Bishops’ previous Advent teachings :: CNA

Bishops’ previous Advent teachings :: CNA

Customs and Traditions :: CNA

Customs and Traditions :: CNA

Advent: The History of Advent :: CNA

Advent: The History of Advent :: CNA

Nu Thanh trong doi toi

Doctor of the Church
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St. Isidore of Seville, a 7th century Doctor of the Church, depicted by Murillo (c. 1628) with a book, common iconographical object for a doctor.Doctor of the Church (Latin doctor, teacher, from Latin docere, to teach) is a title given by a variety of Christian churches to individuals whom they recognize as having been of particular importance, particularly regarding their additions to theological or doctrinal matters.

Contents [hide]
1 Catholicism
1.1 List of Doctors of the Catholic Church
2 Eastern Orthodoxy
3 Armenian Church
4 Assyrian Church of the East
5 Anglicanism
6 Lutherans
7 See also
8 References
9 External links


[edit] Catholicism
In Catholicism, this title is given to a saint from whose writings the whole Church is held to have derived great advantage and to whom "eminent learning" and "great sanctity" have been attributed by a proclamation of a pope or of an ecumenical council. This honour is given rarely, only posthumously, and only after canonization. No ecumenical council has yet exercised the prerogative of proclaiming a Doctor of the Church.

Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine, Saint Jerome, and Pope Gregory I were the original Doctors of the Church and were named in 1298. They are known collectively as the Great Doctors of the Western Church. The four Great Doctors of the Eastern Church, John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Athanasius of Alexandria were recognized in 1568 by Pope St. Pius V. Although the revered Catalan philosopher Ramon Llull was dubbed "Doctor Illuminatus," he is not officially considered a Doctor of the Church.


St. Thérèse of Lisieux in the Carmelite Brown Scapular, 1895.The Doctors' works vary greatly in subject and form. Some, such as Pope Gregory I and Ambrose were prominent writers of letters and short treatises. Catherine of Siena and John of the Cross wrote mystical theology. Augustine and Bellarmine defended the Church against heresy. Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People provides the best information on England in the early Middle Ages. Systematic theologians include the Scholastic philosophers Anselm, Albertus Magnus, and Thomas Aquinas.

Until 1970, no woman had been named a Doctor of the Church, but since then three additions to the list have been women:Saints Teresa of Ávila (St. Teresa of Jesus), Catherine of Siena and Thérèse de Lisieux[1] (St. Therese the Little Flower of the Child Jesus). Saints Teresa and Therese were both Discalced Carmelites.

Traditionally, in the Liturgy, the Office of Doctors was distinguished from that of Confessors by two changes: the Gospel reading Vos estis sal terrae ("You are the salt of the earth"), Matthew 5:13-19, and the eighth Respond at Matins, from Ecclesiasticus 15:5, In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus, * Et implevit eum Deus spiritu sapientiae et intellectus. * Jucunditatem et exsultationem thesaurizavit super eum. ("In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, * And God filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding. * He heaped upon him a treasure of joy and gladness.")

As of 2009, the Catholic Church has named 33 Doctors of the Church. Of these, the 17 who died before the Great Schism of 1054 (marked * in the list below) are also venerated by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Among these 33 are 25 from the West and 8 from the East; 3 women; 18 bishops, 29 priests, 1 deacon, 2 nuns, 1 consecrated virgin; 24 from Europe, 3 from Africa, 6 from Asia.

[edit] List of Doctors of the Catholic Church
(For earlier authorities on Christian doctrine see Church Fathers and Ante-Nicene Fathers).

