https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7067 2026-04-07T22:36:49Z 2026-04-07T22:36:49Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130342 2025-01-09T05:52:36Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Virtues in the life of Maria Teresa Nuzzo Abstract: The purpose of this study is to delve into the virtues dear to Maria Teresa Nuzzo the Poundreis of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart Congregation. A virtuous person makes a deliberate choice between good and evil to do good and become good. While dealing with virtues in the life of Maria Teresa Nuzzo, the historical context of the time in which she lived and was influenced will be brought out as well. At the turn of twentieth century the world marvelled at the progress of the people in terms of their civilization and growth in different aspects of their lives. It is against this background lhe story of lhe heroic woman, Maria Teresa grew physically as well as morally, in terms of virtues. Maria Teresa endowed with the Charism of charity, dedicated her entire life for the service of the needy by embracing religious way of life and choosing to live in a community. God in his providential way chose her to establish a congregation and carry on the mission of education in the Church. Chapter one explains the historical background and Maria Teresa's vocation discernment. Chapter two elaborates on the establishment of the Congregation Daughters of the Sacred Heart and the mission. While Chapter three deals with Maria Teresa's life in the community and some of the particular virtues which were very dear to her. She strived to live a virtuous life by making the right choices as she listened to the promptings of the Spirit in her life. Hopefully all those who read this work will find it helpful and choose to live a virtuous life. Description: B.A.(HONS)THEOLOGY

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130340 2025-01-09T05:51:26Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Uncovering idolatry : James Alison in dialogue with scripture and John of the Cross Abstract: 'Uncovering Idolatry' is a study about the true image of God and false images of him. One's own understanding of God has serious implications on an individual and community level. This study particularly looks at the implications of relating to the true and living God or to false images of him and how these influence human desires which can lead to either violence or fraternal love. Idolatry, true image of God, desire and violence are explored through James Alison's theology which is brought into dialogue with biblical texts and John of the Cross' theology. Envious and rival desires are found to be deeply problematic forms of attachment that spoil human relationships. At the same time it is desire itself that can be transformed into life giving attachment, in mutation of God's own desire. ln this study, God's desire is found to be a desire for humans to share life and express fraternal love. Humanity is created for intimacy and relationships: with God, with one another and with all of creation. However, sin has changed relationships into a dangerous space. Jesus' command "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbour as yourself' ( cf. Mt 22, 3 7-40) is found to be the answer to questions raised by this study. Description: M.A.SPIRITUALITY

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130068 2024-12-30T09:49:23Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Aspects of John H. Newman's conversion : an inspiration for a pastoral journey with searching hearts Abstract: The research leading to the composition of the dissertation entails an examination of the events and writings shedding light on John H. Newman’s conversion to the Catholic Faith an event envisaged as part of a long journey to progressive maturity in the faith. The dissertation starts by delineating a framework of important key concepts through which Newman's journey can be fruitfully interpreted. The dissertation then proceeds to consider, together with the relevant historical and theological context, Newman's "three conversions" or Newman's fundamental encounter with God, his subsequent attraction to liberalism and its rejection and his definitive conversion to the Roman Catholic Church. Ultimately the dissertation aims to demonstrate that Newman's journey of conversion can be presented as a pastoral paradigm for persons who are undergoing an interior spiritual pilgrimage toward the light of Eternal Truth as revealed in Christianity. Description: S.TH.L.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129881 2024-12-16T08:41:30Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The bonum coniugum in the Iight of the Augustinian Bona Abstract: The Fathers at the Second Vatican Council were inspired to give the institutional view of marriage a personalistic dress. Marriage although still considered a contract sui generis has been defined as a covenant for the setting up of a consortium for the whole life whose end is the good of the spouses and the generation and education of children. Thus the good of the spouses - bonum coniugum - is both an end of the consortium and an essential element of marriage itself. In Chapter l of my dissertation l will discuss the views of Saint Augustine - to whom the present Holy Father is so particularly attached - on marriage with special reference lo his treatise De bono coniugali, going on to trace the theological and canonical developments of the medieval and scholastic theologians and canonists ensuing from his doctrine. Chapter II will focus on tridentine and post tridetine developments up to Vatican II. This Council and especially Gaudium et spes propose a personalistic vision of marriage. In Chapter III, I will explore this vision in some depth especially in connection with Canons 1055 and 1056 (CIC 1983) giving special attention to the concept of the bonum coniugum, a completely new concept introduced by the same Code. In Chapter IV I will present a review of canonical jurisprudence addressing this new concept. It is my belief that the concept of the bonum coniugum is in fact present in Augustine's doctrine and it is my humble belief that it is an urgent task of canon law and jurisprudence to place the bonum coniugum on the same level as the other traditional Augustinian bona. Description: M.A.MATRIM.CANON LAW&JURISPR.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z