Church renewal comes at parish level as laity educated on famous paths to holiness
By Anthony Barich
PERTH Angelicum graduate and Maranatha Centre for Adult Faith Formation presenter Michelle Jones is giving a series of talks to connect people of the Archdiocese with six major types of Christian spirituality that have renewed the Church and inspired its teachings of pathways to holiness.
Following the success of talks on Franciscan, Dominican, Ignatian, Salesian, Carmelite and Benedictine spirituality at Claremont parish during Lent, Michelle, 35, is now presenting the talks at Subiaco parish on Wednesday nights at 7pm.
Michelle, who is in her third year of working with Maranatha, said the series is part of the Centre’s efforts to promote an experience of engaging the head and the heart, “taking in information for the sake of transformation”.
She said the series seeks to explore various forms of spirituality that, while originating in consecrated Religious life, are ultimately expressions of the one Gospel and pathways into the mystery of Jesus that is accessible to all.
Michelle, who completed a Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Angelicum (Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas) in Rome and is close to completing a Doctorate in Theology there, explores the six types of spirituality in their own historical context and how these “nourish 21st century Catholics in our own discipleship”.
Having already covered Benedictine, Franciscan, and Dominican spiritualities Michelle will cover Ignatian (6 July), Carmelite (20 July) and Salesian (27 July) spiritualities next. All are welcome to attend the talks.
She described how Benedictine spirituality – started by St Benedict of Nursia (480-550AD), the father of western monasticism – is about how to be the presence of Jesus’ peace in the world.
She also told how the Dominican way – founded by St Dominic (1170-1221) – is about preaching the Truth of the Gospel in whatever context one finds oneself.
The Franciscan life is about embracing the poor, crucified, self-emptying Jesus in a whole-hearted way, she said, while Ignatian spirituality – started when St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) founded the Jesuits – is about ordering one’s life in such a way that one brings about the Kingdom of God in all things.
Her talk on the Carmelite tradition will centre on the spirituality that underpins the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, started in the 1190s in the Holy Land. This spirituality, she said, is hard to summarise briefly, but is about drawing from solitude and prayer to bring about the Kingdom of God.
Michelle did her Licentiate in Sacred Theology thesis on the Apostolic character of the contemplative life according to St John of the Cross and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, key figures in the Carmelite tradition. Her Doctorate in Theology, where she is specialising in Spiritual Theology, includes a thesis on contemporary English Carmelite nun Ruth Burrows’ understanding of mysticism.
Michelle’s talk on Salesian spirituality will focus on the teachings of Doctor of the Church St Francis de Sales and St Jane Frances de Chantal, co-founders of the Visitation Order.
Her talks have drawn a wide variety of people, including participants in the Towards Catholicism programme for people thinking about becoming Catholic run by the Claremont zone of priests.
People from the Christian meditation group that meets at Subiaco parish on Wednesdays facilitated by psychologist Dr Neil Preston also attend her talks, which she said shows that people from across the spiritual spectrum have the same desire to know Christ.
For more information about courses offered by the Maranatha Centre for Adult Faith Formation visit maranathacentre.org.au.