Book of the Week
|
Mysticism and the Spiritual Quest: A Crosscultural Anthology, by Phyllis Zagano. Paulist
Press, 2013.
Mysticism is defined as the yearning for direct connection to a transcendent reality. Members of various religious cultures seek that reality, but it is most evident in those with monotheistic faiths such as
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and in some religious traditions of India, China, Japan, and ancient Greece. Zagani is concerned with crosscultural exploration of the meanings, practices, and common themes of mysticism.
This book is divided into six sections, namely, Hinduism, Chinese Traditions, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The author offers stories about famous persons in
these traditions, and gives samples of a variety of their writings and teachings. For example for Christianity, these authors are quote as being typical of that tradition: John the Evangelist, St. Paul, Augustine, Bernard, Francis, Clare, Julian of Norwich, and John of the Cross.
The study of these traditions is important for better understanding of international politics, comparative
legal systems, and the cultural expressions of art, music, and literature. This book is intended especially for students in undergraduate and graduate spirituality courses.
Almost borrowed from the Bible, seems to be this quote from the Quaran:
"She said, 'How shall I have a child seeing that no
human being has ever touched me, nor have I been unchaste?'" "He said, 'So shall it be.' "Your Lord said, 'It is simple for me.'"
(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this
review)
Paperback
|
Saint of the Week
|
Blessed Junipero Serra: (1713-84) July 1
In 1776, when the American Revolution was beginning in the east, another part of the future United States was being born in California. That year a gray-robed Franciscan founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, now famous for its annually returning swallows. San Juan was the
seventh of nine missions established under the direction of this indomitable Spaniard.
Born on Spain's island of Mallorca, Serra entered the Franciscan Order, taking the name of St. Francis' childlike companion, Brother Juniper. Until he was 35, he spent most of his time in the classroom-first as a student of theology and then as a professor. He also became famous for his preaching. Suddenly he
gave it all up and followed the yearning that had begun years before when he heard about the missionary work of St. Francis Solanus in South America. Junipero's desire was to convert native peoples in the New World.
Arriving by ship at Vera Cruz, Mexico, he and a companion walked the 250 miles to Mexico City. On the way Junipero's left leg became infected by an insect bite and would remain a
cross--sometimes life-threatening--for the rest of his life. For 18 years he worked in central Mexico and in the Baja Peninsula. He became president of the missions there.
Enter politics: the threat of a Russian invasion south from Alaska. Charles III of Spain ordered an expedition to beat Russia to the territory. So the last two conquistadors-one military, one spiritual-began their quest. José de
Galvez persuaded Junipero to set out with him for present-day Monterey, California. The first mission founded after the 900-mile journey north was San Diego (1769). That year a shortage of food almost canceled the expedition. Vowing to stay with the local people, Junipero and another friar began a novena in preparation for St. Joseph's day, March 19, the scheduled day of departure. On that day, the relief ship arrived.
Other missions followed: Monterey/Carmel (1770); San Antonio and San Gabriel (1771); San Luís Obispo (1772); San Francisco and San Juan Capistrano (1776); Santa Clara (1777); San Buenaventura (1782). Twelve more were founded after Serra's death.
americancatholic.org site
|
|
Affliate Web Sites: Please give them a visit. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