Name Year Born Died Promoted Ethnicity Post
St. Gregory the Great* 540 (ca.) March 12, 604 1298 Italian Pope
St. Ambrose* 340 (ca.) April 4, 397 1298 Italian Bishop of Milan
St. Augustine, Doctor Gratiae* 354 August 28, 430 1298 Berber from Numidia Bishop of Hippo
St. Jerome* 347 (ca.) September 30, 420 1298 Dalmatian Priest, monk
St. John Chrysostom* 347 407 1568 Syrian (Ethnic Greek) Archbishop of Constantinople
St. Basil* 330 January 1, 379 1568 Cappadocian (Ethnic Greek) Bishop of Caesarea
St. Gregory Nazianzus* 329 January 25, 389 1568 Cappadocian (Ethnic Greek) Archbishop of Constantinople
St. Athanasius* 298 May 2, 373 1568 Egyptian (Ethnic Greek) Patriarch of Alexandria
St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis 1225 March 7, 1274 1568 Italian Priest, Theologian, O.P.
St. Bonaventure, Doctor Seraphicus 1221 July 15, 1274 1588 Italian Cardinal Bishop of Albano, Theologian, Minister General, O.F.M.
St. Anselm, Doctor Magnificus 1033 or 1034 April 21, 1109 1720 Italian Archbishop of Canterbury, O.S.B.
St. Isidore* 560 April 4, 636 1722 Spanish Bishop of Seville
St. Peter Chrysologus* 406 450 1729 Italian Bishop of Ravenna
St. Leo the Great* 400 November 10, 461 1754 Italian Pope
St. Peter Damian 1007 February 21/22,1072 1828 Italian Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, monk, O.S.B.
St. Bernard, Doctor Mellifluus 1090 August 21, 1153 1830 French Priest, O.Cist.
St. Hilary of Poitiers* 300 367 1851 French Bishop of Poitiers
St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor Zelantissimus 1696 August 1, 1787 1871 Italian Bishop of Sant'Agata de' Goti, C.Ss.R. (Founder)
St. Francis de Sales 1567 December 28, 1622 1877 French Bishop of Geneva
St. Cyril of Alexandria, Doctor Incarnationis* 376 June 27, 444 1883 Egyptian Patriarch of Alexandria
St. Cyril of Jerusalem* 315 386 1883 Jerusalem Bishop of Jerusalem
St. John Damascene* 676 December 5, 749 1883 Syrian Priest, monk
St. Bede the Venerable* 672 May 27, 735 1899 Northumbrian Priest, monk
St. Ephrem* 306 373 1920 Syrian Deacon
St. Peter Canisius 1521 December 21, 1597 1925 Dutch Priest, S.J.
St. John of the Cross, Doctor Mysticus 1542 December 14, 1591 1926 Spanish Priest, mystic, O.C.D. (Founder)
St. Robert Bellarmine 1542 September 17, 1621 1931 Italian Archbishop of Capua, Theologian, S.J.
St. Albertus Magnus, Doctor Universalis 1193 November 15, 1280 1931 German Bishop, Theologian, O.P.
St. Anthony of Padua and Lisbon, Doctor Evangelicus 1195 June 13, 1231 1946 Portuguese Priest, O.F.M.
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor Apostolicus 1559 July 22, 1619 1959 Italian Priest, Diplomat, O.F.M. Cap.
St. Teresa of Ávila 1515 October 4, 1582 1970 Spanish Mystic, O.C.D. (Founder)
St. Catherine of Siena 1347 April 29, 1380 1970 Italian Mystic, O.P. (Consecrated virgin)
St. Thérèse de Lisieux, Doctor Amoris 1873 September 30, 1897 1997 French O.C.D. (Nun)

In addition, parts of the Roman Catholic Church have recognized other individuals with this title. In Spain, Fulgentius of Ruspe and Leander of Seville have been recognized with this title.[citation needed]

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has recognized Ambrose, Jerome, Gregory, Augustine, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom, as well as Ephrem the Syrian, Isaac the Elder, Pope Leo I, John of Damascus, Cyril of Alexandria, Cyril of Jerusalem, Epiphanius of Salamis, and Gregory of Nyssa.[citation needed] The Chaldean Catholic Church has recognized Polycarp, Eustathius of Antioch, Meletius, Alexander of Jerusalem, Athanasius, Basil, Cyril of Alexandria, Gregory Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, Fravitta of Constantinople, Ephrem the Syrian, Jacob of Nisibis, James of Serug, Isaac of Armenia, Isaac of Nineve, and Maruthas.[citation needed]

[edit] Eastern Orthodoxy

Daily Reading and Meditation

ADVENT 1st, year C

Daily Reading and Meditation

Sunday (11/29): "Now when these things begin to take place,
look up because your redemption is drawing near."

