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The Cross is a sign and
symbol. The Cross is never easy. It causes pain. It's
always with us. No one lived in its shadow more than
Christ.
The particular type of cross on the
homepage is a Celtic cross. There are many types of crosses. The
Merriam-Webster dictionary list 20 types in its seventh new collegiate
edition. That particular edition has been superceded by later versions now.
It is always fitting to
bless ourselves with the sign of the cross as we begin
to read about the doctors or any spiritual reading to be enlightened and graced. The
cross is the "Sign of our Salvation" and our means to
sanctification and future glory. Signing ourselves
allows us to enter into prayer which is the theme of
this website. It also expresses our profession of faith
that the doctors of the catholic church always
encouraged. Every intellectual work, according to a
renowned Dominican apologist and philosopher, Father A G
Sertillanges, O.P., begins in a moment of ecstasy.
Christ lovingly embraced the cross in obedience
to his Father's will and revealed his tremendous love
for us. By looking within the center of the cross on this site, one sees four windows or empty spaces representing the four
gospels that offers us unlimited spiritual space that beautifully fills our minds, hearts, and souls with divine light,love,
and wonder . We, too, will gradually discover what God's
will is for us. The four windows represent faith, hope, love
and suffering of our Savior.
The cross on the Splash page (currently omitted) is the same cross on the Jerusalem Bible.
The outer structure is called a potent cross. The four crosses inside its arms are Greek crosses.
Crosses are
inescapable, providential and central to Christianity.
All ways lead to and from the cross. However, we
typically and naturally avoid or flee from the cross
because we follow our instincts and justify our
behaviors. The doctors inform us that crosses come from
all-friend or foe. They can come subtly from within us
as memories and attitudes or outside from unexpected
love ones. Any cross can be a contradiction or a
confrontation that unnerves us because we are often
unprepared for it. It can appear hidden in pain,
challenges, or a host of trying circumstances.
It
is only with the practice and perseverance of virtues
and graces bestowed that we will be able to understand
and accept the cross as a part of God's plan for us.
These wise doctors that you are about to read instruct
us that a cross can be seen as beautiful, charming, and
brilliant, light. Jesus' own words confirms that he is the
Light, Way, Truth and Life. Only with faith and trust
can we accept our crosses and only with love embrace
them.
The
church as an entity is beginning to come out of its
cocoon as far as spiritual growth and balance. The
universal call to holiness has always been the church's
efforts but now it is becoming more visible, known and
shared.
In the future women will play major roles
that will get the church in balance. Their humanizing
and holiness qualities will renew and reform the church
that is in drastic need of their talents and gifts. One
day in the future, all women dreams will be realized.
The role of women, in and outside the church, has been
denigrated historically due to ignorance, pride and
culture. All traditions should be treasured and prized
when they are not based on bias, prejudice or
narrow-mindedness. As minorities become majorities in
the future (we are beginning to see this now with
nationalities) so too will women be in the forefront in
future church roles. God has no gender. Prejudices, bias
and discrimination based upon sex are rank and grossly
unfair.
The church will have unparalleled
changes never before dreamt or imagined. Dream on
valiant women, your time is near. Isn't it ironic that
God made women to be man's good helpmate and she has
been severely and sadly relegated. The pity of the
situation is we are ignorant of this tragic injustice,
abuse and imbalance. Perhaps God's light will penetrate
the dark recesses of our minds. Perhaps through the
intercession of the doctors, they can bring us out of
our cultural ignorance, malaise and insensitivity toward
the gender(sex)issue. Perhaps we should reflect not only how
Jesus treated Mary in historical terms but how God
elevates Mary from a global perspective in the church
today. Consider St Mary's rank in the church today and
consider how today's women rank-if they have any rank at
all. God elevates continually. The church does this with
less perfection. It has a tremendously long way to go to
bring more balance, equality and leadership into the
church. Some women are outstanding leaders. Most of us
want to follow great leaders.
Many women and some
men have left the church because of their perceptions of
the misogynic attitude of the church hierarchy. Is it
only a perception? These are legitimate concerns and
deeply felt memories. Does a departure from the church
justify a departure? Who knows? How are we ever to know
unless we are fully open to the penetrating truth and
light of the Spirit? Who will teach us this truth if we
can not trust our leaders? Can we solve this issue from
without or from within the church? The church can only
change from within, never without. The changing of the
church in leadership will also come from within. If you
want to change the church, join her and remain faithful
as God treasures faithfulness as confirmed in scripture.
If the church were a harlot should we bolt from
her? Let us remember the Book of Hosea in the Old
Testament. Some believed Hosea was a priest or a cult
prophet. His wife, Gomer, the adulteress, symbolized
faithless Israel. And just as Hosea could not give up
his wife forever even when she played the harlot, so
Yahweh could not renounce Israel.
We have
monumental models in the prophets, patriarchs and
especially the doctors. They espoused faithfulness in
spite of all the odds, sins and reasons to give up their
faith. Some will say that they do not give up their
faith when they leave the church. They just do not trust
their leaders who are all men. The church will change
more dramatically when sincere prayers are poured out by
her people in order to please God and not themselves.
The whole movement of Therese's doctorship started from
the grassroots level not from the top.
The late Pope John
Paul II has been most instrumental in announcing many
new saints, more than any pope before him. However, he
has not proclaimed any new doctors until most recently.
This is not surprising since the act of proclaiming a
doctor is rare. However, now that we have a new doctor,
this fact is most historical and significant. This new
event should also send a signal to members to listen
most carefully to St Therese of Lisieux's words and
advice. Her message to the church is needed and
revolutionary. We need to have our thinking process
refined and turned around. Her extraordinary confidence,
trust and abandonment to the good pleasure of God are
virtues that will enrich our lives when we practice
them. She is a powerful advocate for our times and the
future. We might petition and pray with her for guidance
and favors. Her feast day is October 1st and you can
read about her on this website to explore what the Pope
said about her.
Isn't it interesting that the
last three doctors proclaimed by the church were all
women? Two in 1970 and one in 1997.
The only
modern day doctor before St Therese was born nearly
three hundred years ago. That was St Alphonsus Liguori.
Although some doctors have been proclaimed more
recently, it sometimes took the church more than 1000
years-a millennium- to proclaim a doctor. The only doctor, not a priest, that we know of,
was a deacon, St Ephraem, and the only married doctor, St
Hilary, were not recognized as doctors until relatively
recent. Both were born in the early 4th century. Today
we are seeing these two roles in the church, deacons and
the married state, take an upsurge in the evolutionary
growth of the church. It seems God always gives His
children the right leadership, examples and holiness
that it needs, through the church, when we are in most
need of it or when we earnestly petition God for this
recognition.
In addition to the two doctors of
the Modern Era, the church has six doctors from the
Counter Reformation period, seven doctors from the
Middle Ages, ten Early Church doctors, and four doctors
from the Eastern Church. Our first four doctors were
with the Western Roman World.
