• La Civiltà Cattolica
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Contact us
  • Login
  • Register
SUBSCRIBE
LA CIVILTÀ CATTOLICA
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Church Life
    • Faith
    • Mission
    • People
    • Pope Francis
    • Spirituality
  • Church Thought
    • Doctrine
    • Scripture
    • Theology
  • Culture
  • Politics
  • Editions
  • Authors
  • Donate

No products in the cart.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Church Life
    • Faith
    • Mission
    • People
    • Pope Francis
    • Spirituality
  • Church Thought
    • Doctrine
    • Scripture
    • Theology
  • Culture
  • Politics
  • Editions
  • Authors
  • Donate

No products in the cart.

No Result
View All Result
LA CIVILTÀ CATTOLICA
No Result
View All Result
     
Home 2111

Spiritual Parents

Miguel Ángel Fiorito, SJbyMiguel Ángel Fiorito, SJ
October 28, 2021
in 2111, Bible Studies, Church Thought, Edition, Full Text Article, People, Pope Francis, Scripture, Spirituality, Subscriber Only Articles, The Ignatian Year, Theology, WHAT IS THE SYNODAL JOURNEY? THE THOUGHT OF POPE FRANCIS
0
Spiritual Parents
1
SHARES
52
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The term “spiritual” is one of those words which, although it had a profoundly rich meaning in the early days of Christianity and in all the great epochs of the history of the Church, every now and then it becomes weakened  by more superficial meanings, or is transformed into a synonym of largely negative terms – such as “incorporeal, immaterial” – and becomes just one of many edifying words, a synonym of “religious” or “supernatural.”[1]

For Origen, the spiritual person is a practical person, because the Spirit is acquired through action and the Spirit becomes manifest through actions. A spiritual person, according to the Alexandrian theologian, is one in whom theory and practice are united, involving care for one’s neighbor and a spiritual charism for the good of one’s neighbor.  Between these two charisms, he emphasizes above all what he calls diakrisis, that is, the gift of discerning the diversity of  spirits.

Spiritual Parents

What is needed. 1) To be a “spiritual parent” it is not necessary to be male. A woman can also be one; obviously in this case she will not be called a “father,” but rather a spiritual “mother.”

Many women’s religious congregations have a beautiful custom: that of calling the superior “mother,” while the others are “sisters.” This custom is rooted in a long religious tradition. It was born in the East, among the monks and nuns of the desert. In such a place there was no anti-feminism because any Christian, man or woman, could be a “monk.” In the same way any Christian, man or woman, could be the “spiritual parent” of another.

If, in the spiritual life there is no fundamental difference between men and women, why should there be one when it comes to “spiritual parenthood,” that is, in the help that some of us give to others? García M. Colombás affirms: “The spiritual parent was one who, full of the Holy Spirit, communicated the life of the Spirit, generated children according to the Spirit. Evidently, like monks, nuns could also possess the Spirit. She who possessed the Spirit received the title ‘amma’ or ‘mother,’ which corresponds to the masculine title of ‘abba.’ […] Amma does not necessarily imply the exercise of spiritual motherhood, but rather the ability to exercise it; hence it would be wrong to always translate this term as ‘abbess’ or ‘superior’ of a female community. Many holy women, undoubtedly more numerous than the holy men, have perhaps kept hidden their high spiritual qualities  which would have allowed them, if there had been the opportunity, to guide other souls on the paths of God.”[2]

This article is reserved for paid subscribers. Please subscribe to continue reading this article
Subscribe

Welcome to
La Civiltà Cattolica !
This article is reserved for paid subscribers
Please login or subscribe to continue reading this article
LOGIN
SUBSCRIBE
What is La Civiltà Cattolica?

Previous Post

Sociological and Political Aspects of Cryptocurrencies

Next Post

‘Summer of Soul’: A Celebration of Black Culture

Miguel Ángel Fiorito, SJ

Miguel Ángel Fiorito, SJ

Related Posts

Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem. Rembrandt, 1630
Bible Studies

‘The Book of Revolutions’: The battles of priests, prophets and kings that birthed the Torah

byDavid Neuhaus, SJ
January 25, 2023
Religious Nationalism and Pope Francis’ ‘Culture of Encounter’
Church Life

Religious Nationalism and Pope Francis’ ‘Culture of Encounter’

byDavid Hollenbach, SJ
January 23, 2023
A moment of the work of the Second Vatican Council (photo: Lothar Wolleh)
Canon Law

The Principles of Discernment of the Second Vatican Council

byGerald O'Collins, SJ
January 18, 2023
Kurt Vonnegut: ‘So it goes’
2301

Kurt Vonnegut: ‘So it goes’

byDiego Mattei, SJ
January 13, 2023
Ecumenism and the Christian Desire for Unity
2301

Ecumenism and the Christian Desire for Unity

byGiancarlo Pani SJ
January 12, 2023
Next Post
‘Summer of Soul’: A Celebration of Black Culture

‘Summer of Soul’: A Celebration of Black Culture

Premium Content

Putin’s Russia

Putin’s Russia

March 3, 2022
sacred heart of jesus

The Heart of Christ in the Liturgy

June 28, 2022
Preparing the Meeting of Bishops on the Protection of Minors

Preparing the Meeting of Bishops on the Protection of Minors

December 19, 2018

Browse by Category

Subscription Offers

BEATUS POPULUS CUIUS DOMINUS DEUS EIUS

The most respected digital Catholic journal from Rome. A must-read on all the present issues alive in the Church. Discover top Church scholars interpreting the history, politics, culture, science and art in the light of the Christian faith.

Categories

  Editions
  Church Thought
  Authors
  Church 
 
  Culture
  Perspective Series
  Politics & Socitey

 

About Us

   Contact Us
   La Civiltà Cattolica  
   China Forum
   Feedback
   Terms & Conditions
   Privacy Policy
    Email : [email protected]
My IP Address : 54.36.148.127
Facebook Twitter Instagram

© Union of Catholic Asian News 2022 | All Rights Reserved.
Except for any fair dealing permitted under the Hong Kong Copyright Ordinance, no part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior permission.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Church Life
    • Faith
    • Mission
    • People
    • Pope Francis
    • Spirituality
  • Church Thought
    • Doctrine
    • Scripture
    • Theology
  • Culture
  • Politics
  • Editions
  • Authors
  • Donate
SUBSCRIBE

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?
Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Login
  • Sign Up
Forgot Password?
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

laciviltacattolica.com uses cookies and similar technologies to optimize the user experience,  analyze site traffic and communicate with subscribers. To read more about how we use cookies and how you can control them click on settings, or click Accept to start browsing our site.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?
LA CIVILTÀ CATTOLICA
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.