from declaration of the synod fathers, 3 rd general assembly of the synod of bishops; quoted by pope...
TRANSCRIPT
New Missionary Efforts
We wish to confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church.
From Declaration of the Synod Fathers, 3rd General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops; quoted by Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi (Apostolic Exhortation on Evangelization)
Most trade went through the Mediterranean seaTaxes were high in Muslim
countries, so European traders sought different routes
1488 – Bartholomew Dias is the first known European to travel around southernmost tip of Africa1497, Vasco de Gama made it
all the way to India by this route.
We’re about to set sail…
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUSInspired by Ptolemy, an
ancient Roman geographer, Columbus believed one could reach Asia by sailing westIsabella of Spain accepted his
proposal and funded the voyage.
He underestimated the size of the world by about 7000 miles
BTW: why would Columbus be reading Ptolemy???
He died believing he had found the passage to Asia
We’re about to set sail…
Columbus’ discovery set of a frenzy of explorationSpain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and
EnglandPope Alexander VI drew up the “Line of
Demarcation”, Spain given all new lands 100 leagues west of
the Azores, and Portugal all new lands to the East
France, the Netherlands, and England also joined in the exploration
We’re about to set sail…
We’re in the 1500’s; what events have recently taken place in the Church?Avignon Papacy, Great Western Schism,
Renaissance, and ReformationWith renewed zeal for the Gospel, a number of
men felt called – like the first Apostles – to “make disciples of all nations”
Following the wake of discovery and exploration, a relatively small number of holy missionaries felt the call to bring the Gospel to these new worldsWhich of the 4 Marks does this exhibit?
A New Zeal for the FAITH – 1500’s
Great distances to travel Climate was also a great barrierLanguages were difficult to learn and often
lacked the complexity to explain Christian doctrine
Native medicine men, witch doctors, and pagan priests were very opposed to missionaries.
GREATEST OBSTACLE: the bad example of the Christian, European settlers
Obstacles to Missionaries
ASIA
Exploration and Missionary Movements
One of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits)Worked first to improve the moral character
of the Portuguese settlers in IndiaAlways tried to learn the native languageSaid to have baptized thousands
Did much to evangelize the natives of IndiaRemember, he’s the patron saint of Goa,
IndiaEventually he traveled to JapanHe wanted to go to China, but he died on
the way
St. Francis Xavier (1549-1551)
Tradition says that St. Thomas the Apostle came to India to preach the GospelWhy does a nation already
evangelized need to be “re-evangelized”?
Missionaries in this area dedicated a large part of efforts to learning the particular cultural traditions of the peopleMissionary efforts directed by St.
Francis Xavier
India
By learning language and culture, the missionaries could teach about Jesus in a more convincing way.Christianity was presented in different
ways to the different castes.Bore great fruit because of the
effective preaching and well-ordered communities established
What does this work of the Jesuits remind you of?
After the suppression of the Jesuits in 1773, the Christian population in India shrank
India
By 1580’s – 160,000 Catholics in Japan, numerous native priests as well as Jesuit missionaries
1587 – concerned by this “new religion” & its connection w/ “quiet takeover” by Europeans, the Japanese begin to persecute the Church in Japan1614 – over 200,000 Catholics
martyred
JAPAN
From 1638-1825 no outsiders allowed in and no connection to the Universal ChurchWhen French missionaries
return, they find an underground Church 20,000 strong
No priests, but they’ve continued Baptisms for 200 yearsTaught by the Jesuits before
they were expelled
JAPAN
China resisted foreign visitors for many years – unimpressed with European “sophistication” because China was so advanced culturally and technologically
1583, Fr. Matteo Ricci SJ was able to set up a permanent residence in ChinaHe embraced the Chinese cultureThrough his good example and charity, he was
able to introduce the Chinese to the fruits of Western culture
He developed a liturgy in Chinese, and wrote a treatise on the faith in Chinese
China
By 1724 the number of Chinese Catholics grew to 800,000.Catholicism was encouraged by the EmperorBUT success was short-lived
Ricci allowed for a blending of Catholicism with some anti-Catholic beliefs (ex. Ancestor worship)Known as the ACCOMMODATION METHODChurch which is largely European, wants Church in
China to look more like Church in EuropeWary of Western expansion, the Emperor began a
persecution of the Church and numbers declinedSituation today: “Patriotic Church” & “underground”
Church
China
AFRICA
Exploration and Missionary Movements
Because of the Line of Demarcation, Africa is in the hands of which European nation? _____________
This region of the world showed the least results from missionary activityHistorically, at least north Africa was CatholicWhy was that not the case by the 1600’s?