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:25-28,34-36

25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." 34 "But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; 35 for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man."

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

14 “Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness.'”

Meditation:

1 *How good are you at reading signs?
The people of Jesus' time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary signs and wonders.
Jesus' first coming was clouded in mystery and wonderment: a son of David born in a cave at Bethlehem; magi from the East guided by a star to worship the newborn king of Israel; a carpenter miracle-worker who gave sight to the blind and raised the dead; a Suffering Servant who bore the sins of many upon a cross; a Risen Lord who stormed the gates of Hell to release its captives. Jesus on a number of occasions prophesied that he would return again at the end of the world to finish the work he came to accomplish through his death and resurrection. The image of a "Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" is taken from a vision which God gave to the prophet Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14). God showed Daniel a royal investiture of a human king before God's throne. This king was invested with God's authority and was given rulership over the whole earth. His reign would last for all ages.
The Jews of Jesus' day were looking for a Messianic king who would free them from foreign oppression. Jesus is both Son of David – the rightful heir and King of Israel who will rule forever – and the Son of man – God's appointed ruler who will establish a universal kingdom of peace, righteousness, and justice for all the nations and peoples of the earth.
The Lord Jesus gives us the gift of hope – the supernatural strength and perseverance to remain steadfast and confident in God's promise.
2**What can we confidently expect from God?
He promises us the hope of heaven, everlasting life, peace, and joy with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He also promises to right every wrong, to vindicate all who have been treated unjustly, to remove every tear, sorrow, and pain, including death itself (Revelations 21:4).
The world around us is plagued with fear, uncertainty, greed, selfishness, strife, and division. It has lost hope in God and in his promise to restore the human race and creation itself through the second coming of his Son Jesus Christ. The prophet Jeremiah fortold the day when God would send his Messiah King to "execute justice and righteousness in the land" (Jeremiah 33:15).
Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise and every promise God has made.
Many Christian churches in the East and West, since the early first centuries, have marked special seasons to celebrate the central truths of the Christian faith. The Advent season which precedes Christmas and Epiphany reminds us that we are a pilgrim people, aliens and exiles in this age who long for our true home with God in heaven, and who await with joyful hope for the return of the Lord Jesus.
3***When will all these promises take place?
Know one knows the day when Christ will return. But it is a certain fact that we are living in the end times, the close of this present age! The end times begin with the first coming of Christ (his Incarnation which we celebrate at Christmas) and culminates in his final return on the Day of Judgment. Jesus' prophetic description of the end of time and the day of judgment was not new to the people of Israel. The prophets had foretold these events many centuries before. "Behold the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it" (Isaiah 13:9-13; see also Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18).
Jesus speaks of the second coming as a known fact, a for certain event we can expect to take place. This coming will be marked by signs that all will recognize; signs which will strike terror in those unprepared and wonder in those who are ready to meet the Lord. When the Lord returns he will establish final justice and righteousness over the earth by overthrowing his enemies and by vindicating those who have been faithful to him. The anticipation of his final judgment is a sign of hope for all who trust in him.
4****What can keep us from recognizing the signs which await the coming of the Lord?
Indifference and the temptation to slacken off – to become passive and lethargic or to fall asleep spiritually. It is very easy to get caught up in the things of the present moment or to be weighed down with troubles. The Lord knows our shortcomings and struggles and he gives us the grace to bear our burdens and to walk in his way of holiness. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: an attitude of indifference, being passive, not caring, and doing nothing when we could be actively seeking God and his kingdom! God is ready to give us fresh vision, hope, and grace to walk in his ways. He wants to work in and through us for his glory. That is why he expects more of us than we can do by ourselves. His grace enables us to actively watch for his action in our lives, and to actively pray for perseverance and endurance when we face trials and difficulties. The Lord gives us strength to overcome temptation, especially from apostasy – the denial of Christ out of fear or pride. God is ever ready to fill us with his grace, strength, and power.
5*****Is your heart hungry for God or is it weighed down by other things?

