Pilgrimage: Pilgrimage: A Way of Life in A Way of Life in

the Church the Church FathersFathers

Dr. Ann T. OrlandoDr. Ann T. Orlando11 October 200811 October 2008

OutlineOutline Introduction to the Church Introduction to the Church

FathersFathersPilgrimagesPilgrimagesSt. Augustine on St. Augustine on

Pilgrimage and PrayerPilgrimage and Prayer

The Church Fathers: The Church Fathers: Why Are They So Why Are They So

Important?Important? Shaped our Christian understanding Shaped our Christian understanding

Doctrine (orthodoxy) Doctrine (orthodoxy) Practice (orthopraxy)Practice (orthopraxy)

Did so by adhering to message of Did so by adhering to message of ScriptureScripture Christology Christology Trinitarian TheologyTrinitarian Theology Liturgy and SacramentsLiturgy and Sacraments MoralityMorality EcclesiologyEcclesiology

As Readers of the As Readers of the MagnificatMagnificat……

Christian spirituality Christian spirituality promoted by the Church promoted by the Church Fathers Fathers Prayer in morning and eveningPrayer in morning and eveningPrayers at MassPrayers at Mass

PilgrimagePilgrimage

Who Are the Church Who Are the Church Fathers?Fathers?

St. Vincent of Lerins St. Vincent of Lerins (d.450, Feast 24 May) (d.450, Feast 24 May) first suggest criteria first suggest criteria for ‘Church Father’for ‘Church Father’ Student of St. AugustineStudent of St. Augustine Reflected on great Reflected on great

theologians of the theologians of the preceding centuriespreceding centuries

St. Vincent considered St. Vincent considered one of the Fathers one of the Fathers

AntiquityAntiquity Orthodox Orthodox

DoctrineDoctrine Ecclesial Ecclesial

ApprovalApproval Holiness of Holiness of

LifeLife

AntiquityAntiquity Period Begins: Pope St. Clement of Period Begins: Pope St. Clement of

Rome (d.98, Feast 23 November)Rome (d.98, Feast 23 November) Period Ends: more problematicPeriod Ends: more problematic

Pope St. Gregory Great, d. 603, Feast Pope St. Gregory Great, d. 603, Feast 9 November9 November

St. Maximus the Confessor, d.662, St. Maximus the Confessor, d.662, Feast 13 AugustFeast 13 August

St. John of Damascus, d. 787, Feast 4 St. John of Damascus, d. 787, Feast 4 DecemberDecember

All men of Roman Empire and late All men of Roman Empire and late antiquityantiquity

All Church Fathers are venerated All Church Fathers are venerated through the centuries by Orthodox through the centuries by Orthodox and Catholic Churchesand Catholic Churches In this period no distinction between In this period no distinction between

Orthodox and Catholic ChurchOrthodox and Catholic Church Often divided into two periodsOften divided into two periods

Time of MartyrdomTime of Martyrdom After the Conversion of Constantine, After the Conversion of Constantine,

312312

www.roman-empire.net/www.roman-empire.net/

OrthodoxyOrthodoxy What they taught was in What they taught was in

keeping with Church doctrinekeeping with Church doctrine Most Church Fathers were Most Church Fathers were

bishopsbishops Primary concern leading people Primary concern leading people

of Godof God Defending the faith against Defending the faith against

heresiesheresies The Fathers may have been The Fathers may have been

the first to succinctly express the first to succinctly express doctrinedoctrine Pope St. Leo Great (d. 461, Pope St. Leo Great (d. 461,

Feast November 9) Feast November 9) Christology: Jesus Christ one Christology: Jesus Christ one

person, two naturesperson, two natures

Pope St. Gregory Pope St. Gregory and St. Augustineand St. Augustine Bowes MuseumBowes Museum

Ecclesial ApprovalEcclesial Approval Fathers are recognized by the Fathers are recognized by the

MagisteriumMagisterium Subsequent theologians relied on Subsequent theologians relied on

Church FathersChurch Fathers St. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274, Feast St. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274, Feast

January 28)January 28) Look in CCC for many, many Look in CCC for many, many

references to Church Fathersreferences to Church Fathers

Holiness of LifeHoliness of Life Church Fathers have a Church Fathers have a

reputation for leading holy reputation for leading holy lives and leading others in lives and leading others in holinessholiness

