Catholic Missionaries Research Articles

Что думали в Ватикане о религиозном возрождении на оккупированной территории СССР в 1942 г.

The publication introduces documents characterising the Vatican’s perception of religious processes in the occupied territories of the USSR that took place in 1941-1942. The main of them – “Memorandum on the Religious Situation in Russia” - was drawn up in the General Curia of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order) and sent to the Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs in May 1942. It presents a sketch of the information available to the Vatican about religious sentiments in the occupied territories of the Soviet Union. On the basis of this information, it is concluded that the anti-religious policy of the Soviet authorities had collapsed and that since the turn of the 1930s and 1940s there had been a religious revival in the USSR, witnessed by Catholic chaplains who had entered its territory at the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War. From the point of view of the author of the note, this provides a unique chance for the unfolding of a Catholic mission in Soviet Russia. The author puts forward specific proposals necessary, in his opinion, for the deployment of this mission. In particular, he proposes the creation of a special body to supervise missionary activity, as well as the involvement of lay people in mission.

The Global Catholic Missionary Societies and the Spread of Marian Devotion in Pre-Twentieth-Century Vietnam

Abstract Dating back many years, Marian devotion is currently a ubiquitous phenomenon among Vietnamese Catholics in Vietnam. This article examines the endeavours of specific global Catholic missionary societies – the Society of Jesus (S.J.), the Dominican Order or the Order of Preachers (O.P.) and the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris (mep) – in spreading Marian devotion in pre-twentieth-century Vietnam. In doing so, the article seeks to demonstrate that the prevalence of Marian devotion primarily resulted from the enduring efforts of global Catholic missionaries during the stages of proselytization. This argument aims to challenge the prevailing notion that the primordial Vietnamese cultural identity, widely known for emphasizing female status and Mother Goddess worship, exerted its influence on the elevation of Marian devotion among Vietnamese Catholics during the course of history.

The Reports of European Travelers and Catholic Missionaries on the Purchase of Captives in Western Georgia (17th century)

The Reports of European Travelers and Catholic Missionaries on the Purchase of Captives in Western Georgia (17th century)

Synodal Discernment on a Catechetical Drama called “Service of Light,” Its Impact on the Integral Education and Edification of Faith of the Laity

Synodality is a vital characteristic of the Catholic Church's life and mission, highlighting joint revitalization through listening, discernment, and active participation. Inspired by this concept, researchers started a study exploring the impact of the "Service of Light," a catechetical drama observed during Easter vigil, on local parishioners within the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in the Philippines. Employing an exploratory and qualitative approach, the researchers examined the denotative and connotative meanings embedded in images and narratives surrounding this ritual, using Roland Barthes' semiotic model for analysis. The study involved visiting five local Catholic parishes within the archdiocese, conducting purposive sampling for survey interviews, and gathering visuals. Results uncovered meaningful impacts of the Service of Light on the integral Christian education and spiritual edification of the parishioners. The catechetical drama served as a powerful teaching tool that deepened the parishioners’ understanding of Christian doctrine. It helped develop a sense of belonging within their faith community. Moreover, the Service of Light generated spiritual renewal and strengthened individual faith. The ritual's symbolism aroused a deeper connection with God, empowering parishioners to live out their faith more fully in daily life. The Service of Light was acknowledged as a tool of faith that continues to inspire the parishioners to bear fruit for years to come. In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of the Service of Light in parishioners' Christian education and spiritual journey, emphasizing its role in fostering community, deepening understanding of faith, and inspiring personal and communal growth. As a recommendation, the researchers are suggesting future research to explore the perspectives of ordained clergy for a comprehensive understanding of its impact on Christian communities.

The Mi’kmaq Hieroglyphs in Vienna: Christian Kauder and the Leopoldine Society

Abstract This article documents the specific activities by Christian Kauder in the context of Catholic mission work and their direct influence on the daily life, culture, and religion of the Mi’kmaq. These activities were the mechanism of forced culture change and took place long after the arrival of the first Europeans. Kauder’s writings give us a small but excellent glimpse of what he wanted to do and how he set about it, while describing some elements of Mi’kmaq culture he encountered. This article tries to shed light on how Kauder, who, having left his order, and living in a missionary outpost in Nova Scotia, was able to garner the necessary support for this monumental and unique task, the printing in Vienna, Austria, of a religious instruction manual in “hieroglyphics” destined for missionary work among the Mi’kmaq.

