This thesis is a study of self-knowledge in the writings of Catherine of Siena. The introductory chapter clarifies the kind of self-knowledge she is describing, viz. metaphysical self-knowledge which, in the case of mystics such as Catherine, blossoms into mystical self-knowledge. Catherine is then situated within the framework of her own era. A survey of catherinian literature follows. Since her major symbol for self-knowledge is the cell, the concept of the cell in the Church tradition of the West, and its influence on Catherine, is explored. The major aspect of the enquiry is the tracing of the chronological unfolding of Catherine's doctrine of self-knowledge, working with the texts themselves. This is done under the headings of her three main symbols for self-knowledge, la eel/a (the cell), la casa (the house) and la citta dell'anima (the city of the soul). Each of these sections is concluded with an interpretation of the significance of the unfolding of that symbol within Catherine's thought and the chapter itself is rounded off by an interpretation of the three symbols for self-knowledge in their integration and interconnectedness. Catherine communicates her experience of mystical self-knowledge by means of a complex system of images and symbols, all of which fit together to form a whole. This warrants an investigation into the role of the imagination, imagery and symbol in mysticism, and explores Catherine's use of imagery and symbol. The study shows Catherine's own gradual integration of mystical experience and ministry as it takes place within her experience and in the development of her thought. What we are able to see, by studying the texts, is the formation and strengthening of the underlying unity in Catherine between the inner movement of mystical love and outgoing concern for others which is redemptive love. These two are really one. / Christian, Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Religious Studies)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T19:20:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ceci Maria Costa Baptista Mariani.pdf: 836983 bytes, checksum: 9488e81f23d9e2c3fb66f730fdb5aef6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-12-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The point of departure for this study was the work Le Mirouer des Simples Ames by Marguerite Porete, who belonged to a religious order in the region of The Rhine and who, according to history, lived between the second half of the XIII century and the beginning of the XIV century. It is a stimulating work which makes an important contribution to philosophical, theological and literary thinking. Our aim in this study was to explore the Christian mystic, which reached its peak in the late Middle Ages, to deepen the perception of this dynamic which is expressed as an experience of annihilation and to perceive how it unfolds in the theology. The more specific objective was to go deeper into the meaning of Marguerite Porete´s theological thinking, fundamentally mystical, and her contribution to systematic theology today, which intends not only to unite concepts and theological theory, but also to be a theology attentive to historical experience, the objective site of God´s presence, but which in spite of this, has confronted the risk of losing its contemplative dimension, the subjective site of a mystic encounter with God, thus freely transcending historical time and space. Our theological reading of Mirouer led us to perceive that the great contribution from this work lies in the explicitness of the relation between self-deprivation and liberty on the one hand and on the other, the bold affirmation that God is Graciousness, a God of delicacy, sweetness and goodness, in a world whose favored image of God is that of the almighty Father, at one time director, protector and fount of authority, a God of great majesty who remains in heaven and occasionally extends his hand across the clouds. To the God who leads an army constituted of angels and saints who exercise an intermediary function and manifest his protective and judging omnipresence, Marguerite announces the Loin-près, He who from his absolute transcendence, through graciousness, comes to us and transforms us for communion with Him / O ponto de partida dessa pesquisa foi a obra Le Mirouer des Simples Ames de Marguerite Porete, uma beguina cleriga, da região do Reno e que, segundo consta, viveu entre a segunda metade do século XIII e início do século XIV. Uma obra instigante que traz uma contribuição importante para o pensamento filosófico-teológico e literário. Nosso objetivo, com esse estudo, foi sondar a mística cristã que atinge seu ápice na alta idade média, aprofundar a percepção dessa dinâmica, que se expressa como experiência de aniquilamento, e perceber como ela se desdobra em teologia. O objetivo mais específico foi aprofundar o significado do pensamento teológico de Marguerite Porete, fundamentalmente místico, e sua contribuição para teologia sistemática hoje que pretende ser mais que reunião de conceitos, teologia teórica, mas teologia que está atenta para a experiência histórica, lugar objetivo de presença de Deus, mas que, apesar disso, tem enfrentado o risco de perder sua dimensão contemplativa, lugar subjetivo do encontro místico com Deus, transcendência livre do espaço e do tempo, portanto da história. Nossa leitura teológica do Mirouer levou-nos a perceber que a grande contribuição da obra reside na explicitação da relação entre despojamento de si e liberdade por um lado e por outro, na ousada afirmação de que Deus é Cortesia, Deus de delicadeza, doçura e bondade, num mundo cuja imagem privilegiada de Deus é o Pai poderoso, a um tempo diretor e protetor, fonte de autoridade, Deus de grande majestade que permanece no céu e que eventualmente mostra sua mão através das nuvens. Ao Deus que está à frente de um exército constituído de santos e anjos que exercem a função de intermediários e que manifestam sua onipresença protetora e julgadora, Marguerite anuncia o Loin-près, aquele que desde a sua absoluta transcendência, por cortesia, vem a nós e nos transforma para a comunhão com ele

This thesis is a study of self-knowledge in the writings of Catherine of Siena. The introductory chapter clarifies the kind of self-knowledge she is describing, viz. metaphysical self-knowledge which, in the case of mystics such as Catherine, blossoms into mystical self-knowledge. Catherine is then situated within the framework of her own era. A survey of catherinian literature follows. Since her major symbol for self-knowledge is the cell, the concept of the cell in the Church tradition of the West, and its influence on Catherine, is explored. The major aspect of the enquiry is the tracing of the chronological unfolding of Catherine's doctrine of self-knowledge, working with the texts themselves. This is done under the headings of her three main symbols for self-knowledge, la eel/a (the cell), la casa (the house) and la citta dell'anima (the city of the soul). Each of these sections is concluded with an interpretation of the significance of the unfolding of that symbol within Catherine's thought and the chapter itself is rounded off by an interpretation of the three symbols for self-knowledge in their integration and interconnectedness. Catherine communicates her experience of mystical self-knowledge by means of a complex system of images and symbols, all of which fit together to form a whole. This warrants an investigation into the role of the imagination, imagery and symbol in mysticism, and explores Catherine's use of imagery and symbol. The study shows Catherine's own gradual integration of mystical experience and ministry as it takes place within her experience and in the development of her thought. What we are able to see, by studying the texts, is the formation and strengthening of the underlying unity in Catherine between the inner movement of mystical love and outgoing concern for others which is redemptive love. These two are really one. / Christian, Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Religious Studies)