December 14, 2010

ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA: FIGHTING FOR A NOBLE CAUSE by Paul B. Twano

The story of the life of St. Ignatius speaks of a profound transformation, which continues to inspire

people to be of service to others while excelling in diverse fields that are all potentially good—all for the

greater glory of God. A military man in his youth, he was adept in the ways of war. In the battlefield, he

fought ruthlessly, causing his enemies suffering and death. This he did until he was struck by a cannon

ball that forever stopped him from fighting.

While recovering from his wounds, he encountered the book, De Vita Christi, which kindled his deep

curiosity for Jesus Christ. Such was the beginning of a kind of spirituality that calls people to be men

and women for others. Thus the Society of Jesus, of which he became the first Father General, was

established with the noble mission of educating people and carrying out Christ’s ministry—that of a

priest and a preacher. His works include the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and the Spiritual

Exercises, which aim to guide others in contemplative work.

St. Ignatius was a true fighter, engaging in both physical battles and counter-reformation as a staunch

supporter of the Catholic Church. He shifted from physical combat to one that is spiritual in nature. His

methods changed (from sword wielding to education and ministry), but the fighter in him remained. He

underwent a process of culture change, adapting to his physical condition of limpness that prevented

him from physical fighting.

(Processualism, 248 words)

SOCIETAL STRUCTURES AT WORK IN THE ELIZABETHAN RELIGIOUS SETTLEMENT
by Paul B. Twano

Elizabeth I, interestingly known as the “Virgin Queen,” is considered as one of the greatest rulers of the

English people. We see in the movie Elizabeth how Cate Blanchett ruled England with terrific power

and impeccable grace. With all its drama, we are drawn to the life story of this renowned monarch who

ruled at the time of the Golden Age.

Yet not many of us know that religion was one of the most pressing concerns of her government. And

that the issue of religion was relevant to the queen at a personal level. Speaking of her legitimacy as the

child of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, it is understandable why she preferred an independent Church of

England from Rome, which considered her illegitimate.

Apart from that, she had to strike a balance between Protestant and Catholic elements in the formation of

a Church seen as her “diplomatic” response to the religious divisions of her time. The passing of the two

bills, The Act of Supremacy and The Act of Uniformity, required much work in the Houses with the

House of Lords resisting these bills due to disagreements from the Catholic bishops. They insisted on

the Catholic idea of transubstantiation to define Communion.

Elizabeth I not only tried to appease the bishops but also the Protestants, which composed a major part

of her people. Priests were allowed to marry unlike in the Roman Church, yet she avoided the more

radical type of Protestants, the Puritans, to not stir chaos during her reign.

(Structural Functionalism, 252 words)

RENAISSANCE AS A KEY TO REDISCOVERING FAITH by Paul B Twano

The Renaissance Period was an era of rebirth of classical knowledge first introduced during the time of

the Greeks and the Romans. An appreciation of the arts and sciences flourished at this time. People, after

enduring a long period of the Middle or Dark Ages, were keen to know the truth. The pursuit of true

knowledge seemed to be the highest ideal for many intellectuals and patrons of the arts.

But most especially, the Renaissance was a period of Enlightenment where people questioned long

established institutions such as the Monarchy and the Church. One can say that the Renaissance

triggered the age of reformation of many different ideologies, most especially and controversially

those of the Roman Catholic Church.

It’s not because people did not believe in a God. It’s more because people were in the pursuit of the

truth, of the true and profound knowledge of a Divine Being. Thus we can say that the Renaissance

provided an avenue through which people can rediscover their faith and seek a better understanding

of what it means to be a believer of Christ.

It is not simply blind faith based on dogmatic teachings of the Church, or faith because of fear of going

to hell (as imposed by those advocating Indulgence). It is faith based on reason, on the truth of the

existence of a God that allows us to discover our life’s purpose and meaning.

(Braudelian framework, 234 words)