Before St Therese,
the doctors could be compared to the compass card's
thirty-two precise markings. It pointed in all
directions. It was like showing the way, the truth and
the life of the superabundance of God's love, goodness,
gifts and blessings. St Therese has ushered into the
church a new direction called the "the little way". Do
not be mislead. Her way is certainly not 'little'. It is
huge. Her direction for us is most accessible but the
actual implementation is most challenging. It's
definitely for adults and children.
We can now
say that the thirty-three doctors represent the
thirty-three years that Christ lived. Each year that
Christ lived, he had unlimited messages to share with
us. However, we only know his parables and words for the
most part from his three public years. Yet, in those
three years we can never exhaust the infinite meaning of
his stories and truths. His inspired words are always
packed with new depths each time we read and re-read
them. It is as if we were reading them for the first
time, every time, we meditate upon them.
The
doctor's brilliant intelligence, and God's use of them
in the church, highlight for us specific paths to follow
and exact locations to pursue. Their bright and clear
God-given talents have helped the church and its members
to stay on course for which God intended down through
the centuries despite detours, misdirection, errors and
when serious wrongs occurred.
When schisms,
controversies and heresies entered or attacked the
catholic church, the doctors were there as captains of
the helm helping to steer the bark of Peter away from
shoals, running aground, and shipwreck.
These
doctors are fascinating men and women who are masters of
the spiritual life. They have been so designated to
enable us to recourse to them and assist us in
discovering more of God, as well as, enjoying God as we
journey spiritually. Doctors are truly safe and
trustworthy servants, as are all the saints. Much is to
be gained if we follow, imitate and study these
masters.
Their unique contribution stems from
their understanding and development of the catholic
faith. In nearly every area, the doctors were greatly
influenced by the Holy Spirit to assist all God's
creatures to achieve union and unity according to one's
calling and God's good pleasure.
The doctor's
example and knowledge have unquestionably guided the
church and billions of individuals down through the centuries and times to come. God is the original
and authentic source of leadership for the church and
all of God's people. He enlightened all the doctor's
achievements. The infinite One guides and enlightens all
human achievements. In fact no human achievement can be
made that is pleasing to God without the Creator's gift
and approval.
The people of God admire and look
to the church's hierarchy and its pastors for directions
and leadership. Our good shepherds and servants have
their one ear to God and the other to us. Overall, the
catholic church leadership today is unique, strong and
heroic. Daily their powers are strengthened and tested
because of innumerable conflicts, challenges and
problems that invariably happen. There has always been
abuse of power in history. The church is no exception.
We are a church by the people and for the people and God
claims each of us and calls all to be elevated, honored
and esteemed by reason of our affiliation with God's
Spirit.
Often we assist the leaders of the church
in their decision-making because of our input, bold new
approaches, different ideas as to where we think the
church should be headed and what it truly needs. Even
though the church is not a democracy, all the people of
God are inspired with the same Spirit, and occasionally
the movement is from the bottom-up when God ordains.
There are many new, ongoing movements in the
church. The one that helped encouraged our past Holy Father
to proclaim St Therese as a doctor is now completed.
There will be other movements in the church that will
start at the grass roots level. We need to have more
support for all of God's children. Wisdom will always
prevail for God's church and Christian followers as long
as we ask, seek and knock in Jesus' name.
These
eminently wise doctors were not necessarily scholars who
had a doctorate or completed a doctoral dissertation.
Although most wrote extensively, writing by itself is
not a requirement for being a doctor of the catholic
church. The three original prerequisites for being
declared a doctor were extraordinary spirituality or
learning, eminent (unmatched) holiness and the Pope's
declaration. However, the church is always changing and
new requisites have been added.
As
all the saints abound with marvelous charity, so too do
the doctor's goodwill appeal to others with their
remarkable kindnesses. They were attracted to please God
in all things because that was their primary purpose and
pursuit.
Many doctors centered their lives on
art, science, theology or philosophy. Their generosity
knew no bounds in instruction, counsel, reform and renew
programs for young and old. Some had a passion for
History, education, Church-state relations,
Ecclesiology, monasticism, Mariology, missionary
interest and social sciences.
The positions and
offices of the doctors both before and after they began
their role within the church consisted in but not
limited to deacons, third order members, married,
unbaptized adults, priests, nuns, religious, monks,
governors, heads of state, lawyers, and medical
students. Some doctors ministered in the area of
evangelization, biblical research and writing on nearly
all forms of Christian devotions from angels to
Zen.
There are doctors who produced literary
masterpieces on prayer, mysticism and poetry. Others
aimed for uniting and correcting people in top church
offices down to the peasants. Doctors cared sensitively
for catechumens, candidates and those involved in
catechesis for the faithful. They did not overlook
writing hymns, songs and fashioned new liturgies to meet
the needs and interest of God's people. Some focused
totally in shepherding their parish, schools and
communities. Others established, reformed and renewed
religious groups. Some have labored in prisons,
orphanages, hospitals and chaplaincy efforts.
Doctors were called upon often to work on
special projects and missions for the Holy Father. These
included the bloody crusades, converting the infidels
and heathens and placating church rivals. There were
many vicious attackers, internal problems within the
church and a host of complex issues unimaginable to
contemporary times.
Each doctor specialized in
particular fields with the love of God and neighbor as
their main goal and daily preoccupation. They impressed
their followers and listeners with the belief and
convictions that God was jealous for everyone's heart
and mind. They were possessed with spiritual fire,
compassion and deep concern for anyone especially the
sinful, the poor and the infirm. Above all, they shared
and assisted all that thirsted for God's boundless love
and knowledge that they yearn to share.
The
doctors are not only saints; they were sages. They
overwhelmingly adhere to the article "communion of
saints" in our creed. In fact, they assisted in the
formulation and wording of our creed. They learned from
other doctors of their era. In fact, they often
disagreed with other doctors of their own time. Because
of their gifts, they inform and impart rich insights to
us today and give confidences and dimensions for our
spiritual journey.
The doctor's messages
impressed many. They spoke eloquently. Their mission and
message were to imprint God's love, both forcefully and
delicately, on whoever listened. They wanted all to be
blessed and enriched. Their clarity of expression
enlightened hidden perception and awareness. The hope
they inspired gave new meaning and insight for those who lived past, present and future.
They also give us new and richer hope today. Future
generation will benefit by their legacy because they
leave behind followers impressed with God's Holy
Spirit.
Collectively, the doctors are wise guides
to cling to because, as modern day seers, they can lead
and direct us to know and perform good deeds, which will
enable us to reach our spiritual destiny. As a compass,
they point the way. They also serve, as charts and stars
of old, to guide us in unknown and uncertain spiritual
manners. To love and serve God and one's neighbor
unreservedly daily is an art and science that requires
astute discernment and guidance. Sin appears quite
innocently but it is always possessed of pride. Sin
steeps us in ignorance to mislead, seduce and punish us. The kindness of godless people is cruel.
Why is this? St Catherine of Siena said:
"[Sin is] loving what God hates, and hating what God loves." Letter T29
Doctors
in themselves are different than doctors of the church.
