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19MTHSP002 Anthony Caruana.Pdf UNIVERSITY OF MALTA Faculty of Theology Anthony Caruana AN INQUIRY INTO THE MONASTIC ELEMENTS PERTAINING THE SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE A thesis submitted In part fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of MA in Spirituality MALTA 2019 ABSTRACT This thesis examines to what degree the SDC charisma (founded by St George Preca in the early years of the 20th Century) can be considered as a continuing expression of a new form of monasticism. Monasticism pre-dates Christianity and the life of the Church. Christian monatiscism was with Anthony of Egypt’s move from city to desert. Like all other forms of spirituality, monasticism developed and took new forms to respond to the needs of the times. This research aims to examine the extent to which the Society of Christian Doctrine may be said to be an expression of the New Monasticism, which is being lived today in different groups of lay people around the world. Suggestions of a concrete number of proposals that can stimulate further discussion and critical analysis as a way for living the SDC charism more effectively will be offered. Tutor: Rev. Dr Charló Camilleri O. Carm Anthony Caruana M.A. Spirituality 2019 Table of Contents ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................... viii DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................... x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................... xi INTRODUCION ................................................................................................................................ 13 CHAPTER 1: CORE ELEMENTS OF MONASTICISM ............................................................. 22 1.1 Eastern and Western Christian Monastics .................................................................................... 22 1.1.1 A New kind of Martyrdom ................................................................................................. 23 1.1.2 New Forms of Ascetism in the Early Church ..................................................................... 26 1.2 The Ethos of Monastic Life ........................................................................................................... 30 1.2.1 Single-mindedness ............................................................................................................ 301 1.2.2 Fuga Mundi ........................................................................................................................ 31 1.2.3 Metanoia and Ascēsis.......................................................................................................... 34 1.3 Core Elements of Monasticism ...................................................................................................... 35 1.3.1 Monasticism: A Response to a Decadent Society .............................................................. 36 1.4 Monasticism as a Lay Movement .................................................................................................. 37 1.4.1 Prophetic Witness ............................................................................................................... 39 1.4.2 Intentional Living ............................................................................................................... 40 1.5 Following Christ in the Monastic Way: A Universal Call ............................................................. 41 1.5.1 The White Habit ................................................................................................................. 42 1.5.2 The Urban Monk ................................................................................................................ 43 CHAPTER 2: A RE-APPROPRIATION OF MONASTICISM AS A WAY OF LIFE FOR THE SDC MEMBER ........................................................................................................................ 48 2.1 The Religious, Ecclesial and Socio-Cultural context of the SDC Foundation .............................. 48 2.1.1 Rapid Change and Turbulent Times ................................................................................... 49 2.2 The Novelty of the SDC in the Early Twentieth Century Church in Malta .................................. 50 2.2.1 A New Catechetical Vision ................................................................................................ 52 2.2.2 A Concrete Response to Acerbo Nimis ............................................................................... 55 2.3 George Preca’s Proposal to the Group: An altogether New Phenomenon .................................... 57 2.3.1 A Mystery of Paradox......................................................................................................... 58 2.3.2 Closer to Those at the Fringes of Society ........................................................................... 59 2.3.3 Hints of Transformation ..................................................................................................... 60 2.4 Characteristics of the Monastic Life in George Preca’s Prophetic Vision .................................... 61 2.4.1 Verba Volant, Scripta Manet .............................................................................................. 62 2.4.2 New Wine in New Wineskins ............................................................................................ 64 2.4.3 A Counter Preposition ........................................................................................................ 65 2.5 Major Themes in the Life and Writings of George Preca .............................................................. 67 2.5.1 Self-denial ........................................................................................................................... 68 2.5.2 Kenosis................................................................................................................................ 69 2.5.3 Put on the New Man ........................................................................................................... 70 2.6 Correlations Between Monastic structure and the Early Constitutions of the SDC ...................... 72 2.6.1 The Core of the Inspiration ................................................................................................. 73 2.6.2 Learn to Teach .................................................................................................................... 75 2.7 Characteristics of the SDC Monastic ethos as Identified by Non-members. ................................. 77 2.7.1 Verbum Dei ......................................................................................................................... 79 2.7.2 The Final Aim of every SDC Member ............................................................................... 81 2.7.3 Chosen to Teach ............................................................................................................... 833 2.7.4 Jesus Christ: The Great Book ............................................................................................. 84 2.7.5 Monastic Wisdom ............................................................................................................... 85 2.7.6 Lay and Celibate ................................................................................................................. 86 2.7.7 The SDC Centre: A School for Intentional Living ............................................................. 88 CHAPTER 3: ‘SOLI DEO’ – GOD ALONE .................................................................................. 92 3.1 The SDC’s particular ethos: “a Monk is a True Christian and a Christian is a True Monk” ........ 92 3.1.1 Obedience that Leads to Holiness ...................................................................................... 93 3.2 A Correlation Between Elements Within Monasticism and the SDC ........................................... 94 3.2.1 A Learning Community ...................................................................................................... 95 3.2.2 Internal Membership........................................................................................................... 97 3.2.3 Pray Without Ceasing ......................................................................................................... 99 3.2.4 Humility and Meekness .................................................................................................... 102 3.2.5 Simplicity.......................................................................................................................... 104 3.2.6 Silence .............................................................................................................................. 104 3.2.7 Virginity............................................................................................................................ 106 3.2.8 Spiritual Formation and Direction .................................................................................... 107 3.3 The SDC: Being Regarded as “Fools for Christ” ........................................................................ 109 3.3.1 The SDC as a Radical Option ..........................................................................................
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