Prayer us :
"Lord Jesus, may I never lose sight of the signs of your presence in my life and the world around me. Free me from dullness of heart, indifference, and every distraction that would keep me from your presence. May I never tire of seeking you in prayerful anticipation of seeing you face to face when you come again in glory."

Psalms 25:1,4-5,8-10,14
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. 14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.
Go to Daily Reading & Meditation Index (c) 2009 Don Schwager

Meditation of The CROSS

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rate or flag this pageBy Paraglider


The Stations of the Cross - Via Crucis

I am not Roman Catholic. In fact, I am not religious at all. But a love of great art and architecture has taken me to some of Europe's finest churches and cathedrals. Some years ago, in Rome, I visited one of the many cathedrals (I forget which one but it wasn't St Peters) to see two large alter-pieces by Caravaggio. While there, I noticed a series of small engravings, fourteen in number and very ancient, placed at regular intervals around the nave. They were numbered (I to XIV) but not signed or titled. Each depicted a scene from the last few hours leading up to Jesus' crucifixion.

My wife (who was raised Catholic) explained that these 'Stations of the Cross' can be found in every Catholic church and though they vary in style and execution, they always follow exactly the same sequence:

1.Christ is condemned to death;
2.the cross is laid upon him;
3.His first fall;
4.He meets His Blessed Mother;
5.Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;
6.Christ's face is wiped by Veronica;
7.His second fall;
8.He comforts the women of Jerusalem;
9.His third fall;
10.He is stripped of His garments;
11.His crucifixion;
12.His death on the cross;
13.His body is taken down from the cross;
14.His body is laid in the tomb.
I became fascinated with the tradition and over a period of time found out more about it, for example:•The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross, Via Crucis) provides, in each church, an echo of the Via Dolorosa, a pilgrimage to the holy places in Jerusalem, allowing the faithful to visit, in spirit, the scenes and events of Christ's last days on Earth.
•Tradition says that after His death, Mary visited these places each day, in remembrance of His persecution and suffering.
•There is a correct way to approach the Stations, with an appropriate prescribed prayer and meditation at each one.
•There is no 15th resurrection station (everyone asks this!) because the intention is to focus on the Passion of Christ, the judgment, humiliation, crucifixion and burial.
For me, the fascination was in the huge variety of realisations of this relatively simple concept of fourteen tableaux. If any proof were needed, it showed me that art and human ingenuity flourishes when restricted, not when totally free. To an extent, there was a correlation between the wealth of the church or cathedral and the ornateness of the Stations, but this was not always true, as I have seen many exquisite pieces in quite humble settings, especially in small country churches, made by unknown local craftsmen. I have memories only, not photographs, because I don't think it is appropriate to click away like a tourist in someone's place of worship. Here are a few:

•tempera (egg white & pigment) paintings directly applied to the plasterwork
•conventional framed oil paintings
•wood carvings, sometimes painted, often set into small alcoves
•bas-relief sculpture, either mounted on the walls or cut directly
•gilded marble statuary, nowadays usually behind glass
•calligraphy, in Latin and/or a modern language, often with illuminated capitals
I have even seen a few churches where only the Roman numerals were carved into the masonry but with no accompanying text, illustration or sculpture and no evidence of any having been removed. Possibly a rejected commission or a crisis of funding - who knows?