Judith A.BennettandUrsulaNixon, Eds.: Letters from Kiribati: Correspondence by the Daughters of our Lady of the Sacred Heart Congregation of Catholic Mission Sisters to the Mother House in Issoudun, France and Thuin, Belgium, 1895–1944. Melbourne, VIC: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2024; pp. xvi + 517.

Judith A.Bennett<scp>and</scp>UrsulaNixon, Eds.: Letters from Kiribati: Correspondence by the Daughters of our Lady of the Sacred Heart Congregation of Catholic Mission Sisters to the Mother House in Issoudun, France and Thuin, Belgium, 1895–1944. Melbourne, VIC: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2024; pp. xvi + 517.

Dulia or Latria: Revisiting the Catholic Missionaries’ View on Guishen in Late Ming and Early Qing

Dulia or Latria: Revisiting the Catholic Missionaries’ View on Guishen in Late Ming and Early Qing

Ethnobotany in Angola: The contribution of late 19th century christian missionaries to the knowledge of medicinal wild plants

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAngola has an extraordinary plant diversity and a great ethnobotanical potential. However, there is a general lack of information about the first botanical explorations in the country and their contribution to the knowledge of the medicinal flora. Aim of the studyThe main aim of this study was to unveil the ethnobotanical legacy of José Maria Antunes and Eugène Dekindt, priests of the first Catholic mission in Huíla (Angola) and shed light on their contribution to the knowledge of medicinal wild plants of the country, including information on the uses, plant parts used, and preparation methods documented in the late 19th century. The findings are discussed considering recent ethnobotanical studies to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the historical and traditional uses of plants in Angola over the last two centuries. Materials and methodsBased on the information available in manuscripts and on the study of botanical collections preserved in herbaria of Portugal and Angola, we extracted relevant information about the species used in traditional medicine by the rural population of Huíla, the health conditions treated, and the mode of preparation and application. ResultsOur results revealed that Antunes and Dekindt conducted the first ethnobotanical study in Huíla, and documented a large number of medicinal wild plants. From these, we report 191 medicinal species, including 25 endemic and four introduced species, belonging to 56 plant families and 146 genera. Fabaceae family presents the highest richness of medicinal plants (39 taxa), followed by Rubiaceae (13), Asteraceae (10), and Apocynaceae (9). The illnesses reported were classified into 15 different categories, with the highest number of species (49) corresponding to unspecific conditions, such as general pains, chills, and fever. Thirty-seven species were reported for respiratory diseases, 31 for musculoskeletal problems, and 30 for digestive issues. Leaves were the most used plant part for medicinal purposes (84 species). Infusion was the most frequently described preparation method (40 species), followed by maceration (24 species), and powdering (36 species). ConclusionsThe legacy of Antunes and Dekindt's work improves our understanding of Angola's botanical richness and traditional uses of plant resources. Our findings highlight the presence of unique medicinal resources in Angola, especially among endemic species, which hold the potential to improve the quality of life of rural communities. Moreover, our research underscores the lack of knowledge of medicinal species, emphasizing the risk of losing valuable historical information.

The Church and Migration during Apartheid Times: Roman Catholic Missionaries Banned from Former Homeland of Qwaqwa – Witsieshoek

The Church and Migration during Apartheid Times: Roman Catholic Missionaries Banned from Former Homeland of Qwaqwa – Witsieshoek

The use of song in RE and worship for spiritual development and wellbeing of pupils aged 7–11 in Catholic schools

This research reports an exploratory study of the use of song in religious education and worship (REW) with pupils aged 7–11. The study examined the use of three aspects of song pertaining to composition, understanding and prayer, and how these could be impactful in pupils’ spiritual development and wellbeing (SDW). This case study research was undertaken in two Catholic primary schools in London with pupils and teachers from all key stage two (KS2) classes. In total, 17 individual and group semi-structured interviews were conducted with 54 participants and this data was combined with that from 207 surveys. The literature review looks at the benefits of music on the individual and school community and then explores spirituality so that a conceptual framework is created. Research indicated that song was effective in developing pupils’ SDW as it enhanced connectivity with God, Others, Self, Cosmos and Social Action. The findings of the research offer possible ways forward for the use of song in RE for the promotion of spiritual growth as well as the Catholic life and mission of the school.

