Related Papers
How can the poetry of Karol Wojtyla be used in a pastoral context?
Sarah Larkin
This is the title page contents, intro, conclusion and bibliography of my Master thesis (full paper is 16, 564 words). When looking at Wojtyla’s poetic output, it became clear to me that an understanding of his formation as an artist in Poland, which during the years of the Second World War came together with his spiritual formation, is central to understanding his specific role in the fall of the Communist regime in Central Europe. My study, coupled with Wojtyla’s interpretation of the Rhapsodic Theatre, reveals his view of the unique role of culture in a nation’s history, and also how the Rhapsodic Method is “one piece” with his poetry, as well as an extremely effective methodology when applied on the world stage. This study outlines the historical and political context in which Wojtyla grew up - which notably connected art with the struggle for spiritual and national freedom - to a setting out of Wojtyla’s interpretation of Rhapsodic Theatre in his own words. When looking at Wojtyla’s poetry, which I see as an extension of the Rhapsodic Method, the work of the poet Cyprian Norwid is presented as a key figure to understand Wojtyla’s unique writing and placing it in the system of contemporary poetics. The devices of 'contemplative' or meditative writing are drawn out. For the research element I devised a workshop - 'The Place Within' and ran with 2 groups; people are invited to interact with KW's poetry. The results are written up in order to extrapolate how KW's poetry may be used to help those on a spiritual journey. Email me if interested to read whole chapters.
How can St John of the Cross’ approach to aesthetics inform contemporary Christian spirituality?
Sarah Larkin
Aesthetics and St John of the Cross presents itself to us as a subject because, apart from being a Christian mystic, San Juan was also an artist and poet. This essay will identify principles that may be drawn from both his practice as a poet and his thoughts about art, which may inform contemporary Christian spirituality . Today, the people to benefit from San Juan’s approach to aesthetics are artists, especially poets, who are Christians desiring to engender contemplation through their medium. From a pastoral perspective, there is also a need for more understanding of artists in regards to their life in the Church, especially as the Church is turning to them to help bridge the ever-widening cultural gap between Church and society. As the challenge of communicating the Gospel within Western society deepens, it is being more recognised that art is a way of communicating that appeals to a persons’ spiritual nature. In our current cultural milieu symbolism is strong currency, and it may well become more crucial for the Church to be able to communicate truth in ways that are non-verbal, imaginative and intuitive, in a way that does ‘use’ the arts, but honours and understands its true function. As Thiessen has noted in the last twenty years the dialogue between theology and the arts has become a major focus in theology, and it is no coincidence that this trend has run alongside the aestheticisation of everyday life in postmodern society through the powerful impact of images.
Cecylia Kuta Mieczysław Kotlarczyk - a teacher and artistic friend of John Paul II Abstract
2019 •
Cecylia Kuta
Towards a eucharistic theatre : the theatrical theologies of the Reduta, the Rhapsodic Theatre, and Grotowski's Lab
2016 •
Cole Matson
The Person and the Challenges. The Journal of Theology, Education, Canon Law and Social Studies Inspired by Pope John Paul II
Mieczysław Kotlarczyk – a Teacher and Artistic Friend of John Paul II
Cecylia Kuta
Religious and Sacred Poetry: An International Quarterly of Religion, Culture and Education
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: Meeting with Christ in Karol Wojtyła’s Song of the Brightness of Water
2014 •
Roman Bogacz
JOHN PAUL II'S THEOLOGY OF DIALOGUE (AEdu).pdf
Jose Kuruvachira
The Wheel of Polish Fortune : Myths in Polish Collective Consciousness during the First Years of Solidarity
1992 •
Barbara Törnquist-Plewa
doctoral disseration, Lund University key words : Solidarność, anti-Communist opposition in Poland, political myths, collective memory
Papa Mason
XC IC
THE SPIRITUALITY OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II
Rev. Dennis Kolinski, SJC
The path to personal union with God is unique for each person, the result not only of spiritual formation but also of the experiences of one’s individual life and the culture in which one was formed. In an attempt to better understand who John Paul II was as a person and what made him a saint, this article examines those things that had the greatest impact on the formation of the inner life of the soul of Saint John Paul II: the trauma of World War II, the unique and intensely lived Catholic culture in which he grew up, the roots of his Marian spirituality and the spiritual writers who had the greatest impact on his spiritual formation, only to name a few. Its intent is not to address his teachings and philosophy but rather will illuminate the inner spirituality that underpinned and influenced his later teachings as pope.
