Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

This study, based on survey and interview data, seeks to understand how and why teachers in Catholic schools can be supported in their own spiritual development. The research describes and suggests ways to support and nurture spiritual formation for those who accept the vocation of teaching in Catholic schools. Employing survey and interview methods, this inquiry is philosophically rooted in four Lonergan precepts of human consciousness. Be attentive; be intelligent; be reasonable; be responsible. The study begins with attentiveness to the researcher's personal experience followed by an attending to the literature relevant to that lived situation. The formation of an intelligent inquiry into the questions arising from the named experiences deepens into a reasonable and responsible summary of the knowledge gained through the research. Teachers from a small urban/rural Catholic school district were surveyed. Of the 267 surveys distributed, 112 were completed and returned (42%). From those surveyed, five volunteers were selected to be interviewed, responding to nine questions regarding spiritual formation and the factors contributing to it. Recommendations that may nurture the spiritual development of teachers in Catholic schools are put forth in the concluding chapter of the thesis. These include recognizing teaching as ministry and supporting it as such; remaining attentive to the life questions of those in the vocation of teaching; leadership through example and witness; and nurturing the building of rich, authentic relationships in the school community. / x, 143 leaves ; 28 cm.

This thesis is concerned broadly with purported mystics and how the Roman Catholic Church conceives of them theologically, and treats them in practicality. In exploring the dynamics of power at work when an individual claims to have dialogue with God, I identify a very particular process that occurs, namely active abjection, and illustrate this using examples taken from the writings of various purported mystics. I argue that there is a collection of people - the actively abjected - who occupy a very specific role within the Roman Catholic Church, and that this role has not been recognized. I go on to suggest a way in which they can be understood and respected for the role they play. To do this, I draw upon particular philosophical models of understanding from Hannah Arendt and Julia Kristeva. I aspire to encourage a deeper and more complicated understanding of the nature of institutionalized oppression, and to offer a reconstructive model for how those who encounter potentially problematic individuals within communities might work and interact with them in a non-oppressive manner. This thesis is a work of Catholic theology in that it offers a theological and philosophical argument for the recognition of a particular role certain individuals play in maintaining the structure and definition of the Catholic Church. But it is also intended as a work of political philosophy. Both Arendt and Kristeva, whose writing I use as a lens to examine a particular phenomenon found in religious communities are theorists in the tradition of political philosophy and my intention is to expand the application of their models.

Throughout the colonial period of Mexican history, cloistered nuns wrote spiritual journals at the request of their confessors. These documents were read and scrutinized, not only by the confessors, but also by others in the hierarchy of their Orders. They are important sources of study for historians in that they provide a window into the religious culture of the times and the spiritual mentality of their authors. This thesis will examine one such record, discovered in a collection of volumes at the Historical Franciscan Archive of Michoacán in Celaya, Mexico. The diary covers eleven months of 1751 in the life of a Franciscan nun -- believed to be María de Jesús Felipa who kept such records over a period of more than twenty years. María de Jesús Felipa was a visionary who experienced occasional ecstatic states. Through her contacts with the spiritual world, she pursued her own salvation and that of those most specifically in her charge: members of her own community -- the convent of San Juan de la Penitencia in Mexico City -- and the souls in purgatory. These encounters propelled her into different frames of time and space -- moving her into the past and the future, and transporting her to bucolic and horrific locations. Her diary ascribes meaning to these encounters by tying them to her life and her relationships within the convent. Her diary of 1751 also indicates that this spiritual activity and the records she kept brought her to the attention of the Inquisition. The thesis argues that, because of its cohesiveness of thought and consistency of focus, the diary effectively casts its record keeper as author of her own life story. A close reading reveals the inner thoughts and perceptions of a distinct personality. Her first-person account also reflects the character of Christianity, the impact of post-Tridentine reforms and difficulties in the governance of convents in eighteenth-century New Spain. Although always arduous and often unpleasant, writing provided Sor Maria with an opportunity to establish her integrity, exercise control, and justify her thoughts and actions as she pursued her vocation. Writing under the supervision of a confessor, María de Jesús Felipa was her own person. In its organization and focus, her diary resolutely records a struggle for self-determination within the limits imposed by the monastic vows of obedience, chastity, poverty and enclosure.