In the first three centuries, In the first three centuries, this often meant witnessing this often meant witnessing in blood as martyrsin blood as martyrs

In later encouraging growth In later encouraging growth in spirituality; growth of in spirituality; growth of monasticismmonasticism St. Patrick (d. 461, Feast St. Patrick (d. 461, Feast

March 17)March 17) St. Benedict of Nursia (d. 547, St. Benedict of Nursia (d. 547,

Feast July 11)Feast July 11) St. Scholastica (d. 547, Feast St. Scholastica (d. 547, Feast

February 10)February 10) PilgrimagesPilgrimages

Abbey of Monte Abbey of Monte CassinoCassino

Early Christian Early Christian PilgrimagesPilgrimages

Initially, pilgrimages were short Initially, pilgrimages were short journeys to burial site of journeys to burial site of martyrsmartyrs

After the time of persecution, After the time of persecution, large pilgrimages to far away large pilgrimages to far away holy sitesholy sites JerusalemJerusalem RomeRome

Earliest account of a pilgrimage Earliest account of a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (4to Jerusalem (4thth C) by Egeria C) by Egeria Recounts the Holy Week liturgies Recounts the Holy Week liturgies

in Jerusalemin Jerusalem

Fourth Century Account of Fourth Century Account of Adoration of Cross on Good Adoration of Cross on Good

FridayFriday The bishop duly takes his seat in the chair, and a The bishop duly takes his seat in the chair, and a

table covered with a linen cloth is placed before table covered with a linen cloth is placed before him; the deacons stand round the table, and a him; the deacons stand round the table, and a silver-gilt casket is brought in which is the holy silver-gilt casket is brought in which is the holy wood of the Cross. The casket is opened and (the wood of the Cross. The casket is opened and (the wood) is taken out, and the wood of the Cross is wood) is taken out, and the wood of the Cross is placed upon the table. Now, when it has been put placed upon the table. Now, when it has been put upon the table, the bishop, as he sits, holds the upon the table, the bishop, as he sits, holds the extremities of the sacred wood firmly in his hands, extremities of the sacred wood firmly in his hands, while the deacons who stand around guard it. It is while the deacons who stand around guard it. It is guarded thus because the custom is that the guarded thus because the custom is that the people, both faithful and catechumens, come one people, both faithful and catechumens, come one by one and, bowing down at the table, kiss the by one and, bowing down at the table, kiss the sacred wood and pass through - Egeriasacred wood and pass through - Egeria

But What Is Proper But What Is Proper Understanding of Understanding of

Pilgrimage?Pilgrimage? Are journeys to far away holy places Are journeys to far away holy places

necessary for Christian life?necessary for Christian life? Does simply being in a holy place Does simply being in a holy place

make you holy?make you holy?

Church Fathers Develop Church Fathers Develop Cautions About Pilgrimages Cautions About Pilgrimages

As JourneysAs Journeyswww.svspress.com/images/svspressicons/l-www.svspress.com/images/svspressicons/l-icon237.jpgicon237.jpg

St. Gregory of Nyssa (d. 394, Feast St. Gregory of Nyssa (d. 394, Feast March 9)March 9) Place does not make a Christian holierPlace does not make a Christian holier ““Change of place does not bring one Change of place does not bring one

closer to God, but where you are, God closer to God, but where you are, God will come toward you.”will come toward you.”

Gregory himself does go on a pilgrimage Gregory himself does go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but need proper attitudeto Jerusalem, but need proper attitude

Most important pilgrimage is the Most important pilgrimage is the interior one to Godinterior one to God

Gregory is a brother of one of four Gregory is a brother of one of four ‘Greek’ Doctors of Church‘Greek’ Doctors of Church St. Athanasius (d.373, Feast May 2)St. Athanasius (d.373, Feast May 2) St. Basil of Caesarea (d. 379, Feast St. Basil of Caesarea (d. 379, Feast

January 2)January 2) St. Gregory Nazianzus (d. 390, Feast St. Gregory Nazianzus (d. 390, Feast

January 2)January 2) St. John Chrysostom (d. 407, Feast Sept. St. John Chrysostom (d. 407, Feast Sept.

