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Celebrating Feast Days of
Père Chenu & Sister Dorothy Stang 02/10/2024 |
This weekend is of special significance to me and to anyone keen on remembering and celebrating people of great spirit. My mentor, Père Chenu, OP, died on February 11, 1990. And my student, Sister Dorothy Stang, was martyred in the Amazon on February 12,
2005. |
Chenu named the Creation Spirituality tradition for me in class in the Spring of 1968 at the Institut Catholique in Paris, France. That was his last semester of teaching, so I was especially blessed to have been among his last students. Chenu taught Yves Congar, OP, early in his
teaching career. Congar was a pioneer in ecumenism, who played an outsized role at Vatican II (as did Chenu). |
Sister Dorothy Stang in her dorm room, a student at Holy Names. (cropped) |
Chenu also taught Father Schillibeeckx and Gustavo Gutiériez, father of liberation theology who gave a talk a few years ago in Tubingen entitled “Liberation Theology: The Daughter of Père Chenu.” I remember the moment vividly when Chenu talked about the “two traditions” in spirituality in
the West—that which begins with sin which he called the “Fall-Redemption” tradition; and that which begins with creation, he called the “Creation-centered” spiritual tradition. The latter was the oldest tradition in the Bible. |
Marie-Dominique Chenu, O.P. Wikipedia. Public domain | The great medieval historian Étienne Gilson said that “a man like
Chenu comes along only once per century.” At his funeral, held in Notre Dame Cathedral, his eulogy was delivered by the eminent French historian Jacques le Goff, who was an atheist and an ex-student of Chenu. At one point he spoke to Chenu in the second person: You were in your existence the light,
the vivacity of generous thunderstorms, a man who did not ignore the darkness but who followed the light, |
always present, ever flashing. A man always open to others, attentive to them. Human, too human some would say, but not those who have known you…. You have taught us courage, firmness, fearlessness, even resistance–but in humility. |
I confess that I cried translating this eulogy to Chenu. It names so perfectly what I knew about the man, and it culminates with what I consider the most important virtue for our time: Courage, a true sign of the spirit. Courage and joy and magnanimity marked the man.
~To be continued. |
See Matthew Fox, Confessions: The Making of a Post-denominational Priest, pp. 40, 73, 79-82, 90, 97, 21, 239, 2251, 76, 281, 285, 311, 440, 451. And Matthew Fox, Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality, pp. 36-65. And Fox, Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality. Banner image: Composite of Père Chenu, from biography in Backward View Blog, February 12, 2012; and Sister
Dorothy Stang, photo by Roberto de Vasconcelos on Wikimedia Commons. |
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Queries for Contemplation What has learning about the creation spirituality tradition meant to you? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest (Revised/Updated Edition)
Matthew Fox’s stirring
autobiography, Confessions, reveals his personal, intellectual, and spiritual journey from altar boy, to Dominican priest, to his eventual break with the Vatican. Five new chapters in this revised and updated edition bring added perspective in light of the author’s continued journey, and his reflections on the current changes taking place in church, society and the environment.
“The unfolding story of
this irrepressible spiritual revolutionary enlivens the mind and emboldens the heart — must reading for anyone interested in courage, creativity, and the future of religion.”
—Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self |
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Matthew Fox: Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality
Selected with an Introduction by Charles Burack
To encapsulate the life and work
of Matthew Fox would be a daunting task for any save his colleague Dr. Charles Burack, who had the full cooperation of his subject. Fox has devoted 50 years to developing and teaching the tradition of Creation Spirituality and in doing so has reinvented forms of education and worship. His more than 40 books, translated into 78 languages, are inclusive of today’s science and world spiritual traditions and have awakened millions to the much neglected earth-based mystical tradition of the West. Essential Writings begins by exploring the influences on Fox’s life and spirituality, then presents selections from all Fox’s major works in 10 sections.
“The critical insights, the creative connections, the centrality of Matthew Fox’s writings and teaching are second to none for the radical renewal of Christianity.” ~~ Richard Rohr, OFM. |
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Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South American Liberation
Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator.
“A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and
Practice. |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical, cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet.
"Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ
"Matthew Fox offers a resounding affirmation of what our souls have always
suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT. Register HERE. |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying" at the 2024 Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies. To listen, click the video thumbnail at right. |
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