Some did not want the church to go in certain directions
during their lifetime. For example, the doctrine and
dogma of the Immaculate Conception was seriously opposed
by some. However, they promoted Mary, Joseph's spouse,
in their words, lives or writings.
It must be
apparent by now that there is a divine, master Doctor, Physician-Shepherd, overseeing
and overruling everyone in order to guide the bark of
Peter. The church has a Helmsman who will guide the
entire church as a whole and no one can stop that
movement. This movement can be compared with a symphony.
The conductor of a musical score has a goal of not only
producing the piece precisely but in completing each
movement to its very completion. This happens even if
during the score, there are some instruments not in sync
or off-key with the others or, God forbid, get
distracted, falter, pause or unexpectantly
quit.
The doctor's light, through the Holy
Spirit, enlightens us with universal gems of wisdom for
the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Their
examples, contributions and achievements empower and
sustain us not only intellectually and morally but also
physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This
empowerment enables us to think and behave more Godlike
toward others and ourselves. The doctors were possessed
and charged with enthusiasm from the Holy Spirit for
future generations. They provided clear-cut knowledge
and counsel beyond the boundaries of time, space and
their own culture in which they lived. They reveal to us
their spiritual and keen perspicacity. Their insights
allow us to see not only physically but spiritually into
the inward and unknown regions of the mind, spirit and
soul.
As flashes of light on the radar screen,
the doctors can mesmerize and instruct us into
unknown areas beyond sense and sound. They penetrate
into and beyond nature to the supernatural. This
includes warning us of imminent dangers, collisions and
any obstacles in our path which we are unaware because
of our limited vision, weakness and sometime hostile
forces both within and around us daily.
The
influences of each and every doctor have changed the
course of history and the church with their efficacious
language and words. With their contributions and
examples, nations and people have benefited most
significantly in many areas. As apostles, deacons,
evangelists, fathers of the church, virgins, founders,
missionaries, prophets and patriarchs before them,
doctors have been given the ability to captivate and
lead others through their great leadership strengths
from which all can be motivated. They tremendously
inspire and motivate us to want to learn and love God
more generously.
Doctors are exemplary models for
holiness. Knowledge of God, spiritual knowledge about
the things of God and understanding of how to act godly,
requires divine assistance. Doctors can support us in
the mysterious working of the Spirit in preparation for
union and unity with God and what the Almighty deigns in
our behalf. This requires a lifetime of striving and
searching and in being led and guided by providential
influences both for others and us.
When
appropriate, we must trust others to aid us. We
sometimes want to control others and do our own agenda.
We must sometimes restrain ourselves and allow others to
be themselves especially when it doesn't follow our own
personal inclination. Delicate discernment is needed and
it can only be gained by supplication to others and
God's gift to us.
The doctors of the Church are
distinguished in helping us know not only our own
personal growth and faith but also the catholic faith as
a whole. They show us the big picture of the church and
the little picture of ourselves as a part of that
church. By reading about their lives and their
contributions one can gain a larger, more authentic
reality of how we are integrated within the church and
the church within each member of the "mystical body".
This is a tremendous mystery. It does not contradict
reason, and is only grasped by divine assistance because
of our limited intelligence and narrow awareness.
Reading about the doctors opens up mental and imaginary
horizons regarding God's omniscience and a participation
in that particular gift of God.
An abundance of
interior guidelines can be implanted within us and
spiritual guidance can be gained through the
intercession of the doctors of the church. Not only
prayers of petitions should be explored but praying with
them to enhance our own insights with their very own
vision as they enjoy God in the
fatherland.
Doctors can also give us assurances
with matters that are too obscure to rationalize. As in
most instances of faith, trust, acceptance, surrender
and abandonment to God is often vital and necessary to
be happy and attain close intimacy with God.
Support, assistance, guidance and advice from
spiritual guides, and other sincere, dedicated
professionals who have the sincere interest of the
individual, can be most helpful and necessary. Doctors
learned and were open to others. We should
too.
The doctors can prepare us to pray, listen
and reflect on God and the Almighty attributes. They are
helpful not only for the beginning but the middle and
end of the spiritual journey. Humility and obedience are
the foundation steps and fundamental phases for daily
spiritual growth according to all the doctors of the
church. Everyday (because we are human and frail) we
should renew and fortify ourselves with prayer and
accept our inevitable failures, weaknesses and sins
whether they are deliberate or involuntary.
The
doctors of the church provide us with ample counsel,
which we need. Like the pole star, Polaris, their
mission and message to us is scintillating as a most
brilliant light amidst the huge display of God's stars-
(The entire array of saints). The physical heavens are
so vast. The most impressive stars are the major
constellations--which are the doctors of the church!
Each one forms a group and our imaginations are inflamed
with pictures and images that are real and almost
lifelike. These flaming signs speak profusely about the
awe and majesty of God and the Creator's infinite power,
intelligence, wisdom and beauty.
As we struggle
with our vices in order to become more virtuous and as
we meet the challenges and tough responsibilities ahead,
we can be assured of their help if we ask for it. They
were there first and they know of our anguishes and
agonies if we but seek their assistance assiduously and
perseveringly.
In today's world there is
suffering and pain galore. It is usually deplored
because it seems that there is hardly ever any
understanding or justifications for it.
On the
other hand, sincere Christians eagerly pray unselfishly
for others and especially for their love ones who suffer
from diseases or who are dying. Intercessions are
continually offered up for all forms of depressions,
anxieties, poverty, oppressions, addictions and many
forms of violence, hatred, bigotry and injustices. We
often ask God for miracles for the needs of our love
ones and others. These are good and wholesome prayers to
petition from God. God often grants us our requests when
it is God's will and when we ask with faith in the holy
name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
What
suggestions would the doctors of the catholic church
advise us when insurmountable problems surround us? They
would simply, categorically and unequivocally assure us
that:
"suffering for God is better than working miracles."
This is a quote from St John of the Cross, the Doctor of Mystical or Spiritual Theology
This may sound strange but when it is acknowledged and
sincerely carried out to the best of our ability, the
Kingdom of God, within each of us, is not far. In
reality, that awareness becomes more keenly experienced
in an unimaginable manner that defies description or
expression.
It is this type of paradoxical
statement or writing which the doctors have left us that
is confusing and for which Christianity is sometimes
hated and often misunderstood. It presents a tremendous
dilemma for many and genuine wisdom is needed to
interpret the full impact of the message.
It is
only in accepting our pain or suffering when it is
unavoidable, and trusting in our little crosses which
are inevitable, that we can possibly love the
admonitions, advice and words of the doctors of the
church. Again, St John of the Cross would state it in a similar manner
Let Christ crucified be
enough for us and with Him suffer and take our rest.
This is positively the "stuff" that makes for heroic
sanctity. In the final analysis, all the doctors
did everything they could for God and others. What they
could not do or were unable or unqualified to do, they
entrusted to our God who cares for us in loving and
inscrutable designs which we can not comprehend due to
our limited intelligence.
