Prethodno priopćenje
NEW TESTAMENT THEMES IN THE CATECHETICAL SERMONS OF THE BLESSED ALOJZIJE STEPINAC
Juraj Batelja
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The study of the encyclical letters, sermons and occasional speeches of the blessed Alojzije Stepinac permits an insider’s view into his pastoral care for the Christian education as well into his way of affirming the faithful in faith. His catechetical impulse was really strong, as well as his efforts in providing a sufficient number of catechists and teachers of religion. Therefore, he compiled the Catechetical sermons, whose New Testament section is presented in this article. In the first part of the article, we present the archbishops directives for the catechists and parents, regarding the religious education in school and in the family. We evidence also his care for the provision of adequate reference books. The second part of the article deals with the content and the message of the New Testament themes in his Catechetical sermons. He developed the themes of God the Father who in the fullness of time sends his Son to redeem the sinful humanity; Christ the Redeemer of man, incarnation, preparation for the public activity, annunciation of the Gospel’s law of love and invitation to conversion. The drama of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ that opened the way for the fruits of redemption, is explained in plain words, intelligible for every faithful. Accordingly, he develops the theme of God the Holy Spirit, who bestows the comprehension of the fruits of the redemption, and revives them in the celebration of the sacraments. In the light of the Resurrection, he interprets His dominion over nature, life and death. Stepinac did not fail to mention the Church, as founded by Christ for the enactment of the salvation, its visible structure bound by grace and ministries that allow the approach to the Heavenly glory. Finally, he explains in detail the preparation for the celebration of particular sacraments, and the need of thankfulness as well as the importance of belief in the resurrection of the body and the eternal life. He spread the Christian doctrine, and awakened Christian hope and joy, inspired by his unity with God and his Church, particularly in times of persecution. He understood the danger of the communist ideology, since it aimed to uproot the faith, presenting it as the ‘opium for the people’, therefore, he stressed the need for a Christian education in the family, especially in the school, and warned the priests not to desist in the annunciation and spread of faith.
Ključne riječi
Holy Scripture; New Testament; prophets; catechism; religious education; fraternity of the Christian doctrine; Jesus Christ; Holy Spirit; Mary Mother of God; Church; grace; faith; sacraments; eternal life
Hrčak ID:
116605
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.1.2014.
Posjeta: 1.556 *