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The Spirituality of Catholic Men During Midlife: an Ignatian Perspective

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The Spirituality of Catholic Men During Midlife: an Ignatian Perspective La Salle University La Salle University Digital Commons Th.D. Dissertations Scholarship 6-29-2020 The Spirituality of Catholic Men During Midlife: An Ignatian Perspective Michael J. Burdziak Jr. La Salle University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/religion_thd Recommended Citation Burdziak, Michael J. Jr., "The Spirituality of Catholic Men During Midlife: An Ignatian Perspective" (2020). Th.D. Dissertations. 11. https://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/religion_thd/11 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Scholarship at La Salle University Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Th.D. Dissertations by an authorized administrator of La Salle University Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LA SALLE UNIVERSITY THE SPIRITUALITY OF CATHOLIC MEN DURING MIDLIFE: AN IGNATIAN PERSPECTIVE A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY PROGRAM IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION BY MICHAEL J. BURDZIAK JR. PHILADELPHA, PA JUNE 2020 APPROVAL PAGE Name: Michael J. Burdziak Jr. Degree: Doctor of Theology Title of Dissertation: “The Spirituality of Catholic Men During Midlife: An Ignatian Perspective. Dissertation Committee: Mentor: Fr. Francis Berna, Ph.D. La Salle University 1st Reader: Thomas Legere, Ph.D. La Salle University 2nd Reader: John Kruse, Ph.D. Neumann University Dissertation successfully defended June 29, 2020. ii ABSTRACT The Men’s Movement began in the 1970’s and led men to examine their health and wellness more closely. What they discovered was that, in general, men were struggling from addictive behavior, emotional trauma, and strained relationships. These discoveries influenced authors to focus on men’s experiences with the hope of articulating a unique male spirituality. Initially, a number of these authors were clergy and psychologists that were trained in psychology. This training exposed many of them to the psychological theories of Carl Jung, who, among his many writings, focused on the midlife experience. This study will focus on the blessings and challenges Catholic men experience during midlife. Since Jung focused specifically on the complex nature of midlife, his writings will provide the basis for examining the transitions that occur during this critical time period. It will explain how Jung’s theories of the psyche, specifically archetypes and individuation, are significant for understanding the spirituality of Catholic men during midlife. This dissertation will utilize the lived experiences of St. Ignatius of Loyola as a case study for understanding the experiences of men during midlife. It will provide a summary of the lasting images that are part of the portrait of the legacy of Ignatius. This will be followed by an overview of the various stages in his life that illustrated the transformation he underwent after experiencing a mid-life crisis. It will highlight how the characteristics of desire, discernment, and detachment are instrumental for Ignatian Spirituality and Catholic men. St. Ignatius was chosen as a case study because his life clearly illustrates the spiritual transformation that occurs following a mid-life crisis. Another reason is that he is a recognizable saint, thus an exemplar of Christian holiness. Furthermore, the holiness he exemplified was manifested in a robust and viral iii fashion. Although St. Ignatius lived five centuries ago, and was conditioned by the culture in which he lived, his life is still relevant for the spiritual welfare of Catholic men today. This dissertation will demonstrate how midlife offers Catholic men unseen opportunities for spiritual transformation. It will confirm that the spiritual needs of the second half of life are radically different from those of the first. It will question whether the current trend to “Man Up” has benefits for men during midlife. In effect, this dissertation proposes that Catholic men, and those that minister to them, need to adopt a more holistic spirituality to better navigate through the mid-life journey. The motto “Holiness is Wholeness,” coined by Josef Goldbrunner decades ago, is more important for the wellness of men than ever. iv DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I dedicate this work in memory of my parents Bernadette and Michael. I would like to acknowledge the guidance and support of the following people: Dr. Joann Wolski Conn for her many years of care, concern, and loving support. Fr. Francis Berna for his generosity and guiding support throughout this project. Dr. Thomas Legere for generously sharing his time and his encouragement. Dr. John Kruse for generously