All the doctors of the
church enjoyed not only the gifts of the Spirit but also
the fruits of the Spirit. Peace, joy and charity are
profound fruits among many which God wants humanity to
have, enjoy and share.
Each doctor can provide
powerful motivation. They inspire faith. Faith is not a
fact. It is rather difficult to define. Faith is a
substance we practice. We practice faith to obtain this
substance, albeit, we do not earn it. It is a gift from
God. The doctors can move us to want to practice faith.
Why? Their good example encourages us to turn to God.
Their words have the power to impart blessings. One of
their personalities will match ours. This is very
important because faith is necessary to please God. It
may sound strange but it is impossible to please God
without faith.
There are many degrees of faith.
The best is pure faith. It is not an ideal, fact or
fantasy. It is real, alive, dynamic, powerful, filial
and life sustaining. Pure faith, in the raw, is steeped
in mystery, darkness and it tremendously challenges us
daily. It is a hidden force and substance. It is a gift
within us, around us and yet most invisible.
We
are called and urged to practice faith non-stop. It is
less of an exercise than an ingrained attitude, habit
and favor God bestows upon us often for no rime or
reason. Faith is God's most extravagant gift with
charity and hope. However, the more we exercise our
faith, the more we are called to newer dimensions and
depths. This requires more strength, patience, and
cooperation with God's help.
To trust and
surrender to God in faith is not always easy. We need
motivation. Motivation tremendously urges us on. That is
precisely how the doctors guide us. If faith were
medicine, we should take exactly what the doctors have
prescribed for us to attain spiritual health, wholeness,
and soundness.
At times, the real "steam" or
faith-energy or innermost strength seems to evade us. We
have many visible manifestations of our faith.
Certainly, we have the visible church, her sacraments
and the trappings of our faith. We should use everything
to maximize us toward God. For more information about
the visible Church, read The Church Visible by
James-Charles Noonan, Jr. He vividly explains the
ceremonial life and protocol of the Roman Catholic
Church. It is a living testament to the universality,
spiritual and grandeur of the post Vatican Church and an
ideal companion to the doctrinal volume, The Catechism
of the Catholic Church. Both will bolster, stir and
enrich your faith.
Each of us is more of a
mystery unto ourselves than we are toward others.
Because we are challenged daily by the flesh, the world
and the devil, the three classical temptations, we need
to practice virtue, gain daily strength and fortitude in
order to grow into the divine embrace. This is where
faith plays a vital part. All of our difficulties do not
compare to the trials of the soul in pure faith. It is
in darkness, distress and sometimes in the appearance of
near desertion, that God puts us to the test.
Occasionally, it is permitted, arranged and ordained by
God that we sense emptiness and aloneness as
Christ.
Remember that cry of Jesus during his
intense struggle on the cross when he uttered: My God,
my God, why have you abandoned me! Perhaps this cry was
more of a statement than a question? This is because
soon after saying these words, Jesus followed them by
saying: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. It
seems that Jesus had experienced all the feelings of
despair but not despair itself in order to identify with
those who will experience that state of despair as he
surely did. Sometimes, we sense that desertion. All of
us really need help at times. God permits us to be
pushed to our utmost limits to trust more. We need to be
motivated, encouraged, guided, and pushed along on the
road of virtue to our heavenly crown.
The doctors
can greatly help us in times of arduous aridity in
prayer, acute pain and sense of emptiness, or
meaningless. Their heavenly help will turn us around and
give us confidence so that we can, as Jesus did, turn to
our heavenly Father and say: into your hands we
surrender our spirit despite all of our distress. We
too, as Jesus, with the help of the doctors, can
overcome the devil, the entire forces of evil-his
cohorts living in hell with raging hatred and darkness
of spirit. As many things often rage to beat us down
into despair and hopelessness, our faith and hope in God
will not betray us if we remain loyal. As they come
crashing down upon us, we will gain confidence to trust
in the mercy of God despite all the odds against us. In
spite of our own feelings, hostile forces, intense pain
and oppression, disabilities and poor health, we will
triumph because God will be our strength.
A key
element with all the doctors is their strong and gentle
insistence on fasting, almsgiving, and above all, on the
major importance of daily prayer.
St John of the Cross wrote that one prayerful
thought can be of more value than the whole world.
The doctors of the church offer a powerful and peaceful
message to move the sinner, enlighten the ignorant, and
heal us with God's inexhaustible love.
The final
word on the doctors as you prepare to read about them
is, please, remember that the church boldly and proudly
announces the Christ-likeness she sees in each. Every
time a new doctors is infrequently declared to the
world, the church proclaims a powerful, spiritual
message for all to hear. God is saying: how is my Spirit
revealing my Christ to you through my servant? What more
can we learn about God through his servants?
New
generations benefit from new truths and insights to cope with
new problems, challenges, and the battles of life. God's
goodness is always bestowing favors and blessings.
Although the gospels have all the "good news", the
doctors, through the Spirit, breathed life into its
pages. There is nothing new under the sun but the wisdom
of God cries out daily in the streets for each of our
lives. God intimately wants to share his glory with each
of us, to be at peace and, permit ourselves to share the
life and beauty of God with others.
A new depth,
dimension and perception about God are revealed through
the holiness of each doctor. They offer a wisdom that is
totally Christ-like. It has little to do with age,
education, work or profession. Rather, the individual
reflects Christ-likeness in their charity, fear of God,
and commitment to God. The person reveals a faithfulness
to one's conscience, tradition, and the obeying of laws
with sincerity, truthfulness and absolute honesty. Their
behavior and countenance reflects joy, peace, and
kindness. They exhibit a marvelous and devote,
attitude that is unselfish and caring.
The
holiness and spirituality of each doctor reveal something
you know when you read, see, or hear about it. You can
recognize and experience it instantly. It is God's
wisdom and presence alive and visible. It is caught and
not taught! It infuses and imparts immediately! It is a
gift from the Giver of all good gifts. The wonder and
wisdom of all the doctors are intimate, personal and
delicate. You sense their closeness and they touch you
personally. It is a quality one knows instinctively
because it can not be hidden. Although most of us have
never been in the actually presence of any living
doctor, their examples and charisma lives and breathes
in the church. She bestows it on all her children and
those who petition the doctors. That is why
prayer-petitioning is vital and tremendously
inspiring.
The doctor's gifts break forth like
subtle lightning into your soul and spirit when we are
prepared and cry to them. God's light through their
intercession can go straight through you in a flash. You
hardly recognize what happened but you definitely
understand something, suddenly, took place. They are
also like lightning-rods that take powerful charges from
above to protect others below. All the saints and the
doctors are protectors for us to say nothing about God's
angels and especially our guardian angels. They
willingly and eagerly take "hits" for others through
sacrifices, sufferings and surrendering up to God good
pleasure. They are "hit" people.
