Professional paper

The Virtuos Life of the Blessed Ivan Merz

Josip Grbac ; Teologija u Rijeci - područni studij Katoličkog bogoslovnog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Franko Markulić ; Teologija u Rijeci - područni studij Katoličkog bogoslovnog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

In an attempt to shed some light on the personality of Ivan Merz, insufficiently known among the Croatians, the authors analyze his life, figure and his deeds, in order to understand the extent and the modality of his realization of virtues. The virtues were the basis for his beatification, especially the theological ones. This article shows how he consciously, freely and radically lived the virtues.
His life thus became a paradigm for Christians invited to live the morality in accordance with the Christian values, since it is hard to live the Christian morality only by the rules, which tend to put in order the everyday life. The authors present Ivan Merz as a modern example of sanctity, to be studied and followed. Ivan Merz lived the Christian values as a path of a personal perfection, and as a means of annunciation of the Gospel. Therefore, his activity is an example of a fruitful evangelization, never outdated, and an example of a pedagogical methodology, especially in respect to the young, in search of radical proofs that Christianity is worth of living.

Keywords

Ivan Merz; virtue; holiness; faith; love; hope; Diary; Catholicism

Hrčak ID:

146922

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/146922

Publication date:

3.7.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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