Final 2 Study Guide Flashcards
St. Jerome - Vulgate
St. Jerome was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 AD to produce a standard Latin version of the Bible, which became known as the Vulgate. This translation was crucial for the Western Church, as it provided a consistent and accessible text for centuries.
Jerome’s Vulgate included translations from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts, demonstrating his exceptional linguistic skills and deep theological understanding. His work became the authoritative biblical text for the Roman Catholic Church.
The Vulgate’s influence extended beyond religious boundaries, impacting the development of the Latin language and medieval European literature, serving as a cornerstone for theological education and scholarly study.
St. Athanasius - Arianism - Council of Nicaea
St. Athanasius was a staunch opponent of Arianism, a heresy that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, arguing that Christ was a created being and not co-eternal with God the Father. His relentless defense of orthodox Christian doctrine earned him significant opposition but also respect and eventual victory.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where Athanasius played a key role, was convened by Emperor Constantine to address the Arian controversy. The Nicene Creed, formulated at this council, affirmed the consubstantiality (homoousios) of the Son with the Father, countering Arian beliefs.
Despite facing multiple exiles and political turmoil, Athanasius’s theological writings, particularly “On the Incarnation,” solidified his reputation as a pivotal figure in the establishment of Trinitarian doctrine and orthodox Christianity.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine of Hippo is renowned for his theological writings, particularly “Confessions” and “The City of God,” which have had a profound influence on Christian thought and Western philosophy. His works address topics such as the nature of God, human sin, and the relationship between church and state.
Augustine’s concept of original sin and his views on grace and predestination shaped Western Christian theology, particularly influencing the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and later Protestant Reformers.
His conversion from a life of hedonism and Manichaeism to Christianity, as vividly described in “Confessions,” highlights the transformative power of faith and has inspired countless believers throughout the centuries.
St. Anthony of Egypt - monasticism
St. Anthony of Egypt, also known as Anthony the Great, is considered the father of Christian monasticism. His decision to live an ascetic life in the desert around 270 AD set a precedent for the monastic movement.
Anthony’s life of solitude, prayer, and self-denial attracted many followers who sought to emulate his example, leading to the establishment of monastic communities and the spread of monastic ideals throughout the Christian world.
The biography of Anthony by St. Athanasius, “Life of Anthony,” played a crucial role in popularizing monasticism, highlighting the spiritual benefits and challenges of a life dedicated entirely to God.
St. Benedict - Benedictine Rule (the patron saint of europe)
St. Benedict of Nursia is best known for creating the Benedictine Rule, a set of guidelines for monastic life that emphasized balance, moderation, and community living. Written in the early 6th century, this rule became the foundation for Western monasticism.
The Benedictine Rule’s structure of daily prayer, work, and study provided a model of communal living that promoted stability, obedience, and a spirit of hospitality, influencing countless monastic communities across Europe.
St. Benedict’s emphasis on ora et labora (prayer and work) ensured that monasteries became centers of learning, agriculture, and hospitality, significantly contributing to the cultural and economic development of medieval Europe.
Chastity, poverty, and obedience:
Obedience to self and to each other
Jesuits added loyalty to the church
Pope Leo III - Charlemagne
Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans on Christmas Day in 800 AD, symbolizing the fusion of Roman, Christian, and Germanic elements that characterized the medieval European order. This event marked the revival of the Western Roman Empire.
The alliance between Leo III and Charlemagne strengthened the position of the Papacy, providing it with military support and political legitimacy while reinforcing Charlemagne’s rule as divinely sanctioned.
The coronation established a precedent for the relationship between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire, influencing the political and religious dynamics of Europe for centuries, including the concept of the divine right of kings.
Pope Gregory - church reforms
Pope Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great, implemented significant church reforms in the late 6th and early 7th centuries, aimed at strengthening the papacy and reorganizing the church’s administrative structure. His efforts helped consolidate papal authority and standardize liturgical practices.
Gregory’s reforms included the promotion of clerical celibacy, the establishment of a more centralized system for managing church lands and revenues, and the standardization of Gregorian chant, which profoundly influenced Western liturgical music.
His missionary initiatives, particularly the sending of Augustine of Canterbury to convert the Anglo-Saxons, expanded the reach of Christianity and reinforced the role of the papacy in guiding the spiritual and moral direction of Europe.
St. Francis/St. Clare - mendicant orders
St. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order in the early 13th century, emphasizing vows of poverty, simplicity, and preaching the Gospel. His approach revitalized the church by focusing on living out the teachings of Christ through humility and service.
St. Clare of Assisi, inspired by St. Francis, founded the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares, which adopted similar ideals of poverty and devotion. Her leadership demonstrated the significant role of women in the mendicant movement.
The mendicant orders, including the Franciscans and Poor Clares, differed from traditional monastic orders by engaging directly with urban communities, offering an evangelical witness that addressed the spiritual and social needs of the time.
Mendicant: try to live like jesus, went out and preached and empowered the marginalized and poor
St. Thomas Aquinas - scholasticism/books written
St. Thomas Aquinas was a pivotal figure in scholasticism, a medieval intellectual movement that sought to reconcile faith and reason. His works, particularly the “Summa Theologica,” provided a comprehensive synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy.
Aquinas’s writings addressed complex theological and philosophical questions, such as the nature of God, ethics, and the relationship between faith and reason, establishing a framework that influenced Catholic doctrine and Western thought.
His method of using logical analysis to explore theological issues laid the groundwork for modern academic inquiry, and his contributions to natural law theory and metaphysics continue to be studied and respected in various fields.
St. Catherine of Siena - Western Schism
St. Catherine of Siena was a significant figure during the Western Schism, a period of division within the Catholic Church when multiple individuals claimed to be the true pope. Her diplomatic efforts and letters urged the return of the papacy from Avignon to Rome, contributing to resolving the crisis.
Catherine’s influence extended beyond her political activism; her mystical experiences and writings, such as “The Dialogue,” provided profound spiritual insights and guidance, earning her recognition as a Doctor of the Church.
Her involvement in ecclesiastical and political affairs demonstrated the impact of laywomen in church history, and her canonization in 1461 cemented her legacy as a key figure in the efforts to heal the church’s internal divisions.
