People Midterm Review

Flashcards for theology midterm on Learn by Example and important figures from textbook

St. Augustine of Hippo

• Lived a wild life as a young man and had little time for God or his teachings.

• St. Augustine switched to Christianity at the age of 33 after a long journey. 

• He explained his life-changing journey in a book called “The Confessions.”

• He devoted himself to God and wrote many influential theological books, sermons, and writings.

St. Katherine Drexel

• Taking care of her sick stepmother allowed her to realize that money could not buy immunity from pain or death.

• Katherine read a book about the struggles of Native Americans and asked Pope Leo XIII to send missionaries to Wyoming to help the needy Native Americans there.

• Americans in the West/Southwest.

• She started the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and opened a boarding school in Santa Fe.

•  Her greatest achievement was the founding of Xavier University in New Orleans for African Americans.

• St. Katherine had a heart attack at 77 and had to retire.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

• Aka “Mother Cabrini”

• First American citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

• Wanted to become a missionary since childhood.

• Added “Xavier” to her name to honor St. Francis Xavier.

• She founded the Missionary of Sisters of the Sacred Heart with 6 others.

• They created homes, schools, and a nursery.

• Dedicated to establishing educational, healthcare, and social service institutions for needy immigrants.

• 67 houses for the education, nursing, and care of orphans were founded.

• Patron saint of immigrants.

John Newton

• Wrote Amazing Grace

• Went from a slave owner to a pastor.

St. Thomas Aquinas

• He decided to join the newly founded Dominican Order, but his parents disapproved.

• His parents imprisoned him, but he was taught by St. Albert the Great when he was freed.

• Wrote Summa Theologica and the 5 proofs

• Patron Saint of Catholic schools

• St. Thomas had a mystical experience where he suddenly stopped writing and everything he wrote was straw. It was a glimpse of God.

Martin Luther King Jr.

• Martin Luther King Jr. was shot in the neck on April 4, 1968.

• He was the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

• He is most famous for his “I had a dream” speech.

• His speech was heavily inspired by the OT prophet Isaiah.

Desmond Tutu

• Grew up in a house with no electricity or sanitation.

• He was visited by Fr. Trevor Huddleston every day who inspired him to devote himself to Christianity and Jesus.

• He initially qualified as a teacher like his father but decided to study for the priesthood in the seminary.

• Became the new general secretary of the South African Council of Churches.

• SACC was committed to social justice in South Africa.

• In 1986, he became the archbishop of Cape Town.

• Traveled around the world since then to end poverty and human rights abuses.

• Working for justice, equality, peace, and freedom for all people.

Jean Donovan

• She was engaged, but felt like God was calling her to do mission work.

• She was wondering why she felt that way and not drawn to being a housewife.

• Jean went to El Salvador to be a lay missionary along side with Dorothy Kazel, and Ursuline nun.

• They helped the refugees of the Salvadoran civil war and to the poor.

• Jean and three other nuns were taken to an isolated spot, where they were beat, raped, and murdered by soldiers.

• The selflessness and care from Jean kept her from leaving El Salvador before she died.

St. Francis of Assisi

• Was born into a wealthy family.

• Did whatever he pleased

• Was in the military and was called the “gallant knight.”

• Became ill due to battle and had a dream about him being a prince dressed in armor marked with a cross.

• Came home with a more simple attitude and look.

• He prayed to help find the true path he should follow.

• At mass, he finally decided that he should follow God.

• He was accompanied by St. Clares of Assisi and St. Agnes in spreading the Gospel.

• His follows are called Franciscans.