My modest contribution
As mentioned previously, my interest in the Stations is purely artistic and historical. You could say they are wasted on me! Nevertheless, I thought it would be good to add something personal to this huge legacy of artistic creativity. Unfortunately, I have no skill in drawing. painting, the plastic arts or calligraphy. So, what to do?

Some years ago, in Madrid Cathedral, I had the sudden notion to write a poem where each line in some way related to one of the stations. The magic number fourteen clearly pointed to a Sonnet, a controlled and intense poetic form in fourteen lines. I resolved to walk round the Stations, in sequence, taking as long as required, but not to leave the church without completing at least a workable draft.

I took as few liberties as possible, though in the final couplet I borrowed from the tradition that the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross in Mary's presence, and it was she who arranged the body in the tomb. For what it's worth, here is my effort. Thank you for reading:

Stations of the Cross
We are the Power of Law, and you are wrong -
this shall be yours to carry evermore.
Its weight will drag you down where you belong,
among our feet. Your mother will implore
in vain, your friend extend a helping hand,
the gentle one will wipe your sweated brow,
but still you stumble in your journey, and
who will believe your words of comfort now?
Is it fatigue that drops you, or despair
when soldiers rob you of your last effects
and bind you to your burden, leave you there
until the spirit shudders, then defects?
You will not hear the voice of one whose womb
gave life to you, to lay you in the tomb.



Dave McClure, c2002

(the friend - Simon of Cyrene, the gentle one - Veronica)


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prettydarkhorse says:
4 weeks ago

I have read this and I applaud you once more for your in depth looking at the station of the cross. Arts has been one of the medium of religion, i saw that also when I went to europe....i like your poem for its originality and the content too, keep on writing, you are my idol, I wish i could be a good writer as you, even half of your capability will do for me, here I am waiting for your 100th article....congrats in advance
Paraglider says:
4 weeks ago

Hi Prettydarkhorse - some of the greatest music is in settings of religious texts. Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus and Bruckner's Virga Jesse Floruit are maybe my two all-time favourites.

Yes, that hundredth hub. There might be a slight pause while I decide how to mark the occasion. It won't be about toothpaste.
Amanda Severn says:
4 weeks ago

Like you, PG, I have visited churches and cathedrals along my travels, primarily to enjoy the art and architecture. For centuries, the church gave a living to artists and sculptors, and in return those talented craftmen gave the ordinary people a visual understanding of stories that they would never read. I've only vaguely come across the stations of the cross before (they have them on Croagh Patrick, Ireland's Holy Mountain) but I hadn't appreciated that they were in all Catholic churches. Now I know, I'll look out for them. Your poem is beautifully done BTW.
Aya Katz says:
4 weeks ago

Paraglider, effective sonnet! Perhaps long after you are gone and Hubpages are no more, some church will have these lines engraved, one by each roman numeral of the stations of the cross, and all will count the unknown author as one of the faithful!
Paraglider says:
4 weeks ago

Amanda - have you read 'The Cloister & the Hearth' by Charles Reade? Maybe the best ever insight into serving the church as an artisan and as a priest, towards the end of the Dark Ages.

Aya - HubPages was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end - or maybe not :)
Quilligrapher says:
4 weeks ago

While you may not have been raised with this tradition, I was. This hub and your sonnet really touched me. They carried me back to my youth when I was lighting the candles before mass and walking along the communion rail placing the plate under each waiting chin.


In this regard, you succeeded in imitating the purpose of the art placed at each station. Just as you transported me, they, too, transport the participants to another time and another place. I thank you, Para, for the journey.