Collectively,
the doctors are spiritual martyrs, victims and
impassionate lovers of humankind. None were actual "red"
martyrs but we can classify them as "white" martyrs. They have a spiritual power and command that
warrant great respect because of the great benefit,
legacy, and grace we receive from their holy lives and
examples. The Church's gift of each doctor is exactly
that: a precious gift. These men and women lived the beatitudes that Christ taught us to the hilt and lived in union with God through the Holy Spirit. These
spiritual,heights of perfections are meant for all and can be found in the below link:
THE DOCTORS AND HOLY SPIRIT
SPIRITUAL READING AND
PRAYING WITH THE DOCTORS
It is the spirit of hope
and assurances that these doctors will impart to you. As
one reads and prays, God will reward us. By practicing
virtue, good example and acting as the doctors, our
lives will be inundated with peace of
soul.
Perfect prayer is ‘resting in God’. This
phrase, resting in God, does not mean waiting or
‘hanging’ around and being passive. Rather, this state
of prayer can be most active, intense and involved.
Within this particular prayer domain, one acts and is
acted upon; an individual is both active and passive.
The individual is talking spiritually and listening. The
gifted recipient is plunged into a life of the Spirit
that isn’t easy to explain. The person’s human body and
soul becomes acutely aware of God and is serenely
blessed and favored.
This ‘state’ can also be
felt as a contradiction and a challenge because new
missions and responsibilities are perceived as never
before. For example, as human beings, we are made to
live fully each moment and we do this by breathing each
second in a conscious state. However, at the same time,
each and every second of our life, we are also
experiencing an ever-so-slow dying, both bodily and
spiritually. The physical dying is natural and normal
but the spiritual is supernatural enabling us to be more
generous with God and unselfish. Our physical heart has
one less heartbeat with each passing moment but our
spiritual appetite and our thirst for God becomes more
insatiable and desirous of pleasing God. One of the
beatitude is: blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for justice…
God moves us continually. However,
our feelings, inclinations, moods and emotions cause us,
sometimes, to move away from God rather than toward God.
In short, our praying, thinking and reading often
conflict and interact with our intention, awareness and
our feelings.
Most people’s attention-span causes
them to have difficulty or uneasiness as they prepare to
pray by reading or after they are actually engaged in
prayer. Therefore, they do not wholeheartedly engage in
prayer readily or are not exactly aware of what is
happening. Because of this, some deliberately shun
prayer, minimize it, or place a low priority on it
because of its challenges.
Distractions are
quite normal when one prays. In fact, St Teresa, who is
considered the Doctor of Prayer, is a great example for
explaining prayer with reading. She usually had a book
at her side in preparation for prayer. When she was
engaged in prayer and her mind began to wander, she
would turn to spiritual reading to become focused again.
This kept or minimized her from being distracted. This
happened frequently because of her responsibilities and
normal weariness of the body. This activity helped her
to become rapt or attentive in prayer once again.
Reading is a very important preparation for
prayer. Always have a book or something to read with you
to limit distractions. For some, a method or approach
can be helpful.
One reading approach may be to
discover the doctor's specialty. You might want to know
what was their particular mission or legacy for which
they were most noted. Perhaps, you might ask yourself
what examples of their holiness or lifestyles match or
align your own background?
For example, St
Therese, has many titles as a Doctor of the Church, and may be considered as the doctor of missionaries.
She may have something in that area particularly for you.
Your whole concept of what a genuine missionary is may
change. You may see missionary work from a different
perspective. The more insights one gains from reading,
the greater our capacity to stay focus.
The
doctors were profound lovers, thinkers and doers of God’s
work for humanity. They definitely offer a distinct
spirituality and profound message. They act as a sign
and perhaps a siren to alert you of changes, new
insights or different attitudes to assume in order to
please God. Read between the lines and ask for their
extraordinary intercessory powers as you
read.
God is a most powerful, supernatural Power or Force, with
attributes and properties beyond our wildest
imagination. If we give our attention to God, the
powerful One can reciprocate and hold our attention and
keep it fixed on himself to nourish and amaze us. As a
powerful magnet which draws metal shavings to itself,
our eternal, magnetic Force can draw us to himself much
more powerfully, and infinitely more than natural forces.
No one can actually bear the full image of God because of the omnipotence of the Creator. The entire universe can not handle God’s
glance.
To set apart a predetermined time with
God for spiritual reading, reflecting or praying is most
praiseworthy, pleasing, and a gift from God. For that
reason, praying is eminently special to pursue
vigorously. Although God can use anything or anyone to
radiate his goodness and gifts to us, the Almighty has
bestowed favors through holy personages in history and
through their intercession for others. The Doctors of
the Church are designated by providence in a most
distinctive and definitive manner for all. Through them,
extraordinary blessings and privileges will be bestowed
on those who wholeheartedly seek them. Therefore, to
repeat, as you read and learn about the doctors, expect
and hope that you will be enlightened.
As you
read, if it is helpful, make notes on any word, phrase
or sentence from the doctor’s life that ‘turns you on’.
Pause over any meaning or words that strikes or
impresses you. Don’t hesitate to reflect, write or type
about what you are experiencing at that particular
moment when you are reading. Writing is communication
and expression, as prayer, and it can take many forms.
This type of activity need not be a distraction but an
attraction to be united with God and allows sharing your
ideas with others.
Spiritual reading’s main
objective is not necessarily to gain knowledge as much
as to move you to experience God in wonder, conversation
and personal intimacy such as ‘resting’, kissing and
spiritual touching. Lovers or engagers want to discover
and to know one another on many levels. This takes time,
sensitivity and exquisite care to develop and master.
This fact is true in the many details of human
involvement. How much more is it true in divine and
supernatural engagement where there are many words,
feelings and movements involved? If this involvement can be
with many individuals, than, certainly, it can be with your personal God.
Love is not
only lovemaking. Rather, love is a delicate and precious
art, passion and consuming interest and activity between
two or more caring persons. It can be a constant, and discovering
of unlimited dimensions, never before experienced, known
and begun anew. That is why all romances are delightful
and honeymoons are exciting. It involves newer depths,
exploration, and rich discoveries. As on the human level,
so too, on the supernatural level, these findings and
activities are not lasting or nonstop. The only
permanent thing on earth is change. In heaven, God’s
love is permanent, pervasive and phenomenally
passionate.
Genuine prayer is consummate
lovemaking and total, sensitive sharing. Sincere prayer
will reinvigorate and restore what we want, lack or need
to do God’s will. Praying can be conducted not only in
the act itself but when one is reading, sleeping,
singing, working, writing or
whatever.
The "morning offering' prayer, at the
beginning of the day, is most pleasing to God. A prayer
to one’s guardian angel arms us with supernatural
support, strength and power. Why? It reminds one of our
angel’s power and commission by God to protect us and
establishes for us more possibilities for interior
conversation and dialogue with one who is ever so near
and dear. It, thus, gives us more assurance of that
coverage, fills us with hope, unites and fortifies
us.
Thus, praying is a form of reading and
reading is a form of praying. If you are inclined to
write or type notes as you read, act as God moves you.
