![]() T is especially through the liturgy that the Church educates, brings to maturity, the souls of her children so as to make them resemble Jesus and thus to perfect in them that copy or “image” of Christ which is the very shape of our planned destiny. Moreover, since His divine plan intended to accomplish our divine adoption in Christ through the Church, humankind is also fundamentally an ecclesial being, that is, a being intended to reach intimacy with God through incorporation into the assembly of His faithful, especially through the liturgy as Marmion explained: Marmion’s understanding of the human personīlessed Columba understands the human person fundamentally as a creature “capable of divine life” and as “an ecclesial being.” 13 These two aspects form the basis of his theological anthropology because the core of his synthesis and contribution to spirituality may be summarized thus: God’s universal plan for humankind consists in our divine adoption into Christ, that is, in our “becoming by grace what Jesus Christ is by nature, the child of God,” 14 and this takes place through our participation and incorporation into His Mysteries as taught and lived in the Church, 15 His heavenly Spouse, whom he conceives “like a prolongation, through the ages, of the Incarnation.” 16 Therefore, according to Marmion’s doctrine, humankind was created by God as a being capable of intimacy with Him. In ways not unlike the Founder, his example and teaching also became the source of a profound spiritual revival during his times and beyond. 12 By the end of his life, Abbot Marmion had become a true son of St. Since the Benedictine way of life had become such an intrinsic part of his being, Blessed Marmion’s own spiritual doctrine reflected the spirit of the Founder especially in its theocentrism, in its zeal for Sacred Scripture, in the centrality of Christ in accord with the Rule, “to prefer nothing whatever to Christ,” 11 and in its form of asceticism grounded on obedience through love and the spirit of detachment among others. Benedict was imprinted on his soul.” 10 Twenty-three years later, the monks of Maredsous elected him as abbot of their community. 9 Once a monk, he became deeply immersed in the spirituality of the Founder to the point that the “Rule of St. He understood the basis for this special calling by highlighting the need he felt to submit himself to obedience. 8īlessed Columba Marmion entered the Benedictine Order after having been a successful diocesan priest in response to an incessant divine calling. Benedict emphasized the importance of daily duty and the virtues that support them such as patience, orderliness, and especially humility. Benedict’s teaching emphasized the importance of stability and, along with it, the virtue of obedience as “the great means of detachment” 6 when exercised as “a perpetual effort of love.” 7 In terms of mortification, through the Rule, St. 5 Unlike the asceticism that preceded his, St. 480-543), the founder of the Benedictine Order and spirituality, was first of all a “a spiritual father” who “aimed at forming consciences capable of spiritual liberty.” 3 The Benedictine family which his life and teaching brought forth is known for its radical orientation toward God, having no other purpose than “to please God alone” by following Christ to the end through perfect detachment, overcoming self-will, and embracing voluntary humiliations, 4 while holding to the wisdom of discretion in its application. Marmion in the Context of Benedictine Spirituality This paper will consider Blessed Marmion’s contribution by first placing it in the context of Benedictine spirituality second, by considering his understanding of the human person third, by providing a systematic presentation of his teaching on the spiritual life and fourth, by discussing its practical aspects for daily living. ![]() 2 Besides its absolute centrality in Christ, his doctrine provides a comprehensive synthesis of revelation that unites theology and dogma while remaining deeply aware of human reality and genuinely practical. ![]() For this significant accomplishment, Blessed Marmion stands as a spiritual giant whose teaching provides a profound and effective synthesis of revelation centered in Christ through supernatural filiation to such an extent that he came to be known as the doctor of divine adoption. A Profile of the Spirituality of Blessed Columba MarmionĪccording to Mark Tierney, OSB, the vice-postulator for Marmion’s beatification cause, Abbot Columba Marmion’s main contribution to modern spirituality was “to restore Christ as the centre” 1 of our spiritual reflection.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |