What can the Carmelite Order contribute, from its heritage and according to its charism, to Pope Francis’s call for an “integral ecology”? In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis defined an integral ecology as including more than just environmental elements, such as the land and the water. It also includes “ethical and spiritual treasures,” which can strengthen our sense that “everything is interconnected,” as the Pope liked to say, and thus help build “that global solidarity which flows from the mystery of the Trinity.” The Carmelite Order, then, has its own treasure to contribute to an integral ecology. In particular, our tradition fosters what Edith Stein called “the science of the cross,” a kind of “holy realism” that can help develop our capacity to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. In this conference, you will learn more about what Edith Stein meant by the “science of the cross” and how it relates to both Laudato Si‘ and everyday life.
The feast of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) is celebrated on 9 August.
About the Presenter: Fr. Matthew Gummess is a Carmelite friar from the United States Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary. He is a systematic theologian with a doctorate in history and philosophy of science from the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches in the Program of Liberal Studies, Notre Dame’s Great Books program. He is currently working on a book project relating Edith Stein’s Science of the Cross to methodological issues in the field of science and religion.
NO NEED TO BOOK – sign up to receive an email with the zoom link
The zoom link will be emailed on the Monday before this event. If you’d like to be on the list to receive this email scroll to the bottom of the home page, fill in your email address and choose the desired list(s). This list is called “Carmelite Conversations.” We look forward to seeing you on zoom. This event is hosted in Melbourne Australia. Please check your time zone and alter if needed.
EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE
We suggest a donation of $10 to contribute to the costs of providing this session. You can make a donation to The Carmelite Centre here.  We appreciate your support.
