Here are the dates and chapter headings just as given in this readable and rich book of less than two hundred pages.
313
A.D. The
Edict of Milan and the Liberation of the Church
Constantine granted Christians the right to worship freely thus ending years of persecution. Not to be confused with Theodosius I who declared Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D.
452
A.D. St.
Leo Repulses the Huns
I liked this chapter because of the historical background to the actual event when Pope Leo confronted Attila from across the Mincio River---“I am Leo, the Pope.”
496
A.D. The
Baptism of Clovis Gives Birth to France
One can never tire of reading the history of France’s formation as a Catholic nation: the Frankish Merovingians, Clovis, Clothilda, St. Genevieve, St. Remigius and the miracle of the chrism.
800
A. D. The Coronation of Charlemagne,
Father of Christendom
More on France with the Frankish mayor domos—Arnulf, the Pepins, Charles Martel, Pepin the Short--- who replaced the lazy Merovingian kings until the time of Charlemagne himself. The author sees this era as the consolidation of Western Christianity.
910
A.D. The
Founding of Cluny and The Revival of Religious Life
William the Pious, Duke of Aquitaine is the layman who founded Cluny. Read on about St. Berno and St. Odo who carried out its mission.
1000
A.D. Gateway to the Church’s Most
Glorious Age
The High Middle Ages (1000-1300 A.D.) is the backdrop to events including Pope Gregory VII and the Investiture Controversy.
1517
A.D. The Protestant Catastrophe
Obviously, a chapter about the Reformation.
1571
A.D. The
Battle of Lepanto: Our Lady’s Naval Victory
Christianity is saved from the infidels. The author sets the stage for Pope Pius V’s call to arms with Don Juan of Austria at the helm. She begins with John Hunyadi and St. John Capistrano and the Siege of Belgrade in 1456, includes Scanderberg and Albania and Suleiman the Magnificent’s attempts to break through to Vienna. I have to admit I found the background more interesting than the famous naval battle itself.
1789
A.D. The Age of Revolution
This chapter is devoted to the French Revolution as ushering in the “heady ideas” that “continue to influence the world today.”
Constantine granted Christians the right to worship freely thus ending years of persecution. Not to be confused with Theodosius I who declared Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D.
I liked this chapter because of the historical background to the actual event when Pope Leo confronted Attila from across the Mincio River---“I am Leo, the Pope.”
One can never tire of reading the history of France’s formation as a Catholic nation: the Frankish Merovingians, Clovis, Clothilda, St. Genevieve, St. Remigius and the miracle of the chrism.
More on France with the Frankish mayor domos—Arnulf, the Pepins, Charles Martel, Pepin the Short--- who replaced the lazy Merovingian kings until the time of Charlemagne himself. The author sees this era as the consolidation of Western Christianity.
William the Pious, Duke of Aquitaine is the layman who founded Cluny. Read on about St. Berno and St. Odo who carried out its mission.
The High Middle Ages (1000-1300 A.D.) is the backdrop to events including Pope Gregory VII and the Investiture Controversy.
Obviously, a chapter about the Reformation.
Christianity is saved from the infidels. The author sets the stage for Pope Pius V’s call to arms with Don Juan of Austria at the helm. She begins with John Hunyadi and St. John Capistrano and the Siege of Belgrade in 1456, includes Scanderberg and Albania and Suleiman the Magnificent’s attempts to break through to Vienna. I have to admit I found the background more interesting than the famous naval battle itself.
This chapter is devoted to the French Revolution as ushering in the “heady ideas” that “continue to influence the world today.”
1917
A.D. Fatima and the Twentieth
Century
One hundred and four years after Fatima, how much has changed? The author notes the “doctrinal confusion” and “moral ambiguity” of the 21st century. Yet, I think she intends the events of Fatima to be taken as hopeful despite our rather shoddy track record so far.
Now
read the book. You will not be
disappointed. The author writes in an
accessible scholarly tone and she clearly knows and loves her subject.
One hundred and four years after Fatima, how much has changed? The author notes the “doctrinal confusion” and “moral ambiguity” of the 21st century. Yet, I think she intends the events of Fatima to be taken as hopeful despite our rather shoddy track record so far.
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