Catholic renewal

Savonarola

Dominican monk who seized control of Florence, believed Florence and the Medicis were opposite of Old Testament teachings. Sick of the vanity, he orders luxury, furniture, sculptures, to be destroyed. Eventually a revolt forces him out of power and he is executed.

Polyglot Bible

Polyglot Bible: Catholic Church abandons monopoly on the Vulgate and reproduces the Bible into Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Catholic attempt to catch up with the Protestants.

Index Librorum Prohibitorum

List of books banned by the Catholic Church due to clashes in theology and beliefs, but the printing press made it difficult to control this ban. Known more popularly as “the Index,” accidentally made books more popular. Abolished in the 1960s.

Reconquista

Period of history where Catholic Spanish Kingdoms battled back the Muslims for control of the Iberian peninsula. Completed in 1492, precursor to the Inquisition.

Holy Office of the Inquisition

How the Church investigated heresy, became immensely powerful in Reconquista Spain. Considered arbitrary, did not follow legal tradition, targeted Jewish and Muslim converts, cemented Catholic supremacy in Spain for hundreds of years. Roman Inquisition became more similar to the Spanish, undermining the intellectual authority of Catholic universities. 

Galileo

Convicted for saying the Earth rotates on an axis and that the Sun was the center of the solar system. Put on trial. Signified a low-point in Catholic intellectual thinking, reason as to why Oxford and Cambridge rose to prominence. 

Council of Trent

Catholic leaders tried to figure out the Catholic Church. Created a new mass, the Tridentine Mass, that would last until 1963, reaffirmed all Catholic doctrines (except the selling of indulgences, did not surrender to Luther. Produced the Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent which outlined the policies and reforms, ending corruption in the clergy, rejecting self-discipline, individual faith, encouraging the mystery of faith, and cementing the idea of getting god from your heart, NOT your head. Run by the Jesuits.

Why trent

as a neutral site away from Rome and as a concession to Lutherans. Held a bit late compared to when the Reformation was in its prime, invited Lutheran bishops, all declined.

Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

Ran the Council of Trent, a monastic order founded by St. Ignasius of Loyola, believes vin poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Pope. Sanctioned by the Pope. End up getting a problematic reputation and are subject to conspiracy theories. Believers of Liberation Theology.

Liberation Theology

Believes in “blessed are the poor,” and one should look out for the poor. Aligned with communist ideologies.

Spiritual Exercises

Written by St. Ignasius, a book that helps individuals strengthen their spirit individually to get to God. Conquering yourself to get to heaven. Like medieval Catholic meditation, designed to be done throughout the day like exercise.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Considered Luther’s contemporary, comes from Spanish nobility and is also a knight. Loses his kneecaps in battle which gives him time to reflect. Ends up finding God by reading St. Paul walks to Jerusalem to suffer for his faith. Writes Spiritual Exercises and founded the Jesuit Order.

Teresa of Avila:

depicted in many suggestive and ecstatic depictions of religion. If Jesus is a man, and the church is a woman, they are married. Portrays her religious experiences as ecstatic, connection to God and Jesus very very suggestive.

St. John of the Cross

wrote Dark Nights of the Soul which almost makes it sound like he is in love with God, enabling a deep emotional connection.

Importance of Art

Luxurious depictions banned by Council of Trent, promptly ignored. Many emotional and suggestive works of art from biblical and pagan scenes. Used as a way to draw people into the church. Vast wealth of the church funded this. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and David as examples of this. Also invented opera and baroque music.