Don’t hesitate to read the doctors again and again as
the Spirit moves you. Re-read any doctor not to gain
knowledge necessarily as to inspire you daily and
continually. When God absorbs one in prayer, you can
muse over a single word for hours and never become tired
or weary.
Teenagers are notorious for getting
‘bored’. The main reason for this phenomenon is perhaps
they are not totally engaged or do not prefer the
practice of prayer. We do not need to feel like praying
in order to pray. Praying is allowing your self to stay focus on the presence of God either through a book, vocal prayer or meditation.
We pray, authentically, when we want
to, regardless how we feel.
Those who maintain
and persevere in prayer will discover abundant fruit and
appeasement. They will find in this fruit spiritual
sweetness, juiciness and deliciousness. It will be most
engrossing and we may experience being in a reverie or
daydream state. The closest comparison I can associate
with it is a divine and human romance. Therefore, if you
give your attention to God, the Creator will reciprocate
towards you in a fascinating manner-like nothing you
have ever experienced or are prepared to
receive.
Each and every experience in prayer can
be newer, deeper and more fascinating than the previous
event. Be assured that praying is always a special event
in God’s eyes and God doesn't forget. It is impossible to
fathom or grasp. That is why it is important that we
should remind God to remember all the good we do
especially our prayer time. He treasures this! This is
done for us to remember to return to prayer frequently
and not for God to recall us because he has perfect memory.
There is really no reason for God’s extravagant
love. It goes beyond prudence, good taste or truth.
God’s love for each creature is intense, personal and
generous. It goes outside the norms. It is as an ordered
infatuation. However, God’s intelligence and power
superbly orders and administers all supernatural gifts
with infinite wisdom and grace. Not even the angels can
penetrate this relationship. It is sacred, intimate and
remarkably blissful. I am reminded of what St Peter
stammered out at the scene of the transfiguration when
Jesus spoke with Moses and Elias on Mount Tabor.“ Lord,”
he said, “ it is good for us to be here.” Happy
relationships, human and divine, places us on 'cloud
nine'.
Attention or focusing on God is perhaps
more of God’s gift to us then it is our gift to God.
Prayer is very simple and therefore we are not talking
about focusing our attention in the sense of discursive
reasoning. We are talking instead about God’s movement
and motion (which are always unpredictable and
mysterious) on our attention and awareness of God’s
presence. To comprehend God’s presence is a great and
glorious gift. We can’t make it happen. However, we can
help prepare for it to happen. Spiritual reading can
help greatly.
God never forces us against our
will. When we surrender our will to God and attempt to
focus on the Almighty in prayer, amazing things happen.
God lovingly enables us to “rest in Him” in prayer. We
then arrive ‘at’ the presence of God. Many books have
been written on this topic. Brother Lawrence, a
Carmelite, has written beautifully about this topic and
one of his books is entitled: The Presence of God. Lawrence
tells us that continual conversation with God is sweeter
and more delightful than any other way of living in this
world. One of Lawrence’s book is Walking with the Fathers. This book contains wisdom from Brother Lawrence. Calling: The Word
Among Us at 1-800-775-9673 to purchase literature, find prices or get information.
Human nature is often restive,
resistant, and rebellious without grace. When we are ‘resting in God’,
God’s grace overcomes our resistance to prayer by the
exertion of divine power, strength, wisdom and
blessings. We take on enormous ‘staying power’. We are
fortified, reinforced and become impervious to harmful
or spiritual interference. Some may wonder how
‘spiritual’ things can be harmful. Good and bad angels
are spiritual beings who can wield spiritual influences
upon us in addition to our less than virtuous thoughts,
words and actions. At times, we may grasp or receive
flashback of our entire previous life-our virtues and
vices. These can thrill us or disgust us. We always have
need of God’s protection.
We need daily
protection. Why? Prayer for some is the most difficult
discipline in one’s life. Many of us will do anything
before being engaged in prayer. We flee from prayer
often. Why? It’s because of our nature and the
supernatural. We can’t always perceive it but life is,
at times, a spiritual warfare. The devil knows how
powerful prayer can unite us to God. Therefore, he would
have us being busy doing things than being involved in
communication with God. Many of us want to work for God
instead of being with God. We feel we accomplish more
that way.
God’s gifts, however, called grace,
reduces our stress, duress and friction. God is a
splendid, radiant Person that helps reduce violence,
pressure and constraint when we face challenges or
conflicts and when we turn to the Supreme Being. That is
why prayer is so important; it recharges and transforms
us with God’s energies and enthusiasm. Prayer engenders
charity as we pray and remains with us to be charitable
outside of prayer. Charity makes everything a temple.
Inside the temple there is God. If we show our charity
and love one another as Jesus would have us, the entire
earth would be a temple.
The greater is our
life’s struggles, the greater our need to abandon
ourselves to God in prayer. God will sustain us with
divine courage and strength especially when we should be
charitable when it is most difficult to practice
charity. God’s love will activate, move and drive us to
please the Deity and others too, when we are sincere. To
do God’s will is to please God in every manner. It is
then, we can say with Jesus: I do everything that
pleases My Father.
Jesus did not teach the Our
Father to the apostles immediately. He waited for the
right time. Saints and doctors down through the ages
have found in this prayer everything they ever wanted to
know about God. It is the most succinct and perfect
prayer and volumes have been written about it. We can
always fall back on this prayer in ‘dry’ times or if we
prefer to engage in it regularly as many
do.
Catholics say the Our Father together at mass
daily. When customs allows, they hold each other’s hand.
During this event, we are easily reminded how God
touches us daily. The act of touching can be
transforming, tender and thrilling. Our faith assures us
that we are the actual body of Christ. Even if we are
alone we can extend our hands and hearts in spirit to
touch the homeless, naked, despairing, dying, jobless,
sick, sinners and those most in need of God’s mercy.
Hopefully our spiritual work of mercy will turn to
corporal works of mercy when we act out our vocation in
whatever responsibilities we have.
Lastly, and
most importantly, spiritual reading and praying with the
doctors offers a wise and gentle prescription for
spiritual health, wholeness, and sanctity. Therefore,
always approach spiritual reading in a spirit of
reverence and expectation. Some brief comment on Doctors
and Saints follow.
SAINTS AND DOCTORS
There are
many saints who are extraordinary models for
all. For example, St Thomas More was married, a
widower, lawyer, remarried, father, judge,
writer, prisoner and martyr. He is truly a
person for all seasons. Thomas More was
highlighted in a movie entitled "The Man for all
Seasons" which won all the academy awards
including the best picture of the year. St
Thomas possessed exceptional holiness. He lived
a heroic and courageous life giving up his
family because of his values for the church and
principles. He could have walked away from
death. He is worthy of imitation for many
Christians. His writings and example of Christ
is praiseworthy. That is the reason he is a
saint of God. All the saints have similar niches
in the church. Most saints, as St Thomas More,
are not doctors.
