Category Archives: evangelization

As with yesterday’s post on the first paragraph concerning “The Way of Beauty, Pathway towards the Truth and the Good” we have a long footnote in the middle of the narrative. Starting here, we reassert the importance of touching people’s hearts … Continue reading →

Section II has a part 3 “The Way of Beauty, Pathway towards the Truth and the Good.” Helping us here is the Swiss theologian who wrote of beauty, and the human experience of finding God in it. First up, the … Continue reading →

Let’s finish up section II-2, and the question, How can the Via Pulchritudinis be a Response? To travel the way of beauty implies educating the youth for beauty, helping them develop a critical spirit to discern the various offerings of media … Continue reading →

We continue to respond to the question of section II, part 2: How can the Via Pulchritudinis be a Response? Remember yesterday, Pope John Paul II reminded us in 1998 that a move from phenomenon (how we perceive the universe) to foundation … Continue reading →

As we examine the question, How can the Via Pulchritudinis be a Response? we read the concession that philosophy is part of, but not the complete way we encounter the Way of Beauty. The way I read it: God made human beings to … Continue reading →

Our second part looking at section II-2, and the question: How can the Via Pulchritudinis be a Response? This call to philosophers might surprise some people, but is not the via pulchritudinis also a via veritatis on which man engages to discover the bonitas of God’s love, source of … Continue reading →

We begin five posts on the heading/question/section on II-2 How can the Via Pulchritudinis be a Response? Reminding those following here, or especially if this discussion is new, that part II addresses the “proposal” that the Church consider the “Way of Beauty” as … Continue reading →

All cultures are not equally open to the transcendent and welcoming of Christian Revelation. Perhaps we have some elements in the First World who are closed to Christianity because of the contrary witness. Skeptics notice alliances with the powerful, and … Continue reading →

Beginning with the simple experience of the marvel-arousing meeting with beauty, the via pulchritudinis can open the pathway for the search for God, and disposes the heart and spirit to meet Christ, who is the Beauty of Holiness Incarnate, offered by … Continue reading →

Previously, the document expressed the conciliar plan in Gaudium et Spes to engage the modern world through bridge building. Presumably, the image involves the evangelizer forming a construction to reach across a divide. Beauty may well be a good bridge, … Continue reading →

Part II of this document delves into A PROPOSAL FOR A RESPONSE BY THE CHURCH: THE VIA PULCHRITUDINIS So, the “Way of Beauty.” The Pontifical Council for Culture addresses the first section here to the notion of Accepting the Challenge. … Continue reading →

An honest observation: 3) Christians remain a living force capable of witnessing with discernment and courage at the heart of neo-pagan culture, even though in some traditionally Christian countries practicing Christians are no longer the majority of the country. Can … Continue reading →

I feel the need to offer a caution on this second paragraph on the “crucial challenge” offered by the “new religiosity and emerging spiritualities.” Let’s acknowledge that non-Christian factors in the modern world are indeed challenging to the mission of … Continue reading →

Four paragraphs are under the heading of “A CRUCIAL CHALLENGE.” The first introduces the challenge: The Plenary Assemblies of 2002, “Handing on the Faith at the Heart of Cultures, novo millennio ineunte,” [Cf. Faith and Cultures and 2004, “The Christian Faith at … Continue reading →

Starting our examination of this 2006 document, let’s look at three things. First, the title as given: The Via Pulchritudinis, Privileged Pathway for Evangelization and Dialogue The English translation: the way of beauty. As we get deeper into the document, we’ll see … Continue reading →