In addition, disease destroyed nearly all missionary effortsOther obstacles included reprisals over the slave
trade, jealous pagan priests, and persecutionsNo real fruit born until late 19th & early 20th
centuries
Africa
THE “NEW WORLD”
a.k.a. THE “WEST INDIES”
Exploration and Missionary Movements
After realizing they were not in India, Spanish discoverers and missionaries found a wealth of opportunity
…BUT Spanish missionaries had many difficulties converting natives (Apocalypto – sacrifice)The natives distrusted the
Spanish after their pagan temples were destroyed and their human sacrifices were stopped
Apocalytpo – arrival of Spaniards
In the New World…
After the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, conversions abounded (see video)Within 10 years of the
apparition, 9 million natives would be baptized.
In the New World…
Spanish Missions: FLORIDAMotivated by 3 things: GOD,
GOLD, & GLORYArrived in Florida in April, 1513Juan Ponce de Leon landed at
Bay of the Mother of GodBUT not exactly successful;
natives are VERY hostileLots of martyrs among the
Jesuits and Franciscans
Spanish Missions: FLORIDA1565 – 1st parish established in
St. Augustine1600’s – 1,000’s of Indian
convertsAll comes to a halt in 1700’s with
English influence in area1763 – Treaty of Paris – Florida
becomes a British colony
MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL!!Stretched from Texas to Kansas to California
Once Mexico was conquered by Spanish, discoverers turned northward (bringing missionaries with them)Typically no widespread martyrdom, but
isolated incidents: Fr. Juan Padilla was martyred in Kansas around 1540
Spanish Missions: the SOUTHWEST
Problems between the native Americans and the Spanish governmentBecause the missionaries were apparently
associated with the Spanish, the natives often rejected or even attacked the missionaries.
Spanish Missions: the SOUTHWEST
Spanish Missions: the SOUTHWESTMissionaries establish Indian
communitiesThe Indians were given control over their
own affairsThe missionaries taught the Faith,
established schools, and transcribed the native language into a written language
They also taught them modern farming techniques and industrial crafts
Between 1610 and 1767, 700,000 natives convertedMuch of the Spanish mission influence
remains…
Notice the saints & which order they belong to…
The California Missions
Spanish born Franciscan, taught theology at University of Padua
After hearing of the need for missionaries in the New World, Fr. Serra left without telling his parents where he was goingHe would never see them
again
Spanish Missions: St. Junipero Serra (1713-1784)
Spanish Missions: St. Junipero Serra (1713-1784)A powerful preacher with a
unique approachFirst start by trading with
Spanish goods, then preach the Gospel to them
Fought for the rights of the natives against the evils of the Spanish soldiersEven walked to Mexico City to
speak with governorFounded 9 of the 21 California
missions; traveled 24,000 miles while making 1,000’s of converts in his lifetime
French MissionsNot as strong as the Spanish
because France is not as Catholic…Jesuit missionaries accompanied
French traders and settlersMartyrdom a strong theme in
French missionsNative Americans of this region
were violent menNorth American Martyrs
St. Issac Jogues, John de Brebeuf, and companions violently executed by the Iroquois between 1642 and 1649
French MissionsSt. Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin
Native American, converted by the Jesuits
Rejected by her family for convertingDies of smallpox in early 20’s
Going west…Fr. Jacques Marquette and Joliet
explore the Great Lakes into Mississippi River area
Lots of French Jesuits evangelizing the natives
Eventually reaching down to New Orleans