13)13)

Pilgrimage and Pilgrimage and St. Augustine of HippoSt. Augustine of Hippo

St. Augustine comes to St. Augustine comes to understand our entire understand our entire Christian life as a Christian life as a pilgrimagepilgrimage

The genuine pilgrim life The genuine pilgrim life begins at Baptismbegins at Baptism

The goal of the The goal of the Christian pilgrim is Christian pilgrim is eternal happiness with eternal happiness with GodGod St. Augustine is baptized by St.

Ambrose

Benozzo Gozzoli, 1465

Who Was St. AugustineWho Was St. Augustine Born in North Africa (354)Born in North Africa (354)

St. Monica (d. 387, Feast August St. Monica (d. 387, Feast August 27)27)

Died as Bishop of Hippo (430, Died as Bishop of Hippo (430, Feast August 28)Feast August 28)

Wrote some of our most import Wrote some of our most import Christian theological worksChristian theological works ConfessionsConfessions City of GodCity of God On the TrinityOn the Trinity On Christian TeachingOn Christian Teaching On Free Choice of WillOn Free Choice of Will

In almost all of these works, he In almost all of these works, he describes our life as a describes our life as a pilgrimagepilgrimage

A journey to Jerusalem or Rome A journey to Jerusalem or Rome should be seen as the metaphor should be seen as the metaphor for the real pilgrimage of lifefor the real pilgrimage of life The earthly Jerusalem is a sign The earthly Jerusalem is a sign

of the heavenly Jerusalemof the heavenly Jerusalem

One of four Latin FathersOne of four Latin Fathers St. Ambrose (d. 397, Feast St. Ambrose (d. 397, Feast

December 7)December 7) St. Jerome (d. 420, Feast St. Jerome (d. 420, Feast

September 30)September 30) Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. Pope St. Gregory the Great (d.

604, Feast March 12)604, Feast March 12) Enduring influence on Enduring influence on

theologians and theologians and philosophers in subsequent philosophers in subsequent centuries up to our owncenturies up to our own

More references to More references to Augustine in CCC than any Augustine in CCC than any other theologianother theologian

““The greatest Father of the The greatest Father of the Latin Church”Latin Church”

Benedict XVI, Benedict XVI, St. Augustine of HippoSt. Augustine of Hippo (1), (1), General Audience 9 January 2008General Audience 9 January 2008

Pilgrimage in the Pilgrimage in the ConfessionsConfessions

ConfessionsConfessions tells the story tells the story of Augustine’s turn from of Augustine’s turn from and return to Godand return to God As a young man he rejected As a young man he rejected

the Catholic faith of his the Catholic faith of his mother, Monicamother, Monica

Ambitious for sex, fame and Ambitious for sex, fame and wealthwealth

In searching for the Truth, In searching for the Truth, he finally returns to the he finally returns to the Catholic FaithCatholic Faith He comes to see the He comes to see the

importance of his life as a importance of his life as a pilgrimage to God, pilgrimage to God,

Not as a consumer of Not as a consumer of temporal thingstemporal things

www.saintaugustine-dc.org/html/photos/architecture/augustine_and_monica_window_254x611_lowsrc50.jpg

The End of Monica’s The End of Monica’s PilgrimagePilgrimage

In the In the ConfessionsConfessions Augustine describes Augustine describes Monica’s peaceful and holy death.Monica’s peaceful and holy death.

At the end he writes:At the end he writes: My Lord, my God, inspire your servants, that all My Lord, my God, inspire your servants, that all

who read this book may remember Monica your who read this book may remember Monica your servant and Patrick her husband, … May they servant and Patrick her husband, … May they remember with devout affection my parents in this remember with devout affection my parents in this transient light, my kith and kin under you, our transient light, my kith and kin under you, our Father, in our mother the Catholic Church, and my Father, in our mother the Catholic Church, and my fellow citizens in the eternal Jerusalem. For this fellow citizens in the eternal Jerusalem. For this city your pilgrim people yearn. city your pilgrim people yearn. Confession Confession IX.37.IX.37.

