“Acquiring knowledge of history is the surest way of acquiring confidence in the church. History teaches that nothing is new and that the church has survived sadder and more difficult situations. History is a school of wisdom and of limitless patience.” – Cardinal Ives Congar

I just finished my first course on Church History with the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation. These are what I’ve learned, thoughts, and insights for the course. With courtesy, I’ve let my facilitator know that this experience would be in my blog.

Aside from the catechesis I received as a kid, I had Salvation History and other religion courses at the university. That was a way back. I’ve been so blessed that while in the university, I belonged to the Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate, where we had a weekly faith formation from our lay advisor and religious leaders of the Vincentian school.

More recently, I’ve attended RCIA sessions as a Sponsor. I learned many things and some history of the church alongside our catechumens. However, I’ve realized that the more inputs I received, the more questions came to mind. I was very interested in the knowledge of the Church’s beginnings – the Church I have belonged to and loved since I was a child. I had questions about facts and symbolism and the context and meanings of the Word. I wondered (and wandered) at the thought of why the Israelites walked and walked for so many years (40?) to find the Promised Land, and yet they never went beyond the geographical boundaries of the Middle East at that time. I was also looking for St. Joseph’s whereabouts around The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. What was the concept of time during the Old Testament or New Testament? Was a year equal to 12 months? Why did several characters live so many hundred years? How will I appreciate the symbolism of the Scriptures? Are historical facts as crucial as our interpretation of the Scriptures? These were some of the questions I had in mind that triggered me to explore courses that would help strengthen my faith.

History repeats itself, but more so, it is a story of the people who lived in a distant past that developed with distinct cultures, literature, languages, or ways of living. Society had its own way of thinking that consisted of and characterized a particular era. Studying Church History will enable me to understand how and why the Church had evolved from the Pentecost and how it was influenced by the politics of the day, economy, monarchy and even other forms of religion. It would help me to understand why we do what we do nowadays and, at the same time, understand the realization of wisdom through the centuries. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel but trust and honour those who came long before us.

The issues or thoughts that stood up so far from the text by Vidmar, The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History, were related to the doctrines, the Mass, and the continuity of faith. I could not help but accept that there must have been, is, and will be,  a God that guided humanity through the times. Understanding these events in the past also helps me in articulating my faith, as well as appreciating myself as a baptized person in Christ.

The mention of “spiritual identity” during one of the discussions touched on an essential aspect of our faith. I was inclined to think that we are all a product of this identity that began forming for thousands of years and is still being continually realized in ourselves today – unfolding every day in our individual and communal faith.

There is a scarcity in our society. I work on construction projects, and indeed resources have been scarce. The Church might have had a similar experience too about how and where to get the much-needed resources – material, human, talents, etc.  For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). Added to these challenges were weaknesses, shortcomings, and imperfections. How could the Church survive for another thousand years from today? What’s comforting is that the Word written in Mathew 6:25 assures us that God will provide. The honesty and humility that stood through time while dealing with our human imperfections give us a good reason for hope!

I like to write some memoirs – stories that I recall and happened in the past – from childhood to adolescence, when I was in the university, during my professional life, and my immigration to North America. I find writing from memory is challenging, but they could be opportunities to heal and rekindle the fondness of the people and events that have been a part of a bigger picture, albeit in bits and pieces. I recall the Sunday mornings with my grandmother as we walked to Church to hear Mass. The people who attended – their stories that they had to wake up hours before and walk for kilometres to hear Mass – were living witnesses of the faith in God and His presence. So, what made them sacrifice to hear the hour-long celebration? In parallel, the people during the beginning of the Church may also have had a similar experience when they had to attend the church’s ceremonies – having to be a part of a growing community that spread across the lands after the Pentecost.

Self-recognition and self-determination help to create a true identity based on a shared memory as well as that of an individual. These concepts undoubtedly point us towards Christ, and if I may insert my own memory and experience here – To Jesus thru Mary. Our memories are what we have as we’re nearing the sunset. It makes me think of this individual memory, a micro, that makes up a bigger, more familial, macro-memory of the Church. I can’t help but think that ceremonies and traditions are a big part of the memory of the Church that was passed down from one generation to the next. These memories truly become part of our identity, where we thrive and mature in faith.

I am thrilled to know about the church’s beginnings and how we were very much influenced by the society – a community getting together in Christ’s Spirit—the players in the church – the Fathers of the Church, the people, the governments, and the culture. The literature and philosophy of the Greeks, the Romans, and the Jewish steadfastness to the Old Testament were like an extensive plan of God right from the start. The embodiment of the Father’s prophetic word in the Old Testament has greatly paved the way for the Messiah and how it transitions to the New Adam, in the person and divinity of Christ.