Q.
Paraglider says:
4 weeks ago

Q - thank you too. I was hoping this hub would not be seen as irreverent, as an intrusion into the sacred by the profane. But I can empathise with the persecution and crucifixion, though I cannot believe in the resurrection. Perhaps that is why the Stations of the Cross continue to fascinate me.
Make Money says:
4 weeks ago

Well written Hub Mr. Dave McClure. Nice to know your real name too Paraglider.
Dolores Monet says:
4 weeks ago

I have attended services for Stations of the Cross and it can be very beautiful and uplifting, once you get over the idea that the whole thing seems all about how awful people can be. Anyway, they did a prayer for each station, and in the prayer, we attempt to ease Christ's suffering by offering to take the cross from Him and carry it for a while; or to help someone else and that assistance should lighten Christ's load because what you do for anyone, you do for Christ.
Paraglider says:
4 weeks ago

Thanks Mike - you are my reference on all things Catholic!

Dolores - I have seen many people in private meditation around the Stations. Thanks for describing the service. Sadly such cruelty is still all around us today.
James A Watkins says:
3 weeks ago

I am recently returned from my first visit to Israel and a week ago I walked the Via Dolorosa for real. I love your sonnet. It is very good.
Paraglider says:
3 weeks ago

Hi James - I have never been to Israel but may visit after I've finished working in the Arab countries. (I'd need a second passport). Thanks for the sonnet comment :)
neysajasper says:
3 weeks ago

When I came to know your conclusion that your main motto is artistic and historical, I applauded your approaches. I find that at least your searches goes near to peace. Your researches are beneficial to readers.
Paraglider says:
3 weeks ago

Thank you Neysajasper, and welcome.
tonymac04 says:
2 weeks ago

What a splendid Hub - and the sonnet's not bad either! (Just kidding - it is very good).

Thanks for sharing. As a part-time believer (which I amj also a part-time unbeliever!) I found this very moving. I have attended Stations on Good Friday and so the feeling was evoked again for me.

Most of the Stations that I have seen have been unbelievably kitsch and awful, though. It is weird, to say the least, to come across a church in deeply rural Africa and find there a glorification of a blond, blue-eyed Jesus surrounded by people in some Victorian artist's idea of what the people in ancient Israel might have been wearing. Not an edifying spectacle at all!

Love and peace

Tony
Paraglider says:
10 days ago

Thanks Tony. I've seen my share of kitsch stations too, but didn't bother to list them in the main hub. I think most of the best I've seen have been bas-relief sculptures in the natural stone colour.
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Guong Chung nhan - Nhung Vi Thanh Nguoi Han

TÔI SẴN SÀNG CHẾT VÌ ĐẠO THÁNH ĐỨC CHÚA TRỜI








Cách đây đúng 170 năm - 1839 - Giáo Hội Công Giáo Đại Hàn phải chịu bắt bớ thật gắt gao. Trong số các chứng nhân Đức Tin gục ngã dưới lưỡi gươm ác nghiệt của triều đình phải kể đến số đông các tín hữu giáo dân. Cái chết anh hùng của các vị tử đạo được truyền miệng nhau hầu khuyến khích mọi người sẵn sàng tuyên xưng Đức Tin khi đến thời thuận tiện.

6 phụ nữ Công Giáo Triều Tiên sau khi nghe thuật lại cái chết anh dũng của hai giáo dân Công Giáo bỗng nẩy sinh lòng sốt sắng và bàn nhau tự đi nộp mình cho quân lính để được chết vì Đạo. Ý kiến vừa đưa ra liền được mọi người chấp nhận.

Khi đến trước quân lính, một người trong nhóm nói:
- Các ông đang tìm các tín hữu Công Giáo, thì đây, chúng tôi là người Công Giáo. Các ông hãy bắt và nộp cho quan!

Quân lính không tin điều họ nghe là thật nên từ chối giải nộp các bà. 6 phụ nữ kiên trì giải thích:
- Chúng tôi là tín hữu Công Giáo thật! Bằng chứng là chúng tôi mang trong mình Ảnh Thánh và tràng chuỗi Mân Côi đây!

