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Christian Saṃnyāsis and the Enduring Influence of Bede Griffiths in California
3 (2016) Miscellaneous 3: AP-BI Christian Saṃnyāsis and the Enduring Influence of Bede Griffiths in California ENRICO BELTRAMINI Department of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University, California, USA © 2016 Ruhr-Universität Bochum Entangled Religions 3 (2016) ISSN 2363-6696 http://dx.doi.org/10.13154/er.v3.2016.AP-BI Enrico Beltramini Christian Saṃnyāsis and the Enduring Influence of Bede Griffiths in California ENRICO BELTRAMINI Santa Clara University, California, USA ABSTRACT This article thematizes a spiritual movement of ascetic hermits in California, which is based on the religious practice of Bede Griffiths. These hermits took their religious vows in India as Christian saṃnyāsis, in the hands of Father Bede, and then returned to California to ignite a contemplative renewal in the Christian dispirited tradition. Some tried to integrate such Indian tradition in the Benedictine order, while others traced new paths. KEY WORDS Bede; Griffiths; California; saṃnyāsa; Camaldoli; Christianity Preliminary Remarks— Sources and Definitions The present paper profited greatly from its main sources, Sr. Michaela Terrio and Br. Francis Ali, hermits at Sky Farm Hermitage, who generously shared with me their memories of Bede Griffiths as well as spiritual insights of their life of renunciation as Christian saṃnyāsis in California. Several of the personalities mentioned in this article are personally known to the author. I offer a definition of the main terms used here:saṃnyāsis ‘ ’ are the renouncers, the acosmic hermits in the tradition of the Gītā; ‘saṃnyāsa’ is the ancient Indian consecration to acosmism and also the fourth and last stage (aśhrama) in the growth of human life; ‘guru’ is a polysemic word in India; its theological meaning depends on the religious tradition. -
Poverty, Charity and the Papacy in The
TRICLINIUM PAUPERUM: POVERTY, CHARITY AND THE PAPACY IN THE TIME OF GREGORY THE GREAT AN ABSTRACT SUBMITTED ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF MARCH, 2013 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS OF TULANE UNIVERSITY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY ___________________________ Miles Doleac APPROVED: ________________________ Dennis P. Kehoe, Ph.D. Co-Director ________________________ F. Thomas Luongo, Ph.D. Co-Director ________________________ Thomas D. Frazel, Ph.D AN ABSTRACT This dissertation examines the role of Gregory I (r. 590-604 CE) in developing permanent ecclesiastical institutions under the authority of the Bishop of Rome to feed and serve the poor and the socio-political world in which he did so. Gregory’s work was part culmination of pre-existing practice, part innovation. I contend that Gregory transformed fading, ancient institutions and ideas—the Imperial annona, the monastic soup kitchen-hospice or xenodochium, Christianity’s “collection for the saints,” Christian caritas more generally and Greco-Roman euergetism—into something distinctly ecclesiastical, indeed “papal.” Although Gregory has long been closely associated with charity, few have attempted to unpack in any systematic way what Gregorian charity might have looked like in practical application and what impact it had on the Roman Church and the Roman people. I believe that we can see the contours of Gregory’s initiatives at work and, at least, the faint framework of an organized system of ecclesiastical charity that would emerge in clearer relief in the eighth and ninth centuries under Hadrian I (r. 772-795) and Leo III (r. -
The Rule of St Basil in Latin and English
The Rule of St Basil in Latin and English The Rule of St Basil in Latin and English A Revised Critical Edition Translated by Anna M. Silvas A Michael Glazier Book LITURGICAL PRESS Collegeville, Minnesota www.litpress.org A Michael Glazier Book published by Liturgical Press Cover design by Jodi Hendrickson. Cover image: Wikipedia. The Latin text of the Regula Basilii is keyed from Basili Regula—A Rufino Latine Versa, ed. Klaus Zelzer, Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, vol. 86 (Vienna: Hoelder-Pichler-Tempsky, 1986). Used by permission of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Scripture has been translated by the author directly from Rufinus’s text. © 2013 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, micro- fiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint John’s Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America. 123456789 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Basil, Saint, Bishop of Caesarea, approximately 329–379. The Rule of St Basil in Latin and English : a revised critical edition / Anna M. Silvas. pages cm “A Michael Glazier book.” Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-0-8146-8212-8 — ISBN 978-0-8146-8237-1 (e-book) 1. Basil, Saint, Bishop of Caesarea, approximately 329–379. Regula. 2. Orthodox Eastern monasticism and religious orders—Rules. I. Silvas, Anna, translator. II. Title. III. Title: Rule of Basil. -
