Catholicism 3-2

Olympic Team Question

  • Discussion prompt about personal choice in Olympic sports (Winter or Summer).

Bernard of Clairvaux

Overview

  • Conservative approach to the doctrine of Mary.

  • Notably focuses on the theme of merit in his discussions.

Key Concept: The Immaculate Conception

  • Definition: The doctrine stating that Mary was born without original sin.

  • Bernard's Rejection:

    • Shared by most medieval theologians, including Thomas Aquinas.

    • Nature of the doctrine:

    • Newer idea in the Western Church.

    • Originated in the Eastern Church (Eastern Orthodoxy).

    • Introduction to the West during the Middle Ages.

    • Reasons for rejection:

    1. Practical reason: Novelty of the idea in Western thought.

    2. Theological objection:

      • Questioned Mary's capacity for original sin since she bore Jesus Christ prior to the incarnation.

  • Later theologian Don Scotus: argued that Christ, being God, preemptively preserved Mary from sin.

Bernard's Conservative Perspective on Mary

  • Quote from Bernard: Discusses the reverence due to Mary based on her dignity and integrity.

  • Importance of Mary:

    • Focused on her role in the incarnation, impacting Christ's connection to humanity.

    • Analogy of maternal bonds:

    • Emphasizes the unique bond between a mother and her child as a prototype for Mary's relationship with Christ.

    • Significance in Catholicism: Mary is the first among saints due to her role as the mother of the savior.

  • Excerpts from Bernard:

    • Comments on the unity of Mary's will with God's will and their profound bond.

  • Mary's Contribution:

    • Integral to the Incarnation, thus possessing an unmatched status compared to any human being.

Virtue of Humility

  • Bernard's Cistercian background emphasizes the virtue of humility following the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity).

  • Quote from Bernard:

    • Advocates for the imitation of Mary's humility, acknowledging both her high status and lowliness.

  • Discussion of societal views on unwed mothers:

    • Historical context: Significant stigma for unwed mothers during the first century.

    • Mary's willingness to accept her role indicates humility, showcasing her as a moral model.

Conclusion of Bernard's Importance

  • Role for the Church:

    • Mary's significance as a model for individual Christians and the Church at large.

    • Encouraged to embody humility and be conduits for God's grace in the world.

Transition to Suger of Saint Denis

Introduction to Suger

  • Clarification of name pronunciation: not "Sugar of Saint Dennis."

  • Importance in Gothic architecture emergence.

The Incarnational Nature of Christianity

  • Defined as God entering human history through Jesus Christ.

  • Necessity of culture in expressing faith, including language and the arts.

  • Examples of cultural expression in Christian faith:

    • Preaching.

    • Religious art (paintings, statues, music).

  • Church as the largest patron of the arts during the Middle Ages, reflecting its Christian essence.

Gothic Architecture

  • Notions about architecture:

    • "We build buildings, and buildings build us."

    • The arrangement of space affects activity.

Abbey of Saint Denis

  • Historical significance as a burial place for French monarchs and a noble education center for the aristocracy.

  • Transition from a notable monastery to a notable soccer stadium (Stade De France).

Suger’s Early Life

  • Born into peasantry; made an oblate at Saint Denis, ensuring his education.

  • Friendship with nobility, especially Louis the Sixth.

  • Progress to become secretary then abbot of Saint Denis.

Suger’s Role in French Monarchy

  • Close advisory role to Louis VI where he influenced political affairs.

  • Involvement in military campaigns and crucial battles using the Oriflam banner.

  • Transitioned to an abbot role after Louis VI's death; began restoration of the abbey church.

Gothic Style Features

  1. Innovation of Gothic architecture begins in the Abbey of Saint Denis:

    • Use characteristics such as flying buttresses, pointed arches,

    • Adaptation of design for greater height and wall decoration space (stained glass).

  2. Flying Buttress:

    • Provides external support to vaults, crucial for increased height and aesthetics.

  3. Pointed Arch:

    • Allows for elevation rather than flat designs, contributing to vertical emphasis in Gothic churches.

  4. Rib Vaults:

    • Structural design enabling higher ceilings.

  5. Stained Glass Windows:

    • Educated the largely illiterate populace through biblical scenes and saintly lives.

Significance of Architectural Choices

  • Discussion of architecture's role in worship:

    • Gothic churches induce a focus upwards, illuminating the spiritual and divine experience and contemplation.

  • The philosophical connection to Augustine and Neoplatonism, emphasizing the idea of transcendent beauty and reality representation through church design.

Summary of Themes

  • Contrast between Bernard's humble worship focus and Suger’s glory-driven architectural extravagance.

  • The interplay of humility and grandeur in the expression of faith.

Looking Ahead

  • The upcoming discussion about the greatest theologian of the Middle Ages.