Vidmar (2005), characterized the Fathers of the Church in terms of: Orthodoxy – they have steadfastly remained within the accepted doctrines of the Church. They were strict believers of Christ’s teachings and interpreted them for the Faithful. Holiness – they lived according to God’s will and call for holiness. Although not all holy persons were friendly and error-free, they were considered ardent followers of God’s will. Church Approval – the Church endorsed them and whose teachings were accepted and promoted. The Church has kept and preserved the writings of the Fathers up to this day. And lastly, antiquity – they lived near the time when Christ lived on earth (before 750 AD). Some of them met the apostles in the earliest times after Christ’s death.

I have learned about the beginnings of the Church’s Magisterium and the great influencers of the early Church – the Fathers. And as for me, they reawakened the life of Christ and how He is continuously present among us. I’ve also learned about the Councils by which the early Church had attempted to address the role of the Church in a changing world. Unfortunately, some of the Councils and certain events have led to splits in the Church based on Theology and maybe philosophy, even resorting to chaos and violence.

Constantine recognized the Church and supported it within his powers as Emperor. However, the Church was subject to his power and might have been considered under him. Although the papacy had a different vision than Constantine’s, the Emperor organized the early Councils. Constantine held the final decision and was considered pontifex maximus. I speculate that Ambrose stood back as Constantine exercised his power. Knowing how Islam started could also give an idea of how the early Church was. This knowledge allows me to appreciate the connection between Christianity and Islam. Catholicism is not as distant as I thought it was from Islam.

The mix of military strength and the political and economic climates in the East and West around this time seemed to have reinforced the power of the Muslims. The strong influence and impression of the Greek philosophy on Muhammad provided a strong foundation. The early Church might have also caused the emergence of Islam, as with the other splits at that time, when viewed from a complex standpoint. Geography might have also influenced why Islam evolved and was considered at that time as one of the heresies like Arianism.

However, the stark commonality and rootedness between the Bible and Koran are reasonable bases for continued understanding and dialogue with our Muslim brothers and sisters. Especially today, the threat of the secular world is undoubtedly on the rise, so we must strengthen the faith.

Through the earliest times and the centuries, an overview of how our Church was involved brings so much richness to the ideology that we now cherish and continue to be part of our lives.

So how do I know that I maximize my participation in the Church, especially in the Liturgy? The Councils that started occurring in the Early Church have undoubtedly paved the way for the growth of the Church that impacted the faithful in a meaningful way. They have brought the knowledge of Christ alive in truth and reason based on the Apostles’ writings. The Doctors of the Church, such as St. Augustine, defended the Church through their meditations and writings. These events and the Early Church Fathers ensured that Christ’s humanity and divinity were brought to our times. Vatican II reflected these endeavours of the Church that guided the bishops and the faithful closer to Christ as a continuing understanding among peoples of all faith. The precedence to come together in civilized and docile discussions amid chaos, confusion, and other human tendencies in terms of politics has brought the truth to light.

The Greeks and the Romans have influenced the growth and structure of the Church, as well as the churches of Alexandria and Antioch, in terms of biblical interpretations. Constantine’s role could not be undermined when he supported the Church, although it appeared that the Church became somewhat inferior to the Roman Emperor. Thus, the separation of the Monarchy and Papacy could prove inevitable.

Along the way, the emergence of Monasticism, the Rules and writings of St. Benedict and St. Augustine have stood the test of time and have grown much since then – such as the moderation and elimination of unnecessary physical self-infliction of pain. The lesser-known Church Fathers are also recognized.

I was born post-Vatican II, and the church I remember from childhood was awesome and imperfect. But I could realize the fruits of the Council are ever-enfolding. From the web, Vatican II has “opened its windows onto the modern world, updated the liturgy, gave a larger role to laypeople, introduced the concept of religious freedom and started a dialogue with other religions.” It’s exciting to be in this lifetime where the Church is at many turning points in history.