Shared Beliefs Between Roman Catholics and Protestants
May 27, 2018 Shared Beliefs between Roman Catholics and Protestants Recommended Book • Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences by Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie (Baker Books, 1995). • James Akin, Roman Catholic, Catholic Answers Senior Apologist “This book offers a comprehensive and balanced discussion and should retire older, sensationalistic works.” Summary of Agreements “What evangelicals have in common with Roman Catholics… this includes the great fundamentals of the Christian faith, including a belief in the Trinity, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the creation and subsequent fall of humanity, Christ’s unique atonement for our sins, the physical resurrection of Christ, the necessity of God’s grace for salvation, the existence of heaven and hell, the second coming of Christ, and the verbal inspiration and infallibility of Scripture.” (Geisler, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals, p. 155) Areas of Agreement Shared Beliefs on the Bible High View of Scripture • “The [Catholic] Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures.” (Vatican II) Scripture is inspired (“from God”) • Inspiration deals with the source of the Bible: it’s from God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21). • Prophets were mouthpieces for God (2 Sam. 23:2; Heb. 1:1; Dt. 18:18; “thus says the Lord” x 1700). 1 • First Vatican Council: The Old and New Testaments were “written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit… they have God as their author.” Scripture is infallible (“cannot fail or be broken”). • Jesus said it has divine authority (“it is written,” Mt. 4:7). • Jesus said it cannot perish (“not on jot or tittle will pass away until all fulfilled,” Mt. -
Early Medieval Monasticism in the Immediate Centuries Following The
Early Medieval Monasticism In the immediate centuries following the death of Jesus Christ, a culture of monasticism developed and prospered throughout the early Christian world. There was the growing opinion among a group of believers that the best way to serve Christ was through living a life of simplicity, asceticism, and isolation from mainstream civilization. Throughout the early medieval period, two different types of monasticism formed— solitary and cenobitic (communal). Figures such as Saint Anthony, Pachomius, and St. Benedict, in particular, developed principles for both varieties of monastic life that shaped the course of monasticism in Europe forever. Although the Catholic Church and the papacy in Rome exerted official and formal power over Christendom in Western Europe, the monks of this growing monastic movement widely influenced several facets of early medieval society. During the early medieval period, monastic monks were revered as religious heroes throughout the larger European society. While their image fluctuated over time, these medieval monks greatly impacted and contributed to the religious and secular culture in Europe throughout the medieval period and beyond. Early Christian Monasticism One of the earliest figures of solitary monasticism was Saint Anthony, who lived a solitary life in Egypt during the third century. But life as an ascetic hermit was difficult on numerous levels. As a result, the cenobitic monastic movement began to gain popularity under leaders such as Pachomius, who created a community of monastic individuals during the first part of the fourth century. Pachomius was responsible for devising some of the first foundational rules for monastic living. These included the strict principle of total obedience to superiors, as well as the practice and observance of chastity and poverty. -
Abbess a Religious Community Under the Direction of an Abbot (For Monks) Or an Abbess (For Nuns). Abbey A
abbess A religious community under the direction of an abbot (for monks) or an abbess (for nuns). abbey A religious community under the direction of an abbot (for monks) or an abbess (for nuns). abbot A religious community under the direction of an abbot (for monks) or an abbess (for nuns). alternatesupport system In church architecture, the use of alternating wall supports in the nave, usually piers and columns or compound piers of alternating form. benedictional A Christian religious book containing bishops’ blessings. Book of Hours A Christian religious book for private devotion containing prayers to be read at specified times of the day. breviary A Christian religious book of selected daily prayers and psalms. canon table A concordance, or matching, of the corresponding passage of the four Gospels as compiled by Eusebius of Caesarea in the fourth century. Caroline minuscule The alphabet that Carolingian scribes perfected, from which our modern alphabet was developed. Carolingian (adj.) Pertaining to the empire of Charlemagne (Latin, Carolus Magnus) and his successors. carpet page In early medieval manuscripts, a decorative page resembling a textile. castellum German, “western entrance structure.” The facade and towers at the western end of a medieval church, principally in Germany. In contemporary documents the westwork is called a castellum (Latin, castle or fortress) or turris (tower). cloison French, “partition.” A cell made of metal wire or a narrow metal strip soldered edgeup to a metal base to hold enamel, semiprecious stones, pieces of colored glass, or glass paste fired to resemble sparkling jewels. cloisonné A decorative metalwork technique employing cloisons; also, decorative brickwork in later Byzantine architecture. -
