Candidate, Master of Arts in Religious Education

Thesis Defense of JENNIFER M. PASCUA-BUENCIBELLO (Philippines) on November 5, 2025.

The FIRE Program and Theology Department of the School of Humanities invites you to the onsite final oral defense of the M.A. Thesis entitled: “LECTURE MODULES FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION FACILITATORS ON HUMAN SEXUALITY IN THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY FOR GRADE 11 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF QUEZON CITY” by Jennifer M. Pascua-Buencibello on November 5, 2025 (Wednesday), 2:00 p.m. The Board of Panelists is composed of Dr. Justin Joseph G. Badion (Second Reader and Primary Examiner) and Ms. Lesley Anne Rosal. The M.A. Thesis Adviser is Dr. Ruben C. Mendoza. The thesis defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Religious Education. It is open to public.

Abstract: ****The author presents a study aimed at developing lecture modules for Christian Formation facilitators on human sexuality within the context of the Sacrament of Matrimony. These modules are specifically designed for Grade 11 Senior High School students at St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City.

Anchored on Catholic teachings and the catechetical method of See–Judge–Act–Celebrate–Evaluate, the study promotes an integrative understanding of human sexuality as a divine gift that holds theological, moral, and relational significance within the sacred covenant of marriage.

Pascua-Buencibello’s research addresses key challenges, including the lack of contextualized catechetical materials on human sexuality, the limited pedagogical strategies that connect Catholic doctrine with students’ lived experiences, and the need for formation modules that enable facilitators to approach sensitive topics with pastoral sensitivity and fidelity to Church teaching. Utilizing theological and catechetical discourse analysis based on Marcus Moberg’s three-level framework, the study examines key doctrines on human sexuality and marriage, applies theological insights to catechetical practice, and integrates theories and praxis through the FIRE Principle on Subject and Source Integration.

Her study culminates in the development of three lecture modules: the first, on Dating, helps students view relationships through the lens of faith and virtue; the second, on Marriage, presents matrimony as a covenantal vocation of self-giving love; and the third, on Commitment, guides students in understanding fidelity and covenant as reflections of God’s enduring love. Ultimately, the thesis provides Christian Formation facilitators with theological and pedagogical tools to form morally grounded students who value the sacramental dimension of human sexuality and marriage.