I’ve heard someone say, “The truth will set you free, but first, it will make you feel crazy.” The believers have fought long enough among each other over the centuries but have become more robust and vital as a church built on a rock. It is remarkable how the people of the Early Church had resorted to varied ways of resolving conflicts – physical actions and mindsets that were unimaginable and obsolete by our current societal standards. It is also interesting to know that if questions and issues didn’t arise during those early times in the Church, then there was no merit in exerting defensive efforts. When heresies and schisms arose after a “collective” introspection of the major players in the Church – with kingdoms, society and all, chaos came, went, and repeated. Although we can still see some semblance of issues nowadays, the Church deals with the utmost respect, subtlety and civility that we each deserve. But as human beings with earthly imperfections, I think we, as members of the Faith, will continue to struggle but then thrive again as a community of God.

In those earliest times, the Church already had the consciousness to look ahead in time, albeit with many uncertainties. The Spirit blessed the mystics and scholastics with remarkable genius. To think of the amount of intellectual growth – the writings, the doctrines, the monasticism, the rules and even asceticism, the Church has stood the test of time even with many contradictions from within and without. We are imperfect, but we remain steadfast.

All things beautiful, and all things God. That was somewhat like the theme and joie-de-vivre of Monasticism’s beginning and existence. But there was also the other side that created a shady time when monks went to the extremes of inflicting physical pain on themselves to atone for their sins “for the glory of God.” The desire to strive to attain perfection on earth brought us advances in the arts and sciences. But these desires might have also brought up eccentricity and even fanaticism. To balance things, the Early Fathers established Rules. And one example that descended from it was the Discernment of Spirits or “motions of the soul” and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

In the church today, I partake in our collective renewal to return to our roots – of what, why and how we became what we are now. Like the Councils – there is a time and a reason for everything – they were there to renew us and enable us to discern and re-focus ourselves on the voice of the Spirit. Together with the active and contemplative religious communities, we all have a role in our society. The Contemplatives serve as anchors and a reminder that this earthly life is transient and we can transcend towards heaven.

We are all called to radiate, share the grace, and try to be the “salt of the earth.”  We are urged to live as models for others to emulate. It also calls to mind our undeniable innate tendency to seek God inwards and outwards as we journey toward sanctification. And like any other rediscovery – whether a long-lost love, a new venture or an adventure – it could cause some discomfort, but that kind of excitement affirms that we’re heading in the right direction.

Knowledge journeyed with people through the years, and we can still see it lived through this day. There were interpretations, misinterpretations, and probably even misinformation that may have happened along the way, but the efforts to preserve truth and reason have gone a long way in making up our society. The search for truth continues to invite us. This acceptance of our Catholic faith gives me a sense of rootedness, and that knowledge encourages me to try and build bridges and reach out and be open also to understanding other religions. Indeed, dialogue and respect go hand in hand.

Growing pains is what I could think of during the Middle Ages. If the emergence of Christianity and Islam happened today, in the midst of technology and modernism, I could only speculate that we would still be committing a lot of mistakes and discoveries. It is indeed helpful to appreciate the teachings of the early Fathers and the common aspects of religious identities in order to re-discover my own.

The Church and State in the Dark Ages seemed to have thrived and co-existed in a give-and-take relationship. It’s interesting to see that these two institutions were friendly to each other at one point, and in another lifetime, they were at war. We see ironic stories of betrayals, assassinations, alliances and protectionism in the historical writings. There were power struggles too, for instance, when Constantine moved the centre of the Roman Empire to the East, and Charlemagne became an ally of the pope who attempted to regain Ecclesial superiority over the emperor. We see strategic and tactical approaches at play.

The Church was characterized by having no armies and buildings to destroy. However, its strength was in the papacy’s “theology” and the Church’s maturing systems, not to mention the Monasticism. The fact that Roman, Greek, and Christian (Western and Orthodoxy) philosophies have crossed, intertwined, loosened, and tightened over the centuries. These factors have solidified and influenced the tensions that we see now in different countries around the world. Here in Canada, the Catholic education system is somehow still linked to the overall education system of the government. But there is no doubt about the tensions that exist and the tangible separation of the two. Interestingly, the head of state of Canada, who is the British King, happened to be the same Head of the Church of England.

It’s incredible that, to this day, we experience some semblance between the Church and the State of the Dark Ages. A similar issue can be said about how it came today in the Philippines. The country, being predominantly Catholic, had political gatherings and public gatherings wherein other religions of the country were also participants and almost always had the Mass included in the events. Even if legally separate, the people unite whether the space is of the Church or of the State. We, individually, carry in us the Church! And it could be hard to completely separate the two; the separation is a blurry dotted line. In another instance, although governments have their talks about how to end the war in Ukraine, it’s widely known that the Vatican is actively helping to find some means of peace for all parties. The State can get rid of semantic references to the Church, but then, the people who make up the Church and the State co-mingle. The question of morals usually is on unstable grounds. President Biden, both as a Catholic (and Jesuit educated), his personal, I’m speculating, or his party’s stance on abortion might be a real struggle to reconcile. Other related moral issues could also be considered, but their very existence could become a rationale for continued dialogue.

