Jean Daniélou and the catechesis of the Fathers of the ChurchMike Aquilina is one of the most prolific authors on patristics in the United States. His works have helped hundreds of people to learn more about the history of Catholicism and to lose their fear of reading the Fathers of the Church. Through his work he wants to make accessible to everyone this knowledge that, for many, may seem convoluted at first.
Aquilina is convinced that the great problems that arose at the beginning of the Church are the same as those we have today, or at least are similar enough to try to find some help in the texts of the early Christians. Therefore, in this interview he draws some lines to connect the teachings of the Fathers of the Church with the present day, bringing the first century closer to the 21st century.
What topical elements can we find in the teachings of the Fathers of the Church? What teachings from that time could we also apply today?
- Human nature remains constant. Of course, we won't find electric toasters or wifi in the writings of the 4th century. But we want the same things people wanted then. We commit the same sins. Human society functions according to the same patterns. The Church Fathers speak of concerns that do not change.
Why is it important that we do not lose sight of the roots of the Church?
- Ancient sources stabilize us. They help us understand what can change and what must remain constant. We see that Athanasius was willing to stand alone in defending the Nicene faith, which he believed was a clear articulation of the apostolic faith. He was willing to suffer the consequences, because true doctrine is worthwhile. But, let us remember, he was also instrumental in bringing about a new development - the use of philosophical language to illuminate the life of the Trinity.
There are many voices calling for an internal renewal of the Church, how can we respond to today's challenges without losing sight of the Catholic essence?
- Christians of all generations want renewal. They want a reform of the liturgy. They want spiritual refreshment. This is not a peculiarity of our time. People wanted the same thing in A.D. 350, in A.D. 750 and in A.D. 1250.
The great minds of the last two centuries have consistently taught that renewal will come from a new encounter with the sources of Christian tradition: Scripture, liturgy and the Fathers. This was the desire of Newman, Gueranger, Danielou, De Lubac, Quasten. It was one of the driving ideas of the Second Vatican Council.
You have a book talking about the history of the papacy. Today many criticize Pope Francis, however, you claim that every pontificate is the story of a triumph. What does this mean? How do you apply it to Pope Francis?
- It is not for me to judge Pope Francis. I see no provision for it in canon law. I see no need to add my own voice to the thousands that fill the social networks with his reckless pronouncements. I can have opinions about one or another of the Holy Father's actions. I can have an opinion about his personal style. But I have read enough history to know that my opinions could be very wrong. And good people have done a lot of damage over the centuries by opposing the Vicar of God. Yes, there is St. Catherine of Siena, but I can't claim any of her credentials for myself!
For Westerners, both the Holy Land and the time of Christ are very far away. What can they do to learn more about it? What do you think this knowledge can contribute to their life as Catholics?
- Read story. Newman became more and more Catholic as he deepened his study of history. So have thousands of people after him. I write my books to help people get started. My hope is that from there, as they are able, they will read more demanding books than mine.
I've been writing for a long time, and I've received thanks from young people with PhDs who say they first encountered the Fathers in one of my books. It's gratifying. Very few people will get that far. But people should start and see how far their interest and passion takes them.
If someone would like to begin to learn about the Church Fathers, where would you recommend they start?
- For an introduction, I would recommend my own book The Fathers of the Church. Then have him read the works of the Apostolic Fathers - the first generation of authors after the Apostles. My favorite English translation of the Apostolic Fathers is by Kenneth Howell, published by Coming Home Network.
What can we learn from the evangelization carried out by the early Christians to apply it today?
- All. The Church grew from a few thousand in the first century to half the population of the Roman world by the mid-fourth century. They achieved all that growth when the practice of the faith was illegal. It was a crime punishable by torture and death. The early Christians had no access to the media or the public square. Yet they succeeded where we fail today, despite our money, our television networks and our countless apostolates. I believe their secret was friendship. They extended the love of charity to the family next door and to the shopkeepers in the nearest stall. It was as simple as that.
The Church revolutionized the world with its appearance, and has done so several times throughout history. What do you think have been its main contributions?
- Again, everything. The ideas we love most-human dignity, women's rights, human equality-were introduced into the bloodstream of civilization by Christianity. The institutions we consider foundational - the hospital, the university - were invented by Christians.
In history we see the will of the Father realized by the disciples of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the fifth century, St. Jerome said that "ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ," and that is true. I would add, however, that ignorance of history is ignorance of the Holy Spirit. It is ignorance of all that God has done for us in the lives of the saints down through the centuries.
There are those who think that the Church is in crisis and has lost its importance. Has this happened in any other historical moment? What can we learn from those occasions?
- Yes, the Church on earth rises and falls, comes and goes. Think of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. They have all "lost their lampstand." They have been reduced to insignificance. Think of the bloody wars of the last century. Many were fought in Christian countries. Think of Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, Spain during the Civil War. Sometimes the Church seemed defeated, and then it re-emerged.
Chesterton said: "Christianity has died many times and risen again; because it counted on a God who knew the way out of the grave". History proves that principle to be true. History gives us reason for hope.
For you, the small testimonies of the first Christians are very important, things like the paintings in the catacombs or the vessels they left behind. What lessons about our faith can we find in these details?
- We see what ordinary people loved. We see what they valued. Not long ago in Egypt, archaeologists unearthed a cloth with a piece of paper sewn inside. Someone in the third or fourth century had worn it as a scapular around their neck. And what was in that paper? The Gospel account of the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus. It was written on the back of a receipt.
Recently, in Sudan, archaeologists found the mummified body of a young woman who had the Archangel Michael tattooed on her leg. She knew he would be her defender in battle. I love these little details that the earth has preserved for us. They show us the ancient Church as it was, and it is a Church that modern Catholics can recognize as their own.