Due to global requests
outpouring, on October 31, 2000, the Pope
declared Thomas More, in an unprecedented
proclamation, Patron of statesmen and
politicians.
Doctors of the Church are
saints. The Church chooses to designate this
specific category to aid its members to grow in
wisdom and become holy by their lives. By
looking within this category we will gain a rich
insight into our faith and heritage. It will
enable us to become happier and love God's
creatures as God would have us. The doctors are
almost a vanishing breed. They are proclaimed so
seldom. We had only one in the modern era before
St Therese. Now we have two. However, by probing
deeply into their lives and the circumstances in
which they lived, the doctors will reveal a type
of courage and love for the church and others
which is unmatched. However, none were martyred
such as St Thomas More.
St Margaret
Clitherow, also called St Margaret of York, is
another exceptional model. She gave up her
husband, children, relatives and everything she
possessed because of her great love for God's
church. Margaret did not performed this holy
sacrifice directly for God. She did it for
strangers. Her high degree of piety and wisdom
from the Holy Spirit inspired her to harbor
priests in England during the reign of Queen
Elizabeth in the 16th century. Catholicism was
severely repressed and forbidden during this
time in England. The Catholic faith gave her
great comfort and substance. She could not find
this kind of meaning and truth elsewhere.
Margaret was a convert to the Catholic Church
and clung to her faith, her family and her God.
They loved her dearly. She was able to
distinguish what God was asking of her and she
cooperated because of her ardent
charity.
Margaret did not have to die.
However, she was a woman of principle and was
inspired by God to take the right action. During
this period there was intense hatred for the
Catholic Church. She was accused of hiding
Jesuit priests and allowed them to say the holy
sacrifice of the mass. This fact eventually
became known. She went to prison on three
separate occasions. Once she was incarcerated
for over a year. She accepted her imprisonment
and made the most of it through prayer and
setting good example. She would not give up her
faith or fail to practice it to the highest
degree possible despite the pleading of her dear
husband and relatives. The vindictiveness and
meanness of others even accused her of sleeping
with others and other"harlotries" in an attempt
to break her holy spirit. Her purity and charity
for God and others, especially the church, was
extraordinary. She was finally put to death by
being crushed by stone as a martyr for her
faith. Before she uttered her last word, Jesus,
she prayed for the church and its leadership.
She did not forget to pray for Queen Elizabeth.
She asked God to help her return her to the true Catholic Church.
Her life story can be found in Secular
Saints by Joan Carroll Cruz, listed in the doctoral sources/links. Margaret is a martyr but not a doctor. I would imagine that the Pope could make a martyr, a Doctor of the Church, albeit, it has never happened.
As St
John Vianney is considered the universal Patron
of Parish Priests, Margaret of York might be consider eventually the Patroness of priests. Her heroic sacrifice
for priests and their holy office of saying mass
is extraordinary. She trusted in the sacrament
of Jesus' holy sacrifice, said by priests,
through the catholic mass, to be perpetuated.
Her children, through her holy example, entered
the church as a nun or priests after she was put
to death.
There are many patron saints.
St Vincent de Paul is the Universal Patron of
Charities. Charity is the most important of all
the virtues because it makes us resemble God in
our thoughts, words and actions. Thousands of
groups worldwide practice the spiritual and
corporeal works of mercy which the Society of
Vincent de Paul wholeheartedly endorsed. This is
a vital Social Service among other groups for
civilization's betterment and happiness. For
more details about the Society, click on the
link -
http://www.cptryon.org/vdp/tree/svdp/
There
are many additional heroes and heroines like
those mentioned listed in the resources. The
Church has honored thousands of men, women and
children as saints. Known only to God, there are
untold numbers of saints not recognized by the
Church. This are uncanonized saints. Your mother and father or one of your
relatives might be more precious to you than all
the known saints together. Don't dare forget to
pray and petition to almighty God for your loves
ones to help you or their needs. Cry to God to help you remember those who
you have forgotten, those relatives who died
when you were too young to remember. Ask your
family about the names on family tombstones you
can't recall. Plead with your God to help you
cherish those who have enabled you to live and
love. The only sad thing about life is not
having loved enough. Love to remember and
remember to love.
Doctors are nearly
forgotten. Because of the age of the church, we
have a tendency to look upon more modern saints
rather than the doctors for guidance in matters
of faith, morality and love for the church. This
is natural but the more contemporary saints
often looked to the doctors for advice, support
and love for the church.
Within the
church, another category of dying breeds, or the
nearly forgotten, are the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Few of us remember all the Fourteen Holy
Helpers. Why? They belong to the early middle
ages. Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM, has written a
succinct and powerful book entitled The Fourteen
Holy Helpers . They are tremendous helpers to the
needy, as their history will reveal.
By
reflecting on our inheritance, heritage,
descendants, ancestors and holy personages from
its beginning we will appreciate, treasure and
cherish our faith and the important role each
played for us and the church. Predating the
catholic church, we have the patriarchs and
prophets. Afterwards came the apostles and early
followers of Jesus, martyrs and missionaries
(then and now). Then came the early fathers of
the church. Always go to the sources for
enlightenment, authenticity and the best
spirituality possible.
The Catholic
Almanac, listed in the doctoral sources/links, provides a clear
distinction between the doctors, fathers and
apostolic fathers. The principal writings of
each doctor are listed.
This particular
website will focus only on the doctors of the
church in the hope that our faith be prized,
rekindled and deeply valued. When moved by God,
the church will proclaim more doctors so that
our faith will be rejuvenated with God's burning
love. They have left us a noble legacy that is
steeped in the traditions, culture, legends and
history of our church since the time of Jesus
Christ. The Church has many holy people who have
contributed to her growth who are ecclesiastical
writers and holy but are not doctors. The book
entitled Beacons of Light, by Father Louis Miller, which is listed in
the doctoral sources/links, contains many other significant
saints, patrons and writers. They are listed in the
sources and the links on this website.
Reading about the doctors will allow one
to discover new aspects about God. It will allow
one to discover God again. Our Creator is so
infinite that eternity will not be long enough
to explore the Almighty One. Henri de Lubac's
book entitled, The Discovery of God, belongs to
a retrieval and renewal group of books in
Catholic thought. The subject is ressourcement
or a rediscovery of the riches of the whole of
the church's two thousand-year traditions.
Thinking about the doctors will help one to
return to the original sources of Christian
faith for the purpose of drawing out the meaning
and significance of those sources for knowing,
living and enjoying God's life differently.
Lubac, who died in 1991, was a cardinal named by
the pope and quotes extensively many of the
doctors.
All can know and enjoy God
without reading theological or philosophical
books that may appear "dry". These brief pages
on each doctor about eight-ten on average-
will hopefully add new dimensions about God's
love. Each doctor reflects some particular
aspects of Christ's rich treasury of wisdom and
knowledge for our edification and happiness.
These readings will also help us as we struggle
with temptations, trials, disabilities, age,
health and the ever-present shadow of the cross.