Teaching and Preaching

Abstract During European colonial times in Africa and elsewhere, missionary education was an integral part of the colonial instruments for political domination, economic exploitation, and cultural assimilation. This paper aims to investigate the process of making colonial subjects through missionary education that was mainly provided by Catholic and Evangelical mission schools during the Italian colonial period in Eritrea. The paper argues that the Catholic and Evangelical mission schools distinctively worked to achieve their separate objectives that can be explained as employment versus salvation, teaching versus preaching, flag versus Bible, and hands versus soul, respectively. While the Catholic mission school focused on training the hand in order to supply labour, the Evangelical mission school stressed harvesting the soul to cultivate a docile labour force. Despite their differences, the works of the Catholic and Evangelical mission schools placed much emphasis on and exerted much effort to producing a class of colonial subjects that could serve as brokers of power.

Experiments in Cotton and Conversion: Post-Abolition Labor and Community at the Mission of St. Joseph, Senegal

ABSTRACT A series of abolition and emancipation moments occurred over the nineteenth century, shifting orientations and structures of labor. The Agricultural Colony of St. Joseph, a Catholic mission in Senegal, illuminates some of the ways in which abolition rippled across the globe. Founded in 1863, St. Joseph’s was envisioned as a place where both proselytization and economic development would flourish. The mission was conceived of as a cotton plantation to address the international cotton shortage resulting from American Civil War. Cultivation was carried out by neophytes, most of whom were formerly enslaved individuals or refugees. This article explores the social and economic implications and repercussions of the St. Joseph cotton experiment, exploring how overseas abolition and emancipation shaped a nascent colonial community. Two interconnected histories emerge: one about the global economy, and the other a local narrative about the ways in which entanglement in missionization produced a new community.

Are you a True Patriot? Twentieth‐century Dominican State Formation in the Ecuadorian Amazon

This article examines the role played by Dominican missions in Ecuador's Amazonian territory from approximately 1930–1970. In the Dominicans' own monthly magazine, they claimed not only the roles of infrastructural development, “civilisation” of indigenous peoples, and nationalisation of territory, as did Catholic missions elsewhere; but also the roles of mediator of competing interests and redeemer of the entire country. The central Pastaza River region and important cities like Mera and Puyo were administered and developed chiefly by the Dominican missions ahead of massive colonisation and economic development linked to agriculture and oil drilling. This research contributes to our understanding of the role of Catholic missions in Ecuador's twentieth century by demonstrating that print media allowed them to be more than just frontier institutions. It also illustrates how Ecuador's “Oriente” came to be more fully integrated into the nation prior to the oil boom of the 1970s.

Senkyō to tekiō. Gurōbaru misshon no kinsei [Evangelization and Accommodation. Catholic Global Missions of the Early Modern Period], edited by Akira Saito

Senkyō to tekiō. Gurōbaru misshon no kinsei [Evangelization and Accommodation. Catholic Global Missions of the Early Modern Period], edited by Akira Saito

Idols and Icons: Franciscan Theology and Artistic Inculturation in Mexico, 1524–1699

Indigenous people in Mexico encountered and interacted with the visual images of Mary, Jesus, and the Saints via Catholic missionaries in the sixteenth century. I examine the complexity of Franciscan changing attitudes and practices toward transforming what they perceived as idols into icons in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Indigenous Christians also adapted and synthesized artistic forms and meanings. Furthermore, artists from various cultures drew sources from Indigenous Mexican, European, and Asian traditions and created a visual Christian culture.