The Holy See
The Holy See LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS, PRIESTS, CONSECRATED PERSONS AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - Declaration (30 June 2007) [Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), English, Italian] - Explanatory Note (27 May 2007) [Chinese (Cina), Chinese (Taiwan), English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - Compendium [Chinese (China)/English, Chinese (Taiwan)/English, English] Greeting 1. Dear Brother Bishops, dear priests, consecrated persons and all the faithful of the Catholic Church in China: "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in 2 Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven ... We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy" (Col 1:3-5, 9-11). These words of the Apostle Paul are highly appropriate for expressing the sentiments that I, as the Successor of Peter and universal Pastor of the Church, feel towards you. You know well how much you are present in my heart and in my daily prayer and how deep is the relationship of communion that unites us spiritually. -
Kenosis and the Nature of the Persons in the Trinity
Kenosis and the nature of the Persons in the Trinity David T. Williams Department of Historical and Contextual Theology University of Fort Hare ALICE E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Kenosis and the nature of the Persons in the Trinity Philippians 2:7 describes the kenosis of Christ, that is Christ’s free choice to limit himself for the sake of human salvation. Although the idea of Christ’s kenosis as an explanation of the incarnation has generated considerable controversy and has largely been rejected in its original form, it is clear that in this process Christ did humble himself. This view is consistent with some contemporary perspectives on God’s self-limitation; in particular as this view provides a justification for human freedom of choice. As kenosis implies a freely chosen action of God, and not an inherent and temporary limitation, kenosis is consistent with an affirmation of God’s sovereignty. This view is particularly true if Christ’s kenosis is seen as a limitation of action and not of his attributes. Such an idea does not present problems concerning the doctrine of the Trinity, specifically regarding the relation between the economic and the immanent nature of the Trinity. The Trinitarian doctrine, on the contrary, indeed complements this idea – specifically the concept of perichoresis (the inter- relatedness among the Persons of the Triniy and the relation between the two natures of Christ). Opsomming Kenosis en die aard van die Persone in die Drie-eenheid Filippense 2:7 beskryf die kenosis van Christus – sy vrye keuse om homself te ontledig ter wille van die mens se verlossing. -
Mysticism and Mystical Experiences
1 Mysticism and Mystical Experiences The first issue is simply to identify what mysti cism is. The term derives from the Latin word “mysticus” and ultimately from the Greek “mustikos.”1 The Greek root muo“ ” means “to close or conceal” and hence “hidden.”2 The word came to mean “silent” or “secret,” i.e., doctrines and rituals that should not be revealed to the uninitiated. The adjec tive “mystical” entered the Christian lexicon in the second century when it was adapted by theolo- gians to refer, not to inexpressible experiences of God, but to the mystery of “the divine” in liturgical matters, such as the invisible God being present in sacraments and to the hidden meaning of scriptural passages, i.e., how Christ was actually being referred to in Old Testament passages ostensibly about other things. Thus, theologians spoke of mystical theology and the mystical meaning of the Bible. But at least after the third-century Egyptian theolo- gian Origen, “mystical” could also refer to a contemplative, direct appre- hension of God. The nouns “mystic” and “mysticism” were only invented in the seven teenth century when spirituality was becoming separated from general theology.3 In the modern era, mystical inter pretations of the Bible dropped away in favor of literal readings. At that time, modernity’s focus on the individual also arose. Religion began to become privatized in terms of the primacy of individuals, their beliefs, and their experiences rather than being seen in terms of rituals and institutions. “Religious experiences” also became a distinct category as scholars beginning in Germany tried, in light of science, to find a distinct experi ential element to religion. -
