|
Blessed Columba Marmion, born Joseph Aloysius Marmion (April 1, 1858 – January 30, 1923) was an Irish monk, and the third abbot of Maredsous Abbey in Belgium. Beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000, Marmion was one of the most popular〔Toups, pp. 159-160, notes 2 & 3 (noting that Marmion's works have been translated into at least 11 languages, and that some 1.5 million copies of his books were in distribution as of 1951).〕 and influential〔Toups, p. 160, note 4 (discussing "direct influence" of Marmion on several 20th century popes, and on the Fathers of Vatican II). See also Philipon, p. 11 ("His work initiated a profound spiritual revival the influence of which has permeated the whole Catholic world"); Capelle, p. 20 ("It is certain that his teaching, so necessary and so powerful, has left a permanent mark on the Christianity of our times").〕 Catholic writers of the 20th century. His books are considered spiritual classics.〔See, e.g., Philipon, p. 21 ("The works of Dom Marmion may be reckoned henceforth among the spiritual classics"); Capelle, p. 10 ("Dom Marmion's works have become a spiritual classic"); Tierney, ''Biography,'' p. 7 ("his books have become spiritual classics").〕 ==Early Years (1858–1886)== Born in Queen Street, Dublin, on April 1, 1858, into a large and very religious family (three of his sisters became nuns)〔His father William Marmion was from Clane, Co. Kildare, his mother Herminie Cordier was French, prompting his biographer, Dom Raymond Thibaut, to remark: "He owes to his Celtic origin his penetrating intelligence, his lively imagination, his sensibility, his exuberance and his youthful spirit. The French blood which ran in his veins contributes to his clearness of mind, his habit of clear perception, his ease of exposition, and his uprightness of character. From the combination of the two he derives his constant gaiety and his generosity of heart with all the strength, devotion, and fine feeling which this noble quality implies." Philipon, p. 26 (quoting Thibaut).〕 and given the baptismal name Joseph Aloysius. From a very early age, Marmion seems to have been "consumed with some kind of inner fire or enthusiasm for the things of God."〔Tierney, ''Josephinum,'' p. 143.〕 He was educated by the Jesuits at Belvedere College, Dublin . He entered the seminary at 16.〔Thibaut, p. 15.〕 At the time he entered the seminary, his "faith〔Faith, as understood in Catholicism, is an "act of the intellect assenting to a Divine truth owing to the movement of the will, which is itself moved by the grace of God." St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II-II, Q. iv, a. 2. See generally, "Faith" in the ''Catholic Encyclopedia''. See also Faith in Christianity.〕 was very strong"; he perceived "something more than simple theoretical theses" in Catholic doctrine, in particular "that a man's love for God is measured by his love for his neighbor." :One day during the vacation (about the age of 17 ) he learnt that a poor old woman, well known to his family, was threatened with being summoned before the magistrates by an exacting creditor who claimed the payment of a somewhat large debt. The young seminarist possessed an equivalent amount saved up little by little for a trip he had promised himself. A struggle went on in his heart between his generosity and the legitimate desire to enjoy the fruit of his economies. This struggled lasted all night. In the morning charity had gained the day; with his father's consent he generously made over his savings in favor of the poor woman. A "very important moment in Dom Marmion's inner life"〔Thibaut, p. 20.〕 occurred while he was still in seminary. :It seems that one day when returning to the study hall he had all at once, to use his own words, "a light on God's Infinity." While this "light" only lasted for an instant, it was so clear and strong that it left an indelible impression on him, so that... "he referred to this not without emotion and thanksgiving during the last days of his life."〔Earl of Wicklow, p. 14 (quoting Thibaut, p. 20).〕 He completed his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Irish College and was ordained in 1881.〔See Thibaut, p. 21.〕 On his journey back to Ireland, he passed through Maredsous, Belgium – a young and dynamic monastery founded 9 years before (in 1872) by Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Beuron, Germany.〔Thibaut, p. 29, note 2.〕 He wished very much to join the community there.〔"At the moment of crossing the threshold of the cloister he heard, as it were, an inward voice say to him: ''It is here that I want you.''" Thibaut, p. 30.〕 But his archbishop in Ireland refused his request to do so and appointed him as curate at Dundrum,〔The bishop "was not opposed to Marmion entering religion, but thought it would be more prudent for Marmion to spend a year or so as a secular priest in Dublin before making any final decision." Tierney, ''Biography,'' p. 22.〕 a parish in the south of Dublin. After a year, he was appointed Professor of Metaphysics at Holy Cross College at Clonliffe, the diocesan seminary for Dublin where Marmion himself had studied.〔Tierney, ''Biography,'' p. 27.〕 For the next four years (1882–1886) he embarked on the education and spiritual direction of others, including his appointment as chaplain to a nearby convent.〔Thibaut, pp. 31 ff. "()e can say without injury to his memory that he had little aptitude for business... The story is often told – he used to tell it himself with great merriment – about his unfortunate speculation when chaplain to a certain religious community in Ireland. He wanted to oblige them by buying a horse and trap, and thought he had made a splendid bargain; but the horse proved to be a decrepit old hack, and the trap fell to pieces in no time." Lebbe, Dom Bede, "Reminiscences of Abbot Marmion" in ''Abbot Marmion: An Irish Tribute,'' edited by the Monks of Glenstal (Westminster: The Newman Press, 1948), p. 4.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Columba Marmion」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|