The beginning of the new year brings with it an opportunity to begin a new study of the liturgy for clergy, religious, and laity alike. Starting in January 2026, the Avila Institute School for Spiritual Formation, in partnership with Adoremus Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy, is once again offering Mystery and Mission in the Sacred Liturgy: Four Courses on Liturgical and Sacramental Foundations. Designed as a series of introductory courses on liturgical prayer and the sacraments, the program has enlisted a team of top liturgical scholars to bring the liturgy alive in the classroom—and in the hearts of students. The courses are taught by Adoremus director Christopher Carstens; Adoremus contributor and adjunct professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary, Houston, TX, and the University of Dallas, Roland Millare; and Adoremus Bulletin editor and associate professor at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, Hales Corners, WI, Mike Brummond. The Avila Institute launched these same four courses of Mystery and Mission this past summer, welcoming students of the liturgy from around the country.
The first of these courses, “Introduction to the Sacred Liturgy” (January 8-February 12), taught by Carstens, explores the basic principles of the Catholic liturgy—the celebration of the Christian Mystery, God’s plan to restore all things in Christ—within the framework of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Session 1 looks at how the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—works within the liturgy, while Session 2 explores the Rites and Ritual Traditions through which the liturgy communicates, transforming the faithful. In Session 3, Carstens drills down to the signs, symbols, and sacred language that communicate the Paschal Mystery in the liturgy. Session 4 focuses on the importance of sacred time and how participants in the liturgy—ministers and assembly—enter into this “time out of time” through the liturgy. Session 5 and Session 6, respectively, address the importance of liturgical music and sacred art and architecture as the sound and space of the heavenly liturgy here on earth.
In the spring, Millare offers the second course, “Introduction to the Sacraments” (May 7-June 11), which begins in Session 1 with an introduction to the concept of sacrament, followed by sessions examining the seven sacraments in depth and detail: the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist (Sessions 2 and 3); followed by the sacraments of healing: Penance and Anointing (Session 4); and a study of the sacraments at the service of communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony (Session 5). Millare concludes the course with a study of the breadth and depth of the sacramental life and how, through it, the faithful enter into the life of the Holy Trinity at the heart of the liturgy.
Summer brings the third course, taught by Brummond, “Exploring the Source and Summit (the Eucharist)” (July 2-August 6). This course provides a closer look at the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life and the premier opportunity to encounter Christ through his self-gift on Calvary re-presented on the altar at every Mass. In Session 1, Brummond examines the natural, human, and Old Testament foundations of the Eucharist, while Session 2 takes a closer look at the Old Testament types that prefigure the Eucharist. Session 3 provides a survey of Eucharistic theology, how it develops in the history of the Church and how it has been celebrated from age to age. In the final three sessions, Brummond examines the prayers of the Mass, including the Introductory Rites (Session 4), the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist (Session 5), and Holy Communion and Dismissal into the world (Session 6).
Carstens returns to teach the fourth course in the fall, “Sacramentals, the Liturgy of the Hours, and Devotions” (September 10-October 15). This course will open up for students other aspects of the liturgy, including the blessings, consecrations, and exorcisms which constitute the sacramentals of the Church (Sessions 1-2); the Liturgy of the Hours which enables the faithful to sanctify every day, hour, and minute of their lives (Sessions 3-4); and the various devotional and private prayers recognized by the Church as edifying to the faithful and as aids to deepening their sacramental life (Sessions 5-6).
Last year’s inaugural students provided testimony to the value and effectiveness of Mystery and Mission. “The professor demonstrated exceptional expertise, and I’m deeply grateful for his comprehensive approach to the course content,” said one student attending last year’s “Exploring the Source and Summit” course, taught by Carstens. “His insights transcended conventional academic instruction, catalyzing a spiritual revelation in my journey.”
“As the course progressed,” the student added, “I experienced both intellectual enrichment and personal metamorphosis. The teachings connected with me spiritually and transformed my experience of Mass. Having already been drawn to Mass attendance, this course elevated my appreciation and understanding to entirely new dimensions.”
Another student who attended the same course, a convert from Lutheranism, found a trove of takeaways from the classes.
“In our last lecture, the instructor was discussing being worthy to eat the Eucharist,” this student said. “Some thoughts I jotted down during the lecture have been a great aid in the last several days… you need to be disposed to be transformed. ‘You shall be changed into me.’ ‘You are a living cell of Jesus’ body.’ ‘We become what we receive; we become a living Eucharist….’ And the discussion regarding living a liturgical existence compelled me to sign up for the ‘Introduction to the Sacred Liturgy’ class.”
One of the students who attended “Introduction to the Sacred Liturgy,” also taught by Carstens, indicated that the instructor and material in the course help students to understand the importance of the liturgy and to conform their lives to Christ through a greater love for the liturgy.
“This course, as with all of the others I’ve been blessed to participate in, was very interesting, educational, and insightful and has had a huge impact on me and on my life,” this student said. “This course has impacted in a very positive way my experience of and in the Mass.”
The remarks of another student who attended “Exploring the Source and Summit” were focused on the specific experience of this course but also speak more broadly to the primary goal of Mystery and Mission—to enter into the mystery of the liturgy and make it a mission of a lifetime:
“This course has opened my eyes to participating in Mass in a different way, in a more fulfilling way,” this student said. “I think that every Catholic should take this course or one like it. There is so much that we miss at Mass if we don’t understand and participate completely. I’m now very excited to go to Mass every week and more often if I can!”
All Mystery and Mission courses are six weeks long, and meet online—live and interactive—Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. ET. Applicants for Mystery and Mission are expected to have a high-school level education. Each lecture lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, with 30–60 minutes of coursework per class hour.
Adoremus readers will receive a 25% discount and can take a Mystery and Mission course for $150. Anyone interested in participating should apply at the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation (see avila-institute.org/mystery-and-mission-in-the-sacred-liturgy) and enter the discount code ADOREMUS to waive the application fee. Once a participant has been accepted for the course, a representative from the Avila Institute will follow up by assisting in enrollment, which includes processing the 25% discount.