Jesus himself was always conscious of his cross
and crucifixion. He was easily reminded because
he worked as a carpenter using nails daily in
his trade. He embraced the knowledge of his
future death bravely knowing that God had a plan
for him. This knowledge can be a source of
encouragement and consolations for us as we
journey, struggle and enjoy our short life.
Disappointments, paradoxes, setbacks and pain
beset us frequently. Human life, even without
any supernatural considerations, is a gift in
itself. However, our knowledge and awareness of
this truth can be a source of strength,
consolation and joy despite the pain. We know
that Jesus did it for us and we try to model
him.
It's very important to recall that
the doctor category is perhaps the most
difficult to enter. To be designated a Saint,
Blessed, Venerable or Servant of God are in
themselves rare. The scrutiny, supernatural
signs and overwhelming evidences that places
these men and women into the doctor category are
intense and unusual. They bear unmistakable
messages. Their learning and holiness is
exceptionally eminent and worthy to aspire
toward and be imitated. The Pontiff of the
Universal Church personally proclaims this group
in a most visible manner for all the faithful to
explore and examine. Although not martyrs they
are truly remarkable, authoritative witnesses to
authentic Christian belief and practice. All
played major roles in giving us expressions and
examples to the highest and fullest degree
possible. They shine illustriously. They are
beacons of light guiding us home.
THE DOCTOR RESOURCE AND REFERENCE
SITE
Within the Basilica of the
Immaculate Conception in Washington DC atop the
main altar is a statue of Mary. It rests on a
canopy supported by four strong pillars. Carved
in stone near the top of each pillar are the
eight Western and Eastern Church Doctors.
WESTERN ROMAN
CHURCH DOCTORS
1 St Ambrose, 340-397 (Pastoral Doctor)
2
St Jerome, 345-420 (Doctor of Biblical Science)
3 St Augustine,
354-430 (Doctor of Grace)
4 St Gregory the Great, 540-604 (Doctor
of Hymnology)
St. Ambrose 12/7
St. Jerome 9/30
St. Augustine 8/28
St. Gregory the Great 9/3
EASTERN CHURCH DOCTORS
5 St Athanasius,
295-373 (Doctor of Orthodoxy)
6 St Basil the Great, 330-379
(Doctor of Monasticism)
7 St Gregory Nazianzus, 330-390 (Doctor
of Theologians)
8 St John Chrysostom, 345-407 (Doctor of
Preachers)
St. Athanasius 5/2
St. Basil 1/2
St. Gregory Nazianzus 1/2
St. John Chrysostom 9/13
http://www.nationalshrine.com/
This representation in Mary’s Shrine, in
our Nation’s Capital, is another marvelous
example of where God and Mary want the doctors
to be seen and known. They upheld Mary as the
Mother of God and their contributions supported
the Church as One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic,
for God's children
everywhere.
As other valuable resources
in libraries, schools and offices, this website
is handy information. Resources act as guides
and references to assist us quickly and
effectively. Having succinct data on the doctors
that is easily available can inspire us. It is
compiled from many resources and links.
Quotations are used extensively. The sources and
links are within the 38 sidebars listed on the Homepage. Any errors or
omissions are not intentional and it would be
wise to question anything contrary to the
authority of the Catholic Church. This website
contains only a glimpse and personal reflection on the
doctors. Optimistically, it
might provide an attraction and perhaps a taste
to hunger for more spiritual knowledge about
them. The author's intention is to make them
known anew, if that is possible. Thousands of
books have been written on each. This
information will serve as a handy resource and
reference guide.
The site is a concise
profile. It lists only a few of their accomplishments
and contributions. It is presented in the hope
that a smattering will whet one's appetite for
more knowledge and practice of one's faith. Note that the sources within the content of each doctor may
not be listed on the sources/link page listed on
the last sidebar on the Homepage.
RESOURCES AND REFERENCES
SERVE AS A PREFACE
There are many that
are not doctors who devoted their whole life to
the defense and enlightenment of the catholic
faith. St Justin is one of many who was one of
the noblest personalities of early Christian
literature. His quotation from Exhortation to
the Greeks will serve as a beautiful preface,
reflection, resource, and reference. It is quoted
from Louis Miller's book, listed in the sources,
that I have used extensively:
"Nothing
true is to be learned about religion from your
teachers". This would also be true about
writers. “ By their mutual contradiction they
have supplied you with sufficient proof of their
ignorance. Therefore, I regard it as reasonable
to turn to our forefathers, who in point of time
preceded your teachers, and who have taught us
nothing of their own imagining. Nor have they
disagreed among themselves and tried to overturn
each other's positions. Without arguing and
without contradictions, they taught us the very
knowledge they received from God."
St
Justin’s quote may sound harsh or
radical. However, Jesus and Justin are telling
us the same message: always consider the sources
when learning or assessing
information. The doctors always pointed to the
saints, tradition, prayer, scripture, and the
church especially the gospels of Jesus Christ as
their best guide. That is why the church greatly
honors them in an unmistakable manner. Their
wisdom belongs to God who established, dwells,
and resides in the church and its members in
spite of any weakness and sins-past, present and
to come.
The doctors are sure and safe
guides, references and resources to practice
one's faith. Their lives have influenced the
religion, history and education of the entire
world.
The virtues and integrity of these
men and women have altered and changed millions
of lives. They can do the same for us. They have
universal appeal. The character and charity of
each are matchless in our
civilization.
Each may offer us a rich,
spiritual enjoyment, and challenge. Their wisdom
and practice of virtues will encourage us. They
lived their faith and met their challenges. They
offer us inspiration today. Explore them to be
wise, enlightened, and guided. There are doctors
that will definitely match your background and
needs. Some had limited education. All were
brilliant and eager to learn.
This
website is a resource for homes, workplaces,
centers for education and learning, seminaries
and archdioceses. Explore reading all the
doctors when curious or you want to learn more. To
know them will be an authentic experience and an
education. Their sanctity and ethics will lead
us to new spiritual dimensions. As Jesus in the
gospels, their words, struggles, and holy example
reveal divine love on every page in this
website.
They will inspire us to know
that it is only by loving God that one truly
know God. The doctors assert that we can not
have genuine knowledge of God except through
love.
They will definitely delight us if
we allow them to touch our hearts and minds.
Their stories will help us bear the weight and
pain of life that everyone experiences. They
heal, console and urge us to enjoy life to the
fullest.
These role models for humanity
have left us a lasting impression. All can
motivate our life with renewal and direction.
They explained morality and how our conscience
needs grace. These saints have the gift to
surprise us with wonder.
The doctors
were powerful lovers of humankind. They will
show us how to cope with life and rise above it.
Their trust in God was total and extraordinary!
They ardently desired to share their gifts and
graces with us when we humbly ask. They are the
gifted and graced doctors of the catholic
church. They believed and loved the Messiah, and
his Virgin Mother, born for us over 2000 years
ago.
To
read or search for articles from the Vatican
Information Service, go to the official Holy See
Site:
http://www.vatican.va/
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