Most recent studies of Cassian and his writings have examined the monk’s historical contexts, the theology expressed in his texts or his role in the development of monasticism. This dissertation examines the spirituality of Cassian and assesses its value to contemporary Christian communities. By applying a hermeneutical approach to the study of Cassian’s texts, the investigation distinguishes between the spirituality of Cassian, the historical person; the spirituality Cassian conveys in his writings; and Cassian’s spirituality as lived experience. The dissertation argues that Cassian’s spirituality as lived experience, as elicited by Gadamer’s hermeneutical model of conversation between text and interpreter, is valuable to contemporary Christian communities. It offers a spiritual ‘route map’ that can inspire, encourage and guide members of such communities on a spiritual journey that leads to greater intimacy with, and faithfulness to, Christ. The hermeneutical process necessary to appropriate the spirituality of Cassian as lived experience has the potential to dismantle prejudgements and attitudes of superiority and triumphalism often displayed by Christian communities and encourage fresh engagement with the history, traditions and Scriptures of the Church. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

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)

This research seeks to acquire a deep understanding of how spirituality and mission correlate and shape each other. An initial review of missiological texts has revealed that spirituality is not often (nor explicitly) taken into consideration by missiologists. Likewise, mission generally does not occupy a central place within the academic discipline of spirituality. I contend that spirituality is the motor of mission and missiology and therefore cannot be only briefly mentioned or omitted from missiological discourse. This thesis explores this relationship with a specific focus on the Comboni Missionary Sisters. It explores the mission spirituality of their founder, Daniel Comboni, how this is taken up by the Comboni Missionary Sisters and how it shapes their lives and their being in mission. The research also aims to foster some transformations. It explores new ways for the Sisters to express their ways of being in mission in the context(s) in which they live, in order to be faithful to Comboni’s charism as well as to be a relevant presence today. The thesis proposes that mission spirituality be studied and lived by making use a Mission spirituality spiral. Its six dimensions are: spirituality, at the centre and all along the spiral; encounter with other(s) and with the context; context analysis; theological reflection (encounter with Scripture and Tradition); discernment for transformative ways of being in mission and reflexivity. A qualitative analysis is presented from interviews conducted with fifteen Comboni Missionary Sisters working in various continents. Genuine encounter with the Triune God, with the other(s), with the context and its analysis, and encounter with Scripture and Tradition lead to transformation in the person and subsequently to finding new ways of being in mission. The mission spirituality spiral is used as an analytical tool to study the mission spirituality of Comboni and the Comboni Missionary Sisters and also as a mobilising tool. Suggestions for further areas of research are made. The thesis concludes with some personal learning and transformation. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Most recent studies of Cassian and his writings have examined the monk’s historical contexts, the theology expressed in his texts or his role in the development of monasticism. This dissertation examines the spirituality of Cassian and assesses its value to contemporary Christian communities. By applying a hermeneutical approach to the study of Cassian’s texts, the investigation distinguishes between the spirituality of Cassian, the historical person; the spirituality Cassian conveys in his writings; and Cassian’s spirituality as lived experience. The dissertation argues that Cassian’s spirituality as lived experience, as elicited by Gadamer’s hermeneutical model of conversation between text and interpreter, is valuable to contemporary Christian communities. It offers a spiritual ‘route map’ that can inspire, encourage and guide members of such communities on a spiritual journey that leads to greater intimacy with, and faithfulness to, Christ. The hermeneutical process necessary to appropriate the spirituality of Cassian as lived experience has the potential to dismantle prejudgements and attitudes of superiority and triumphalism often displayed by Christian communities and encourage fresh engagement with the history, traditions and Scriptures of the Church. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

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)

The struggle between church and state continued during the thirteenth century. The crusades continued in the East with the advance of Islam. Crusades were also called for to put an end to heresies, in particular the Albigensian heresy. Unfortunately the established orders, such as the Cistercians, failed to combat heresy and to solve the problems of corruption in the Church. Scholastic theology developed with the establishment of the universities. These events influenced the thirteenth century. During the thirteenth century spiritual renewal began with Pope Innocent III. Councils like the Fourth Lateran Council defined church teaching and addressed corruption of the clergy. However, one of the most important sources of spiritual renewal came from the mendicant orders who had been given permission by Pope Innocent III to operate in the Church. These orders contributed immensely to education in the universities and through the Catholic laity culture advanced. / Die stryd tussen kerk en staat het voortgegaan gedurende die dertiende eeu. Die kruistogte het voortgeduur in die Ooste met die aanruk van Islam. Kruistogte was ook aangeroep om sodoende ‘n einde te maak aan kettery, veral Albiganiese kettery. Ongelukkig die ontwikkelde heerskappye, soos die Cisteriaanse orde, het nie daarin geslaag om probleme soos kettery en korrupsie in die kerk op te los. Skolastiese teologie het ontwikkel met die vestiging van die universiteite. Hierdie gebeure het ‘n kardinale impak gehad op die dertiende eeu. Gedurende die periode, het geestelik hernuwing begin met Pous Innocent III. Owerhede soos die Vierde Laterniese Owerheid het godsdiens onderrig, gedefinieer en korrupsie aangespreek. Tog, was een van die belangrikste bronne van geestelike hernuwing, die Bedelmonnik Orde, wat toestemming van Pous Innocent III gekry het om in die kerk te handel. Hierdie orde het bygedra tot onderig in universiteite en deur Katoliek leke het kultuur voortgespruit. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Church History)