Class 11 : Trent, and Three S ons of Trent

Class 11 : Trent, and Three Sons of Trent Dr. Ann T. Orlando 14February 2014

Rome in Later 16th C • Center of Catholic Spiritual Power • Combined with Spanish military might, world-wide reach • “Stubborn” emphasis on (reformed) discipline and doctrine rejected by Protestants • Sacraments • Tradition • Saints • Importance of Papacy • Art in service of religion: the Baroque

Catholic Response: Council of Trent • Called by Pope Paul III • Lengthy, intermittent (1545-1563) • Pope initially reluctant to call council because of bad experiences with councils (especially Council of Constance) in 15th C • Purpose was both to address reform of practice and to uphold Catholic doctrine • Developed in several sessions • Jesuits play a major theological role at Trent; encouraged explicit statement of Catholic doctrine in opposition to Protestant views

Politics Behind Council • Charles V wanted control of Council; insisted that it occur in his territory, and control over bishops • Also, successors of Paul III, Julius III and Paul IV, not in favor of council • Limited control over French bishops • Not in favor of some reforms • Structure of Council in 25 Sessions scattered across 3 Periods • Period I (1545-1547) • Period II (1551-1552) • Period III (1562-1563)

First Period 1545-1547 Key Results • Includes Bull of Convocation, Sessions 1-10; Pope Paul III • Emphasis on Nicene Creed and Tradition • Definitive statement concerning books of NT and OT; Latin Vulgate declared adequate for doctrinal proofs • Number of sacraments fixed at 7 • Justification: man cooperates with God’s grace

Second Period (1551-1552) • Includes Sessions 11-16; Pope Julius III • Degree on Eucharist that defined Real Presence; • Transubstantiation • Sacrament of Penance revised

Third Period (1562-1563) • Sessions 18-25; Pope Pius IV • Resolution that bishops should live in their diocese • Catechism of Trent • Revised missal and breviary • Mass as true sacrifice • Reform decrees on clerical behavior and revision of seminary rules

Key Theological Statements from Trent • Scripture and Tradition • Sacraments are effective through performance of sacramental action, “ex opereoperato” • Affirmed Mass as sacrifice and transubstantiation • Affirmed 7 sacraments • Good works together with faith brings about salvation • Affirmed indulgences and intercession of saints

Trent and Seminaries • Recall that universities had been the primary locus for clerical training • By the 14th C, run by academics, not bishops • Included a broad cross-section of students • Emphasis increasingly on intellectual but not moral formation • By 16th C increasingly tied to monarchies • Trent Session 23 on Seminaries • Every bishop should establish a seminary in his diocese; the bishop is directly responsible for the seminary • Seminary dedicated to education of clergy

Seminarian Formation • Seminarians should wear clerical dress at all times • To keep always in mind that they are ecclesiastics • Seminarians should study a range of skills including • Biblical studies • Philosophy and theology • Homiletics, especially studying homilies of the Fathers • Practical skills such as accounting • Seminarians should develop a strong spiritual life • Daily Mass • Spiritual director and confessor • Attend to parish or diocesan assignments on feast days

St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) • From northern Italy, parents placed him in a monastery school as a young boy • Studied for priesthood at university in Pavia • Quickly rose to be Archbishop of Milan and Secretary of State • Charles was a key intermediary between Pius IV (Charles’ uncle) and the Council • Significantly contributed to Tridentine catechism • As Archbishop of Milan • Instituted the seminary directives from Trent • Encouraged lay spiritual formation • Beloved in Milan for having personally cared for sick during a plague

St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) • Born in Italy; attended schools run by Jesuits • Entered Jesuit order 1560 • Writes De Controversiis 1576 • Systematic work based on Council of Trent • As chief theologian in Curia, he was able to ensure degrees of Trent were implemented • Declared saint and doctor of Church in 1930

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) • Born in eastern France, educated by Jesuits • As a young man studying theology, was very concerned about predestination • In prayer before a statue of Mary, his fears were relieved • Decided to lead a celibate life • Over his father’s objection entered ecclesial life • As a priest he was known for the insight of his confessions, and the force of his preaching • He was named bishop of Geneva (in absentia) in 1602 • Lived a very simple life as bishop • Great care for poor • Known for kindness • Along with St, Jean de Chantal founded Visitation sisters • Started catechetical programs for lay people • Died praying “God’s will be done; Jesus my God and my all” • Canonized 1665; declared doctor of Church 1877

Introduction to the Devout Life • Widely influential in his own time • Introduction was translated into every European language almost immediately • Why such an impact then (and now) • Written for layman (really woman) • Written in a spirit of understanding and gentleness with the human condition • Nothing really new, but repackaged in the light of Reformation and Trent • Emphasis on Confession • Emphasis on authority of Fathers

Impact of Trent • Defined Catholicism in Early Modern World • Reiterated tradition • Defined Catholicism as opposed to Protestants • Gave the Church a unified teaching program against the Protestants • Made Jesuits the theologians of the Church at beginning of modern period • Note, Jesuits not tied to local bishops • Relation between Trent and Vatican II still being worked out

But Theological Debates On Justification Within Church Continue: Dominicans and Jesuits • A continuing discussion within the Church on grace and works • Dominicans of 16th, 17th C tended more toward grace; interested in universals • Jesuits toward works, interested in particulars • Congregatio de Auxiliis called by Clement VIII in 1598 to settle dispute • On the advice of St. Francis de Sales, in 1607 Pope Paul V degreed that the Jesuits could not call the Dominicans Calvinstis; nor were the Jesuits allowed to call the Dominicans Calvinists • In renewed sacrament of penance, Jesuit development of casuistry • De-emphasize universal moral principles • ‘Sinfulness’ dependent on particulars of the agent and his circumstances • In early 17th C Bishop of Ypres, Cornelius Jansenius (1583-1635) will write massive Augustinus published in 1640 • Opposition to Jesuits (Molina in particular), but also some aspects of Dominican position • Strongly anti-Pelagian, but also questioned value of philosophy (Aristotelianism) to lead to the truths of faith

Assignments • 1. Trent Decrees on Scripture, Sacraments, Justification, Indulgences in Bettenson ed. Documents of the Christian Church Third Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. 275-282. • 2. Francis De Sales Devout Life, Prayer, Preface and First Part of Introduction in Introduction to the Devout Life, available at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/desales/devout_life.toc.html

Class 11 : Trent, and Three S ons of Trent