John XXIII, Vatican II, and Thomas Merton: Church Reform
John XXIII: A Legacy of Renewal
John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on November 25, 1881, began his journey to priesthood at a young age. Excelling in his studies despite economic hardship, he entered the seminary of Bergamo at age 11 with his uncle’s support. At 22, he was ordained and celebrated his first Mass at the Vatican, where he was received by Pope Pius X. In 1904, he became secretary to the Bishop of Bergamo, Monsignor Radini-Tedeschi, experiencing crucial moments of his pastoral
Read MoreEarly Christian Basilicas: San Vitale and the Holy Sepulchre
San Lorenzo: An Example Among Others
The origin of the Roman tribune is also for pilgrims. The entrance to the atrium is via a staircase. After passing the Basilica of Martyrium, the sides could reach the court of Golgotha and then finally to the rotunda of the Anastasis. With regard to the architects of the Holy Sepulchre, very late sources say it was a Syrian and a Constantinopolitan (Cenobio and Tube). The later buildings do not give the original plan, but we can rebuild it because there are many
Read MoreHomebirth Story: Grandmother’s Unexpected Role
In a small, cluttered living room, amidst the chaos of a homebirth, an unexpected turn of events unfolded. The expectant mother, accompanied by her supportive family, eagerly awaited the arrival of her child. However, fate had something different in store for them that day. It was the grandmother, fueled by a mix of fear, adrenaline, and an absence of proper tools, who found herself in an extraordinary position.
The Missing Scissors
As the labor intensified, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Read MorePuritanism: Beliefs and Reflections in Literature
Puritanism in Literature
Puritanism, a strict Calvinist form of Protestant Christianity, distinguished itself from mainline Christianity through five principal beliefs. These beliefs formed the Puritans’ path to salvation and created a religion with a strict and rigid morality.
Original Sin and Limited Atonement
For the Puritans, Original Sin brought total depravity to all humanity. Because of Original Sin, all humans are destined to die and suffer eternal damnation. Unlike Catholics and Christians
Read MoreMedieval Europe: Romanesque & Gothic Art, Crusades, Monastic Life
Romanesque Art
Romanesque art was the first international artistic style, affecting all of Europe. In religious art, it expressed the importance of Jesus Christ in history and the influence of the Church.
- Painting: No perspective. Polychrome colors. Frescoes (painted directly on the wall), tables (on wood), and miniatures (book illustrations).
- Sculpture: Used symbolism on the covers of churches and in the capitals. Scenes of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
- Architecture: Churches of pilgrimage and monasteries.
Saint Augustine’s Philosophy: Faith, Reason, and Humanity
1. Relationships Between Faith and Reason
In principle, faith and reason are two opposing concepts:
- Faith: Believing in what we *do not* see. It can be the basis for a theory to be proven.
- Reason: A basis founded on experiments and demonstrations.
Saint Augustine tries to reconcile faith and reason, attempting to convince people that the Christian religion is the best and providing arguments to support its believers. He links the advantages obtained over other religions to the prevailing belief that
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