https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/117287 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:24:39 GMT 2026-06-25T09:24:39Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118598 Title: The Paschal mystery in the life and writings of St Thérèse of Lisieux Abstract: The life of St Thérèse of Lisieux sheds insights on the mission of Christ in his life on earth, especially on his self-giving and his self-emptying. Her experience of Jesus, as expressed in her Little Way, serves as a guide of the evangelical ideal, re-expressed for the modern world. This ideal is none other than love that has no limits, the love of God, a love that God freely bestows on all humankind, shining forth through Jesus, who loved us until the end. Thérèse shows us that our lives must be united with that of Christ, in abandonment and trust, so as to run with him towards a love that is infinitely extreme, the merciful love of God. This journey is the willingness to love till the total giving of oneself, and thus to participate in the redemptive love of Christ. Thérèse can guide modern man towards this Love, not only for the sake of our own salvation, but also for the salvation of others. Description: M.A. Spirit.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118598 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118596 Title: Witness through suffering : an inspiration from the early church for contemporary Christians Abstract: In the early Church era, when suffering was inflicted by the State, faithful Christians chose to follow Christ’s footsteps and endured torture, exile, and martyrdom for their own good and for the rest of the community. Likewise, nowadays people who experience some kind of distress caused by illness can turn such a painful experience into a fruitful one when they turn to God and entrust him with their suffering. Present-day experiences of many Christians are a testimony of this. This dissertation will seek to demonstrate that if suffering is accepted and is used in function of one’s journey of inner growth, it can enhance one’s courage, faith, and hope, empowering the person to become a living witness in times of trial. Models from the early Church and the contemporary era will be analysed to highlight their concrete witness experience of courage, faith, and hope during their suffering. The relation between the two kinds of models is that ultimately the body that is torn apart in persecution and martyrdom as well as the body that is torn apart by sickness will be glorified in eternity. Description: M.A. Spirit.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118596 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118594 Title: The journey of the wounded healer : insights for spiritual companionship elicited from Moses Abstract: This dissertation is aimed at studying the vulnerability of spiritual companions in their service towards others. This is a phenomenon that is also observed in the secular sphere in helping professionals such as psychotherapists, counsellors, and social workers. The objective is to study “Wounded Healing” aspects from the Pentateuchal character of Moses, particularly because Moses did not lack fragilities in his journey of service. Nevertheless, despite vulnerabilities in the mind, body, and soul, Moses was ever faithful to God in accompanying his people in their journey towards the Promised Land. Description: M.A. Spirit. Comp.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118594 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118592 Title: Recovering the mystical in spiritual direction : an appraisal of Louis Lallemant's "Spiritual doctrine" Abstract: This study analyses the tenets of Louis Lallemant’s teaching that lead to perfection, a seventeenth-century term for holiness. Lallemant states that it is through perfection that we are united with God through the Holy Spirit. Lallemant’s teachings are balanced in that he unites both the ascetical and mystical aspects of the spiritual life. In his time, mysticism was frowned upon, both in France in general and in the Society of Jesus in particular. Yet, this did not deter Lallemant from sharing the rich tradition of the contemplative life. His Spiritual Doctrine is, in fact, a way to holiness, a way to learn to be docile to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that leads one to union with God. In addition, Lallemant teaches that purity of heart, as the action most within humanity’s reach, essentially makes one open to the Holy Spirit. The way to achieve this purity is to guard over one’s heart so that all impurities can be eradicated. In our contemporary society, mysticism is looked upon with indifference at best and with suspicion at worst. However, within each person there is the indwelling of the divine spirit, and spiritual direction is the safe place where a directee can share and nurture this desire for divine transcendence. Lallemant’s Spiritual Direction is a timeless application for spiritual direction as it reminds spiritual directors that their most important task is to help their directees be aware of God’s indwelling spirit within them and that both director and directee are to be guided by his Holy Spirit. This study will show that Lallemant’s Spiritual Doctrine is to be read as a journey towards the mystical. It aims to demonstrate that, in light of Lallemant’s doctrine, the most fundamental element of spiritual direction is receiving God’s grace, that is, the mystical dimension. Description: M.A. Spirit. Comp.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118592 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z