Thấy vậy, bọn lính liền trói 6 phụ nữ Công Giáo và giải về tỉnh. Trong số 6 phụ nữ có cô Luxia Kim, một trinh nữ.

Trinh nữ Luxia Kim nổi bật về sự thông minh, nét dịu dàng và lòng can đảm. Trong thời gian bị giam cầm, bị tra hỏi và bị đánh đập, cô luôn tươi vui và bình tĩnh khiến quan tòa phải ngạc nhiên. Năm ấy Luxia Kim bước vào tuổi 20. Quan bảo cô:
- Đẹp như cô mà sao lại dại dột đi theo một thứ tôn giáo kỳ lạ như vậy??? Hãy bỏ đạo đó đi và tôi hứa sẽ cứu sống cô!

Cô Luxia Kim đáp:
- THIÊN CHÚA là Đấng tạo dựng muôn loài. Chính Ngài thống trị trời đất. Ngài là VUA Tối Cao và là CHA của mọi người. Làm sao tôi có thể chối bỏ Đấng vừa là VUA vừa là CHA của tôi? Không! Thà chết ngàn lần chứ tôi không thể chối bỏ THIÊN CHÚA tôi tôn thờ.

Quan lại nêu một số câu hỏi:
- Ai dạy cô biết Đạo Công Giáo? Cô quen biết với bao nhiêu người cùng Đạo? Tại sao cô chưa lập gia đình? Linh Hồn là gì và cô không sợ chết sao?

Cô Luxia Kim lần lượt giải thích:
- Mẹ tôi dạy cho tôi biết Đạo Thánh Đức Chúa Trời / Đạo này nghiêm cấm việc tố cáo người khác, nên tôi không thể nói cho quan biết là tôi có liên hệ với những ai / Tôi chưa tròn 20 tuổi vì thế xin quan đừng lấy làm lạ tại sao tôi chưa lập gia đình. Hơn nữa, không thích hợp với một trinh nữ khi phải trả lời về vấn đề hôn nhân, vậy xin quan đừng bao giờ điều tra tôi về vấn đề này / Linh Hồn là bản thể thiêng liêng nên mắt trần không thể trông thấy / Thật ra tôi rất sợ chết, nhưng vì muốn sống thì phải chối Đạo, bỏ Chúa, do đó, dù sợ chết tôi vẫn chọn cái chết để khỏi chối bỏ THIÊN ChÚA tôi tôn thờ.

Quan hỏi thêm:
- Cô có trông thấy THIÊN CHÚA Trời Đất không?

Cô Luxia Kim trả lời:
- Những người dân quê sống nơi các làng mạc xa xôi hẻo lánh, mặc dầu không trông thấy nhà vua, họ vẫn tin là đất nước có đức vua cai trị. Riêng tôi, vì trông thấy trời đất cùng muôn vật nên tôi tin có một Đấng Tối Cao dựng nên muôn loài và chính Ngài là CHA của mọi loài.

Ngày 20-7-1839, cô Luxia Kim cùng với 5 phụ nữ Công Giáo bị đưa ra pháp trường và bị xử tử vì tuyên xưng là tín hữu Công Giáo.

... Vị tử vì đạo Đại Hàn thứ hai là trinh nữ Luxia Phương.

Trinh nữ Luxia Phương chào đời trong gia đình ngoại giáo giàu có. Vì nhan sắc và vì nổi tiếng đoan trang cô được chọn vào cung làm tỳ nữ hầu hạ hoàng hậu Kim. Trong số các tỳ nữ, cô Phương trổi vượt về sự nhanh nhẹn, tính dịu dàng và đức cẩn trọng, nên rất được hoàng hậu để ý và yêu thương cách riêng.