agreeing to be one of the readers and his editing. Timothy Dougherty and Matthew Chominski for the time they spent editing. I am forever grateful for the unconditional love of my wife Ann Marie and my children Christian and Jillian. v TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 - THE SPIRITUALITY OF CATHOLIC MEN .................................................7 Introduction The Men’s Movement The Mythopoetic Men’s Movement Pioneers of the Catholic Men’s Movement Martin Pable: The Quest For The Male Soul Patrick M. Arnold: Wildmen, Warriors, and Kings Richard Rohr: The Wild Man’s Journey The New Catholic Men’s Movement Larry Richards: Be A Man! Jared Zimmerer: Man Up! Becoming the New Catholic Renaissance Man Harold Burke-Sivers: Behold The Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality CHAPTER 2 - THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CARL JUNG..............................................................51 Introduction Jung and Christianity Controversies Surrounding Jungian Psychology Jung’s Theory Regarding The Psyche The Psyche The Self The Ego The Ego-Self Axis The Persona The Shadow Anima vi Archetypes: The King Archetype and The Shadow King Archetype The Warrior Archetype and The Shadow Warrior Archetype The Magician Archetype and The Shadow Magician Archetype The Lover Archetype and The Shadow Lover Archetype The Individuation Process CHAPTER 3 - CATHOLIC MEN: THE CHALLENGES OF MIDLIFE ...................................93 Introduction Metaphors for Midlife Carl Jung and The Second Half of Life The Mid-Life Crisis Misunderstanding the Mid-life Crisis The Three Stages of the Mid-life Crisis The Changes and Challenges Men Face During Midlife “The Stroke of Noon” The Struggle with Depression Physical and Psychological Breakdown Three Types of Mid-Life Crisis A Crisis of Limits A Crisis of Meaning A Crisis of Faith Second Half of Life Spirituality Turning In and Letting Go The Blessings of the Mid-life Crisis Chapter 4 - IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA: A CASE STUDY OF MEN IN MIDLIFE ..................133 Introduction Brief Biography Crisis at Pamplona Struggles at Manresa vii Studies at The University of Paris Toil in Rome The Stages in the Life Of Ignatius of Loyola The Romantic Hero The Courageous Soldier The Repentant Pilgrim The Everyday Mystic The Dutiful Administrator Ignatian Spirituality Deepest Desires Discernment of Spirits Consolation and Desolation Ignatian Detachment CHAPTER 5 - IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA AND MODERN MALE SPIRITUALITY .............176 Introduction The Challenge to “Man Up” The Journey from Wildman to Wiseman The Search for the Deep Masculine The Journey into the Mature Masculine Ignatius of Loyola: Warrior, Magician, Lover, and King The Mid-life Crisis of Ignatius of Loyola Experiences of Trauma Experiences of Desire The Mid-life Calling of Ignatius of Loyola The Journey Toward Wholeness “Holiness is Wholeness” - Holistic Spirituality Wholeness is not Perfection CONCLUSION .........................................................................................................219 viii INTRODUCTION A recent search on Amazon reveals that most of the authors of books on “Midlife Spirituality” are women.1 What deductions, if any, can be drawn from this finding? Is this mere coincidence or are there underlying factors why men authors do not concentrate on midlife? Is it possible that men are less interested in spirituality because it has feminine connotations? Do men avoid talking about midlife because their physical capabilities diminish during this period? Finally, has the male experience of midlife been taken for granted? Background and Context In the 1960’s, America experienced a cultural revolution in which women, people of color, and gays demanded equal rights. Following the genesis of feminist theory and the onset of the Women’s Movement, men began asking themselves what constitutes manhood. This led to greater scrutiny of long-standing assumptions concerning masculinity. This set the stage for the rise of a men’s movement that surfaced during the 1970’s. Writing for the journal Liberation, Jack Sawyer penned a short article, “On Male Liberation,” which was one of the first public challenges to traditional cultural expectations for men.2 The same year, the first discussion group focused exclusively on men’s issues was formed at the Men’s Center in Berkeley, California.3 Later that decade, following the publication of 1 Search was conducted on May 30, 2020. Although some books were co-authored by men and women, it is obvious that more authors were women. 2 Jack Sawyer, “On Male Liberation,” Liberation. August-September-October, Volume 15, Numbers 6. 7. 8. 1970. 3 Some sources consider 1968 as the start of the men’s movement. Others pinpoint the start of the men’s movement
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