Course:Carey HIST501/Project 3/John XXIII
Research on the life of a medieval Pope from the list provided below and put together a 500-word mini biography of the historical figure assigned by the instructor (the list will be posted on the course website). For each mini biography, please include the following:
Year of birth and death
Pope John XXIII was the public title of Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (his private name).
He was the head of the Catholic Church, and doubles as ruler of the Vatican city from October 28, 1958 to June 3rd, 1963. He was born on the 25th day of November, 1881 AD, at Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII in present day Italy (Europe). He passed on to glory to be with the Lord on the 3rd day of June, 1963 AD, and was buried at St. Peter's Basillica at the Vatican. He was 82 years old.[1]
A short biographical sketch of the medieval Pope
- a. Upbringing
- He was born into a noble, humble, and impoverished family of 13 siblings. He was the eldest son among his siblings, although he was the third born child. His father's name was Giovanni Roncalli, so he bore the surname of his father. His father was a tenant farmer in the village of Sotto il Monte, where Angelo (John XXIIII) was born and raised, which was some few kilometers away from Bergamo, a Lombard city, where he cultivated the habit of Bible study, daily prayer, and continual communion with fellow Christians. By the age of eleven years, he had developed a strong passion for the priesthood, thus commenced his priesthood training. He was nurtured mostly by the influential and cultured people of his time, thus was unique among his siblings.[2]
- b. Education
- He went to the seminary at the age of eleven and spent a greater part of life as a seminarian and churchman. Although he was not exceptional student academically, he schooled at Rome for theological education at the Seminario Romano. But that feat was interrupted along the way. However, tenacity made him returned to the seminary and pursued a doctorate in canon law atill at the Seminario Romano.[3]
- c. Journey of Faith
- His spiritual journey and the desire for the journey of theological education is attributed to his uncle Zaverio. Moreover, the religious fervency of his family, coupled with the guidance of Fr. Francisco Rebuzzini, nursed in him the desire for the Christian faith. At the age of eleven years, he became a Christian and commenced his journey of faith.[4]
- d. Influential person(s)
- His life was greatly influenced by his great-uncle Zaverio. He was also positively impacted by Fr. Francesco Rebuzzini. Fr. Luigi Isacchi, also had positive impact on his life by elevating him to the Secular Franciscan Order in 1896.[5]
- e. Vocational path
- Before becoming a full time churchman and priest, he served in the military infantry company at Bergamo while in the seminary. As he was preparing for ordination as full time priest, he served in the army during the 1st World War. He also served at Bergamo as a hospital orderly. After that, he served as a chaplain in the military when he was a lieutenant as at that time. By the age 23 years, he was appointed full time priest in Rome in 1904 AD. He was instrumental in ceremony of consecration of new bishops. He served as professor of theology and spiritual instructor to the youngsters undergoing training for ordination. He became the right-hand to the bishop, and became experienced in pastoral care. He served as director of the Italian organization for the supporting foreign missions. This made him influential and recognized across the church. He was an astute researcher and a part-time historian. He served as diplomat at the Vatican, and an apostolic visitor to Bulgaria in 1925 AD, in that capacity. He also served as apostolic visitor to Greece and Turkey respectively. He was named a papal nuncio to Charles de Gaulle's newly emancipated France, and served as Archbishop. Later, he became a cardinal, and patriach of Venice at age 71. He replaced Pius XII as pope.[6][7]
- f. Association with famous historical event(s) and/or council(s)
- He organised the Second Vatican Council, after centuries. He reformed and reinvigorated Catholicism by renewing the old dogmas and doctrines. He convoked the Roman Synod. He established the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law. Put up appearance as Bishop in his Diocese of Rome via visitations of the parishes. Instituted global Chruch renewal.[8]
Major impact of John XXIII
- a. Impact on doctrinal development
- His main encyclical, "Peace on Earth" shaped the doctrine of many churches across the globe. He was canonized in 2014 AD. He rewrote the cade of canon law, and reshaped liturgy and structure of the Roman Catholic church. He edited 39 volumes from St. Charles Borromeo. He inspired biblical scholarship. He penned the "Mother and teacher" to butress Catholic and Christian doctrines, and to address global challenges. He renewed Catholic liturgy. He convoked the Roman Synod.[9]
- b. Impact on church polity
- He emphasized the essence of the church as "supra political spiritual force" across the globe. And made Catholicism more significant and practical to humanity by using a language best understandable by the people, other than Latin. He established the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law. He launched an extensive renewal of the Church.[10]
- c. Impact on church-state relations
- He reconciled issues of differences between the church and the state. He entreated both the USA and USSR to be patient in the missile crisis of Cuba in 1962, which led to peaceful coexistance between the two nations, as well as the communist East and the West. He was passionate about global challenges and released issues to that effect.[11]
- d. Impact on pastoral ministry and ethics
- His outstanding revolutionary ethics influenced Catholicism and Christianity as a whole. His "Pastoral constitution on the modern church" influenced Christian and Catholic pastoral ministry and ethics. He was accessible to all people, and taught church leaders to love all people. He taught respect for human right and love for all humanity. He left a legacy of trust and obedience to the Lord, as conerstone of true happiness in life.[12]
- e. Major works and important papal policy written
- He released the "Kiss of peace" after a meeting with the patraich of Constantinople. He also wrote the "Mother and teacher" and "Peace on Earth." Two major encyclicals which talk about critical issues facing the globe.[13]
Both short and long-term impact of John XXIII
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His resolve of the great schism between Earten Orthodox churches and the Roman Catholic Church had led to lasting peace between these churches. His meeting with the archbishop of Canterbury has wrought lasting positive impact on global Christianity. His kindness to humanity earned him the title "The Good Pope." A title which has inspired many Christians to be good and kind to other people.[14] To commemorate his good works, a private day high school (now St. John XXIII College Preparatory) has been established in honor of him, which continues to offer quality tuition to the youth and employment to teachers in Katy, Texas. Moreover, the Roman Catholic High School (Pope John XXIII Regional High School) in Sparta, Sussex County, New Jersy, is also named after him to honor his immense contribution to global development. What is more, the Saint John XXIII Church (Canal Winchester, Ohio) and the Saint John National Seminary (Weston, Massachusetts) have been established in honor of his impact on humanity.
References
Cogley, J. "Saint John XXIII." Encyclopedia Britannica, August 25, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-XXIII.
Hebblethwaite, Peter. John XXIII, Pope of the Council (rev ed.), Glasgow: Harper Collins, 1994.
markedbyteachers.com/gcse/religious-studies-philosophy-and-ethics/pope-john-xxiii-1.html
Noonan, James-Charles.The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church, Revised Edition. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2012.