Travels in America: Aelred Carlyle, His American “Allies,” and Anglican Benedictine Monasticism Rene Kollar Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Travels in America: Aelred Carlyle, His American “Allies,” and Anglican Benedictine Monasticism Rene Kollar Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania N FEBRUARY 1913, Abbot Aelred Carlyle and a majority of the Benedictine monks of Caldey Island, South Wales, renounced the Anglican Church and converted to I Roman Catholicism.1 For years, the Caldey Island monastery had been a show piece of Anglo-Catholicism and a testimony to the catholic heritage of the Anglican Church, but when Charles Gore, the Bishop of Oxford, tried to regularize their status within Anglicanism by forcing Carlyle and the monks to agree to a series of demands which would radically alter their High Church liturgy and devotions, the monks voted to join the Church of Rome. The demands of the Great War, however, strained the fragile finances of the island monastery, and during the spring of 1918, Abbot Carlyle traveled to America to solicit funds for his monastery. “And it was indeed sheer necessity that took me away from the quiet shores of Caldey,” he told the readers of Pax, the community’s magazine, but “Caldey has suffered grievously through the war.”2 Abbot Carlyle saw a possible solution to his problems. “In our need we turned to our Catholic Allies in the United States, and my duty seemed obvious that I should accept the invitation I had received to go to New York to plead in person the cause of Caldey there.” Carlyle had not forgotten lessons from the past. During his years as an Anglican monk, the American connection proved to be an important asset in the realization of his monastic dreams. -
The Importance of Athanasius and the Views of His Character
The Importance of Athanasius and the Views of His Character J. Steven Davis Submitted to Dr. Jerry Sutton School of Divinity Liberty University September 19, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I: Research Proposal Abstract .............................................................................................................................11 Background ......................................................................................................................11 Limitations ........................................................................................................................18 Method of Research .........................................................................................................19 Thesis Statement ..............................................................................................................21 Outline ...............................................................................................................................21 Bibliography .....................................................................................................................27 Chapter II: Background of Athanasius An Influential Figure .......................................................................................................33 Early Life ..........................................................................................................................33 Arian Conflict ...................................................................................................................36 -
What Pope Francis Brings to Latin America by Daniel H
CLALS WORKING PAPER SERIES | NO. 11 Religion and Democratic Contestation in Latin America What Pope Francis Brings to Latin America by Daniel H. Levine MARCH 2016 Pullquote Daniel H. Levine is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Michigan. His numerous publications include Religion, Politics, and Society in Latin America (Lynne Rienner, 2012), The Quality of Democracy in Latin America (coedited with José E. Molina, Lynne Rienner, 2011), Popular Voices in Latin American Catholicism (Princeton University Press, 1992), and Religion and Politics in Latin America: The Catholic Church in Venezuela and Colombia (Princeton University Press, 1981) TheCenter for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University, establishd in January 2010, is a campus-wide initiative advancing and disseminating state- of-the-art research. The Center’s faculty affiliates and partners are at the forefront of efforts to understand economic development, democratic governance, cultural diversity and change, peace and diplomacy, health, education and environmental well-being. CLALS generates high-qual- ity, timely analysis on these and other issues in partnership with researchers and practitioners from AU and beyond.. Cover photo credit: Catholic Church England and Wales / Flickr / Creative Commons 2 AU CENTER FOR LATIN AMERICAN & LATINO STUDIES | CHAPTER TITLE HERE Table of Contents I. Introduction ...............................................................................2 II. Setting the Scene ......................................................................4