Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / This study defends the hypothesis that Franciscan legends and myth themes, based on historical incidents, constitute significant Christian heritage, expressed at deep pre-conscious levels, and are therefore appropriate and valuable educational materials, relevant to the development of the spiritual personality, and useful in Church School curricula. Legend and myth are defined, classified, and evaluated as to their meaning in the educative process. The unconscious use of myth as symbol in the emotional development of the person is explored with special reference to Franciscan material, which contains such typical myth themes as the paradisiacal state, the hero figure, nature stories, and creation legend [TRUNCATED]

The diploma thesis deals with the medieval controversy over the stigmata of Francis of Assisi. The religious phenomenon of the stigmata is viewed from the point of view of the general development of the spirituality in the High Middle Ages. The work tries to respect the chronological development of the polemics and, accordingly, also focuses on the progress of the Franciscan reflection of the stigmata. One of the chapters is dedicated to the analysis of the origins of the Franciscan tradition of the founder's stigmata. Subsequently, the work describes the resistance against the cult of the stigmatized saint from the point of view of the Franciscan sources and papal bulls, defending the authenticity of the stigmata. The penultimate chapter is dedicated to the development of the Franciscan theology of the stigmata, which resulted in the exaltation of the founder and his order. On the grounds of this development, the stigmata became the subject of rivalry between the Franciscans and the Dominicans, as discussed in the last chapter.

Saint Francis' quest for the Crucified through the San Damiano Cross Abstract The encounter with the Crucified is the constitutive element of the spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi. The objective of my thesis is finding the deeper understanding of Francis' perception of the cross. The topic should be elucidated by the San Damiano Cross Icon and other moments of the Saint of Assisi's life. The study of Francis' relation to the cross will be put into an appropriate context: the theology of the cross is mainly ingrained in the Jesus Christ's Mystery of Easter. This knowledge is deepened in life of the Early Church and, through the enriching epoch-making interposition even the "poor little" of Assisi may experience its fruits. In the fundamental part of the text I will organize the key materials for the study of Francis' relation to the crucified Christ contained in the franciscan sources with the help of the newest literature. Therefore the thesis will offer a complex view to one of the crucial moments of Francis' conversion. Keywords Saint Francis of Assisi, San Damiano, icon, cross, theology of the cross, The Crucified, history of the cross, speaking cross, franciscan sources, St. Paul, St. Bonaventure

Towards a Franciscan model of Clinical pastoral supervision is a study of interaction between two movements: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Franciscan Spirituality. Francis and Clare were the primary founders of the Franciscan movement and Franciscan spirituality arose from their reflections on their unique response of following Christ. From the early Franciscan sources, essential elements are retrieved. Compassion is illustrated as a key quality of this model through textual analysis of four stories of Francis and his early followers. Clinical Pastoral Education is a result of the contributions of three founders: Keller, Cabot and Boisen. Clinical pastoral supervision (CPS) is a distinguishing concept of CPE. Various models of CPS are categorised according to three paradigms of western society: classical, modern and postmodern. The study concludes by framing a Franciscan model of clinical pastoral supervision. Contemplation and compassion are the two Franciscan characteristics which give this model a unique Franciscan dimension. / New Testament / M.Th.

La présente recherche tente de se centrer sur le septième centenaire de la mort de saint François d’Assise (1226- 1926). Elle étudie trois auteurs ayant rendu hommage au saint : Michel de Ghelderode (1898-1962) avec les Images de la vie de saint François d’Assise, Henri Ghéon (1875-1944) avec La Vie profonde de saint François d’Assise, et Déodat de Basly (1863-1937) avec La Christiade française. À travers des approches hagiographique, poétique, et théologique, l’étude envisage de se plonger dans une large perspective de représentions littéraires du saint, afin de retracer un paysage littéraire qui se focalise sur l’époque choisie. / The present research attempts to focus on the seventh centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi (1226- 1926). This work will study three authors who had paid homage to the saint: Michel de Ghelderode (1898- 1962) with Images de la vie de saint François d’Assise, Henri Gheon (1875-1944) with La Vie profonde de saint François d’Assise, and Déodat de Basly (1863-1937) with La Christiade française. Under hagiographic, poetic, and theological approaches, this work intends to dip into a broad perspective of literary representations of St. Francis, in order to trace a literary landscape that focuses on the chosen era.

Towards a Franciscan model of Clinical pastoral supervision is a study of interaction between two movements: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Franciscan Spirituality. Francis and Clare were the primary founders of the Franciscan movement and Franciscan spirituality arose from their reflections on their unique response of following Christ. From the early Franciscan sources, essential elements are retrieved. Compassion is illustrated as a key quality of this model through textual analysis of four stories of Francis and his early followers. Clinical Pastoral Education is a result of the contributions of three founders: Keller, Cabot and Boisen. Clinical pastoral supervision (CPS) is a distinguishing concept of CPE. Various models of CPS are categorised according to three paradigms of western society: classical, modern and postmodern. The study concludes by framing a Franciscan model of clinical pastoral supervision. Contemplation and compassion are the two Franciscan characteristics which give this model a unique Franciscan dimension. / New Testament / M.Th.