Discourse and Actions in Catholic Missions in Southern Andes - Landscapes of Liberation. Mission and Development in Peru's Southern Highlands (1958–1988). By Noah Oehri. Leuven: Leuven University Press, 2023. Pp. 229. $52.40 cloth; free PDF.

Discourse and Actions in Catholic Missions in Southern Andes - Landscapes of Liberation. Mission and Development in Peru's Southern Highlands (1958–1988). By Noah Oehri. Leuven: Leuven University Press, 2023. Pp. 229. $52.40 cloth; free PDF.

Haunted Monasteries: Troubling Indigenous Erasure in Early Colonial Mexican Architecture

This essay examines the placement and displacement of Nahua labor in the architectural history of Mexico’s early colonial monasteries. It takes as its point of departure the story of a ghost in the Tlaxcala monastery as told by a Franciscan missionary to analyze the discursive and spatial dimensions of emergent racial ideologies in Mexico’s earliest Catholic missions. While the ghost’s appearance signals the eruption of unresolved tensions between the missionaries and the Tlaxcalans in a cohabited religious complex, the specter also animates settler colonial domination. Cross-referencing Nahuatl and Franciscan documents reveal the ghost story as a whitewashed tale of monastic ritual life wherein the ghost effaces Indigenous labor at precisely the moments and places missionaries deemed it most threatening. In so doing, this study illuminates how racial ideologies were structured discursively and experientially at the missions and contributes to urgent debates about how the history and preservation of Catholic architecture in Mexico conceals and represses the lived experience of Indigenous peoples.

“Our Colored and Indian Charges Furnish So Much Amusement for Us”: Catholicism, Assimilation, and the Racial Hierarchy in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1883–1918

ABSTRACT While the history of White reformers’ attempts at assimilation has been studied in the American West and South, their role in the American Northeast still remains largely unexplored. This article examines the role of Catholic missionaries in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. These White missionaries worked with students at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School as well as African Americans at St. Katharine’s Select School. By comparing and contrasting Catholic work with these two ethnic groups, this article examines the racial hierarchy within the assimilation process at the turn of the twentieth century.

Pedro de la Piñuela’s Bencao Bu and the Cultural Exchanges between China and the West

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Catholic missionaries in China adopted the strategy of cultural accommodation and engaged in extensive interactions with Chinese literati and the general population in order to integrate into Chinese society. They left numerous writings in the Chinese language, objectively promoting cultural exchanges between the East and the West. This article focuses on the pharmacological work Bencao Bu (本草補, Supplement to Chinese Materia Medica) by Spanish Franciscan Pedro de la Piñuela (石鐸琭, Shi Duolu, 1650–1704). The article argues that, in addition to questioning whether the works in Chinese left by missionaries have contributed to the progress of Chinese society in science, medicine, humanities and other aspects, we should also explore the process of encounter between two different cultures. Although Bencao Bu did not significantly advance Chinese medicine, la Piñuela incorporated elements of Chinese culture into the book and made an initial attempt to apply Chinese medical concepts in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the book not only introduced certain Western scientific knowledge and pharmaceutical techniques but also could be considered the epitome of the global exchange of botanical knowledge and medical experiences, promoting mutual understanding between different parts of the world. This underscores the cultural significance beyond religious purposes found in Bencao Bu as well as other scientific and cultural works by missionaries during the Ming and Qing periods in China.

The Transformation of the Ordinariate for Poles in Germany into the Polish Catholic Mission in Germany

Due to the special situation of Poles in Germany after the end of the Second World War and the need to provide them with pastoral care, an Ordinariate for Poles in Germany was established as a personal diocese by a decision of the Holy See on 5 June 1945. In a relatively short period of time and despite very difficult conditions, it was possible to organise effective pastoral structures. The main burden of work rested with the parishes, whose numbers began to dwindle over time as the number of Poles in Germany decreased. In connection with the new legislation on the pastoral care of migrants, in 1976 the former personal diocese for Poles was transformed into the Polish Catholic Mission in Germany. This was also accompanied by a change in the status of the priest in charge of Polish pastoral ministry in Germany. The new structures proved to be adequate for the pastoral challenges that arose later and, as a result, the Polish Catholic Mission in Germany has been able to develop to this day.