The Popes seemed to have used tactical skills and symbolism while they visited other countries with the aim of spreading God’s word in a secular world. In any amount, with tangible results and lifetime effects. In any relationship, there is always a tension to be reckoned with. The uncertainties are invitations and opportunities to practice our faith. 

I’ve learned how Islam came about, which was at a much later time than I thought. I’ve always wondered why the Koran had references to Abraham and Mary in it. Muhammad was born in 570 AD. Islam does not recognize Jesus as Divine but as one of the prophets. Intellectualism flourished in Arabia at first, as influenced in the “fringes” of Rome by Greek philosophy and even the promotion of the Gospels. But it was thwarted by fundamentalism. As a result, Islam wasn’t able to develop great theologians of their religion. The pillars, namely,  a profession of faith, ritual prayer, alms-giving, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca, are a part of one of the tenets of Islam, which are pointing to strict morality. There was a struggle to implement these “rules” among the followers and tensions among the conflicting groups. The pillars are still being observed today, albeit with varying intensities across geographies.

I’ve also learned how the Early Fathers began the doctrines and formed the College of Cardinals. The College of Cardinals was formed due in part to the exercise of power from within and without. The Papacy had to be established with reforms, particularly the Dictatus Papae of Gregory VII. It was also one way of institutionalizing the pontifical magisterium of the Church. Other factors that may have influenced the formation of the College to support the Pope were the revival of monasticism, canon law, the Crusades, and the creation of friars. The College was composed of deacons, priests and bishops with distinct roles and powers. The titular roles have been traditionally established even to this day. The need for these developments in the Church seemed to have come about because of the combination of human events at the time. Rome’s power centre has moved to Constantinople; the establishment of monasteries and the Rules of Benedict, other writings of the Fathers such as those of Augustine; the Papacy; the conflict with the Barbarians; and the co-mingling of the State and the Church in the time of the Carolingian Empire. All these and other factors may have contributed to the knowledge of why we have the separation of the State and Church in today’s times. This being said, I look forward to also understanding the doctrines on the infallibility of the Pope and how these fit in the hierarchy and the humanity of the Holy Father.

There were many trials and fine-tunings in asserting the Church’s exercise of influence in the early ages. The Crusades brought back more knowledge and understanding of women’s role in society and the church. This new experience and knowledge have brought significant realizations concerning women. It was a development and growing maturity in the people’s psyche. I’ve learned that with these events, gentlemanliness (chivalry) was realized. In Church doctrines, the veneration of the Blessed Mother has been elevated. 

Like a butterfly effect, the church and women’s religious orders have been established with a broader vision for the church. And today, we see religious orders which consist of men and women devoted to a spectrum of contemplative-active life. We see both men and women who are theologians and have active roles in the church. The question of “should women be priests” is noticeably being contemplated by some in the periphery.

I remember when I was still a kid, nuns would visit our parish. They introduced new liturgical songs and gave catechesis and seminars. It was for me an enriching experience when they did visit – they softened the rigidity of the pastoral life. Seminarians visited as well. My memory of having them at our parish brings pleasant memories. The image of a nun with a guitar as well as the dedication and beautiful singing, still awes me. The Sisters also reminded me of how we venerate the Mother of God and her undeniable significance in my faith. There are indeed challenges we see today that are counteractive to the practice of virtues due to the changing values of the times. They said that the fruits of the Church Councils, such as the Vatican II, could be realized over a long period of time – years, centuries… We see great women today who have overcome the challenges brought against gender and have done many great things. St. Mother Teresa comes to mind. I can only hope and pray that the Church may continue to be guided by and respond to the Spirit.

The evolution of prayer has been gradual and slow. Mortification through severe and painful self-infliction of physical pain to moderating sacrificial acts by establishing Rules in the monastic communities have marked these changes. To this day, secular aspects included, prayer is called many names and forms – reflection, centering, meditation, contemplation, mindfulness, emptiness (freeing the mind), focusing on the now, and combining practices originating from Buddhism and other non-Christian religions.

I find prayer a very intimate and personal relationship. Catholic prayers – Rosary, Ignatian Examen, Lectio Divina, etc. – contribute to my overall well-being. The Liturgy of the Hours, done at different times of the day, if I could do it amidst my day job, is a great experience to be in the moment and be in communion with God and Church.