Sắc đẹp và nét đoan trang của tỳ nữ Phương cũng lôi kéo sự chú ý của hoàng tử trẻ tuổi Duy-Khương. Một ngày, hoàng tử gọi cô đến phòng và dùng lời đường mật dụ dỗ. Nhưng cô Phương can đảm kháng cự, nhất quyết bảo vệ sự trinh khiết. Đức tính cao đẹp này hẳn là một trong những điều kiện thuận lợi đưa cô đến hồng ân lãnh bí tích Rửa Tội và chết vì Đức Tin Công Giáo.

Năm 30 tuổi, cô được dịp may nghe nói đến giáo lý Đạo Kitô. Cô vô cùng ngưỡng mộ nên nhất định tìm hiểu và xin theo Đạo Công Giáo. Sau đó lấy lý do bị bệnh, cô xin rời hoàng cung trở lại gia đình.

Nhưng thân phụ cô rất ghét Đạo Công Giáo. Do đó cô đến ở với gia đình người cháu. Tại đây, nghĩ lại quãng đời sống trong hoàng cung, cô cho rằng mình đã phung phí thời giờ trong nhung lụa xa hoa, nên giờ đây phải đền bù bằng một lối sống nhiệm nhặt hãm mình. Với lối sống này, chẳng bao lâu sau, cô đưa cả gia đình người cháu theo Đạo Công Giáo.

Năm 1839 khi đạo luật cấm đạo của nhà vua Đại Hàn ban hành, cô cùng với người bạn Công Giáo tìm cách ẩn trốn. Nhưng việc chưa thành thì một toán lính ập đến nhà tìm bắt cô. ”Không gì xảy ra mà lại không do bàn tay quan phòng của THIÊN CHÚA”, vừa nói cô Luxia Phương vừa vui vẻ tiến ra đón tiếp bọn lính. Cô xin họ đừng la lối gào thét vô ích, vì cô không chạy trốn. Cô còn biếu họ tiền bạc, rượu uống và thức ăn. Xong xuôi tất cả, cô vui tươi gia nhập đoàn tín hữu Công Giáo bị bắt và cùng với toán lính lên đường ra tỉnh.

Sau nhiều lần dụ dỗ và tra tấn không kết quả, quan truyền công bố bản án. Bản án có đoạn viết:
- Ngày cũng như đêm cô Phương đắm chìm trong đạo lý của cô. Từng cử chỉ, từng lời nói, ngay cả sự thinh lặng của cô, nhất nhất đều biểu lộ một tâm tình huyền bí. Vì thế cô đáng bị xử tử!

Ngày hành quyết được ấn định là 24-5-1839 tại Hán-Thành (Séoul). Cô Luxia Phương bình tĩnh tiến ra pháp trường, khuôn mặt an bình và tươi vui như thường lệ. Cô liên lĩ đọc kinh cho đến khi tiếng trống báo hiệu, cô nghiêng đầu đưa cổ cho lý hình chém.

... ”Bạn tình của anh hỡi, nàng đẹp tựa Tia-Xa, duyên dáng tựa Giêrusalem, oai hùng như đạo binh chỉnh tề hàng ngũ .. Có đến sáu mươi hoàng hậu, cả tám chục phi tần, còn cung nữ thì nhiều vô kể. Nhưng, bồ câu của tôi là duy nhất, người đẹp của tôi chỉ có một, thật mười phân vẹn mười. Mẹ nàng có mình nàng là gái, và nàng được thân mẫu rất mực cưng chiều. Các thiếu nữ trông thấy nàng đều ngợi khen nàng diễm phúc; hoàng hậu phi tần đều tán tụng: ”Kìa bà nào xuất hiện như rạng đông, diễm kiều như vầng nguyệt, lộng lẫy tựa thái dương, oai hùng như đạo binh chỉnh tề hàng ngũ?” (Sách Diễm Ca 6,4-10).

(Paul Destombes, MEP, ”Au Pays du Matin Calme”, Paris/1968 + Adriano Launay, ”I LXXIX Coreani Martiri”, Milano 1925)

Sr. Jean Berchmans Minh Nguyệt