Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic University of America, 1986. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-106).

Le Symbolisme de l’Apparition de Léon Bloy est l’embryon du reste de son œuvre. Les ombres de nos connaissances sur la genèse et l’écriture de ce texte rendent nécessaire un éclairage sur les facteurs historiques de ce projet inachevé et sur les influences reçues par l’auteur. La figure tutélaire de l’abbé Tardif de Moidrey exerce sur lui l’influence la plus importante, à côté de celle d’Ernest Hello et d’Anne-Marie Roulé. Une enquête historique permet de mettre en lumière les raisons de sa profonde emprise sur Bloy et les lignes directrices de sa pensée sur quelques thèmes majeurs : une vision généalogique de l’histoire, l’imaginaire médiéval, la réparation par le sacrifice et l’espérance du « retour » des Juifs et de l’accomplissement des prophéties. L’autorité de la Somme théologique de saint Thomas apporte à ces thèmes un fondement philosophique ; quant au culte de Marie, il en est le point d’aboutissement. Tardif a transmis à Bloy l’idée d’appliquer l’exégèse symbolique aux apparitions de la Vierge. Cette exégèse fait elle-même ici l’objet d’un éclairage historique, ainsi que la mariologie dont le Symbolisme de l’Apparition est le reflet et le prolongement. / Symbolism of the Apparition of Leon Bloy is at the origin of his whole work. The shadows of our knowledge about the genesis and the writing of this text require light on the historical factors of this unfinished project and the influences received by the author. The tutelary figure of father Tardif de Moidrey exerts on him the most important influence, in addition to Ernest Hello and Anne -Marie Roulé. A historical research helps to enlighten the reasons for his profound influence on Bloy and the guidelines of his thoughts on a few major themes : a genealogical view of history, the reference to the Middle Ages, the repair through sacrifice and the hope of the « return » of the Jews and of the fulfillment of the prophecies. The authority of the Summa Theologica brings to these themes a philosophical basis, and the cult of Mary gathers them all. Tardif has transmitted to Bloy the idea of applying the symbolic exegesis to the apparitions of the Virgin. This exegesis itself is interpreted in an historical perspective, as well as the Mariology, that Symbolism of the Apparition reflects and extends.

Através desta dissertação reflito possíveis compreensões de fé manifestas nos corpos dos devotos de Maria de Salette e em que medida esses corpos tornam-se espaço teológico. A pesquisa apresentada tem como um dos objetivos, estudar aspectos concernentes a corporalidade presente na Romaria de Nossa Senhora de Salette, realizada anualmente em um pequeno município, do Rio Grande do Sul, Marcelino Ramos. A aparição de Maria em La Salette na França ocorreu em 1846 tendo sido testemunhada por duas crianças trabalhadoras agropastoris. Em meu relato etnográfico trago algumas percepções, entre elas a relação entre corpos dos devotos com a imagem de Maria em que se configuram num mesmo espaço sagrado, o Fac-Símile da aparição, um espaço ritualmente constituído onde o sagrado "se manifesta". Aí ocorre a identificação sensorial, com a imagem sacra, o que parece ser mais um rito dentro da romaria. Essa identificação sensorial-corporal do devoto com a imagem de Maria se dá através do beijo, no abraçar, tocar as imagens, também nas imagens das testemunhas da aparição. A sacralidade não está centrada no objeto, mas na relação estabelecida. Na união com o sagrado, é através dos sentidos que se dá a identificação, a abertura e as possibilidades de aproximação e vivência de experiências místicas. O corpo é foco fundamental em qualquer relação, também na relação com o sagrado através das percepções sensoriais. Nesse sentido, lembro de Roberto da Matta, quando este diz que, procurando ver o corpo, vemos a alma e procurando ver a alma encontramos o corpo. / Through this dissertation I reflect on the possible understandings of faith manifested in the bodies of the devout followers of Maria de Salette and to what measure these bodies become a theological space. The research presented has as one of its goals, to study the aspects related to the corporality present in the Nossa Senhora de Salette Pilgrimage, which takes place annually in a small municipality of Rio Grande do Sul, Marcelino Ramos. The apparition of Maria in La Salette in France happened in 1846 and was witnessed by two shepherd children workers. In my ethnographic report I present some perceptions, among which is the relation between the bodies of the devoted with the image of Maria, which is configured within the same sacred space together with the Fac-Simile of the apparition, a ritually constituted space where the sacred "is manifest". There occurs a sensorial identification with the sacred image, which seems to be another ritual within the pilgrimage. This sensorial-bodily identification of the devoted with the image of Maria takes place through a kiss, or hug, or touching the images, including the images of the witnesses of the apparition. The sacredness is not centered in the object but in the relation established. In the union with the sacred, it is through the senses that the identification, the openness and the possibilities of approximation and living out mystical experiences occur. The body is the fundamental focus in any relationship and in the relation with the sacred as well, through the sensory perceptions. In this sense, we are reminded of Roberto da Matta, when he says that in seeking to see the body we see the soul and in seeking to see the soul we find the body.

The aim of this thesis is to analyse perception of political and social changes by Catholic Marian communities under two authoritarian regimes, namely the Vichy regime in France and independent Slovak state. Both political entities emerged due to aggression by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Both founded their traditionalist ideology on Christian values. The object of this study are two groups of clergy which were involved in Marian pilgrimage sites in French La Salette and Slovak Šaštín. Main sources, on which the study is based, are periodicals published by communities administering the pilgrimage sites. These are Annales de Notre-Dame de La Salette a Bulletin des Missionnaires de Notre-Dame de La Salette in case of France and Saleziánske zvesti in case of Slovakia. While analysing the text, the author focuses on the reflection of several basic themes - military conflict in Europe, demise of the previous regime and emergence of a new state. At the same time, the author describes the fundamental characteristics of the Marian cult at the time of its creation during the war. The concluding part offers an application of comparative perspective on the two case studies with the aim to indicate their similar and distinct characteristics. Keywords Catholic Church, Vichy France, Slovakia...