of Church | Dr. Robert Fastiggi

Dr. Fastiggi uncovers the beauty of the Church understood in its mystery as the Body and Bride of Christ.

Professor of Systematic Theology - Instructor Bio 

The Beauty of Truth | Dr. Ralph Martin

Dr. Martin introduces students to the power of the Gospel and the beauty of the saving truth of Christ.

Professor of Theology / Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization - Instructor Bio  

The Beauty of Virtue | Dr. Janet Smith

Dr. Smith paints a picture of the beauty of the virtuous life we can live through the transforming power of Christ in our lives.

Professor of Theology / Fr. Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics - Instructor Bio 

The Beauty of Spirituality | Dr. Patricia Cooney-Hathaway

Dr. Cooney-Hathaway illustrates how the array of spiritual practices in the Catholic tradition can answer the spiritual thirst in human hearts.

Professor of Spiritual and Systematic Theology - Instructor Bio 

The Beauty of Hope | Fr. Pieter VanRooyen

Fr. VanRooyen concludes the course with a reflection on how Christ gives meaning, direction, and hope to our lives amidst the trials of our earthly pilgrimage of faith.