Theology 281 Flashcards

Flashcards for Theology 281 - Salesian Spirituality, focusing on the life and times of St. Francis de Sales.

Christian Humanist

St. Francis de Sales is known as among the first, emphasizing understanding him as 'one of us' and avoiding idealized portrayals.

Hagiography

Literally 'picturing the saints,' often idealizing them as god-like and devoid of human fallibility, an approach St. Francis de Sales opposed.

Radical Humility

A concept embraced by St. Francis de Sales, contrasting with hagiographic images.

St. Francis de Sales' Dates

Born August 21, 1567, and died December 28, 1622, living 55 years.

City-States

Europe during St. Francis de Sales' time consisted of relatively small city-states, each controlled by a local Lord with absolute authority.

Savoy Region

The Savoy region, consisting of city states, was not characterized by organized trade or diplomacy, and small wars and conflicts were common.

Distance between Geneva and Annecy

Approximately 27 miles (48.1 km), taking about 45 minutes by bus today, but much longer in St. Francis de Sales' time.

François de Sales (Father)

Lord of Sales, 45 years old at Francis' birth, and among the nobility of the Savoy duchy.

Françoise de Sionnaz de Boisy (Mother)

14 years old at marriage, 15 years old at Francis' birth, and bore 7 children.

Meaning of 'de' in French

'Of' or 'from,' indicating family origin from a specific house or estate.

Marriage in the Sixteenth Century

In aristocratic nobility, marriage was primarily a political mechanism to achieve political ends rather than based on love.

Primogeniture

The legal concept (in English, 'entailment') where the entire estate passes only to the oldest surviving male heir.

Religious Divisions before 1500

The 'Old World' was mainly divided into Catholic (Roman and Orthodox) and Islamic regions, with Jewish people coexisting.

Religious Influences after 1517

Princes of city-states decided on the 'official' religion for their territory, leading to religious intolerance and punishment for not practicing the state religion.

Francis as Bishop of Geneva

Francis served as Bishop of Geneva but could not live or minister there due to religious conflicts.