I remember images of the priest celebrating the mass with his back to the people. This has been a significant change since pre-Vatican II times. Prayer also became a cultural expression of faith, sometimes within specific rules or guidelines. More recently, the Nicene Creed has been used more. I’m used to reciting the Apostles Creed, so I’m still working on memorizing the other.

Technology has also influenced how I pray – I have Hallow App and podcasts on my devices, from 1-minute meditation to an hour-long scriptural Rosary by well-known celebrities. All these lead me to a better relationship with God day by day.

Prayer develops a personal relationship with God. The “mechanical” prayers, I find, prepare me for the eventual “conversation,” the same as with the repetitions of Taizé songs. I learned that prayer uses all of our human gifts – body, feelings, memory, and even imagination. I had difficulty accepting this last one initially. I recall a Spiritual Director inviting me to try praying by “imagining” an image of Jesus and that I am meeting Him in a particular place – I chose a nice vista, a sunny day, birds chirping, on a mountain, overlooking the sea, and have that conversation with Him. I would talk to Him the way I’d be talking with my best friend, mother, father, brother, sister, or any person I feel close to and see God in.

It’s amazing how the experience of prayer could grow and transcend over time. At first, I struggled to develop my prayer life because of impatience and just by discerning if it’s really God I am with every time. It’s a bit weird to feel that I’m not alone in those moments, but consolation would ensue afterwards. I find the Spiritual Exercises and Examen of St. Ignatius, whom I believe, existed much later than St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, are also a great way to pray.

Praying together as a family affirms the parents’ significant roles in our prayer lives. The kneeling gesture expresses humility, a longing and an appeal for God to bestow on us His blessings. The similarity of our own experiences somehow resonates with the oneness among us. Contemplating the Scriptures, Lectio Divina, and placing ourselves in a particular scene in the Bible is also one way to hear God speak. The hymns do invite us to a prayerful space too. After the Holy Communion, when the hymn ends, it is also such a powerful experience to be just in silence and waiting for the priest to bless us.

From this course, I have learned to appreciate the formation of prayer groups and communities and how the Spirit moved through the Saints – Augustine, Thomas, Francis, Dominic, Teresa, the establishment of the Holy See and other early groups. Despite the struggles, the Church was growing and spreading across the world.

I see that prayer has also developed through the realizations of the early Christian saints and martyrs. Mysticism, I find, brings more mystery to the relationship with God, which we all innately desire deep in our hearts. Undoubtedly, religious women have an essential role right from the beginning. The elevation of Mary as Mother of God proves this, although the issue of women as priests or deacons is still an issue surrounding the Church’s many restrictions.

Scholasticism was a method to learn or believe in God and understand Him. This is the act we do in prayer. Thomas Aquinas wrote the Summa Theologiae using Aristotelean philosophy to study free will and theology. Aquinas may have used the steps established by Abelard that explored the truths in the Scripture, namely: question (quaestio); investigation (interrogation); and argument and resolution (disputatio).

But in Aquinas, there were objections, and there was his response with “On the Contrary.” His response also methodically uses two ways: one starts with the cause and then proves the effects, and the other begins with the effects and goes back to the cause. The term systematic theology was attributed to Aquinas’ works.

I have also learned that the Crusades were distinct from the Inquisition, both of which were used as means to protect the Church’s survival. These means may have been mistakes that marred our history as Christians. Who would have thought that the most significant war on earth was waged because of Faith – this might be something that I would struggle to understand, but I’m comforted by the fact that our Popes of modern times have done their mea culpa.

The Crusade was a means of many purposes. The First Crusade was to put an end to the destruction wrought by Islamic fundamentalists. It also aimed to take back Christian strongholds in the East, Constantinople and Jerusalem. The Christians who participated in the “spiritual” endeavour vowed to carry it out to the extent of ex-communication in case of desertion. This was called the People’s Crusade, which became one of the most notable wars in history. The Church used this war to reconcile the kings and assert the primacy of the pope among the kingdoms of the Middle Ages. It was also used to deal with the growing exasperation and outbursts emanating from overpopulation in Europe. In the Second, it was to gain relief of Antioch. And the Third, to recapture Jerusalem from the Muslim Saladin.

Jesus invites us to a life of righteousness, and as such, the Medieval Church was not exempt, regardless of how difficult the times were. Popes, priests, lay, and religious have been saints, martyrs, and also stumbled. But the Ministry had stood still, as Jesus promised. One cannot serve two masters, as an adage say. Moral and spiritual integrity are as important in the Church as they are in the secular leadership. There was a call for consistency and connectedness to Christ, to be good models to the Faithful. But there were times when popes were busy trying to rebuild the physical Rome.

