Book of the Week
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Buying the Field, by Sandra M. Schneiders, IHM. Paulist Press, 2013.
This is the third volume in a series about the three vows of religious life; this volume dwells especially
on poverty and obedience as lived in this time in history. Sandra gives many examples of how these vows were lived in previous eras, and how today's culture demands different modes and practices. Her comments are based on the quote from Matthew 13:44, namely, "The reign of God is like a treasure hidden in a field which a person found, and out of joy sold all she had to buy that field."
Part
one is concerned with the theological content of world, identity of religious, and mission to the world. Part two is based on evangelical poverty, giving a biblical approach and an alternate approach to goods and possessions as one seeks poverty of spirit in the quest for God. Part three deals with prophetic obedience and the politics of the reign of God. In this latter section Sandra gives a remodeling section of authority and obedience, an alternate approach to freedom and
power, making room in the church for prophetic vocation, and unitive discernment in the quest for God.
This is a book that can be used by novice and seasoned religious alike in order to grasp the fuller meaning of the chosen life and how it is relevant in the 21st century and how this compares with its meanings in previous centuries.
One has to be brave to enter into this book with 650 pages of text and 80 pages of notes! This is not for the feeble hearted but it is well worth the time and effort to read every last page.(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review)
Paperback, Kindle
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Saint of the Week
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St. Stephen of Hungary: (975-1038) August 16 The Church is
universal, but its expression is always affected-for good or ill-by local culture. There are no "generic" Christians; there are Mexican Christians, Polish Christians, Filipino Christians. This fact is evident in the life of Stephen, national hero and spiritual patron of Hungary.
Born a pagan, he was baptized around the age of 10, together with his father, chief of the Magyars, a group who migrated
to the Danube area in the ninth century. At 20 he married Gisela, sister to the future emperor, St. Henry. When he succeeded his father, Stephen adopted a policy of Christianization of the country for both political and religious reasons. He suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a strong national group. He asked the pope to provide for the Church's organization in Hungary--and also requested that the pope confer the title of king upon him. He was crowned on
Christmas day in 1001.
Stephen established a system of tithes to support churches and pastors and to relieve the poor. Out of every 10 towns one had to build a church and support a priest. He abolished pagan customs with a certain amount of violence, and commanded all to marry, except clergy and religious. He was easily accessible to all, especially the poor.
In 1031 his son Emeric died, and the rest of Stephen's days were embittered by controversy over his successor. His nephews attempted to kill him. He died in 1038 and was canonized, along with his son, in 1083.
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