Augustine: In Pilgrimage Augustine: In Pilgrimage Together as the People of Together as the People of

GodGod Pilgrimage as a way of Pilgrimage as a way of

lifelife Social enterpriseSocial enterprise

We travel togetherWe travel together We support each otherWe support each other

Everyone belongs to Everyone belongs to one of two citiesone of two cities City of God, the Church, City of God, the Church,

on pilgrimageon pilgrimage City of this worldCity of this world

heritage.villanova.edu/images/hippo2.jpg

Pilgrimage and Pilgrimage and The City The City of Godof God

Pilgrimage companions are found inPilgrimage companions are found in FamilyFamily FriendsFriends ChurchChurch

The Church itself is on pilgrimageThe Church itself is on pilgrimage Without regard to custom or mannersWithout regard to custom or manners With concern one for the otherWith concern one for the other In unceasing prayer togetherIn unceasing prayer together

““For witness the prayer of the whole city of God For witness the prayer of the whole city of God in its pilgrim state, for it cries to God by the in its pilgrim state, for it cries to God by the mouth of all its members, mouth of all its members, Forgive us our debts as Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtorwe forgive our debtor “ “ City of God City of God XIX.27XIX.27

But how can people active in the world pray But how can people active in the world pray properly?properly?

Letter 130, Letter 130, To ProbaTo Proba Written by Augustine Written by Augustine

c.411c.411 Proba Proba

Wealthy Roman Wealthy Roman widow living in North widow living in North AfricaAfrica

Mother of Roman Mother of Roman consulsconsuls

She wrote to She wrote to Augustine asking Augustine asking him about how to him about how to praypray

Fresco, ancient Fresco, ancient aristocratic Roman womanaristocratic Roman woman

www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/images/roman_women_woman.jpg

Wealth and the Good Life in Wealth and the Good Life in

Letter 130, Letter 130, To ProbaTo Proba Proba’s request fills Augustine with joyProba’s request fills Augustine with joy

Happy because Proba realizes that wealth is not source of Happy because Proba realizes that wealth is not source of securitysecurity

Proba should act as though the things of the world Proba should act as though the things of the world do not matter to herdo not matter to her Temporal goods do not make us happy; Temporal goods do not make us happy; Temporal goods should be in service of the moral lifeTemporal goods should be in service of the moral life

Happiness comes from Happiness comes from What makes us good What makes us good Increases love of God and neighborIncreases love of God and neighbor

Prayer should be our guide on our pilgrim way to Prayer should be our guide on our pilgrim way to that Good Lovethat Good Love

Prayer in Letter 130, Prayer in Letter 130, To To ProbaProba

Even when busy in the Even when busy in the world the desire to world the desire to pray is a prayerpray is a prayer

Pray in short prayers Pray in short prayers so as not to lose focusso as not to lose focus

Pray to make ourselves Pray to make ourselves open to God’s responseopen to God’s response

Augustine closes by Augustine closes by asking Proba to pray asking Proba to pray for him.for him.

aquinasrcia.blogspot.com/2005/04/week-18-prayer-p-673-725.html

Where to Learn More Where to Learn More About Church FathersAbout Church Fathers

Pope Benedict XVI General AudiencesPope Benedict XVI General Audiences From 7 March 2007 through 25 June 2008, the Pope devoted From 7 March 2007 through 25 June 2008, the Pope devoted

most audience talks to the Church Fathersmost audience talks to the Church Fathers All mentioned in this presentation All mentioned in this presentation Some (The Greek and Latin Fathers) had two eachSome (The Greek and Latin Fathers) had two each

Except Augustine, with whom the Pope spent five audiencesExcept Augustine, with whom the Pope spent five audiences Available on Vatican website, www.vatican.vaAvailable on Vatican website, www.vatican.va

Spe Salvi Spe Salvi has many references to Church Fathershas many references to Church Fathers Letter to ProbaLetter to Proba

But the best way to know the Fathers is to read themBut the best way to know the Fathers is to read them Augustine, Augustine, The ConfessionsThe Confessions Treatises, Books, Homilies, Letters, Poems, SongsTreatises, Books, Homilies, Letters, Poems, Songs Meditations in the Meditations in the MagnificatMagnificat