Date of Award
2022
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (College of Education)
Schools and Centres
Education
First Supervisor
Professor Gerard O'Shea
Second Supervisor
Doctor Anne Marie Irwin
Abstract
This thesis seeks to make the rich spiritual tradition of the Catholic church expressed through the lens of four saints accessible to a wide audience of people. Each saint provides key insights into the faith based upon their different life experiences and unique encounters with Christ. Upon encountering Christ, they see themselves and their role in the world in a completely different perspective. As a result, they change seeking to live fuller richer lives as they give more of themselves to Him.
St Augustine after living a pleasure-seeking lifestyle discovers that God is the Truth, that he is looking for. The truth that can fully satisfy him, and he wants every person to enter into this relationship with God.
St Therese of Lisieux learns the secret to loving Christ revealing the humility of God and his desire to establish a special relationship with all people. She emphasises that God does not want from each person large sacrifices but the smallest sacrifices that are within their reach.
Similarly, Mother Teresa wants all people to love God through the small acts of love directed to the poor people around them. An encounter with them is an encounter with Christ. She demonstrates that love is an act of the will and not a feeling or emotion. Mother Teresa sustained this relationship with God through constant prayer, sacrifice and the reception of the Eucharist.
Finally, John Paul II teaches all people to remain firmly focused on Christ who is the Redeemer of humanity. He wants all people to grow in deeper relationship with Him so that the world can be transformed by His values thereby allowing for the flourishing of culture, society and governments everywhere.
Appendix A outlines the key principles that have contributed to/influenced the designing of 20 lessons in the second part of the project and the specific sections of the research from which these principles are drawn.
Publication Details
Chidiac, A. (2022). Making Accessible the Rich Spiritual Tradition of the Catholic Church Explored Through the Lens of Four Different Saints [Doctor of Philosophy (College of Education)]. The University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/428