When something got awry, there were always the people who stood for the truth cultivated by prayer life and spirituality – some have protested and rebelled. The Church truly had a life of its own from its followers. Whether the likes of Luther and his works had been rightful or not, the movement of the Spirit had been tangible throughout history.

The Renaissance gave birth to William Ockham, who would usher in a change. Brought about by intellectualism, there was no other way but to raise the bar high for those who held power and for the Christians. Thankful for Aquinas, Dominic, and others, this era also paved the way for arts to thrive, expressions of faith in Rules, and the aim for perfection here on earth. The period was also plagued with controversies and criticisms of the Church. The Reformation had taken root to counteract the perceived corruption symbolized by selling indulgencies. Dirty politics seemed to be rampant as well at all levels of the Magistrate. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The times also called for the Church hierarchy to sincerely follow what conscience dictated. Imperfect as we all are, I agree that we should all be held up to par towards holiness.

I’m so thankful for all our Saints who have stood the test of times – during the Renaissance as well as in today’s world. Our leaders, especially in the Church, are called to be models indeed. We look up to them to guide us toward how Jesus wants us to be. Imperfect as humans are, the Renaissance Church struggled to keep everyone in line. But the Church survived, and all we can do is pray that we all continue to strive for goodness and that our leaders may realize the fullness of their calling.

Luther was said to have chosen to stay in the Catholic Church. He disdained the corruption within the Hierarchy itself and sought reforms. The breakdown in the Church may not be the only reason Luther chose the road that led to the creation of today’s Protestant churches. There were many factors, and many of these were complicated as they touched the realms of politics, philosophy, and theology. Many of the leading players were those with power. But what about the ordinary faithful? It appeared that they followed what they were told from all sides – by the influencers of the day.

Change Management is never easy by today’s standards. It is usually slow and can be painful. But what we have learned in the administration of the Church and corporations is that a listening heart and a compassionate voice are both crucial factors. Our conscience and the teachings we know (Canon, Law, Rules, etc.) are tools we could use to discern what we can hope for the future. When I see politics in the office, I would always have the connotation of it being a bad thing. But one of my bosses said that there is always politics everywhere. I think he’s right. The only thing that makes politics bad is bad politics. Our Church, it seems, is not exempt from what’s needed to navigate the mundane tasks of governing and leading like a corporation. I believe that our Church has grown to have been cognizant of these tools – both as blessings and means to further its mission. It was said somewhere that the Catholic Church has the highest turnover among the largest organizations in the world. Not to say re-organizations and re-shuffling as we see it today. A perfect point on good change management – it is a good change when it doesn’t look like one. That is, subtle, incremental, gradual, and with gentleness. One of my classmates in this course had the analogy of a baby not being thrown into the bathwater drive home the message of renewals in our community.

I learned so many things from this course. From the early beginnings of Christianity at the Pentecost to the establishment of the Catholic Church and the Reformation, the Church has undergone many changes.

There were many struggles and inspirations from the characters that have shaped the Catholic Church. The Early Fathers had written and documented the experiences of Jesus and the Apostles. There were also the powerful monarchs, the nobles, the elites, the lowly followers, the religious women, and the friars. Many factors were at play – mysticism, scholasticism, politics, culture, philosophy, the Rules –some were sad events, but some may have probably been necessary. The Crusades and the Inquisition were instruments used in some of these struggles. Constantine, Muhammad, St. Augustine, St. Thomas, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Dominic, Luther, and the Popes were among those influencers. Among the main points I was struck by was the emergence of religious women. In its early beginnings, it is a comfort to know that the Church has also started to recognize its role in society. The elevation of Mary as Mother of God has tremendously magnified the closeness and the power that Mary has in our faith – in her total humility and obedience to God. The mystics have been blessed with the vision of Mary’s motherhood.

The establishment of the Papacy, the College of Cardinals, and the Holy See have survived as Jesus – Peter “Rocks” promised! The magistrate of the Catholic church is undoubtedly an envy of other denominations. The Pope could gather millions (e.g., Manila World Youth Day ’95). This is a tangible manifestation that God is with us, His people.

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John Vidmar, OP, The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History (New Jersey, 2005). Text used in the course Church History 1 at the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation.

Ignatius Press, 2002. The Ignatius Bible. Kindle Edition.

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