Tonight the instructor introduced us to the metaphor of family stories and personal turning points. Although future plans are important, the future isn't fixed. Each of us is the result of a process of decisions that have led us to this point in our lives, and specifically to this class. Historians try to be selective, trying to understand where the stories come from, to understand the "big picture". This process of decisions and turning points is important in understanding the history of the Catholic Church as well, which includes both saints and sinners.
6) The Comedian
The 16th century, with all of its anxieties over religious division and repeated attempts at reformation, needed a comedian. St. Philip Neri initially desired to remain a layman at work in the streets of Rome, inviting others to a deeper awareness of Christianity. He was apprenticed as a young man to a business man in Florence, Italy, but he was a very funny person in constant good cheer, and without the heart and passion for business. Through a series of mystical experiences he moved to Rome, where he became interested in engaging strangers to work with the poor. He collected these strangers by standing at a street corner, and asking those who passed by, "My friends, what good work will we do today?" Once he was ordained he dedicated himself to hearing confession, ministering to long lines of the poor and wealthy alike.
The 16th century, with all of its anxieties over religious division and repeated attempts at reformation, needed a comedian. St. Philip Neri initially desired to remain a layman at work in the streets of Rome, inviting others to a deeper awareness of Christianity. He was apprenticed as a young man to a business man in Florence, Italy, but he was a very funny person in constant good cheer, and without the heart and passion for business. Through a series of mystical experiences he moved to Rome, where he became interested in engaging strangers to work with the poor. He collected these strangers by standing at a street corner, and asking those who passed by, "My friends, what good work will we do today?" Once he was ordained he dedicated himself to hearing confession, ministering to long lines of the poor and wealthy alike.
7) The Farmer
St. Juan Diego is an elusive figure, historically speaking, but the story associated with his life, his vision of an indigenous woman in 1531 who described herself as the Mother of Jesus, had a tremendous impact on the evangelization of Mexico and all of Latin America. Our Lady of Guadalupe is as emblematic of the Mexican Church as she is of Latin America culture as a whole. The Spanish conquistadors came to the Americas for conquest and conversion, similar to the crusades of the 13th and 14th centuries, supported by a belief that the indigenous people must be converted to Christianity. Juan was influenced by the Franciscans who had translated scripture into the Aztec language, and one day on his way to Mass a vision spoke to him asking for a church to be built on a hill. The miracle of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe caused Bishop Zumarraga to begin building within 2 weeks. The traditional European image of Mother Mary appeared as an indigenous person, and encouraged the rapid acceptance of Christianity throughout Latin America.
St. Juan Diego is an elusive figure, historically speaking, but the story associated with his life, his vision of an indigenous woman in 1531 who described herself as the Mother of Jesus, had a tremendous impact on the evangelization of Mexico and all of Latin America. Our Lady of Guadalupe is as emblematic of the Mexican Church as she is of Latin America culture as a whole. The Spanish conquistadors came to the Americas for conquest and conversion, similar to the crusades of the 13th and 14th centuries, supported by a belief that the indigenous people must be converted to Christianity. Juan was influenced by the Franciscans who had translated scripture into the Aztec language, and one day on his way to Mass a vision spoke to him asking for a church to be built on a hill. The miracle of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe caused Bishop Zumarraga to begin building within 2 weeks. The traditional European image of Mother Mary appeared as an indigenous person, and encouraged the rapid acceptance of Christianity throughout Latin America.
8) The Mathematician
Blaise Pascal was a famous scientist in the great age of reason, referred to as "The Enlightenment". But he was also devoted to a movement in the Catholic Church which, though eventually condemned, had a long and controversial impact on Catholic spirituality. During this period, Christianity was breaking up along national boundaries; France was mostly Catholic, Germany was mostly Lutheran, etc. Pascal himself underwent a personal conversion and became involved in the Jansenism movement, which emphasized predestination, denied free will, and maintained that human nature is incapable of good. Jansenism was condemned as heretical, and because the enlightenment was seen to be encouraging the idea that "I think, therefor I am", the Church feared that reason was becoming the basis for existence. As a result, the Church assumed the dangerous position by resisting reason.
Blaise Pascal was a famous scientist in the great age of reason, referred to as "The Enlightenment". But he was also devoted to a movement in the Catholic Church which, though eventually condemned, had a long and controversial impact on Catholic spirituality. During this period, Christianity was breaking up along national boundaries; France was mostly Catholic, Germany was mostly Lutheran, etc. Pascal himself underwent a personal conversion and became involved in the Jansenism movement, which emphasized predestination, denied free will, and maintained that human nature is incapable of good. Jansenism was condemned as heretical, and because the enlightenment was seen to be encouraging the idea that "I think, therefor I am", the Church feared that reason was becoming the basis for existence. As a result, the Church assumed the dangerous position by resisting reason.
9) Wife, Mother, Widow, Nun
Elizabeth Ann Seton was all of these and represents Catholicism in a new age and country. A convert from the Church of England, she moved to Baltimore after her husband died, where she helped found the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. They started a community to educate children and this model became the template for Catholic schools throughout the nation. It has also greatly influenced the development of Catholic parochial education to this day.
Elizabeth Ann Seton was all of these and represents Catholicism in a new age and country. A convert from the Church of England, she moved to Baltimore after her husband died, where she helped found the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. They started a community to educate children and this model became the template for Catholic schools throughout the nation. It has also greatly influenced the development of Catholic parochial education to this day.
10) The Journalist and the Activist
Two of the greatest leaders of ministry in the American Catholic Church were Bishop Fulton J. Sheen and Dorothy Day. Both had an extensive impact on Catholic life: Sheen as a master of the media, radio and then television, and Day as a powerful advocate for the poor, homeless, and those without a voice. He took Catholicism from radio to Television, exploiting the developing technology of his time, and she was a social activist, writer, and founder of the Catholic Worker Movement.
Two of the greatest leaders of ministry in the American Catholic Church were Bishop Fulton J. Sheen and Dorothy Day. Both had an extensive impact on Catholic life: Sheen as a master of the media, radio and then television, and Day as a powerful advocate for the poor, homeless, and those without a voice. He took Catholicism from radio to Television, exploiting the developing technology of his time, and she was a social activist, writer, and founder of the Catholic Worker Movement.
No comments:
Post a Comment